Last night I suggested that Derbyshire might get an awakening in this match after the success of the Northamptonshire game. By tea time today it looked like I was pretty accurate in my forecast, as we slumped to 130 all out, but at 37-4 by the close Glamorgan are in big trouble.
Of course, Jim Allenby and Mark Wallace, a perennial thorn in Derbyshire's side, are still to come but at the end of another extraordinary day's cricket Derbyshire will be quietly pleased with today's performance. Batting was never easy and, with the batsmen having to go off a few times, there was the continual issue of restarting an innings against bowlers who were refreshed from a spell in the pavilion.
You could probably have written the script that Graham Wagg would be the star turn for the Welsh side, but the former Derbyshire star needs that sort of performance on a regular basis this year after a disappointing 2011. We all know that he can be dangerous with a bat in his hand too, but on this sort of track the next ball can always be the one with your wicket on it.
There was lavish movement for bowlers all day and perhaps the biggest achievement was the partnership between Ross Whiteley and David Wainwright that added 48 runs in the afternoon. I'm sure that Karl Krikken was hoping for 200-230 today, but in choosing to bat he must have seen a wicket that he expects to deterioriate as the game progresses. First innings lead is not beyond the realms of possibility if conditions are again overcast tomorrow and, of course, we put the ball in the right areas.
In that final session, Tony Palladino and Mark Footitt again bowled with hostility, while Jon Clare picked up his first wicket of the seasonwhen he got Ben Wright leg before. With none of their side yet having made double figures, Glamorgan were on the ropes when the end of the day came after seven this evening.
Yes, the first innings was disappointing and we'd have hoped for more. But Derbyshire have battled as I fully expected they would and are very much in this game at the end of day one.
On balance, I'd have them slightly ahead. Here's hoping I'm saying the same, or better, tomorrow.
peakfan - a good recovery yes but not a good batting performance at all - did we really read the wicket right up front when Waggy had us at 30 something for 5? not so sure or was it just poor batting.
ReplyDeleteThough i agree we are still very much in the game - tomorrow am will be vital. Agree that we will have some good days and some bad ones - think i would probably slightly say it was Glammy's day though rather than ours - but thats the beauty of forums - all down to opinion. Hoping it settles down weather wise for my next trip next weekend
I too am a Crewe Alex fan in exile - just coming into form for the play offs nicely
Is there some indescribable cosmic link connecting the fotunes of both Derbyshire and Crewe Alex??? (With also being an Aelx fan myself!)
ReplyDeleteHard to know who to put on top after yesterday, I'd say honours just about even. If the two chances that went down had been taken though then the Falcons would be right on top, although a couple of early wickets this morning would be a great start.
Good to see Ross showing the required application again - I see something of Marcus Trescothick in his batting (but with better footwork). Can anyone else sense an England Lions call?
Yes, I can Chris!
ReplyDeleteI was down at Cardiff yesterday & it's safe to say that the ball was "doing a bit", as it was over most of the country judging by the scores. It was also apparent that if we bowled in the right areas then it would still be "game on".
ReplyDeleteWell done lads, let's leave them an unattainable total.