In the end, the threatened inclement weather had the final word in this game, but the most suprising thing, even from this distance, was the way that Leicestershire seemed more intent on not losing the game than on winning it.
Despite being very much ahead in a game in which they had outplayed us for the most part, only 40 runs came in the first hour, hardly the gung ho attitude of a side wanting to earn a much-needed win. In the two innings their batsmen did better and their bowlers found more life than ours managed to do. Yet they had boundary sweepers for Martin Guptill before lunch, which when we're chasing 314 and there are only six overs to bowl seems a tad negative.
I didn't for a minute think they would bowl us out twice and to be honest the weather probably ruined a very good finish. With Martin Guptill restored to his rightful place at the top of the order, he and the phlegmatic Paul Borrington added to the favourable impression they have made this season by adding an unbroken stand of 91 to their double century stand in the last game. Borrington will always be the junior partner in that pairing - indeed most opening batsmen in the world game would play second fiddle to Guptill - but the lad has an adhesive quality that I admire and respect. As Geoff Boycott used to say, you can't score any runs back in the pavilion and Bozza is giving himself every chance to cement a place in the side with his gritty performances this campaign.
So, three games in, top of the league and unbeaten. This is a good Derbyshire side and, as I said pre-season, I expect them to be in the mix come season-end. We can both bat and bowl better than we did in this game, but we still came out of it with heads held high and with a fair possibility of taking the points had the weather stayed out of it.
Next up will be the less demanding fare of Cardiff MCCU later in the week, when a few legs will doubtless be rested and others get a run out. I'd expect to see Chesney Hughes, Matt Lineker, Tim Groenewald and Mark Turner in for that one (fitness willing) and a few batsmen who could do with the bat on ball getting an opportunity.
There's not much wrong though. There can't be with that league position.
Three games gone and top of the league. Come on, we'd have taken that before the season, wouldn't we?
Think borrington needs to learn to rotate the strike better, he does it very well in club cricket he needs to find the confidence to do it alittle better at the higher level.
ReplyDeletejohn.
overconfidence is hilarious.you have beaten the 2 whipping boys of the division who have looked awful thus far, and been outplayed by a poor leics side. not all grounds are as green as derby, and i look forward to a reality check come mid season. you would ahve thought that you wouldnt be counting your chickens just yet, given your showings in seasons past. yorks will walk the division, with hants most likely going up too.
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