A handy habit of taking relatively regular wickets kept the Nottinghamshire innings in reasonable bounds today, although missed opportunities in the field left them wondering what might have been.
The normally reliable Wes Durston spilled a couple at slip, while a run out opportunity to Billy Godleman went begging as Nottinghamshire closed on 325-5, 69 runs ahead. Derbyshire are not yet looking down a barrel in this game, although a bad morning tomorrow could turn them from mildly curious to decidedly intrigued onlookers.
The fighting qualities of this side are well known, but they will need to show them all to survive this one. The visitors will expect to declare at around 550 and then press home the advantage, but Derbyshire can and must bat better in the second innings. With Adams injured and Broad unlikely to be more than a short spell shock bowler, we really shouldn't be rolled over by Fletcher, Gurney and Patel.
Whether we lose or not, it would at least be encouraging to see a few batsmen find their best form, which is pretty much everyone save Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Along with Tony Palladino, he is the only player to look like he can bat at this level right now. I don't think that is the case for a minute, but the sooner we can post a 400 total the better it will be for everyone's confidence.
If the batting fails again in the second innings, there will have to be questions asked by Karl Krikken, as we simply cannot rely on the latter half of the innings to bail us out every time. The panic button doesn't yet need to be pressed, with only three games gone, but we will win little without totals to bowl at. This is a decent Derbyshire attack, but we don't have a Gladwin and Jackson...
It is early doors, but I believe tomorrow to be an early defining day in our championship summer. If we can keep the lead to around 175, then bat a heck of a lot better second time around, the mood of the camp will be improved, irrespective of the result. If we don't it may be time for a rethink and some long hard looks.
Nothing has changed. The path chosen for the club's future is absolutely, one hundred per cent the right one, but last year's promotion was an unexpected early consequence of the policy. The talented young players now need to show that their 'manning up', to use Karl Krikken's phrase, is another one.
They need to learn. And do so fast.
Can't argue with any of that Peakfan. Going down fighting has to be our motto this season, and another capitulation in our second innings has to get a response from Karl Krikken for our next game. But with only Hughes and Borrington waiting in the wings, options are indeed very limited.
ReplyDeleteFair points Peakfan. I think we may bowl them out for less than 550 but not before they have a substantial lead,which will obviously put us under considerable pressure.
ReplyDeleteThe fielding was not up to scratch yesterday,a point made by Notoveryet (amongst other valid ones) a short time ago. These things happen and always will,the trouble is when you are struggling the consequences of such failings are often magnified and players "let off" always seem to make you pay dearly. Unfortunately we cannot afford such luxuries as dropped catches,silly run outs and other self inflicted wounds.
Once this match is out of the way we play one or two teams we have to look to beat,if we are to maintain a realistic chance of staying up. Unless we tighten up in all aspects of our game,these matches too could easily slip from our grasp,through no fault but our own.
We must put on a much better showing with the bat in our second innings and that doesn,t mean sitting on the splice in the hope the opposition may fall asleep. We need a confidence booster before we face Yorkshire otherwise you get the feeling recent history will keep on repeating itself.
I expect nothing other than defeat in the current game,but we can at least go out with something of a bang and show the cricketing world we haven,t forgotton how to use a bat. Another 60 all out would be inexcusable and would leave confidence at rock bottom. the pitch is okay and there is no reason on earth we can,t make a good second innings score.
I agree the pitch is good to bat on so no excusers for poor batting 2nd time around.
ReplyDeletepaul.
No excuses then. Another innings defeat looking very likely. I just wonder if a lot of these players think the hard work was done last season, and complacency has set in big time. These first few games are a massive wake up call for Derbyshire and it's now time to knuckle down and work.
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