One of the more surprising texts that I got today suggested that after just one home session of play there were one or two people moaning that we had only taken one Leicestershire wicket. Presumably someone told them that the visitors were supposed to roll over and play dead…
This is perhaps a consequence of the advent of instant cricket, the twenty over thrash, where things are always happening. If they're not dropping or holding catches, hitting fours and sixes or taking wickets it's dull, dull, dull. Allegedly...
Four day cricket can sometimes take a while to take shape, then can explode into life with quick wickets or a spate of boundaries after a lull. When Will Jefferson and Paul Nixon, two very experienced cricketers, took root this morning, they were doing what professional cricketers are supposed to do - get in, get used to conditions and bat for as long as possible.
I'd have liked to have heard what the grumblers were saying after lunch, when Tim Groenewald and Steffan Jones took quick wickets to alter the game. I'm all for free speech, but my understanding is that a good few runs flew off the edge for boundaries, something you just cannot legislate for. Some days they go to hand, some days they go along the ground or between the gaps. As they say up here, it's just your Donald (Duck)…
Anyway, the Championship campaign will last for 16 matches, 64 days and 192 sessions. If Derbyshire win over half of those sessions and a few end up level they will have a great season. Today we lost the first, won the second and probably drew the third after the loss of the two late wickets.
I think we did well to come back from the lunch position and bowl out our local rivals for 278, but we will know much more this time tomorrow. I suggested last night that we should not be surprised if Chris Rogers went for a low score after his heroics in the last game and that's what happened. Yet in a way it will allow the rest of the team to stand up and be counted. We are a long way from being a one man team and have the opportunity to show that tomorrow.
Much will depend on the first session tomorrow, when Wayne Madsen and Garry Park resume for Derbyshire. I mentioned last night that our depth of batting may tell in this match, and still think so. It doesn't look likely to be a high scoring game, so first innings advantage - for either side - could be crucial.
This will be a close game. I still think we will come out on top, but we will learn a lot about our side and their promotion credentials tomorrow. Winning or losing won't ensure or legislate against promotion, but the victors will leave the ground over the weekend with a spring in their step.
One plus factor was that the newly aligned track seemed to play quite well. They'd have fancied that at Bristol today...
Without wishing to appear a trifle picky, I do wonder whether Borrington would have been better starting this term down at no. 6. This would have given him a bit less pressure early on to establish himself against the old ball. After all, a good pre-season does not always lead to a good start in the CC proper.
ReplyDeleteBearing in mind Park looked well established at no. 3, it seems unnecessary to have created a potential problem down the line, where Morris/Buck have to contemplate dropping Bozza down the order if the low scores continue. This is likely to only further fuel any self doubts he may have and undermine his self confidence.
Early days for him granted, but just a thought.
MASTERVILLAIN
TO be honest im not sure borrington should be in the 1st team anyway, but because of payment rules regarding playing two younger english players we might have to bite the bullet, unless he comes up with runs. id rather see borrinton score a shed of runs in the 2nd team first before being picked for this level.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are correct fellow correpondent as regards Borrington. The only other qualifying options appear to be Hughes, where a different financial penalty would apply, or Poynton or just maybe Sheikh. The other youngsters are all outside the senior squad and less prepared for CC2 than Borrington.
ReplyDeleteOn the face of it, apart from Hughes, PB looks the only realistic option.
MASTERVILLAIN
Lets just hope borrington gets some runs soon, otherwise its going to give morris a headache.
ReplyDelete