A tale of two counties
by Alan Rowley, 14th February 2004

With the new season a little over two months away, preparations at Trent Bridge and the County Ground are a world apart. The close season turbulence at Trent Bridge continues unabated, whilst there is an air of re-building over the border in Derby.

The whole sorry Pietersen episode continues to rock the foundations of the Bridge. Sources close to the club suggest that Pietersen's legal team and management believe that they have a 'cast iron case' and fully expect to win the day. The South African has apparently already signed a 'letter of intent' to play for Somerset as soon as the legal wranglings have been resolved.

It is believed that the Nottinghamshire players, probably with the exception of Gallian, don't have a problem with Pietersen, but his discontent with his employers now appears to be irrepairable.

Adding more confusion to the saga, the Daily Telegraph is reporting that Pietersen will honour the final year of his contract. Quoting Nottinghamshire chief executive David Collier as saying "He has not indicated that he will not be fulfilling his obligations and we have heard nothing about an industrial tribunal. We feel there is a principle at stake and even if any action were started we would vigorously defend our position."

More rumblings of discontent appear to be brewing - not in overcast Nottinghamshire, but in sunny India. Up-and-coming young Notts star Bilal Shafayat has been warned about his future conduct by manager Mick Newell following his foul-mouthed outburst at an umpire in a recent England A game in Bangalore. The outburst led to A team leader Rodney Marsh banning Shafayat from the final one-dayer against India A.

Newell said: "I can't condone swearing at an umpire and Bilal has to learn from this. You have to watch your manner when you're representing England on tour - or any side for that matter. But I must say that this is most unlike Bilal. I can only imagine it's down to the frustration of not scoring many runs, although that's certainly no excuse."

So, the pre-season preparations at Trent Bridge are hardly steering a steady course. A very different story can be reported from Derby. With Dominic Cork safely despatched up the A6, and new coach David Houghton getting his feet under the table, there is an air of optimism eminating from the County Ground.

Bowling coach Geoff Arnold's departure to Surrey hardly batted an eyelid. Houghton was very positive about Arnold's departure saying: "I just thought Geoff was part of the deal here and when he didn't take it up, I thought 'fine' because that is actually the way I wanted it. I want to be in the position where Karl Krikken and myself will run the squad. Both of us know enough about bowling to tell bowlers where and how we want them to bowl. When a guy has a problem with his action, I will use a consultant but I'm not keen to have a bowling coach around full-time."

New overseas Damien Wright appears to have recovered from his recent knee scare and promising new signing James Bryant has had a successful season for Eastern Province averaging 43.25, including a knock of 163 and two half-centuries. Much is expected from these two in 2004.

Derbyshire's new £4.2 million pound Academy development is now taking shape where the old Grandstand pub used to be and is already obliterating the view out to Chaddesden. The Academy is due to open in late spring and is part of a project to regenerate the Derwent area of Derby, where the County Ground is situated.

The Academy has already enrolled its first eight students aged from 14 to 17. They are James Chapman (Denby CC), Paul Borrington (Ticknall CC and Chellaston School), Joe Cooper (Chesterfield CC, The Dronfield School), Jake Needham (Sandiacre CC, Bluecoats School), Charlotte Horton (Wirksworth, Anthony Gell School), Richard Wood (Matlock CC, Swanwick Hall), Adam Whiteley (Chesterfield CC, Repton School) and Ross Whiteley (Chesterfield CC, Westfields School).

According to the official Derbyshire CCC website, the youngsters 'will attend the Academy approximately four times a week and will have a tailor-made fitness programme. Receiving training from the Academy Director and expert professional coaches round the country they will work on technical, mental, tactical aspects of the game and will have a personal training timetable to fit around schoolwork'.

So, it looks like positive vibes from Derby and uncertainty at Trent Bridge. How will this affect each side's chances in 2004? We shall soon find out.