Season review

For a side that based on the predictions of most critics was supposed to roll over and die, before ending bottom in everything, Derbyshire punched above their weight in 2019.

Mid-table in the RLODC, seventh in the four-day game and semi-finalists, praise be, in the T20 was a fine start for David Houghton. He recruited shrewdly in his coaches, Dominic Cork doing especially well in the Vitality Blast, and oversaw the season by exuding a reassuring calmness. I have heard no ill spoken of him and the respect of the players and supporters is evident when one walks around the ground.

The perennial financial constraints meant that he needed his big players to stand up to be counted and he was rewarded in spades. Billy Godleman had his best season, captaining in all formats and doing a solid job. He passed a thousand runs in the county championship and was only 26 runs short in the one-day formats. He led from the front, batted in his unique style and was a run machine, topping two thousand runs for the summer. We are lucky to have him.

His opening partner Luis Reece perhaps suffered from having to do too much bowling, but also had a fine summer. Over 1400 runs and almost seventy wickets in all formats made him a massive player for the club, all of it done with a smile on his face that showed a man who was enjoying life. Maybe a middle order role would be more beneficial for his batting, as well as his body, but his 184 against Sussex in the final home game will live long in the memories of those who saw it. He can rest easily this winter, like his captain, having done as much as anyone could have wished.

There was a little decline in the four-day returns of Wayne Madsen, who got 204 at Bristol but only 590 runs in his other 23 innings, but he remains the wicket most wanted by opponents and over 1650 runs in all competitions confirms there is plenty in the tank yet. In full flow he is still a joy to watch, while his fielding saw him take 35 catches in all formats. He remains a huge player for the club and one to enjoy for as long as it lasts.

Tom Lace enjoyed a fine summer in the middle order, though making only occasional appearances in the one-day side. His poise and balance at the crease was reminiscent of Ian Bell and three centuries and the same number of fifties in nineteen innings suggested him as one to watch. If Houghton can persuade him to make Derby his home for the next few years it would be a major coup this winter. A top five of Godleman, Reece, Madsen, Lace and du Plooy would give us our strongest in many a summer. At 21, Lace has the potential to go a long way in the game.

Leus du Plooy came in after the summer started and missed several weeks after breaking a thumb at Durham. Thereafter, he exuded class, exquisite timing and a destructive inventiveness in the one day game that is the preserve of the best. He took time to come to terms with the red Dukes ball on English wickets, something he had not faced before, but still averaged 40. In the one-day game he had a shot for every ball, while his fielding was reliable wherever required. If his bowling develops as it looks possible, we will have an extraordinary player on our hands, Houghton sensibly having extended his contract to the end of 2022.

It was a mixed season for Alex Hughes, whose early century at Bristol was his only one of the summer. He had few opportunities in the one-day game, such was the form of those above him, but was a key member of the attack in the T20, where his accuracy and variations made him hard to get after. His fielding remains brilliant in any position and criticism needs to take account of an injury that saw him struggle over the season's closing weeks

There were mixed returns too for Matt Critchley. He endured one of those seasons encountered by most young players, a batting average of 22 half that of his bowling one, where he struggled to take wickets in the four-day game. The injury that saw Matt McKiernan miss most of the summer, together with the lack of development with Hamidullah Qadri gave him a free run at the spinner's role. Mark Watt bowled tidily on occasion, but looks a one-day player only, so the club needs Critchley to kick on another year. The talent is there, for sure, but the spinner's role is very much up for grabs at the club and winter work is needed for a player of obvious talent.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice started the summer in the second team on trial and after some fine displays earned a 2.5 year contract. When he broke into the senior side he became a key member, playing some punishing innings and having a knack of breaking partnerships. Time will tell if he is a genuine all-rounder, but he has all the assets to become a really good county cricketer. Sussex's loss is very much a Derbyshire gain and he will prove another fine acquisition by the Head of Cricket.

It is hard to over-praise Ravi Rampaul. At the end of last summer he looked unfit and a shadow of the erstwhile international bowler he was. This year he responded to being the leader of the attack with remarkable consistency and fitness, taking 75 wickets in the various formats. Time after time he broke through, maintained control and was both shock and stock bowler. With better support at the other end we should have earned four-day promotion, but Logan van Beek disappointed as overseas player and Tony Palladino, while still a model of accuracy, struggled with injury as the season went on and understandably lost a little nip at the age of 36.

Harvey Hosein was entrusted with the gloves for most of the summer and was steady, both behind and in front of the stumps. Standing up his handling is not so sure, but the lack of quality spin meant this was rarely an issue. His batting was stylish when he got going, though early uncertainties took his average under thirty and more power at the crease would see him cement his role in the side. Daryn Smit took over for the T20 and kept beautifully, standing up as the pace was taken off in the middle overs and making few mistakes. He skippered a largely experimental second team well, but had few opportunities to bat at senior level.

The lack of progress by James Taylor and Alfie Gleadall saw both released, though they have only to look to the example of Hudson-Prentice to see what can happen if you go away and work at your game. Sam Conners did better and was retained, but will know that he has to get fitter over the winter. There is an opportunity for him if he does so, as his natural talent, whippy pace and height give him the basic tools of the trade.

Dustin Melton earned a contract for next year towards the end of the summer, on the back of some good displays for the second team. His pace was undeniable, but he will need to work on the line and length to become a regular next year. Like the departing Logan van Beek, raw pace is fine, but at senior level they will just wait for the bad ball and punish you. The potential is worthy of examination, but time will tell if senior cricket is a reality for him.

Finally, and a little out of turn, Anuj Dal. Released by Nottinghamshire, he looked good as a batsman but lacked opportunity, then turned out to be a very useful bowler, with a bustling medium pace. He too was rewarded with a contract, this time for two years, and it was well deserved. A batting average of 22 and bowling one of 20 suggests he too could add to the county's clutch of talented all-round cricketers, while his brilliance in the field is always likely to give him an edge in selection discussions.

It was an exhilarating summer, for Derbyshire and for cricket supporters generally. There were frustrating sessions of old-style Derbyshire ineptitude, but there was increasing evidence of a proper side emerging. If one of the spinners develops, or we sign one from elsewhere, with a good overseas seamer it would make a huge difference to this side. A deal for Tom Lace would leave no concerns over the batting and supporters can look forward to 2020, and all it offers, with a degree of anticipation and excitement.

Thanks to all of you for your support of the blog over the summer. Growth has again been remarkable and the two million views barrier has been left well behind.

I will be back soon - and I look forward immensely to your end of season comments.