Yet it was not really a season of gloom and doom. The 50-over tournament could have been very different if the weather had been kinder to us and we produced some good performances. The Championship sustained interest until the penultimate match and we've been unable to say that many times in recent seasons and there were encouraging performances and an unbeaten home record to take heart from.
Only in the Pro 40 and the 20/20 were we disappointing. Indeed, the 20/20 was the low point of the season and aside from the fact that I don't like the format, the brutal truth was that we were rubbish at it. Aside from the first match at Headingley, we too often approached every over as if it was the last, with the result that we were usually too many batsmen down by half way. Until we realise that 60-70 for one after ten is a launch pad, we'll never compete in that game. Many a side panics chasing 150 and we should be aiming for that with anything else a bonus, rather than trying to reach 220. That only happens with small boundaries and poor bowling allied to good batting. For next year we MUST have an overseas batsman or all-rounder in that competition. This year we were left like a gunslinger in a quick draw who realises too late that he's no bullets in his gun. When you come up against Durham and face Di Venuto and Mustard, followed by Collingwood and then Pollock and Morkel you're on a road to nowhere without hired help. I know we had Hinds (who did well) and Langeveldt (who always does) but the batting was otherwise poor.
So, here's my marks and asessments of the players this season. Two marks - one for four day, one for their one day efforts. The guide to marks is
4- Poor
5- Below average
6- Average
7- Good
8 - Very good
9 - Excellent
10 - Bradman and Warne standard
Chris Rogers - 9/7
Can't fault the Aussie who ended up skipper in the four day game when he matched anyone in the country for weight of runs. This after a start where he failed to turn fifties into hundreds and we were all concerned... The only criticism of his one day game is that there were no centuries, but Buck was a fine import and a lot of teams would like him. Thankfully, he's signed for next season, which is great news.
Paul Borrington 7/-
The youngster could hardly be faulted after a fine mini season where he dug in and sold his wicket dearly. An average of 27 is not too spectacular, but three fifties in 13 innings suggests there's something to build on. Just needs to increase his range of strokes, but plenty of time to do that.
Steve Stubbings 6/-
Averaged 33 in the Champonship but had a highest of 62 in 17 knocks so not a vintage season. A shoulder injury troubled him and his benefit commitments distracted him but there were signs at the end that the old Stubbo was back. Under-utilised in the one day game where he would have been a better option than some that were used.
Dan Birch 6/6
Curiously did better in his second season than his first and showed signs of coming to terms with the County game when traditionally players are "found out second time around. Still has a tendency to lose concentration when well set which also affects him in the field, where he dropped some sitters. Still, an average of 36 suggests a man on the way up, and if he can work on his mobility and speed between the wickets could yet be a force in the county game.
Wavell Hinds 7/7
No big scores from Wavell either, but enough cameos to suggest he could be an asset next year, now he has come to terms with the county game. Played some good 20/20 innings and also contributed with the ball. Another who will do better next season, especially if the wickets are drier and harder.
Dominic Telo 4/4
A nightmare first season for the diminutive South African, who broke all the records a school but had a bad start that got worse as the season progressed. He has a two year deal and may return refreshed next year, but he made James Bryant look prolific and Andrew Gait Bradmanesque in comparison. Fine fielder, but that's not enough.
John Sadler 5/5
A few early grafting knocks suggested he was just what we needed, but Sads never got going and lost his place. A few more decent knocks later in the season suggested he may come again, but it was a poor return from a man who had averaged over 50 in successive seasons for Leicestershire in four then one day cricket. We need an in form Sadler in the middle order, but he never delivered.
Greg Smith 6/6
An early season muscle tear in his arm hampered Smith, who could never bowl seam this year. His off spin is useful, but not yet up to his seam bowling. His batting showed signs of maturity and there was a first Championship century and some punishing innings, while his 20/20 century was a season highlight. Next season is important for Smith, however and will dictate whether he is another Bruce Roberts, destined to be limited by poor starts, or a genuine quality all-rounder.
Dan Redfern 7/6
Came off a prolific year with England Under 19s and his A Levels to average 32 in six innings and look a cut above his contemporaries - and indeed many of his team mates. While we should not expect too much from an 18 year old, his two year contract should see the flowering of a major new batting talent. He also bowls tidy off spin so has a very, very big future. Lovely timer of a ball.
