Tuesday 6 September 2011

Derbyshire v Kent preview

Following on from my previous post, it would appear that Essex have come in with a late bid for the services of Greg Smith, according to comments I have had from down south. Given that no one else had and Derbyshire had withdrawn their contract offer, the chances are he'll be lining up in a side of perennial under-achievement next year through Hobson's choice. How a side that features ten Doeschate, Shah and Bopara on a regular basis, as well as Masters and Foster, doesn't stroll promotion is beyond me. Maybe that's the issue, too many big names and under-achievers. You can insert your own wisecrack at this point...

If Smith does leave, it is with my best wishes. Maybe he will become a top all-rounder, or maybe never get there. Time will tell, as always and we can revisit that one in 12 months time.

So, Smith is not included in the squad of 13 for tomorrow against Kent, which reads:

Martin Guptill, Matt Lineker, Paul Borrington, Wayne Madsen, Wes Durston, Dan Redfern, Ross Whiteley, Luke Sutton, Jonathan Clare, Tim Groenewald, Tony Palladino, Mark Footitt and Tom Knight.

Can't see Knight playing on a likely green track and Borrington will be in the squad as cover for Guptill, but Derbyshire will go in with four seamers, five including Ross Whiteley. It is a good team and we'll see how Mr Madsen does in the middle order, with Matt Lineker due to open with Martin Guptill.

As for Kent, I'm a little suprised our club site is pushing the potential appearance of James Tredwell, when his club revealed at the weekend that his season was over with a torn hamstring. With no Rob Key nor Martin van Jaarsveld, the visitors have inexperience in their ranks and have announced this 12:

Joe Denly, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast, Alex Blake, Darren Stevens, Azhar Mahmood
Geraint Jones (captain), Adam Ball, Matt Coles, David Balcombe, Adam Riley, Chris Piesley.

Meanwhile Kent have announced the signing for 2012 of Nottinghamshire bowler Charlie Shreck, who is thus spared a winter of worry over his future, as well as regular airing of a favourite joke - what's white and trembles in the winter? A nervous Shreck...

Anyway, four days of cricket to go at Derby, then one at Chesterfield, before the winter hits us once more. I hope for good weather, a sound performance and of course a win. Promotion is no longer a possibility, but third place would be a true reflection of some good cricket this year.

C'mon the shire!

5 comments:

  1. Essex are likely to have a lot of players like Bopara, Shah and Doeschate in the IPL at the start of the season so this maybee one the reasons why they want to sign Greg Smith. The other reason is that he is a decent cricketer!
    Ben

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  2. Disappointed that Tom Poynton is not playing tomorrow. I can't see how Luke Sutton gets into the team. Only one 50 all season in all forms of the game batting at number 7 is not acceptable and his keeping is very average.
    Ben

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  3. If Bopara is serious about England he'll steer clear of IPL as there's too frequent a clash of commitments. Not sure how in demand Shah will be after a low key session this time, while ten Doeschate only played about three matches.
    Smith is OK, but I'm not gutted about him leaving as I've been expecting it for three years. I'd have missed Timmy G or Madsen much more to be honest.

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  4. hi peakfan - another great post - whats the day at chessie left please?

    creweblade

    ps another poor effort by LS in day 1 v kent i see today but others more than made up for!

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  5. The Academy v Ockbrook and Borrowash in the Premier Cup Final.
    See most recent post mate.

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