No Crime To Commit
Swann does his thing for Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations.
David Lloyd questions Francois Du Plessis' commitment and looks at ways to improve domestic cricket.
I was at the PCA Awards earlier this week, although I must admit I didn't stay for long as I had other things to be doing.
Martin van Jaarsveld was named Player of the Year and it was fully deserved. He's one of the guys that epitomises what's good about Kolpak players; he's very approachable, very amiable, a very good cricketer and most of all he's committed.
That contrasts starkly with a certain Francois Du Plessis.
Like Van Jaarsveld and Imran Tahir, he plays for the Nashua Titans in South Africa, but unlike those two he decided he needn't bother to play in the last round of the County Championship.
Mr Du Plessis has batted at number four all season, averaged 25 and has just been given a three-year contract with Lancashire. And yet when they really needed him in their must-win game against Somerset to avoid relegation, this lad decided to go home.
His explanation was that he had to prepare for the Titans. If that's the case then why didn't van Jaarsveld and Tahir go as well? His first game isn't until Thursday after all.
It's all about that word commitment. His Lancashire team-mates were busy saving the club from relegation, two of his Titans team-mates carried on in the County Championship and where was he? Sitting on his backside somewhere.
The concept of commitment is very important in Lancashire and it seems to me he's treating the club like a convenience.
The England squad was as-per-usual; there was nothing there that I didn't like or wouldn't have done myself.
Some people have raised questions about Michael Vaughan having a central contract if he isn't going to play. As you all know, I'm very friendly with Michael but I've also stated there's no need to give him a central contract.
He needs to play for Yorkshire, try to get form and score runs. A central contract is there to protect a player and allow the ECB to give him a rest - but in this case we have a bloke that doesn't need a rest, he needs to bat as much as he can.
He wouldn't be getting in the team if he went to India and he's not going to get his form back carrying the drinks. He's better off going on the Lions Tour or going to play in South Africa or Australia. That central contract is basically a thank-you for his service in the past.
The two wicket-keepers is perhaps the contentious issue. You only really need one man for two Test matches and if there is a problem you can fly one in.
I suppose they are being ultra-professional by taking an insurance policy in case there is an injury or an illness on the morning of a match - but it's about time they showed their hand and told us who the Test-match keeper is.
I personally think it will be Matty Prior, but I wish they'd given a central contract to a wicket-keeper. The keeper is now still on trial and the media will pounce on him when he drops a catch or two. Not giving him a contract makes him an easy target.
Look out for the following ad in the newspapers: alternative rock singer required, Nottingham area, influences: Doors, Floyd etc. Must be committed.
It seems Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations will have to cancel a few gigs after Graeme Swann was called up to tour India.
His band-mates might not be too happy that he's off on tour, but I'm pleased to see him in there. I like the idea of Monty Panesar going one way and him going the other if he's needed. I don't think they will play two spinners, but he provides a good insurance policy.
The lad that's really intriguing me at the moment is Samit Patel. He's a chunky lad, but he's pretty rapid and he's got bags of talent and confidence.
I saw him at the PCA dinner the other night and asked him if he ever got fed up of getting out in the 70s. He should have got two centuries against Hampshire in the last game of the season and he knows it. I told him that I'd given him a roasting on air and he admitted he deserved it.
However, he really is knocking on the door of that England team, so watch this space.