The comments I have heard against Matt Lineker breaking into the first eleven at Derbyshire are generally of the "he's just a league player" nature.
How do they know?
Turning it around, yesterday Derbyshire's players all appeared in the local leagues, with the exception of Wayne Madsen, who headed north to his old haunts in Lancashire. While there were several decent contributions, the standout was once again Lineker, making 118 for Ockbrook and Borrowash. The player averages a shade under 53 for them this season and since 2008 has 3600 in a very strong league at an average of 48. That's 26 fifties and 7 centuries in 83 innings...
By any standards that is impressive, but especially so when this year, like all county players at league level, he has been a marked man. Players will raise their game against them, especially those who were formerly county players themselves (plenty of them about in the Derbyshire Premier League).
Yesterday saw solid performances by several players - Wes Durston scoring 40 and taking three wickets for Chesterfield, Jake Needham 35 and four wickets, Tony Palladino 3-72 for Alvaston and Boulton - but Lineker was the standout.
Contrast it, if you will, with Chesney Hughes. He has had half a dozen knocks in the DPL this season and only has 30-odd runs to his credit. No one would deny that Hughes is a player of rich potential and considerable talent, but the league players give little away and he has found the going tough as a 'target'.
The Derbyshire Premier League is acknowledged as one of the best in the country and looking at those involved highlights that. For Matt Lineker to have maintained that standard over four seasons is remarkable and for me he should get an opportunity at first team level this year and another contract so we can see if he can translate that to scores at the highest level.
He has already shown that he can make runs against county second teams. I certainly wouldn't bet against him going up another level when the chance comes.
Surely, now is the time to give Matt Lineker & "Borrers" a go in the first team - not necessarily at the same time - otherwise we'll never know if they can cut it or not. They're both scoring shed-fulls of runs & their confidence must at the moment be sky-high. Any chinks in their armour will soon be exposed by the bowling of the top boys - no sentiment in county cricket !!
ReplyDeleteI think Borrington or Lineker will play on Wedsnesday against Glos. They won't drop their overseas but you might see a reshuffle in the batting order with potentially Guptill droping down the order but I do hope we eventually drop Madsen down to 4 or 5 because thats where he is best suited in Championship Cricket. I think it is time give Lineker a chance in County Championship and CB40 just to see how well does and whether or not he can cut it at this level.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Agreed. Lineker must and i repeat,must be given an chance. Madsen should be "rested" for a while and Smith shouldn,t feature. Might not be a bad idea to give Hughes a break for a game or two.
ReplyDeleteI agree with an earlier post about our bowling attack for next season. It,s worryingly threadbear and this is one area the academy will not be able to help much. At least not in the short term. We cannot rely on Footitt and Turner,for different reasons and as peakfan says,two of the best youngsters have been plagued by injury. The spin department also requires attention,at least for next season. It all adds up to those in charge earning their money this winter and hopefully finding some solutions.
Is Dan Redfern still injured? I saw him at Leycett cricket club yesterday but he wasn't playing just spectating.
ReplyDeleteLike the Derbyshire league, the NSSCCL is a high standard league with some very talented players in it.
Dave Wheeldon, a solid opening batsmen, 22, just been released by Worcs not a bad option.
A lad similar to Lineker, called Pete Wilshaw, scored runs for many seasons, 24 i think.
Some very talented youngsters around the league as well.
Redders should be fit for this coming game, all being well.
ReplyDeleteWheeldon is a Staffs lad too. Decent player, but not sure if we're short of batters if budgets are tight. Good to know that our scouting network is wide though!