Monday 17 September 2012

End of season ratings

As has become the tradition on the blog, here are my end of season ratings on the Derbyshire players. Before I do so, I will explain how they work.

First, I am only rating players who have appeared regularly. It is patently unfair to rate the likes of Tom Knight, Peter Burgoyne, Alex Hughes, Ali Evans and Chesney Hughes as they had few opportunities to play this summer. When they did, by and large they did well, but performing on an occasional basis is difficult.

Second, and in the interest of fairness, I am rating players as fair, good and very good. That rating is as much judged on expectation as performance, but I am not judging on a wider spectrum than that as I do not feel it is appropriate. Such marks may be the preserve of other people on other sites, but not me on this one. Let's not forget that we are champions. CHAMPIONS!!!

Having clarified that, here's Peakfan's ratings for 2012...

Wayne Madsen - Very Good

Madsen played some fine innings and although at times he found his best form elusive, he led from the front, most notably when opening in the later season in the absence of other candidates. His captaincy was solid, his attitude first-class and his example beyond criticism. One of the nicest men in cricket who has made Derbyshire his home and led us to our first league trophy since 1936. What more can you say?

Paul Borrington  -Fair

There were innings of promise by Boz, knocks of determination sprinkled with shots of genuine quality, but he will be aware that next summer is important for him. He may not be the most flamboyant of Derbyshire players, but a good side needs a sheet anchor and Borrington sold his wicket dearly, while his brilliant last day catch, akin to that of Alan Hill at Lords in 1981, started the Hampshire collapse.

Matt Lineker - Fair

A prolific batsman at local level, Lineker suggested he could make it to county standard given time, but at his age it was something Derbyshire didn't have, especially when next summer sees us in division one. Made a few starts without going on to a fifty, but held some excellent catches and was a fine team man. Will doubtless score lots of runs in local cricket and we'll wonder what might have been...

Martin Guptill - Very Good

A player of the very highest class and a thoroughly nice man, as exemplified by his regular texts from New Zealand, West Indies and India in the second half of the season. His footwork was exemplary, his driving one of the joys of cricket. If we could have Guptill for the whole summer we could handle division one. If we had him for the T20 we would make a better fist of it. THAT's how good he is.

Usman Khawaja - Good

Khawaja had a poor T20, but that hardly came as a surprise to your correspondent, as it's not his game. CB40 also saw mixed fortunes, but without his application at Headingley and his crucial knocks in the last match, we wouldn't have won the title. For those innings alone he gets his rating - when the going gets tough, the tough get going - and Khawaja did just that when it mattered.

Wes Durston - Very Good

Though not as prolific as the previous summer, it would be churlish to fault a fine team man and senior professional. When he scored runs it was generally quickly, and he contributed with the ball with key wickets when they were most wanted. A brilliant fielder anywhere, it is hard to believe that Durston was almost lost to the county game and Somerset's loss is definitely our gain.

Dan Redfern - Good

A breakthrough season for the mercurial left-hander, who responded well to Dave Houghton's coaching and guidance. His strokeplay at times bordered on genius, though shot selection can still get him into trouble at times. Lost a little form in later season when a thousand runs seemed possible, but seems set to be a major part of the Derbyshire batting line up for years to come.

Ross Whiteley -Fair

After a stunning 2011, Whiteley struggled for some time, then picked up an injury that saw him lose his place in the side. On his return he showed a grafting side to his game that was vital in a couple of matches, before unveiling the full range of his shots against Hampshire. A superb fielder and increasingly useful bowler, Whiteley will come again and I see him as a key player for Derbyshire in years to come.

David Wainwright - Very Good

The missing piece of the jigsaw, Wainwright offered control when the seamers needed a rest and penetration with any encouragement in the pitch. A genuine match-winner and solid fielder, Wainwright cannot be too far away from international recognition. His batting was less prolific than I expected, but he can be proud of his first season at Derbyshire and his contract extension was some of the best news of the summer.

Tom Poynton - Very Good

By the end of the season, Poynton looked a very competent and confident batsman in the county game, feeding from the confidence he got from his Northampton hundred. His glovework throughout was excellent and he was the focal point of an outstanding fielding side with no passengers. Looks set to be first choice keeper for years, if he can keep up his level of form and fitness.

Jonathan Clare - Good

In early season Clare was on fire and ran through Glamorgan on a helpful wicket. Thereafter he took more of a back-up role, before succumbing to an injury that ruled him out of the last few matches. A good fielder, he has the potential to be an all-rounder of genuine quality, but is a little fallible early in his innings. Has a big role to play next summer and should be up to the task.

Mark Turner - Good

The Mark Turner of 2011 was fast but erratic. This year's model was still quick, but had added a little sophistication and control to his game. Always gives 100%, which makes him a firm favourite. No mug with the bat and a good fielder, Turner played an important role and came into his own in one-day games, where his mixture of bouncers and yorkers proved a handful.

Tony Palladino - Very Good

Had Palladino played T20, his theme tune should been "Leader of the Pack", as he became the main man in a strong seam trio. Always accurate, probing and a threat, he made a mockery of his release by Essex for the second summer in a row. Another good fielder and a batsman improving so quickly that he hammered the Australian A team for a maiden century. A massive asset to the side.

Tim Groenewald - Very Good

I get the impression that we wind him up at the start of April, stick Duracell batteries in him and let him loose. Always bowls well, rarely misses matches and often takes wickets. A hard man to fault, he is another good fielder and probably the best number ten in the county game, capable of solid defence or powerful shots. Another key member of a strong bowling side.

