Thursday 5 January 2017

Over to Godleman

I don't know if any of you caught the interview with Kim Barnett yesterday, but if you didn't, our Director of Cricket said that the decision on replacing Neil Broom had been passed to skipper Billy Godleman.

It is a laudable and the right thing to do, given that Billy will be leading the side and taking the responsibility for performances and results.

It is also a big decision.

There are several options for the vacated place in the batting order from the existing staff. As things stand, at least as far as I am concerned, there are four certainties for the top order when the summer starts. With Shiv Thakor likely to bat three, according to Barnett at a pre-Christmas members forum, our top four is likely to be Godleman, Slater, Thakor and Madsen.

Who then for five,six and seven?

There's Alex Hughes, Tom Wood, Charlie McDonnell, Luis Reece, Gary Wilson and Harvey Hosein as good options, but there is a risk in having effectively a third of the top order as unproven players at first-class level. Jeevan Mendis could bat there, based on his reputation and average, but may find English conditions a challenge, much as Broom did.

Alex Hughes suggested at the end of last summer that he may be ready for the step up, while Luis Reece has scored good runs before with Lancashire. Gary Wilson has an excellent first-class record, while Harvey Hosein batted beautifully in the closing weeks of the summer. Wood and McDonnell have obvious talent, but limited opportunity at this stage.

Of course, if they don't get games, how will we know what they can do?

It is worthy of a poll, so for those with an interest in such things, let me know your thoughts in the usual manner, and/or by completing the poll on the left.

If the money is there, however, there must be temptation to replace Broom with a player of greater experience and proven reputation, probably from South Africa. I read today that Rilee Rossouw was believed to be considering his options and there would be much to like in a 27-year old with a highest first-class score of 319 and a one-day international average of just under 40. He won't be alone, and when one of the country's current seam attack, Kyle Abbott, has signed a three-year Kolpak deal with Hampshire, it tells a story of the ongoing and understandable talent drain from that country that won't stop any time soon.

Barnett also mentioned that the loan market was an option for Derbyshire, which is true, but I'm not sure that I'd be in favour of that.

For one thing, you are signing someone who is not good enough for regular cricket at his own county, though granted it may be one awash with good players. For another, it rarely works out especially well and if it does, you just get another team's player into form. For a third, you are effectively admitting that none of your current staff are up to it, which is hardly a team and morale-building move unless awash with injuries.

But what do you think?

11 comments:

  1. This piece was written before Rossouw's deal with Hants was announced!
    Plenty more out there, I'm sure...

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  2. This piece was written before Rossouw's deal with Hants was announced!
    Plenty more out there, I'm sure...

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  3. I have a feeling Hughes will get a chance at 5. He didn't really disappoint at 3 and fancy Goldleman would like to give him a shot again

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  4. Can't argue with that, nor that he has a right to the chance at 5 or 6

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  5. Have to go down the experienced overseas route regrettably. As far as the championship is concerned I don't see a major problem, with Wilson, Alex Hughes, Harvey Hosein and Jeevan Mendis batting 5,6,7 and 8 respectively, but if they want to challenge in white ball cricket an additional proven batsman is required, preferably one who can hit the ball a long way as well when required, and potentially bowl a big as well. Losing Broom, Durston and Chesney Hughes leaves a massive hole at the top of the t20 order, and one overseas batsman won't fill it single handedly. There aren't a huge number of candidates but someone like farhaan behardien would fit the bill.

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  6. I really think we need another batsmen but am worried Billy will back what we have. Which in a sense is good but I do feel we need more depth. Maybe we might sign another back up/squad player with potential. Like Reece in a way. But someone further down the order.

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  7. Why not leave Hughes at 3 ? Has that bit of experience from last year, Mads at 4 , could Wilson bat 5 ? Shiv at 6 , Mendis 7 . I know they are looking at Shiv at number 3 but I'm not 100% sold on that yet.

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  8. Argument for Harvey to bat three or five?

    I appreciate a five innings run doesn't make him a complete batsman, but all those innings were played under pressure, and constructed by a player who seemed to " get it" about the tempo in which to play the four day game.

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  9. The fact of the matter is we CANNOT have another season like last season, and if we go with youth in out batting line up and get off to a bad start in the county championship it could ruin the young 'uns for the whole season, saying that IF we do bring someone in they MUST be of the right mindset and of a high standard to add to the group and help the guys we already have

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  10. Wonder if Lancashire had the same " just a kid" doubts about Hameed?

    I agree a mix of great senior players, but earmarked younger ones have to be allowed to fail occasionally. It's called " gaining experience" .

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  11. Sure...though they brought in Prince and Petersen for short term goals.
    More on this in coming days...

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