Rikki Clarke 4/4
A six-figure salary and big reputation came to naught as Clarke was a HUGE disappointment. Caught flies at slip, but I'd do that for a lot less than he commanded. His batting was a succession of big shots that looked like he didn't care, while every good ball was followed by dross. We were entitled to more from an "England all-rounder" (his words) and if he regarded it as a "wasted season" - well, at least he got the money. What did we get?
Graham Wagg 9/7
He bowls left arm seam and spin, fields brilliantly and on occasion times the ball beautifully and hits it a long way. Another to sign on for an extra year (two more in total), Wagg is an outstanding player in the long game. Only a tendency to bowl a hittable length rather than mixing it up a little in the one day game holds him back, but Waggy has had two successive good seasons now and the future is his for the taking if he carries on in this vein.
Jon Clare 8/6
An outstanding first full season for the youngster who looked a new man after all his gym work in the winter. Over 500 runs at 42 and over 30 wickets at 28 in a first year was an outstanding effort. Not had many chances to bat in the short game, but bowled steadily on a number of occasions and fielded well. Showed a rare resilience in a physically demanding role and can reflect on a job very well done.
James Pipe 8/7
More of the same from the keeper. Excellent wicket-keeping that compares to anyone in the country and batting that can turn a game in a few overs. Unfortunately there was another nasty injury that robbed us of his services for much of the second half of the season, but Pipe is a key member of this side and should be back to his best next year. Less of an influence in one day cricket than might be expected, but a fine player.
Jake Needham 7/6
It is easy to forget that Jake Needham is still a young man as he has been around the team for a few seasons now. A useful batsman who can battle it with the best of them, a good fielder and a bowler with a developing loop that might take him to the next level as an off spinner. Took a little flak in one day games but came back for more and was the best spinner this year by a distance
Tom New 7/7
New let no one down in his time with Derbyshire, batting solidly and with no little skill in both forms of the game. His wicket-keeping was solid, although he put down a few straight forward chances. Few would be worried if he were to be a regular in the side, but the excellence of James Pipe makes that unlikely, along with the potential of Tom Poynton.
Fred Klokker 6/5
Fred is a nice bloke and a good cricketer who everyone was pleased to see make a century against Warwickshire. He doesn't have a wide enough range of shots for the top level, nor is he quite a good enough keeper. Unlikely to appear next season with the competition in that position, but a sound year for a professional man.
Nayan Doshi 5/7
Doshi left shortly after Rikki Clarke. Who knows if the two were connected, but he wanted a regular place and didn't merit one. While he bowled with control in one day matches, he rarely looked like bowling sides out in any form of the game and was only an average batsman and fielder. His arrival was anticipated, but he sadly failed to deliver.
Tom Lungley 5/5
Back to the bad days for Tom. Last year he proved he could get good players out and did so regularly, but this year he was rarely fit and a succession of injuries wrecked his season. He is another top bloke and a good cricketer, but really needs to be fit and firing next year or his place on the staff, as he approaches 30, could be in jeopardy.
Wayne White 6/5
I'm not sure about Wayne. He bowls with good pace but bowls a lot of four balls and at times took some fearful stick in the occasional one day outing. If he is retained for next year he needs to take a leaf from the Clare book of pre-season training and come back with a stronger physique. A few sessions with Mike Hendrick on line and length might be useful too.
Ian Hunter 6/7
Ian is perhaps one of the unluckiest bowlers I've seen playing for us in recent years and suffers from a lot of dropped catches and near misses. He's also had his problems with injury but to be fair to him he bowled well, especially in one day matches, in the second half of the season and perhaps deserves another year, especially with Kevin Dean's retiral.
Kevin Dean 6/6
A modern legend, Kevin Dean called it a day this year after sterling service to the county. He could still swing the ball and get those lbw decisions, but the nip had gone from his bowling and he didn't look like running through teams like previous years. He will be missed and we will be looking for a new Kevin Dean in coming years. Thanks Kev!
Ross Whiteley 6/6
Ross could be the new Kevin Dean and has a lithe run up to the wicket, but his bowling looks like it has a way to go at first class level. His batting looked to have potential and he appears to be a clean hitter of a ball, so I think we may see more of him in the future as another successful product of the Academy.
Charl Langeveldt 9/9
What can be said about the South African I've not said already this season? He has a huge heart and bowled with pace and skill in all matches. When conditions were in his favour he took wickets, when they weren't he kept things tight - and still took wickets. A 100% fielder and a batsman who sends the ball a long way when he connects. A diamond of a cricketer and a man, thanks for the hard work Charl!
Let me know what you think guys - any major disagreements?
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