For Rob Key it was a vexing first campaign in charge. His own poor form, financial woes, the flogging of precious family jewels and a bitter response from reactionaries to some sensible development proposals hardly helped. Caught between generations â.. Fulton, Patel and Saggers fading, the youngsters still green â.. it hurt that, with Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp returning to South Africa earlier than last year, imported inspiration was scarce unless it came from Martin van Jaarsveld. As leader of a largely spiteless attack, Amjad Khan improved before a knee injury ended his season. Back-up, Min Patel apart, was fitful. Dwayne Bravo managed a six-for but was barely around long enough for an encore; Robbie Joseph hinted at promise; Simon Cook, Rob Ferley and James Tredwell ended strongly. But too often the main threat was from Darren Stevensâ.. lesser-spotted blend of spin and dob. Dominated by Van Jaarsveld and Matty Walker, who scored heavily in both forms, the batting was patchy though, if David Fulton has taken his last guard, at least he signed off with a hundred. But the balance sheet â.. 18 wins, 14 losses â.. may prove deceptive: the tunnelâ..s end is not in sight. Rob Steen The Wisden Cricketer