Saturday 5 May 2018

Warwickshire v Derbyshire day 3

Derbyshire 318 and 209 (Slater 68, Viljoen 44, Patel 6-76, Brookes 4-56)

Warwickshire 439 (Olivier 4-134) and 19-1

Warwickshire need 70 more runs to win

The poor manner in which Derbyshire's much vaunted seam attack bowled yesterday was made patently obvious today, when Warwickshire took the field for the Derbyshire second innings.

Eighteen-year old Henry Brookes bowled fast and full, swinging the ball both ways and making Luis Reece look rather silly in leaving one that took his off stump. Then next ball he completely beat Wayne Madsen for pace with a searing yorker, something you see very rarely and making me question his Cricinfo billing as 'right arm medium'.

Brookes soon accounted for Madsen, caught by Patel from a leading edge, in an opening spell of great potential. There was nothing like what he bowled from our seamers, and although they came back better today, I don't think Duanne Olivier, who went for over four an over, nor Hardus Viljoen will look back on this game with a deal of affection.

Nor will Gary Wilson, whose life was made very awkward behind the stumps in a messy bowling effort that cost us 44 runs in extras. We can ill-afford such generosity and though Ben Slater and Alex Hughes got us through to the interval at 34-2, there was little confidence from county supporters at the ground or online, especially with Patel having entered the attack before the break.

In the afternoon, Slater and Hughes put up brave resistance, showing good concentration for almost ninety minutes, before Hughes was dismayed to be given leg before to Patel, presumably feeling it was too high. Billy Godleman came in and looked in poor touch, maybe having to face spin immediately, and didn't last long. Slater's long vigil and a shorter one of Wilson came in quick succession and thereafter it was only some clean blows from Viljoen, who looks a better batsman with every innings, before the innings ended on 209, leaving a mere 89 to win.

As I wrote last night, Patel was the difference and remains a class act, while Brookes looked a terrific talent.

The home side quickly lost Rhodes to Olivier, but at 19-1, their win tomorrow morning should be a formality, though it was good to see Critchley on early and Olivier bowling a far better line than in the first innings.

More from me tomorrow.

12 comments:

  1. Such a poor performance this after a very promising opening game. My prediction is that Godleman will be stripped of the captaincy very soon and subsequently dropped, he's in no form at all. Oh well, no disgrace losing to Warwicks as they're here for one season only, but huge improvement needed.

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  2. I don't think so Mark. He does need to go back to where he makes the greatest contribution though, at the top of the order.
    And he is well regarded in the club as a skipper, so...

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  3. Honestly don't know why they've messed around with Godleman's batting position when he was one of the few consistent performers last season?!

    Top 6 should be: Godleman, Slater, Reece, Madsen, Hughes & Critchley in that order.

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  5. Is it known if Godleman is batting down the order at his own request?

    Dave

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  6. Billy is captain so I'm sure he is in agreement with the decision and more than likely initiated it.

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  7. The batting order makes no sense at all, Bill and Ben have been our most consistent opening pair over the last three or fours years, Reece slots in perfectly at three allowing Wayne to bat when, hopefully some of the shine has gone. Four is far too high for Hughes, it's unfair to expect him to bat there. If Billy's ankle is an issue he should stand down until he is fully fit.. With Wilson on test duty next week presumably Smit will keep wicket, probably the best candidate to martial the tail batting at seven, although would be happy to see Hosein batting at six.
    Suggested team for Durham game, Godleman, Slater, Reece, Madsen, Critchley, Hughes, Smit, Viljeon, Rampaul, Olivier, Foottit

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  8. Paul Fitzpatrick6 May 2018 at 08:24

    Billy has scored the majority of his runs as an opener
    Billy is an opening batsman
    Reece drops to 3 and shuffle the pack
    Hosein for me every time to strengthen the batting

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  9. Tim, Chesterfield6 May 2018 at 12:13

    Godleman either opens or shouldn’t play. I see absolutely no sense in the current thinking nor has anyone given me a single creditable reason for it. I’m not convinced about Alex Hughes as a frontline batsman at all and he’s at least one spot too high in the order.

    Both of these rights can be wronged easily and must be otherwise replacements are required.

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  10. Didnt hughes do well when he was given a go batting at 3?...

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    Replies
    1. Yes he did Jasper, got a ton in that position. I see the line up as flexible and Billy should go to the top of the order.

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    2. Yes i agree about billy although ultimately it's his choice i guess.

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