Derbyshire 291 and 388-3 (Madsen 204* Hughes 109*
Gloucestershire 350
Match drawn
When Tom Lace was dismissed for a well made 57 this morning, Derbyshire were only 51 runs ahead and Gloucestershire entertained a glimmer of hope in forcing an unlikely win.
Several hours later, the players shook hands on a draw, with no further wicket having fallen. I flicked the radio commentary on and off and the home side's commentator seemed obsessed with when the declaration might come.
It was never going to come on a wicket that was slow and offered less and less help to the bowlers as the game went on. Why would Derbyshire declare and have their players run around the outfield for a few hours on a freezing day? There would be no way to force a win, so we settled for comfortably saving the game.
That we did so was because of a magnificent unbroken partnership of 278 runs between Wayne Madsen (204) and Alex Hughes (109). Both were superb, defending diligently at the start, before opening up with more expansive stroke play.
I said pre-season that Madsen would make a thousand runs and here he scored 20% of that total. He is a master craftsman and you know that he feels in prime form when the reverse sweeps are unveiled.
An appreciation of his feat in becoming only the ninth Derbyshire player to pass 15,000 runs for the county, and 10,000 in first class matches, will follow this week.
Hughes seems to be playing straighter this year and offers, with Tom Lace and Harvey Hosein a greater solidity than we have known for some time in the middle order. With our new South African batsman to be announced this week, there should be no shortage of runs in this Derbyshire side.
There is a long way to go, but after the first two matches we sit on top of county championship division two.
That has to count for something.
A good start to the year so far. Madsen and Hughes hopefully playing their way into form today. Early days but five players averaging 38 or over with the bat and four players averaging under 30 with the ball. A decent start.
ReplyDeleteJust need Godleman and Reece to get some form with the bat and Palladino with the ball and we should be a challenge for anyone despite all of the Season previews writing ‘small’ Derbyshire off.
I am assuming Dal will make way for the incoming batsman and hopefully strengthen a decent batting lineup.
Without naming names, can I ask if you rate the new signing?
Gareth
Most definitely, Gareth! Not seen much of him, and no one has over here, but his record speaks for itself. Will become a huge asset in time!
DeleteThat Madsen fella can bat a bit can't he?
ReplyDeleteWith this new signing imminent Peakfan, who's place is under threat?. I feel Billy G has to start delivering and even though he's captain he's certainly not droppable.
ReplyDeleteLogically Dal, but with RLODC next, the skipper was brilliant in that last year. Maybe TP, who has not played the format much.
DeletePlenty of options!
Just like you said Neil Broom and Daryn Smit would!
ReplyDeletescroglet
Broom had technical issues that were quickly spotted here, nut he didn't work to sort them.
DeleteSmit arrived with an injury that took a while to sort. Yet if nothing else has been a keeper better than any in 30 years. The Dukes ball caused issues, but I suspect we haven't yet seen the last of him, as player or coach. Judging by his keeping for the 2s last week, his glove work is still astonishing.
So hardly a failure. New fella has averages ahead of both. Once he settles here, expect runs, and try to be positive, eh?
David Miller Peakfan?. Oh come on, give us a clue.
ReplyDeleteThe clue is he is unknown here. Miller isn't. I can't and won't say. I worked it out, but the club did the work and are entitled to break the news when they are ready.
ReplyDeleteThat should be this week...
If I can tease you a little, which I’m sure you don’t mind, when you say you’ve ‘worked it out’ has that been done without any confirmation of your conclusion from those in the know?
ReplyDeleteYes and no, Tim! A comment I am happy to explain in due course when the signing is announced.
ReplyDeleteI have 'written' my piece on the player with my voice recording software and it will be live within ten minutes of the club announcement.
Assuming I am not in bed at that point, which is unlikely!
Heinrich Klaasen?
ReplyDeleteJust to pick you up, Steve, on your comment about the Gloucestershire radio commentator going on about a declaration. Yes, you're right he did mention that, but, having listened to most of the commentary on the fourth day, it was clear from what he said over the afternoon that he didn't really expect it.
ReplyDeleteHis name is Bob Hunt, and he's a very amusing and entertaining voice, who works well with the equally entertaining Dave Fletcher of BBC Radio Derby.
I don't know if you are aware that in this game the live streaming and BBC commentary were synched. Usually with the live streaming there's a delay of several seconds between the action and the commentary. To access it you had to go to the Gloucestershire CC Twitter feed rather than its web site, so a bit confusing really. It was brilliant to be able to watch the game and hear the commentary in real time.
Nice to hear from you!
DeleteI don't listen to much cricket commentary if I can see it myself. No disrespect to any who do it, but I watch the action and don't need the asides from the game.
He mentioned it in the morning a couple of times and in the afto.
Dave Fletcher was OK, in what I listened to, and an improvement on some of his predecessors. He has the voice for it, which is a big thing, but I dipped in and out.
The stream is great and for those who like it, having the sound and vision synchronised was excellent.
Can we assume this batsman has been signed for the one day matches
ReplyDeleteI would think they would want him for them, yes.
ReplyDeleteImpressed with the potency and variety of our attack so far this year - and the 3 ypung quicks still to be unleashed.
ReplyDeleteBatting looking more solid too - I wonder if loanee Tom Lace will prove to bectge Mason Mount of DCCC!@
Would be useful if new guy is N opener. I think having Reece to open and be first change is a big ask - would like to see him at 4/5.
Good start - lets push on.
Phil C
Agreed Phil C, makes me wonder why Lace and Reece don't swap, seems obvious to me
ReplyDeleteLace and Reece swap seems obvious so I think Reece must be adamant about opening. Billy moved down last year if I remember to accomadate Slats and Reece.
ReplyDeleteThink the squad looks strong and tight which I think is a huge advantage for our spirit and belief. Think it is one batsmen light, especially an aggressive top order batsmen for the limited overs. However dont think it needs to be a, presumably expensive, south african given we have young(ish) prospects in critch, harvey and lace. Much rather spend the money on keeping our best players or getting Lace in the long run.
Weakest area for me is the opening bowling however I have a feeling Conners may be leading our attack in the not so distant future.
Top.Of.The.League