Sunday 15 July 2018

Northampton beckons

There is undoubtedly a parallel universe in which Derbyshire's game against Northamptonshire on Thursday night would be a table-topping affair, with the winner getting the spoils of top place in the albeit strong northern section.

Except in the real one, you couldn't be further from the truth.

Northamptonshire have had their struggles, with injuries to key personnel coupled with poor form leaving them, like Derbyshire, without a win in four matches.

Mind you, their problems seem inconsequential compared to ours.

Yesterday was very disheartening for me and, from the mailbag, for many of you too. Yet it was only the latest of a series of such disappointments and right now, more than at any point in my years of writing this blog, I struggle with the club's direction.

Our four-day captain doesn't make the T20 squad. Our highly-paid Kolpak signing isn't in the side either. Our T20 captain is, but really shouldn't be on performances, then astonishes many people by saying that yesterday's loss was down to the respective power plays. To some extent he is right, but far better had he said 'and by the way, I made a pig's ear of the run chase and I am also accountable'.

We leave out a young lad who has been one of the brighter  aspects of the T20 so far in Anuj Dal, continue to pick two wicket-keepers and also another Kolpak in Ravi Rampaul whose better days appear sadly to be behind him. This imbalance leaves us either a batsman or a bowler short, whatever the selection. We put a slogger in at three yesterday, which didn't work and never seemed likely to do, as I doubt Riaz has batted that high in his career. We bring in, granted with success, Calum MacLeod but in three matches have had him at three, five and two in the order.

What the heck is going on?

Part of last year's success was in consistency of selection. We had left-right-left-right at the top of the order, we had good balance between bat and ball and we played as a team. We used power plays effectively, we bowled to a plan, we batted to a plan. This year's version appears to have been destroyed before anyone got to see it and things are apparently being winged from day to day. I know I am doing a disservice, but it is how things appear to the many supporters around the country.

Four games in, our hopes of T20 qualification appear as likely as mine of coming first in the Grand National as the winning horse. So we need to see if there are possibilities for the future, as well as having a chance of winning a game or two.

My team for the next few games would be:

Slater
MacLeod
Hughes
Madsen
Dal
Critchley
Smit
McKiernan
Riaz
Sharif
Ferguson

I'm well aware that the omission of Viljoen, Wilson, Rampaul and Godleman sees well over a quarter of a million in salaries on the sidelines. Yet I struggle to fit any of them into a first choice side in this format, on current form. Which tells you all you need to know on why we are struggling. Will the coach be big enough to tell the skipper that he isn't cutting the mustard? Will the captain be big enough to fall on his sword and say he shouldn't be picked? Who is making the calls in this format?

This year Gary Wilson has made 17 (from 14 balls at the death) 28 (28) 6 (6) and 6(11). 57 runs from 59 balls. If he is to play it must be instead of Daryn Smit, a far better keeper, who has made 1 (1) 15 (9) and 28 (24) - 44 runs from 34 balls. I know which way I would go...

Will we win matches with that side? I don't know, but we can't lose more than we are at present. And we might at least get some pointers for the future from a season that has gone from one full of promise to annus horribilis.

How different might it have been with Mitchell Santner and Luis Reece in the side? Quite a lot, because two such all-rounders in any side would enhance it. Recent history may then have been considerably different.

We'll never know, will we?

15 comments:

  1. In the current set up who is responsible for picking the teams, in the various formats ?

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    Replies
    1. My understanding is that the captain does with 'input' from John Wright

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  2. As I've said before Peakfan that side just reeks of lack of quality, just like any eleven we choose would.
    As another poster has pointed out, our players just don't look bothered ,there seems to be a total apathy surrounding the club.
    Lose against Northampton and it's crisis time isn't it?, someone has to come out hold their hands up and apologise to members and other Derbyshire supporters. But will they, will they heck.

