WHO is the best wicketkeeper-batsman in England? Most people in cricket have an opinion.

Tim Ambrose is the man in possession, Matt Prior and Phil Mustard are in the wings, Chris Read still has his supporters.

Plenty of other names are thrown into the hat when the subject is raised but never Jamie Pipe's. At the age of 30, he may be just beyond the age where he would be seriously considered for international selection but his performances deserve recognition.

His standards with the gloves are consistently high, especially now that winter surgery has resolved the problems he had last season with his groins, and his batting is increasingly a potent factor.

His 95 not out in the first innings at Chelmsford this week took his first-class average for the season to 62.71, which is certainly better than most.

For Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris, there is no good reason why, if Pipe continues to play as well as he has with gloves and bat, he should not claim the attention of the national selectors.

“I think that position is still wide open,” he said. “For me, the best gloveman around is still Chris Read but I don't think there are any brilliant keepers out there.

“Pipey is a very dangerous batter who can come in and win you the game, like he did against Worcestershire, and he is more than competent behind the stumps.

“If he keeps pushing himself forward – which he will because he is a good pro – and keeps scoring runs he will put himself in the frame.

“He strikes such a clean ball – how many times do you see him get off the mark with a six? His timing is immaculate and he has worked hard on his technique this winter and he is a very good keeper.

“His name doesn't get mentioned but if he keeps scoring runs, it will have to be.

“The batting contribution is so important now, you cannot just be one dimensional. Bob Taylor, as brilliant a wicketkeeper as he was, would probably not have played half as much for England if his time was now because you want your keeper to be a big run-scorer as well.”

Pipe made his first hundred for Derbyshire in the opening game of last season at Chelmsford and should have marked his return to the ground with his fourth – the fifth of his first-class career.

His batting in the middle of the order was no more valuable than when he demolished the Worcestershire bowling at Chesterfield last month, serving his former county with a reminder of how far his game has progressed since he left New Road in 2005.

“The reason I wanted to get away from Worcester was to develop this side of my game and I'm in debt to Derbyshire for giving me the opportunity,” he said.

“It's great to repay them with a few performances. I've really enjoyed the responsibility I've been given here of batting up the order.

“I just try to play to my strengths, which is to play straight back down the ground and pounce on anything that's slightly short but you have still got to try to give yourself time to get in and build an innings.”

It is a sad reflection on Derbyshire's batting this season that coming in at 120-5, as he had to last week, was not an unfamiliar situation for Pipe but he accepts that as part of the job.

“Seven is quite a crucial position for the team,” he said.

“You are always either coming in in a tough situation or the new ball is around the corner, so there is quite a bit of responsibility batting down there.

“I think you get used to batting in most situations really. I found it quite hard for those first 10-20 runs against Essex and then it's a matter of making sure you don't give it away but trying to be positive throughout.

“I just enjoy playing, whether it's batting or keeping. I'm not one for spending time in changing rooms, although if I'm next in I don't mind watching our batters get loads of runs.

“When I do get the opportunity to get out there, I just look to make the most of it.”

But as for England, Pipe says he doesn't really give the matter a second thought.

“As a young fella, I think I probably thought about it too much but since coming to Derbyshire, I've really knuckled down and concentrated on trying to control what I can control and that's to go out there and play well.

“All I think about is my own game, training every day to try to improve and become a better player with the bat and the gloves and work hard on my fitness to keep myself out there on the park.

“Being selected for your country is an honour, not a given, and if you are fortunate enough to be given that honour, it's awesome.

“But, in the meantime, I just love playing for Derbyshire and trying to get as many catches, stumpings and runs for the club as I can.”