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.
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