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  3. Don’t disagree with that team bar Hughes at 3. After his run out the over night he would be dropped and fined a weeks wages for inept running that if seen at school would infuriate me. His bowling isn’t actually too bad. Should be 7/8 for me

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  4. There is so much wrong with us at the moments it’s unreal. I like Godleman as a gritty opener. But he can’t cope with the role he’s been given, we clearly have demotivated players and a leadership group who are all out of form in the main. I would personally remove Godleman as captain and give it to Palladino till end of season. Sack stubbings. Never hear about him. Don’t think he really has any influence. Get the administration role sorted as head of cricket. And then a proper coach. Not affiliated with he club. Then start again. As frankly we need a shake up. And a big one at that

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    Replies
    1. Mark, Stubbo has gone back to Australia, I understand, for personal reasons

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  5. Is it possible for members to organise a crisis meeting? In any business the buck stops with the head of the organisation. I have a friend who works with the England youth set up and he knows that I follow Derbyshire.

    He told me last year that there were 'serious issues' at the club, which was hard to hear and believe. Yet it looks to me that players are clearly unhappy and I expect that things imploded behind the scenes 4-6 weeks ago

    Nick

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    Replies
    1. Yes Nick, I understand that if sufficient members have concerns that an EGM can be called to discuss those issues

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  6. The club is in turmoil. I understand that we paid £360K to Hardus and £300K to Ravi over three years, yet the ECB money isn't due until the end of 2019.

    So we will need to release our young players to cover the cost. We will lose three young players by the end of the season.

    No wonder there is no heart in the side. There will need to be a major rethink to put a plan in place

    Simply Supersonic

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    Replies
    1. I don't think those salaries too wide of the mark and if that conjecture turns out to be true there will rightly be questions asked of the board and how two players who have failed to deliver on a regular basis have come close to wrecking the club finances and playing staff.

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  7. Paul Fitzpatrick15 July 2018 at 21:49

    If those salary figures are correct no wonder there appears to be poor team spirit in the camp !
    In fact there could be an interesting piece of analysis to show runs and wickets versus salary cost
    If it was any other business there would be talks of mutual agreement and a parting of ways of several players
    The new Director of Cricket has one hell of a job on his hands to regenerate this lot
    We must develop our own players as a fundamental principle and I’d rather spend Rampauls salary on working with Derbyshire and Staffordshire schools to create a talent pipeline and be fit for the future
    Also any aspiring youngsters will look at the Davis and Hosein treatment with curiosity
    TV Thursday , Sky will be all over it if we carry on as we are
    Team needs freshening up

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  8. I have questioned the cricket management structure at Derbyshire for some time. I can remember Kim B saying at a Members Forum that he was only appointed in an advisory capacity and he has to knock on the dressing room door to seek permission to go in and that Billy had full responsibility for all cricket activity. It is no wonder that Billy has finally found it Impossible to concentrate on his own form as well as the whole team both on and on the pitch. So I agree with a change in structure ONLY if the new Director of Cricket has FULL authority on All Cricket matters along side with the team captain.
    I agree that the body language of the team is a big concern and I can only presume that the dressing room motivation is non existent.
    We have played four 20/20 matches and lost all four and yet not a single message on the website from the manager or any of the coaches.

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  9. I've just had a scroll through the powers that be, and though I'm sure that all are excellent choices in the roles they fill, I can see more cricketing experience in Messrs Drew, Wheeldon and Guthrie in their more minor management roles, with Mr Tunnicliffe somewhat alone higher up. I'm not necessarily saying that those three mentioned might want to step higher, I'm just highlighting that Mr Tunnicliffe could possibly be talking Martian if he is talking serious cricket to obvious experts in other fields.

    That Dave Griffin is doing other things, ought the club to be seeking to appoint a couple of sensible Derbyshire cricketing guys/gals? I don't mean plucked from the DCB, I mean nominations from the members.

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  10. I think that an eminently sensible idea Steve. From my considerable experience and frustration in many committees over the years, getting things done when some parties know bugger all about the subject, then vote against it because of that is hugely frustrating. When they voted that way because the big boss said so even more...

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