Nottinghamshire 324 and 279 (Patel 80, Hameed 52, Mullaney 48, Aitchison 3-55, Connor 3-63
Derbyshire 239 and 129-1 (Godleman 69*, Madsen 27*)
Derbyshire need 236 runs to win
At the end of an absorbing day's cricket, Derbyshire left the field at Trent Bridge needing 236 runs run to win with nine wickets in hand.
It would be an improbable, extraordinary win, as we appeared out of the game at tea, after being in it at lunch. Ben Aitchison bowled splendidly, but in the post-lunch session Samit Patel again took the game by the scruff of the neck. He twice batted beautifully here, no doubt keen to extend his contract past its current end of season.
His presence at eight showed the difference in experience between the sides, our eleven containing a bottom five of next to none.
Hampered by the injury to Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Reece and Aitchison were the go to bowlers to keep things in check, that being praiseworthy for the latter's debut. It wasn't ideal when Reece had also to open the batting, of course, but in the absence of Rampaul and Palladino, the skipper could only use what he had available. I thought Aitchison outstanding today, troubling the batsmen throughout.
Before lunch the wickets went down steadily. There were good catches held and better lines bowled, before Patel took charge. Habeeb made another fifty, though he looks full of idiosyncrasies at the crease. The batsman we all hope is there could return, but his dismissal, after almost two hours of self-denial before lunch, was an odd one, a lazy poke at the type of ball he had left all morning.
Evison confirmed the good impression of the first innings and helped Patel get the home side in a good position, as did Ball. Critchley then trapped Patel leg before when a century was beckoning and Cohen got a quick throat ball spearing in at Ball to leave 365 in 4 sessions to win.
Reece set off as if we had to get them in 50 overs, but was sadly caught at mid on when he failed to get over a drive.
Yet that was as good as it got for Nottinghamshire, because Godleman and Madsen played with eminent good sense, considerable class and lots of skill in taking bite-sized chunks from the total by the close, which Derbyshire reached at 129-1.
We have only once exceeded 365 as a winning total in our 150 year history. With a bottom five of negligible experience, logic suggests we shouldn't, but the reality is this.
Tomorrow, with nine wickets in hand, we need 236 in the day. We have done that plenty of times.
What a day of cricket it looks set to be.
Logically you'd guess we'll fall at least 100 short but the Notts bowling, like ours really, isn't all that good and Godleman and Madsen, along with the man in next, are as good as it gets in county cricket on their day.
ReplyDeleteWe can dream can't we!
Could Du Ploy play for England at some stage ?
ReplyDeleteI suppose he could, John, depending on whether regulations change or not on qualification post Brexit.
ReplyDeleteOr he could go home in a few years and play for South Africa. Time will tell...
Logic tells me we wont get close. I would think 80-100 short if we bat okay tomorrow. Seen it many times before where a side gets a excellent start but ultimately a large total that takes a long time to get proved far too much. I also know that more wickets tend to fall in morning session, and batting conditions get easier in the afternoon. If we get to lunch no more than 3 down then we are still in sight, anymore its goodnight.
ReplyDeleteBeen some good sessions for us though in this match and when you think we are without both opening bowlers and an injured FHP, the fight back and desire to stay in this one is commendable.
230 in 90 overs.. Yeah the first session is key and I would love an Alex Hughes or Tom Wood in there.
ReplyDeleteBut those in there have reputations to build and places to keep. There is opportunity for one or two to become heroes and legends.
We will learn a bit tomorrow, I think..
I'm not going to get my hopes too high, but a few things are in Derbyshire's favour here, apart from the good start today.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the required run rate is so moderate that there's no pressure to score quickly. Basically batting for 70 overs will win us the match and there's no need for the aggression and impetuosity that so often gets us into trouble.
Second, this is a very moderate Notts bowling side, Ball aside. Neither Evison (who has been very impressive) nor Barber will have had to bowl over such a long period, while Trego seems to be going in very short spells. With Patel no longer used to long spells, they will be running out of legs by early afternoon if they don't make enough inroads in the morning.
Third, this really doesn't look like a pitch that's going to deteriorate much. There's been a bit of uneven bounce and some turn throughout the game but it's occasional and doesn't seem to be getting any more pronounced.
Finally, and crucially, 40% of all the runs in the first 3 innings came after the fall of the 7th wicket, suggesting that life gets much harder for the bowlers after 45-50 overs. Not being able to get the same amount of moisture on to the ball inevitably means that it can't be worked on in the same way, and it needs to go for 10 overs longer before a new one becomes available. By the time Notts get to it, the game could be more or less won, so the batsmen's priority for the morning should be to wear down the bowlers and the ball rather than imposing themselves as both Godleman and Madsen are inclined to try to do.
Chasing 360 to win is extraordinarily difficult, but I'm not sure Derbyshire will often have better circumstances than this to make it possible.
Nice to see you back, not over yet.
ReplyDeleteYes, the two key spells will be the first hour, which has challenged throughout then the second new ball, in 55 overs, should we get there.
Some decent batting sides in our history haven't managed such a total, but yes, not being able to work on the ball is a factor.
Billy and Wayne noticeably played straight last night and if the batsmen do that today, we could go close.
It will make for fascinating watching, that's for sure...
I’m hopefull but not expectant. When I saw the team I thought we where at least 1 batter short. Don’t see Crich as a number 5. I know the seamers are well down on experience but we have 9 bowlers in this team. 5 seamers, 2 legspin and 2 off spin. I also would have liked to see Hughes or Wood in there. Huge pressure on the top 4 . Let’s hope they pull it off. What a win it would be.
ReplyDeleteChaddesdon Jim
Interesting game we have had so far. Some good play in patches. Du Plooy is amazing. He can go through the gears like a dream. I wouldn’t have bowled first personally not with two leggies and would have personally played an extra batsmen in Hughes but we have made a decent fist of it without 2 leaders of the bowling attack. Lack of killer instinct has meant we are chasing 100 maybe 150 more than it might have been. Slater scored a big ton on loan at Leicestershire. I would sign him back if possible and move Reece down to 5 he can’t do everything he can become a true all rounder then. Mark N
ReplyDeleteFair points here, Mark and most seem in agreement we are a batter light. But we have seen all the new bowlers in the same conditions which has been worthwhile.
DeleteThing is Luis prefers to open and feels it his best position. It is a huge workload but he feels he can handle it.
Ben is under contract to the end of next season anyway, while Nash will be out of contract at the end of this, which may free up a space for him.
He will have a big decision to make and I am not sure Trent Bridge is the best location for him, to be honest.