Barnett - should he return?
by Alan Rowley, 19th March 2003

The controversy over whether Kim Barnett should return to the county continues to rage with opinions evenly split, according to our latest opinion poll. We asked site readers their opinion after the County moved to pour cold water on rumours that the former Derbyshire player would return after his Gloucestershire contract was terminated.

Barnett, who was with the county for a highly successful nineteen years, still lives in the city and is reported to be interested in a move back to the County Ground. Barnett left the club in 1998 in bitter circumstances which left the club in disarray.

A move back to the County was blocked by the cricket committee, despite skipper Dominic Cork expressing his wish to welcome back Barnett. Chief executive John Smedley said: "It does not make sense to bring in a 42-year-old batsman for a year when it means leaving out one of our promising young players to make way for him."

Whilst we support the move to develop local talent, Sting asked site readers their opinion, and early results from our poll suggest that opinions are split 50/50. As this article is being written, half of our readers are favouring a return, either as a player or coach. Rumours on the site message board suggest that several Premier League club's could be interested, notably Quarndon, although it is not known if the club have approached the player.

Minor county sides Staffordshire and Shropshire are also reported to be showing an interest.