Adil Rashid or Mal Loye?

As I write Yorkshire are hopefully edging their way to victory in the opening match against Surrey. The White Rose have a chance of maximum points because of Adil Rashid who skittled 4 batsmen out at the end of the second day. The Oval pitch had offered nothing for the bowlers and given up 425 runs and only two wickets on day two before the young leg spinner struck. When added to his 86 runs in the first innings Rashid has started the season in style.

However this blistering start combined with England's woeful demise suggests this year will see an international debut for the young leggie. If he then performs for England, Yorkshire may never really enjoy the benefit of producing one of the country's most exciting all rounders. A shame indeed considering how counties are encouraged to bring through young English cricketers.

Counties really need to produce players like Mal Loye. The Lancashire batsman has a first class average of 41 and has played over 200 times for his county. A cracking domestic player but not deemed good enough to make the step up to international level. Producing great players results in them being whisked off by England, not good enough and they're of no use. The Mal Loye level is just right.

Therefore one can understand Surrey signing the likes of Mark Ramprakash and Jimmy Ormond and Lancashire snapping up Dominic Cork, Luke Sutton and the English qualified Stuart Law. These players are free from international commitments and produce on a consistent basis on the county circuit. Ageing English pro's also avoid the financial penalties imposed by the ECB yet offer nothing to the national side. With the restrictions on overseas players kicking in next season these older players and new British residents such as Law and Ian Harvey will be in great demand.

Clearly the best players should play for England, yet counties must be able to have greater access to their best products. Otherwise the Kolpak culture will flourish and academies will become financially inefficient. Hopefully with the fall of the Fletcher regime the policy of 'resting' England players will be reexamined. The current England team are out of form and seemed to have suffered from being starved regular county cricket. If England's finest players were encouraged to play county cricket then not only might they be kept on their toes, but the county championship would receive a shot in the arm boosting interest, attendances and coffers. A rejuvenated domestic game would obviously have a positive affect on the national team.

For Yorkshire to bowl out Surrey on the final day tomorrow Adil Rashid will have to produce another of his excellent bowling performances. But for Yorkshire fans it will be a bittersweet experience. With every wicket he takes the closer he will be to the start of his England career.