First up tonight, in answer to the "Anon" comment of earlier - today's earlier article was not an assumption of Derbyshire going up, just an assessment of what we need, irrespective of where we are playing our cricket in 2013. I'd have hoped that the number of "ifs" in there might have illustrated that for all concerned, but could anyone who can't be bothered logging in put their name to a comment please. In response to the curt manner of the comment, I've been equally curt in deleting it.
I am not assuming and have not assumed Derbyshire will get promotion this summer, but when you are as far ahead as we were going into the Kent game, it is, I think, permissible to start thinking it could happen with two games to go. By the same token, over the years Derbyshire have made an awful habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of success and you cannot legislate for the same thing happening again.
However...
I still maintain there's something about this squad. Do I think this game is lost, given the first innings deficit?
Nope. We will have to bat much better the second time around, we will need luck and we will need Kent's bowlers to perhaps not be at their best. Yet if we can keep the target to under 225, it could be gettable. The ball is now turning and in Wainwright and Durston we have the best two spinners in the match. I'll not underestimate young Riley, nor the occasional left-arm wrist spin of Nash, but the greater threat to Derbyshire's winning this game appears to come from the Kent seamers and our own fallibility within sight of the winning post. Both sides will be wary of the game at Derby last month, of course...
We cannot get away from the fact that for what seems like the seventh game running our batsmen failed. At 112-7 we were in serious trouble, yet once again we were bailed out by nine, ten, jack, with Tom Poynton again batting with remarkable composure. In the last few weeks, county batting seems to have clicked for Poynton and I'm intrigued as to how and why that is. At this stage I can only say I am remarkably impressed by the young man, as I am by the positive attitude of the last three in the batting order. You could not, in all fairness, call it a tail.
Special mention needs to be made of a captain's effort from Wayne Madsen, who deserved better support than he got, while Paul Borrington showed guts in coming in at four and shaping up well, despite a broken nose, before falling to a bat/pad catch. It is also appropriate to mention the efforts of James Pipe in getting the swelling in Borrington's nose down overnight so that he could come in at an early stage. I once had mine broken playing five-a-sides and the next day looked like a cross between Jimmy Durante, a proboscis monkey and a panda...
If the worst happens and we lose it is a blow, but it is far from terminal. By my calculation, if Yorkshire win (which appears likely) they would be a point behind us ahead of the last game. If Kent win they will be six points behind us and might then fancy a win against Glamorgan and be back in the frame. Hampshire are currently struggling against Essex, who are 168 ahead with eight wickets left. Their powerful batting will be a tough nut for Yorkshire's bowling to crack at Chelmsford, so it will still come down to four days at Derby. If we win, we go up. If we don't, then you have to say that we blew it.
Yet as I've already said, that assumes we don't produce the most remarkable performance of a season piled high with them. Early wickets tomorrow, alarm bells ring and the game takes on a different complexion.
I'm prepared to be shot at by the harbingers of doom. If we were 350 behind at this stage I'd be joining you in proclaiming the game as lost.
But not yet, my friends. Not by a long chalk. Tomorrow is huge and it is time for the batsmen to answer their critics. First we need quick and regular wickets, then it's game on.
At the very worst we will go into the final championship game at the top of the league with a few points in hand on the team in third place. I suspect that virtually 100% of Derbyshire supporters, if being honest, would have accepted that situation if offered it at the start of the season.
ReplyDeleteSR.
I know I would mate. We ask for progress and, whatever else happens, we've seen it this season.
ReplyDeleteHaving spent four hours in a meeting this afternoon, I have to say I was rather disappointed to discover we had been bowled out.
ReplyDeleteI can,t say I was surprised though. Yet again the tail hauled us to some sort of respectability,but we finished at least 100 runs short of expectations. There is no getting away from that.
By the sound of things,Madsen produced a very good innings but recieved no support from the remainder of the batting. Yes,most people would have settled for the position we are now in at the beginning of the season,but we have made it very hard for ourselves in recent weeks. Not least because of our aversion to batting first. It couldn,t be helped in this game,but the result is all too familiar.
Had this slump occured mid season we would be talking in crisis terms right now. Lucky for us,the finishing line is upon us and we can still do it,even if it might not be in style.
Neutrals would back Kent from here. Even if we get them out by lunch,we will be looking at around 250 and the way we are performing with the bat would fill even the most optimistic with dread.
I haven,t quite written us off yet. Durston and Wainwright may skittle them in the morning and we may indeed be facing a smaller target than I have predicted.
The fact Tredwell is absent is the major plus point. Had he been playing I would be writing the obituary here and now. Whatever the target may turn out to be, the batsmen have to do their job and get some runs. It may sound daft,but we wouldn,t be much worse off if we reversed the batting order (excluding Madsen).
All is not yet lost and we can still turn this around,but have to be much better second time around or it,s curtains. I believe we can still do it,but it,s up to the batsmen to prove it.
