Over 45 summers as a Derbyshire fan I have got used to matches from the beginning of August being largely meaningless. Sure, we have had honour, minor placings and pride to play for, but little else. The Lords finals made a welcome exception, though effectively meant only five days worthwhile cricket en route, while the Sunday League win was also memorable but gave you but one day a week to look forward to.
This summer's championship campaign has so far seen 52 days of action, with a further twelve to go and Derbyshire have won more than they have lost, which is why we are top of the table. Arguments that we are not the best side in the division from fans of other counties are superfluous and pointless. We're top because when the weather has allowed it we have won more matches then the other teams. FACT.
Irrespective of the occasional batting faux pas, we have played some excellent cricket and done exactly what was promised at the start of it. We have been aggressive, combative and fearless. Such cricket has seen us win against the odds and save matches similarly. If we can do so one more time in the remaining three games it will carry us across the line as champions.
It would be nice to do so against Essex and take the pressure off, but it won't be easy against a side with plenty of talented cricketers who should have been in the mix themselves. Alistair Cook and Ravi Bopara are on England duty, but Owais Shah will hope to add to a fine record against us, as will Ryan ten Doeschate and to win this match we will need to be on top of our game. David Masters may return from injury and will be a threat if there's the usual first session movement, while their side is packed with high quality players who will make this a tough match. Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh will also be a threat and Derbyshire might not fancy facing the "Turbanator" in the last innings.
Yet a further sign of progress is that I don't think "uh-oh" as we approach the match. We have a good side, one that has pleased and surprised us in equal measure this summer. Even positive Peakfan, who predicted a promotion challenge, didn't expect us to lead the table for the vast majority of the campaign.
The Derbyshire side? I would suggest largely unchanged from the Northamptonshire match with only two decisions for Karl Krikken. Is Jon Clare fit enough for third seamer, or do we bring in Turner or Footitt? My guess would be that Mark Turner may come in, based largely on the premise that he has generally bowled well when given the opportunity, but also on the fact that Footitt may create a rough for Harbhajan that would mean he troubled the right as well as left-handers more than might otherwise be the case.
The other question is - surprise, surprise - the opening berths. I get the feeling that Khawaja prefers three, Durston four. I still think Madsen is better in the middle order, but that means omitting either Redfern or Whiteley, which I suspect is unlikely. For me, the skipper has to move back up top and partner....who?
I still can't consider Chesney, as he's nothing to back up his claims other than runs in previous seasons when he was in better nick. Matt Lineker has had an extended run but with an average of 18 hasn't claimed the role. Paul Borrington's 22 average isn't spectacular either, but in the absence of more prolific alternatives shades it for me.
Why? Because it is higher, despite largely being made on early season tracks that were worse. Because he is in better form: granted at Second XI level but runs are runs and build confidence. And because whatever else Bozza may or may not do he grits it out, plays each delivery on merit and crucially takes the shine from the new ball, To some extent it doesn't matter if he is 18 not out at lunch, as long as he has taken the shine and bounce from the ball that enables later batsmen to capitalise from positions where they feel more comfortable.
Yes, we could move Durston up but you lose his middle order nous. You could ask Khawaja to do so, though he prefers batting first down, or you could get Redfern to do it and waste a very good and emerging number five.
If you could offer me an in form, experienced and guaranteed heavy scorer for the role on loan I would snatch your hand off. You can't, so for me you go for the gut feeling and who has shaped up best in the nets.
So we're back with Bozza. Back the lad please, he's playing for OUR side. Maybe I'm wrong, but his presence in the team today, ahead of Matt Lineker, suggests to me that he is in the frame for a recall. I also think that winning the toss tomorrow may well see us bat and give Wainwright and Durston a last afternoon opportunity. But I don't think this Derbyshire side will fear anyone, Harbhajan included.
We'll see, soon enough
Good luck lads. Do us proud.
Well personally i'd pick Chesney Hughes to open the batting or even see if Wainwright is capable of it, which would allow us an extra seamer, or all rounder in the shape of the emerging Peter Burgoyne, if the wicket is spinning, or Alex Hughes.
ReplyDeleteWhy would i pick Chesney, over Borrington and Lineker then? Well simply as the latter two have had several chances and haven't delivered. Chesney's form may be terrible, but he's capable of scoring big runs as he's shown in the past.
Then there's the matter of his opening partner. Madsen, Durston and Redfern have been our best 3 batsmen this year and should be 3-5in the order. Khawaja may moan about it but he should open rather than Madsen in my opinion. The skipper has struggled when opening, and Khawaja has been coming in very early anyway.
My team:
C Hughes
Khawaja
Durston
Madsen
Redfern
Whiteley
Wainwright
Clare
Poynton
Palladino
Groeneweld
Interesting thoughts Washy! Anyone else?
ReplyDeleteLineker for me, I have seen all three play, and the one I am most impressed with his Lineker, he does appear to be getting better everytime I see him.
ReplyDeleteWhilst the averages between them are small, the one factor that appears to have been missed is the fielding abilities of the three.
Chesney's fielding this year has been well below par, there is nothing wrong with Borrington fielding but I do think that Lineker is above both of them, all he has a very safe pair of hands.
I am a great believer in that dropped catches lose you matches.
We shall see.
Before looking at this game, I have to say I was surprised we decided to field yesterday. Given a poor forecast, I would have thought it better to have let the batsmen get some practice,rather than bowlers who will not be featuring in the county game,bearing in mind we only batted once in the previous game.
ReplyDeleteFor this game there are the usual if,s and buts,not least who opens.
Then there,s my usual question at the moment of will the pitch offer spin. If it does then Wainwright plays,if not we should be playing an extra seamer or even a batsman.
Is Clare fit?. He hasn,t looked his best recently. If he is fit then he plays.
Back to the first question of who opens. It,s not an easy one but for me,on balance, I would go with Lineker and Khawaja. If not Lineker,the choice would seem to rest between Borrington and Hughes. Im not sure I go along with the theory Borrington plays each ball on merit. Indeed, I would go so far as to suggest the fact he doesn,t is a major part of his problem. He treats nearly every ball the same. He may get the nod but,like others on here, I think Hughes has to be next in line. I base that simply on the grounds he has had little opportunity thus far and in spite of arguments to the contrary,at least deserves a go.
Our most reliable batsmen are Durston,Madsen and Redfern. For me they are 4-6 in that order which contoversially puts Whiteley at 3. Why not?. He hasn,t scored runs at 6. It might just pay off. He has proved recently he has the ability to graft,though that is anything but his natural game.
I hope we bat first and give ouselves the best chance of dictating the game. If we do and we blow it,then we can only blame ourselves. We need to be be strong and go all out to win this game.
I would stick with Matty Linaker. Got more potential than the others. Mark Footit seems to have been forgotton since he got injured.
ReplyDeleteI feel Chesney may get more chances when he is England qualified & it does not cost us money to play him. Brew
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