Smith - Return of The Pro.

As visa regulations are tightened and the push for young players becomes ever more dominant, the sight of the overseas pro has become a rarity. Yet in this game, Graeme Smith is proving they still have their place in the County game.

The argument against them found it’s voice a few years ago, when not only could Counties field two overseas players, but also the regulations for those players with an EU-passport loosened, leading to an influx in Kolpak players. It was deemed this reduced the prospects and chances of young English players, and would weaken the national side in time.

So now we have a system that actively discourages Non-English involvement on the domestic scene. Trent Copeland, arguably the reason Northamptonshire were promoted last year, was unable to return this season due to a declined Visa, on the grounds that he wouldn’t offer enough to English cricket. He tangibly did offer huge amounts to England, not just in terms of revenue for his County, but in the experience he gave other teams in facing high quality bowling.

Graeme Smith is now proving that again for Surrey. In this game he has tutored the Essex attack, making England fringe players Graham Napier, Ravi Bopara and Tymal Mills bowl better in trying to get him out, and learn from their mistakes when he easily slaps them to the boundary. His 65 today served as a reminder that old and foreign players can still offer quality given the opportunity.

He has also taken on the responsibility of captaining the side. Here he is given the young cricketers around him the opportunity to learn from his knowledge and leadership, motivating them to emulate his global success. He is clearly doing work behind the scenes as well, most notably with his opening partner Rory Burns whose technique now closely resembles that of the ex-South African skipper.

Smith is also mirroring the good work done by Chris Rogers at Middlesex. Rogers also captains his side, and has had a massively positive influence on his opening partner Sam Robson, who is widely being tipped for an England Test debut this summer.

Surely it is time for the ECB to take a better look at the rules and laws surrounding outside involvement. It is one thing to not want Counties to resemble teams in the Premier League with only one or two English names in a squad, but if that means completely shutting out excellence in all its forms, is it worth it? Many at Northants, Middlesex and Surrey would argue not. 

Britain's Got (limited) Talent.

With the English Domestic season underway, all eyes are on the next coach of the England cricket team. Realistically, you would think it would go to an Englishman, given the pattern of recent years of a solid County coach (doing poorly) followed by a Left-handed African - David Lloyd to Duncan Fletcher, Peter Moores to Andy Flower. Whoever takes the job is arguably just a stop gap until the ECB can convince Gary Kirsten to take the role. So who are the candidates:

Ashley Giles. 
You would imagine his copy book is blotted with a large, Netherlands-shaped flag. Having taken Warwickshire to the title in 2011, he was rapidly moved up the leadership ladder, taking control of the Lions team first, then the Limited-overs sides. Despite leading England to the final of the Champions Trophy, I can't see him escaping the horrors of this winter - his appointment would remind me of the way Peter Moores was earmarked as the new leader despite not really having the right credentials or enough experience. Maybe it's time to put Giles back on the shelf and see if he matures with time, much like Moores has. Which neatly brings us to...

Peter Moores.
As previously stated, he was picked early as the successor to Duncan Fletcher having taken Sussex to the Championship title. Highly regarded and seen as part of the new 'modern' set of coaches, he was given the tough task of rebuilding a side decimated by the 2006/07 5-0 Ashes. In such circumstances his short stint wasn't a total failure, but is largely remembered for the KP bust-up (Deja vu) and subsequent return to County Cricket. True he won the County Championship with a unspectacular Lancashire side full of local players, but he also had that same side relegated the following year. Paying big money for two overseas stars to win the Division 2 title hardly makes his claim undeniable. It has also been widely agreed by pundits and fans alike that England require a more upbeat dressing room - I can't see Moores, with a litany of backroom staff, providing that.

Mick Newell. 
The Nottinghamshire stalwart has put together a very impressive side since taken over in 2002. It is comprised largely of players who are just on the fringe of international cricket, giving it stability along with the necessary talent. The likes of Taylor, Lumb and Patel have all dabbled with the national side, whilst names like Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann ascended to regular Test places after joining the County. Newell clearly has the pedigree, but is seen by many as an 'old school' type of coach. He may not be able adapt to the modern approach taken by England in recent years. There may also be parallels between him and former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp - able to get results when allowed the option of buying in extra talent from other clubs, something not afforded to national coaches. His time may have already past...

Mark Robinson.
My personal choice. Robinson took over the Sussex job after Peter Moores joined the England set up. He has in recent years created a nurturing environment on the South coast, with Sussex being seen as a place of healing for wounded and mistreated County players. James Anyon, Rory Hamilton-Brown, Jon Lewis and England hopeful Chris Jordan were all battered and bruised from their previous employers, but found new life under Robinson's stewardship. It's this quality that I believe England are looking for - after the mauling they took in the winter, they need a less cold and fearful atmosphere in the dressing room, and more room for enjoyment where they can truly express themselves. Robinson may be the one to provide this, and like Flower managed to do in 2009, create a solid base from which the England 'new era' can build.