Fingers firmly crossed. What is so frustrating is that since the resumption of the championship we haven't batted anywhere near our capabilities. Every game has been backs against the wall at some point and, at the risk of mangling metaphors, you can only play the "get out of jail free" card so many times. Kent have to be favourites at this stage and even if we're top going into the last game others will have all the form and all the momentum. We plainly can do it and it's now up to the team to prove they can perform under pressure. Come on the 'shire!
ReplyDeleteSpireite Tim
id agree - another disappointing top order batting display - we cant rely on our tail enders such as Timmy G and Poynton constantly getting us out of gaol time and time again. Not time to panic yet but a few deals should be on the line over the next 6 days especially in our batsmen - Karl should be saying get us up and reap the rich rewards - dont and you will be looking elsewhere next year. Heres hoping we can turn this round - much more than 225 to chase and its lost imo
ReplyDeleteOur batsmen are completely been carried by the bowlers in the last few months.
ReplyDeletepaul borrington time and time again gets himself-in then gets himself out as usual, never known him win a game for us and i cant see it happening soon. why give him a three year deal ?
chris.
I think this morning's session could well define the whole season for both sides (how often is it possible to say that in an individual match but perhaps not of a full season?). The spin of Durston and Wainwright is the worry for Kent who will certainly regret the fact that Tredwell is having one of his England sabbaticals - this time, however, he's doing a little more than acting as drinks waiter!
ReplyDeleteLast night, I wrote on the Kent site " So, 120 ahead at the close. I would like to think Kent could produce another 200 to set 320 by somewhere between tea and stumps tomorrow, say another 75 overs if they can do it. That means Kent have to score at 2.66 per over (about right for the match so far) which would leave Derby approx 110 overs at 2.90 per over. Two Kent batsmen need 50's tomorrow.
Having said that, Kent never do things the easy way and they will probably struggle to set 250!"
It will be a fascinating days play that's for certain and I'm wishing I didn't have to be in Gloucestershire today!
One little insight which might amuse is that a friend of mine tried to take the catch from the 6 that Mark Davies hit in Kent's first innings and, having made a mess of it quite literally, he popped over the road to the hospital to have the webbing between his fingers stitched up. Whilst he was waiting his turn, the Kent physio Nimmo Read arrived with Paul Borrington and tried to get preferential treatment and jump to the top of the queue but the nursing staff weren't having any of it and they retired back to the dressing room for some unqualified treatment. I'd like to reassure Derbyshire followers that we aren't normally so inhospitable in Kent - I think it was Nimmo's assumption that put their backs up!
Interesting to hear Kent,s perspective on the game. Thanks Martin.
ReplyDeleteAs I said earlier, I think Kent are in the box seat and this first session today is vital for Derbyshire. With 2 days left,Kent can afford to bide their time and every run after lunch will be another nail in our coffin.
A draw is out of the question so it,s winner takes all. It should be a very good day,s cricket, i wish I could be there to see it.
Kent pulling away as i write this. If they set us 350 to win, it's all over and will go down to the last game of the season. We never make things easy for ourselves do we?
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be some discussion as to whether James Tredwell, now back from England duty and on the ground, could be substituted for Riley under ECB guidelines. If this is allowed to happen, then, in my view it will be a travesty.
ReplyDeleteThought I would just put down a marker before the matter is decided.
Having listened to the full explanation from the Kent CEO, apparently the names of both Tredwell and Riley were on the team sheet with Riley as 12th Man. Riley played when England confirmed they required JT and, as he was able to complete 50% of the match, he was called back in. The situation was known to Wayne Madsen before the toss and understood by all parties.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty has arisen because the arrangement wasn't communicated to the press or supporters before hand.
That my understanding of the rule,Martin. I have to say I am not in agreement with it,but then I dont agree with pretty much anything the ECB do.
ReplyDeleteI,ve no objection to players joining a game on day one, but under no circumstances should it be allowed after that. Kent have not acted illegally and whilst it might be argued it is in poor taste and not in the spirit of the game,it,s those idiots at the ECB who are really to blame.
If, during the months of April to September, one were able to analyse every word ever written in the English language, you would probably find the words "those idiots at the ECB" turn up more times than any other phrase using the same number of words!
ReplyDeleteToo true Martin. I,m usually on a collision course with them at the best of times.
ReplyDeleteYour boys played well today and if you run out winners tomorrow there will no complaints from me. We,ve been second best and no one can really say otherwise.
Well if we bat out the full day tomorrow then we are pretty much guaranteed promotion barring a miracle from Hampshire and a total meltdown next week. Tall order but seems like the pitch wasn't lethal today so you never know. Just hope the ECB rules don't cost us although to be fair we have been second best for the last couple of days
ReplyDeleteWe've been second best for the last 4 months haven't we guys?
ReplyDelete