A week today, Derbyshire will start to get an idea of the value of the winter's work, when they begin a four-day game against Durham at the Pattonair County Ground.
On the basis of the win against the Leeds/Bradford MCCU, they are fighting fit and raring to go. One has to question whether the opposition was really of first class standard, but they bowled tidily and it was of a better standard than the batting.
Nonetheless, without exception the players acquitted themselves well.
I have been amused in recent days by press reports predicting the season ahead. Once again, from people who really should know better, we are expected to be poor/bottom/also rans.
The media don't rate us. With the exception of Wayne Madsen, says one report, it is hard to see where Derbyshire will score runs this season.
Well, I look at a top seven where they are all capable of big scores. Logan van Beek, likely at number eight, can score good runs, as can Anuj Dal and Tony Palladino.
I would be more surprised if Madsen, Billy Godleman and Luis Reece didn't get near, or pass a thousand runs, barring injury.
The bowling may be a challenge but my concerns have been a little allayed by my first sighting of Ravi Rampaul.
This year, he is the leader of the bowling pack and may thrive on that. Sometimes people just want to be appreciated and with Viljoen, Olivier and Ferguson gone, Ravi, at 34, looks to have responded to a winter challenge from Dave Houghton.
There were times last season when, quite frankly he didn't look fit enough for first class cricket, but he has shed weight and looks in good shape, the condition of his prime. With over 850 first class wickets across the formats, he is a seasoned and able performer, far better than we witnessed last year.
Ravi, Tony Palladino, Luis and Logan will be a test for most batting lineups, with support as required. Most sides we put out will have EIGHT bowling options. If you have that, bat deep, and have the right team spirit, who knows?
It's 'everyone agin Derbyshire' , to use the local vernacular. Let's create that siege mentality and outfight them all.
There will be times we lose, of course and that will happen to sides deemed better than us. Like most recent seasons, it will be a roller coaster, so strap yourselves in and get ready for the ride.
If the 'real' Derbyshire is the one that produces consistent high level performances, rather than occasionally playing above themselves, we can do very well. Channel beating Yorkshire at Chesterfield and Headingley, and consign Durham and Glamorgan away to the bin of memory.
If they do that, no one can complain.
It will be interesting to see how Taylor and Davis at Leicestershire and Cotton at northhants get on compared to what we are left with and as to whether it was the correct decision to release these bowlers
ReplyDeleteThere was a valid reason for each to be released and while a change of environment may be to their benefit, I think they also has to be in the first team, yet we're not justifying that on their appearances.
ReplyDeleteTime will tell and I wish them all well - except when they play Derbyshire, of course!
Hi, Can you please elaborate on what that valid reason was for Will Davis and Tom Taylor leaving as i felt they were very promising bowlers for Derbyshire
DeleteThanks
Ismaeel Akram
Heard anything about a new batsman joining Derbyshire Peakfan?. Dave Houghton said in a recent interview that it's a strong possibility, I wonder who?.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is Tom Wood, Mark. He deserves it, after a big winter. I don't get the vibe of our going down the Kolpak route and most others are signed up by this stage.
ReplyDeleteWood is a good fit for what appears to be the DH 'blueprint'.. young and local
It's going to be a tough division however PF. Lancashire and Worcs must be favourites for a return. Sussex will continue to make progress and I can't see Middlesex being as average as they were last year. Question is therefore whether Derbyshire can challenge that group or at least be best of the rest. This weekend should give some direction; I think Durham are stronger than last year even though they've lost Collingwood. Leics have had a bit of a refresh and have a good coaching team, Northants are not a bad team - i'd expect Glamorgan and Gloucs to struggle.
ReplyDeleteSo a 5th place finish might not be a bad outcome - however if things go well, and van Beek is crucial no reason why they can't compete against the higher group.