EARLY season injuries seem to be a familiar theme for Worcestershire -- borrowing players from another county has not, however, previously been a solution.

So what to make of the new Professional Cricketers Association backed and inspired loan system?

One of the arguments for playing Alamgir Sheriyar was that he 'knew' Worcestershire. Is this another way of saying that he would instinctively try harder because of some deep seated loyalty, that a sense of belonging is important to team and individual performance?

Newcastle supporters were certainly questioning Nicky Butt's loyalty in last week's encounter with the United of Manchester.

The principle is sound. Counties in need of a short-term solution lease from another county rather than look overseas to a Kolpak option and another non-England qualified player.

The player gets much needed practice; the team for whom he is guesting have a hungry player with a point to prove. They will also benefit financially if this option allows them to carry a smaller squad.

I do wonder, however, as to the motivation associated with loyalty and team spirit.

Cricket has always been a game treading a fine line between the team and the individual.

Overseas players swap counties like dance partners so perhaps there is no reason to worry over a Butt-loyalty syndrome.

The fact that it is the counties with the highest count of Kolpak players (Derby and Leicester) who have started the season least impressively is reassuring.

If counties do lose their sense of identity then a major argument for preserving the current structure is lost.

Worcestershire's early experiences in the second division suggest that any gap is not between the two divisions but in the lower reaches of the second division.

They were dismissed by Durham as easily as they themselves had disposed of Derby.

Durham are on fire, inspired by the class acts of Hussey, Harmison and Collingwood.

Lancashire bring plenty of class this week to New Road and Worcestershire will need to respond to that in order to lay down their challenge for promotion.

Yorkshire and Essex are the two other counties with the class to push for promotion I would say.

Dave Wigley's wicket-taking has been the real bonus of the early matches. When Zander de Bruyn arrives our loan player could prove surplus to requirements.

However, the competition is healthy, two out of three wins ain't bad and the Durham game is an early reminder of the quality which will be needed to get out of this year's second division.