Season review - the Bob Willis Trophy

 At the end of a season that was far shorter than anyone wanted, Derbyshire ended up a second in their group, pipped at the post by Yorkshire. They were the fifth best performing team in the country, with the best record of any side ostensibly in division two of the County Championship. They were ahead of Lancashire, Surrey, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire, all done with an attack in which their two most experienced bowlers never played. Had the weather stayed out of the game at Durham, they may have done better still.

Even more impressive is that the side is some way from its peak. An attack largely made up of youngsters making their formative steps in the county game was able to somehow bowl sides out. A batting line up in which no one really excelled was able to cobble together the runs with contributions down the order. In this regard, it matched the best county sides of the past, where they always managed to get the runs together for the bowlers to work with.

In a side packed with all round talent, two stood out. Luis Reece averaged 46 with the bat and took thirteen wickets at 26, often opening the batting and bowling. Such herculean efforts confirm his value to the side, as well as his unique standing in the game, as no one does that, or to my knowledge ever has over a sustained period. He bowled more overs than anyone and was second top scorer, as well as remaining a man who appears to enjoy every single minute he is on the field. We are lucky to have him, but in Derbyshire he has found his home.

Matt Critchley also blossomed, with seventeen wickets at 26 and a batting average of 39. In both departments he improved his game and if such progress continues he will play international cricket. His batting was straighter and he looked a fine player, even if he was unduly creative in his dismissals. His bowling was more accurate and the variations in flight and spin caused problems for more than a few. He is one to watch and the new contract signed pre-season means Derbyshire supporters can enjoy that for the immediate future.

The rest of the top four each played one good innings without discovering their sustained best form. They will all come again and likely threaten the thousand run mark in a normal summer. Leus du Plooy played an innings of genius at Trent Bridge to keep his side in the game, before second innings heroics down the order saw an extraordinary win. Billy Godleman sometimes looked to impose himself too quickly, while Wayne Madsen looked more vulnerable to the moving ball than in the past. Both will come again, though there may be merit in Wayne moving down one in the order, better to take toll of the bowlers with the shine gone from the ball. 

Fynn Hudson-Prentice was rarely fully fit and his bowling was missed. His batting won the game at Nottingham and his value to the side for the future is clear. Anuj Dal chipped in with bat and ball, as did Mattie McKiernan and the challenge to each is to confirm their undoubted ability and cement a place in a first choice eleven. As the two best fielders in a decent fielding side they give themselves a good chance, but competition for places, even in a small squad that favours rotation of players, is hotting up. Alex Hughes is another who found himself on the periphery and will be looking for a better summer in 2021.

Harvey Hosein kept better than I have seen him before and did a good job, both standing back and up to the stumps. He batted well in the first innings at Liverpool and remains an organised player , even if not one who can lead a counter-attacking rearguard action. He will remain the first choice for now, though new arrival Brooke Guest will hopefully push him to show his best form through a long, normal season.

As for the bowlers, Sam Conners showed good progress and produced some excellent spells, even if his line needs a little work at times. That issue is there for others too, with Michael Cohen showing rare pace but an inability to sustain the lines to cause a constant threat. His potential is clear, however and another winter under Steve Kirby could see the emergence of a serious bowler. Both showed they could handle a bat, too, which was heartening to see.

Dustin Melton was much improved and bowled very well at Leicester and Liverpool, though a reversion to previous erratic lines in the second innings of that final game was frustrating. He may return, depending on the final decision on Kolpak deals, as my understanding is that he becomes qualified by residence next summer. 

The best of the young seamers, for me, was Ben Aitchison. Before an ankle injury curtailed his summer, he bowled accurately and intelligently throughout. After looking to bowl too quickly on his first appearance at Trent Bridge, he got into a lovely rhythm with his well grooved action and troubled good batsmen on a regular basis. His final figures don't fully reflect his contribution and I have no doubt that his season trial will be extended to a longer deal in the coming weeks.

Which leaves another on a short-term deal, Tom Wood. His only opportunity was in the one innings at Headingley, when he let no one down, even if his dismissal was unusual. I had hoped that his contract might afford greater opportunity and if Madsen were to drop down to four he would be an obvious option at three for another year.

I'm not sure how much more we know about him though. Hopefully he gets a chance in the remaining T20 matches to show what he can do, because there is a good batsman in there.

In summary? T20 finalists in 2019, fifth in the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. With shrewd winter recruitment, promotion from division two next summer is a distinct possibility. The all round strength of the side means we bat long and can use seven or eight bowlers if required. That will be appreciated by Billy Godleman, who again led a contented squad well and will look forward to further success and progress in 2021.

'Little' Derbyshire? Not any more. Go down to Trent Bridge and they will put you straight on that..