So what did we learn from the final day of our game against Leicestershire? Indeed, the game as a whole?
Well, I think we can and must do both disciplines better. I didn't see the batting, since that thing called work got in the way, but 54-4 hinted of a return to the bad old days, with all the top four back in the hutch.
You have to credit their bowlers too, of course and, cricket being the leveller that it is, Luis Reece followed a big hundred with a duck. There's not many times he and Wayne Madsen will get no runs between them, but Gary Wilson and Alex Hughes led a recovery, before the latter was out.
Matt Critchley weighed in well, and Hardus Viljoen showed that the long tail that we feared may not be so long after all with another breezy innings. Is he an all-rounder, asked a club Twitter poll? No, he's not, but he is a bowler who can handle the willow. My definition of an all-rounder is simple - he averages more with the bat than he does with the ball, then it's serious, but an average of thirty with the bat is a pre-requisite, and at the same time averaging under it with the ball gets you into the club.
Gary Wilson's inning's was good to see, as it showed a different side to him. I still don't see him in the same league as Daryn Smit with the gloves, some of his leg side work being a little sloppy, but he is a very competent keeper. The bottom line is that he has to keep getting runs, because otherwise Smit will be waiting his opportunity and will undoubtedly take it.
Still, second in the league after two matches does nicely and the fighting spirit that got us over 250 was good to see. It will serve them well in the months ahead and I hope it continues.
Finally tonight, it was disappointing to see Cricinfo steal the club's thunder by announcing one of our overseas players for the T20 Blast. They shouldn't have done that, because for me the club, having done all the work, has the right to break the news first. Whether it was embargoed I can't say, but if I was at the club I would feel a little peeved.
Since it is out there, I am duty bound to confirm the signing of Wahab Riaz, the seriously quick Pakistan left-arm bowler, for most of the Blast, before the CPL. If they are in the mix at that stage, a replacement will undoubtedly be sought.
More on that tomorrow.
But for what it is worth, you cannot argue with the quality.
Could Ryan Mclaren be a possibilty as a T20 signing bowler? I was surprised to read in the latest issue of Wisden magazine in the Derbyshire section-a story I haven't seen anywhere else,the South African was going to sign some months ago in preference to Mitchell Santner's signing and then had to pull out due to family reasons.
ReplyDelete