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...