Derbyshire 108 and 377
Worcestershire 113 and 290 (Ferguson 127, Cox 62, Rampaul 4-64, Palladino 3-34, Hudson-Prentice 3-42)
Derbyshire won by 82 runs
On a day where our old boys, also known as New Zealand, made the World Cup Final, Derbyshire entered the top three of division two with a terrific win over a Worcestershire side that were strong pre-season fancies for a promotion slot.
Cast your mind back to March, and most cricket correspondents were predicting the wooden spoon for us. Yours truly wrote:
They will need their share of luck, but in a division with some big, far more affluent clubs I expect team spirit to play a key role. We already know that on their day the side is capable of slugging it out with and beating the best. If we can add that ten per cent of fortune, winter development and calmness at key points in the game, who knows?
Prediction
Last year I stood alone at the start of the summer in predicting a top half finish in the county championship. They were ten points off doing that, and but for poor bowling against Glamorgan and especially Durham would have done so with ease, losing games that were there for the taking.
Greater discipline this year will get them there.
We're not there yet, of course, and there is plenty of cricket to play, but doom-mongers have been shown to be wide of the mark. Dave Houghton has secured his best players on long term deals, as well as, crucially, recruiting impressively. Leus du Plooy has added solidity and class to the middle order, Tom Lace has increasingly looked a young player of major talent, while Fynn Hudson-Prentice has come into the side for the past two matches and made crucial contributions with bat and ball.
Let's not forget that we played this match without an overseas player, nor that we won it after being bowled out in the second session of the game for little more than a hundred. Lesser sides would fold in such situations, but that team spirit that I mentioned saw them fight back to bowl out the opposition in similar style and then build a winning position with a team effort. Lace was the standout, with an innings of diligence and great skill, but the support of Tony Palladino yesterday was crucial to this win. The pair added 99 and the winning margin was 82 runs.
It was a fine effort by a seam attack that hunted as a pack, giving nowt away in the Derbyshire fashion. Hudson-Prentice a revelation, 3-42 in twenty overs, Rampaul 4-64 in twenty-four, Palladino 3-34 in twenty-one. They were the sort of figures that would have had Les Jackson, Cliff Gladwin and Harold Rhodes nodding in appreciation, with only two no balls conceded in 116 overs.
While Cox was unlucky in playing on to Rampaul for the crucial breakthrough, Hudson-Prentice took the key wicket of the excellent Ferguson with a good ball, leaving the old-stagers to mop up the tail. Rampaul 'did a Tahir' when he took the penultimate wicket, running off to square leg, while it was fitting that Palladino, a club man par excellence took the final wicket.
The passion in the wicket celebrations was a joy to see and we head for the Chesterfield festival this weekend in fine fettle. The season has thus far seen eight championship centuries from six different batsmen, while the three above, plus Luis Reece have all taken their wickets at under 25. On this showing I am not sure how Hughes gets back into the side, before the T20, while van Beek will only get back, one would assume, if someone needs a breather.
We may, or may not go on to win promotion, but in a season where some big money counties have flattered to deceive and under achieved massively (no names, you understand...) Derbyshire have been competitive and earned the respect of opponents and supporters alike
Let's keep that juggernaut a-rolling, boys.
Well done to each and every one of you.
I wasn’t that confident this morning. Certainly not at lunch. The ball not so new as they got the required runs to 99. I had a meeting for half hour, came back & we’d won. I need to do it more often. Well done boys. A professional job.
ReplyDeleteOne thing, makes me smile Peakfan. In your report on the first day you wrote: The one sure thing one could say, at the end of a day where wickets tumbled with alarming frequency, is that those planning to see an exciting finish on the fourth day will be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI was inclined to agree with you, but in fact the game did last four days and we did have an exciting finish, for the result was in doubt for a good part of the day.
This is surely one of Derbyshire's best performances and results for several years, given the scale of the recovery from the first innings debacle. We need to remember that the points gap between third and tenth is quite small, but you are absolutely right that team spirit and the arrival of du Plooy and Hudson-Prentice are factors that have made a very positive difference. I would like to see Van Beek given another chance. I know his form has been dreadful, but he must be capable of contributing much more than he has done so far.
ReplyDeleteHad the pleasure of watching the first 3 days .The team have a togetherness and a sense of spirit .Lace,Hudson-Prentice and Du Plooy are really good finds by the coaching team .By no means the finished group as we desperately need a strike bowler and an upgrade on our spin option. We may well be in the mix come the year end subject to Palladino , Rampaul and Reece staying fit and being managed sensibly .
ReplyDeleteA fantastic performance. I must admit that I did wonder if they would pull it off when Worcestershire got the lead down to below a hundred in the second session. But they did it. Spirits must be high in the squad now.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how the addition of du Ploy and Hudson-Prentice (two great finds) have changed the complexion of the team from the start of the season. Alex Hughes will struggle to back in at the moment, while Matt Critchley's place looks vulnerable, as he's been in poor form with bat and ball. We have more options now. I'd like to see Sam Connors given more opportunities.
Amazing victory! Houghton and his team made a very difficult desion in this match and it came off. The likes of Lace, Du Plooy and Hudson Prentice would not been on anyone radar before the start of the season and they have brought great competition to the side. I see this year as a golden opportunity for a return of Divison 1 cricket. Most Derbyshire supporters knew Palladino and Rampaul would have to have a special season to stand any chance. They both look on course to be close to 50 wickets the surprise has been the support of Reece with wickets. I think most supporters be happy 25 wickets season and good amount runs. He has way exceed this and personally looking at lion tour party he is better than quite few of them.
ReplyDeleteWe know that Palladino will have a rest for 20/20 but how are we going manage Reece, Madsen and Rampaul will be difficult test. You find the chance of injury increase in the shorter format. The expectation is you put your body on the line to stop runs, the intensity of the cricket format is more intense. I am sure all players will want to be included in 20/20. Its difficult as we rely so much £££££ if we preform poor it may put supporters paying £20+ to watch the game. I hope we devise a plan and when oppotunity to give rest to espically Rampaul they will do this. As take Reece or Rampaul out the bowling attack is reducing any chance of sucess in the later end of the season. They are big players in a small squad
It will be interesting to see how ,the sides line up for the two 2ndXI T20 games tomorrow. May give a few pointers to Dominic Cork's thinking.
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