The 2018 season marked the end of the Kim Barnett era, who left mid-season yet can reflect on two summers in which more games were won than in any year since 2011.
There should have been more, too and a frustration for supporters, and challenge for new Head of Cricket Dave Houghton, is to turn more positions of dominance into victories. That said, there have been years where positions of dominance were few and far between, so the 'Barnett model', giving greater responsibility to the captain and senior group, can not be said to have failed.
Houghton can take this on and still allow his captain a degree of freedom. Where it fell down was in the leadership 'group'. Such a group is a laudable idea and some thrive upon it, but where ours fell down was that we had too many senior players who contributed far less than they should have, given their reputation and, one assumes, salary.
There are good cricketers in the Derbyshire squad, some of them very good indeed. The nucleus of Madsen, Godleman, Palladino, Reece, Hughes and Critchley is something that could be quite special, but fresh, better contributing blood is needed around them. The feeling hasn't gone away that we are a batsman light, though the above names, less Palladino, would likely make up five of the top six. The addition of such a player would afford greater balance and confidence that match-winning scores can be made, though there is still a question mark on the resourcing of such a signing for a county that hardly identifies with the word 'affluent'.
On a small staff with, bizarrely, three wicket-keepers, none made the role their own, despite opportunities. The side's need for a wicket-keeper who could make game-changing runs at number seven remains, though Harvey Hosein now looks the most likely bet. A lengthy run in the side would either confirm his talent or highlight frailties in his glove work which are still evident at times. Gary Wilson was a disappointment with the bat and is only a functional keeper, while Daryn Smit, excellent with the gloves, continued to struggle to score the requisite runs. Filling that role properly will be a challenge for 2019, a James Pipe or Luke Sutton the great need.
The bowling was better, but largely because of a golden summer for its oldest member. Tony Palladino took wickets when conditions helped and kept things quiet when they were less in his favour. A new two-year deal followed at the end of the summer, just reward for a player who is hugely respected both inside and outside the county.
Both Hardus Viljoen and Ravi Rampaul disappointed. While both bowled good spells in the Vitality Blast, in four-day cricket they were expensive, erratic and not especially penetrative. Viljoen could occasionally be fast and hostile, but too often lapsed into direction that was shockingly poor at this level. Rampaul's fitness came into question around the ground and, if both players are still at the club next year, a massive improvement is needed in both for us to progress further.
Duanne Olivier was the overseas player for the first half of the summer and proved a great success. Most supporters would be keen to see him return, even keener were he to take up a Kolpak deal. Yet his success will have been noticed elsewhere, his ability to move the ball both ways at good pace, as well as a skiddy bouncer that caused countless problems a prized asset. Watching him bowl, long arms generating unexpected 'whip', I was reminded of descriptions of Bill Copson. Duanne would not be upset with such comparisons with a county legend and his quiet, friendly persona would be welcomed back in the Derbyshire dressing room.
Lockie Ferguson did a sterling job in the T20 Blast, then was less successful, though whole-hearted, in the four-day game. In the short form, his combination of yorkers and short of a length bowling was a potent weapon, though more predictable from a batting perspective in the long form. His fitness enabled him to bowl long spells without his pace dropping though and he was a popular addition to the squad after arriving at short notice.
The spinners? Matt Critchley did better and a season's work in all formats of just short of a thousand runs and forty-four wickets was a good effort. Both his skill sets can improve still further and hopefully Houghton's coaching will turn a batsman who looks to have so much time into one who makes the big scores consistently. He had a golden week at Chesterfield and it is important that the club reward his talent and obvious potential with a deal that offers him medium term security.
Hamidullah Qadri had few opportunities but has plenty of time on his side and is not yet eighteen. His time will come and, like a few others, the appointment of the right bowling coach will see his game continue to develop. When he played he let no one down and his support bowling to Critchley at Chesterfield was perhaps overlooked at the time.
As for the batsmen, Madsen again passed a thousand runs and 1500 in all forms. His new four-year deal gives confidence for the future, as does the one signed by Billy Godleman. His one-day form was outstanding this year and his four-day form returned to the norm once he returned to his rightful place at the top of the order. Luis Reece was sorely missed for most of the summer and Alex Hughes came within sixty of his breakthrough 2017 tally, but at reduced average. His bowling came on dramatically, however and his value to the club could increase still further, as he turned 27 today and has his best years ahead.
Hughes had a tremendous Vitality Blast with the ball and the way in which Wahab Riaz mentored his bowling in the T20 should not be overlooked. The Pakistan international bowled with pace and nous at the top and tail of the innings, as well as playing some handy innings. His smiling demeanour made him a popular figure and many would be pleased to see him return in 2019.
My verdict on the summer? One of progress. Perhaps not as fast as some supporters would wish, but I like to base my expectations on reality, rather than fantasy. Pre-season I was one of few who saw them as better than bottom in the four-day game and also-rans in the short forms. We ended up mid-table across the board, which was about right. Yet three wins were there for the taking in the four-day game and had they done so would have finished in third place.
There is plenty to do in the winter. To allow for squad improvements, I wouldn't be surprised to see negotiated releases of some players from contracts, because we need much more from those who are the best rewarded. We need a batsman of quality and one, perhaps two bowlers who can be relied upon, but we are moving in the right direction.
The budget is the key factor and such additions do not come cheap. Thus the ongoing and stated development of our own talent is crucial and that will take time.
There were plenty of golden moments to look back on over the winter, however. That has to be worth something and sets us up for a hopefully exciting 2019.
Your thoughts?
