Middlesex 423 and 199-7 dec
Derbyshire 295 and 210 (Godleman 105 not)
Middlesex won by 117 runs
A typical Billy Godleman century, brim full of cuts, nudges, glances and nurdles, was not enough to enable Derbyshire to salvage a draw at Lord's today.
He enjoyed some luck, as any batsman needed on the last two days. There was both variable bounce and lateral movement, the ball beating the bat with nigh monotonous frequency all day, but Billy did as Billy does and produced an outstanding century that made up exactly half of the Derbyshire total. He reached it with a straight six and his delight in scoring a century against the club that released him was tangible.
By then the Derbyshire innings was in disarray and no one else suggested permanence, which leaves us in sixth place in the table with just next week's game against Gloucestershire to go.
I will be down for the last three days of that match, or some of them, between doing stuff for my parents. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to meet up with friends old and new before the winter hits us once more.
The big news of the day, as well as the best, was that Tony Palladino has signed a new two-year deal with the county, that takes him to the end of 2020.
Why wouldn't he? For all the international bowlers who have come in during the summer, Tony has outbowled them all. He's much slower than all of them, but week on week shows the merits of bowling tight lines and lengths. The club's statement made it clear that his role will be a playing one only, and clarified that a bowling coach will be appointed to work under Dave Houghton.
While I think he would be slogged in T20, there is a role for Tony in fifty-over cricket and everyone knows that whenever he plays you will get one hundred per cent from him. With a team of Palladinos you could take on a lot of sides and I am thrilled to see his stay extended.
At the other end of the spectrum, it is farewell to Steve Stubbings today, who leaves to return to Australia. The club has announced its intention to recruit a bowling coach in his place, which makes sense when Dave Houghton can take care of the batting side.
I wish Steve, a genial giant of a man who always has a smile on his face, the very best in the country where he grew up.
He will do well.
Phenomenal effort by Billy today, those of us at Lord's today will long remember his celebration, after he strode down the wicket to straight drive Murtagh for six, showed just how much it meant to him. Interesting that six other batsmen got to double figures but none were able to make a telling contribution . Best news of all free entry for we of a certain age today.
ReplyDeleteAs you say a well deserved effort by Godleman following in from his near miss century against Glamorgan; I saw that and it was a dogged innings, not faultless but he got his head down and without it Derbyshire would have been in trouble. Encouraging innings from Critchley too. Shame that Middlesex couldn't have been restricted in the first innings - that last 80 or so runs was frustrating.
ReplyDeleteExcellent news re Palladino - I think the focus now has to be to provide a consistent middle order 4/5. I wonder what's happening with Leaning at Yorkshire - he seems to be out of the group notwithstanding their batting issues. Might not be able to secure him permanently but perhaps on a season loan?