THE Derbyshire connection already has happy memories for new signing Nantie Hayward.

South African Test bowler Hayward took delivery of his visa on Tuesday and was on a plane to come to England later that night to begin his fourth spell in county cricket.

The 32-year-old, signed for the rest of this season as a replacement for the injured Charl Langeveldt, brings vast experience from playing all over the world. But he has no doubt that his season in South Africa in 2005 was his most enjoyable, when he was under the guidance of Dolphins' former Derbyshire coach Phil Russell.

"Even today I cannot see Phil without stopping and having a long talk," he said. "He was the guy I looked up to as a coach and that was the best year of my cricket career."

Russell, whose Derbyshire playing career spanned 20 years, was also responsible for bringing John Morris to the County Ground as a player and was the man the current head of cricket turned to for advice before signing Hayward.

"I had a list of three players I was considering – Nantie, Johan Louw and Tino Best – and I asked Phil which he thought would be the best signing," said Morris. "He said Nantie was the best option, without a doubt."

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