Perhaps the most satisfying part of Derbyshire's truncated day at the County Ground was the very obvious stating of a case by Mark Turner.
In ripping through the Warwickshire top order, he made up for a restricted pre-season and suggested that he is as ready for a senior role as anyone else in what is shaping up to be a powerful seam attack.
While the rest of the attack was tidy, Turner appeared to show both pace and movement on an early season track that offered help, as they so often do. That he is a much improved bowler from the wild tyro signed from Somerset by John Morris is unquestionable. Whether he has forced his way into Graeme Welch's first choice attack is something we will have to wait to see.
When our turn came, it was nice to see a tricky opening spell well navigated by Messrs Moore and Godleman. It would be nice for both players to get a long bat tomorrow and no one will argue that a good opening pair will go a long way towards improving our batting fortunes.
Off the pitch, news of the development of the County Ground is both exciting and welcome. The creation of a 7,000 seat stadium will go a long way towards making the 3aaa County Ground a model of its kind and further highlights the massive strides being taken at the club.
With news of the player due to cover Shiv's international absences due shortly - an "as yet unnamed international batsman", there's plenty of reasons for positivity down Derby way.
More tomorrow.
The return of the forgotton man. I,m pleased Turner has put in a telling performance as i,m sure he will have a significant part to play during the seson.
ReplyDeleteNo doubting he had issues last season of one sort or another but I also feel he was a prime victim in Krikken,s at times, illogical team selections. He is also a prime example of those for whom this season is a watershed. As far as age goes he could still have 4 or 5 years left in the tank,but he also knows that wickets are the stat he will be judged by and a deciding factor on whether he survives beyond 2014.
I cannot believe all this sniping at Krikken. He took over the mess left by the mistake that was John Morris, led us to promotion and then our highest championship finish since 1996, narrowly missing out on avoiding relegation.
ReplyDeleteTeam selections may appear illogical to us on the outside, but we have absolutely no knowledge of such things as fitness and form shown in the nets or how individual wickets might suit certain bowlers. I am sure that with the benefit of hindsight he may have chosen differently on one or two occasions, but show me a coach/captain who hasn't.
I would have a large wager that at some point during the course of this season Welch will make the wrong call over team selection. It happens.
Fair comment Jasper. Things are always easier and more 'obvious' to the man on the terraces/boundary edge. A few Derbyshire players over the years have had a rough deal from supporters, largely oblivious to the talents as appreciated by coaches in that time.
ReplyDeleteSometimes fans need to appreciate that there are things going on behind the scenes that affect selection processes. Its perhaps as well, in some cases, that we don't know what they are...
Agreed Peakfan. Keep up the good work with the blog. It's good to read your objective and coherent comments on here!
ReplyDeleteI am cautiously optimistic about our prospects for this season and like you I look forward to hearing some quality cricket commentary on Radio Derby on the occasions I can't make it to the ground.