Mark Footitt - Fair

At his best seriously quick, Footitt started well in Barbados and translated that to home form, then picked up a niggling injury and was rarely seen thereafter. Signed a one-year contract that will need to be justified, but on form and confident he is as quick as anyone in the country. If he could only stay fit for next summer, Derbyshire will have five very good seamers to choose from, but it will be a big year for him.

It is hard to fault a side that played cricket of an intensity and level of commitment shown by Derbyshire this summer - oh, were it always so. Next summer will be a challenge, but the opposition will write off this side at their own risk and I don't see many sides taking us to the cleaners in 2013.

Perhaps 2012 is the start of a new golden age of Derbyshire cricket. If so, we have made a very impressive start...

5 comments:

  1. Just to chip in that although Ross Whiteley did not take a vast number of wickets this year, a high proportion of his bowling dismissals were of top order batsmen, often well set, rather than tailenders. Those wickets, obtained in an interesting variety of ways, were very valuable. Let us hope this happy knack continues into next year.

    SR.

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  2. I wouldn,t argue too much,Peakfan. Being the eternal optimist you are, you have marked one or two higher than I would,but there we are.

    Looking at the comments etc,I think most of us seem to agree on the way we should be heading,even if the routes may differ slightly.

    It is quite obvious to me we must strengthen the opener slots and maybe add anothe middle order batsmen. I,m also of the opinion another seamer would be a valuable asset for next term.

    I quite agree we have a team whose togetherness and work ethic are admirable qualities which have stood us in good stead,but we must add a little more quality if we are to do ourselves justice in the top flight.

    I know we differ somewhat on Mr Borrington,but there is no tangible evidence whatsoever he is anywhere near deserving a starting place. Having another chance towards the end of the season nullifies any excuse about pitches at the beginning. I don,t really buy into the need to have a sheet anchor man,whoever it may be. Even if I did, Borrington would not be my choice. There was little or no difference in his form at the end of the season,to that at the beginning. I,m sorry Peakfan,but he is simply not the answer.

    For all his faults,Hughes still represents a better option. He has the potential to weigh in with far more runs over a season and would get them at a much more acceptable rate. Also,for the sake of continuity,he wouldn,t be missing half the season when the limited overs stuff comes up.

    For the sake of argument,let us assume we have signed two openers,one of them an overseas player. that leaves us with a problem at number three. A problem which was only partially solved by Khawaja,who for various reasons would not be my choice as the overseas player for next season.

    From within the current playing staff Madsen and Durston have appeared in that position. Durston is better suited,but another option might be Redfern. He is a similar player to David Gower,who made quite a success at number three for both club and country.

    That senario would obviously leave Durston at four and Madsen at five. There is no doubt in my mind that batting at five would be the making of the skipper. It,s a position he could base his game around the circumstances in which he comes out to bat. He has the ability to defend and attack and I think it would be better for all if that was his permanent position. Think back to his excellent double ton!.

    Six and seven were also problematic. Whiteley had a dreadful season with the bat and Wainwright also produced fewer runs than expected. Whiteley may well return to form. There is no logical reson why he shouldn,t and that has to be the hope of everyone. Even allowing for all of the above,I can,t help thinking we may be a batsman short in the middle order. Loss of form or injury would leave Krikken with few options,other than Chesney Hughes and his younger namesake.

    The bowling is less of a concern,though i think we got lucky this season in keeping most of them fit,most of the time. It is highly unlikely next summer will be as wet as this one. Logically,that will translate to better batting pitches and consequently more work for the bowlers. This summer was a seamers paradise,next summer might be a batsmans. For that reason alone,another seamer would be very useful.

    I firmly believe that by addressing our obvious shortcomings we will have a much better season than many outsiders will predict. The sooner we rack up four wins,the easier we will all breathe. Hopefully we will be more competetive in our white ball cricket and make some progress in those competitions. I,m looking forward to next season already.

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  3. Marc,

    Despite the length of your well considered and detailed missive, I think I am in complete agreement with everything you have stated.

    Peakfan,

    I think using your rating scale is, firstly, a fair one to employ and also keeps everything pretty simple. We could quibble a couple of ratings, but I am fundamentally in agreement with your own thoughts.

    My waters tell me that Whiteley might prove to be a suprise star next year. Yes, he struggled a bit this year, but there were encouraging signs that his batting was picking up late on and he certainly does have that knack of breaking up partnerships, which is a very handy trait.

    I also think Durston's progress with the ball this season has been a very useful development. Not only does he contrast well with Wainwright and provide balance to the attack, I think he believes in himself as a bowler far more these days. No longer is he just a convenient 'couple of overs' man.

    Two top order batsmen (one the overseas man) and an accurate seamer would be on my shopping list if I were the coach, not to disrupt the side unduly, but to further enhance what we have already got.


    MASTERVILLAIN

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  4. Excellend set of ratings Peakfan. In full agreement - I also think that with Wayne it is also important to note that he did everything he did this year whilst going through a personal hell off the field. Mr Madsen is one seriously impressive guy.

    I wish whole heartedly that Bozza can cement his place in the team with weight and runs - I hope he does, (as a fellow Crewe Alex fan like him!!) but am unsure whether he will or not. Fingers crossed.

    Mr Palladino, to my mind, deserves an extra category - he's been outstanding this season. HAving watched a fair bit of cricket at TCG this year I can't recall him bowling a bad spell at all. Dan Redfern, for me, would have been very good too. He's made a big breakthrough this year, and although he might have missed out on 1000, this year has been the making of him - whilst Ross will undoubtably come back next year a far better player for the trials and tribulations he went through this season. As already mentioned, he was playing his way into form at the tail end of the seasons.

    The future is bright folks, the future is Falcons!

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  5. Good comments gents - thank you!

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