Derbyshire 258 (Critchley 49, Madsen 42, Godleman 41, Rushworth 6-49)
Durham 20-2 (Aitchison 2-3)
There were forties for Billy Godleman, who was in bucolic mode, Matt Critchley and Wayne Madsen, but against a keen attack and with conditions far from ideal for batting, the final total appeared around par.
There were runs down the order with most contributing, although Leus du Plooy's difficult start to the summer continued with another duck. The South African looks more hesitant at the crease this year and maybe he needs to smack a few balls around in the T20 to regain touch.
Harvey Hosein was struck on the helmet and had to retire under concussion protocols. He will play no further part in the match and was replaced by Anuj Dal, who steered us to a second batting bonus point. Brooke Guest will keep wicket, of course.
Ben Aitchison played a chirpy innings towards the end, following up his maiden fifty against Nottinghamshire with some 'interesting' strokes. The highlight was a lovely pick up off his legs for six from the bowling of Mark Wood, who was earlier hit for two more by Matt Critchley.
Chris Rushworth took his one thousandth wicket for Durham in dismissing Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who batted steadily. He has been an outstanding bowler for the northern county and has an astonishing record against us over the years.
There was good pace from Mark Wood, but I felt he overdid the short ball, especially in a somewhat brainless stint of short stuff at Aitchison.
Batting was no easier for Durham when their turn came to bat. Derbyshire used five bowlers in fifteen overs and Aitchison removed Lees and night watchman Raine, the latter with the assistance of a fine catch at fourth slip by Fynn Hudson-Prentice.
At the close he had 2-3 in five overs, almost removing Bancroft from the final ball of the day and looks an increasingly impressive bowler.
Only the bonus points to play for tomorrow, but it should make for a good day's cricket.
Only bonus points? We can win with this by an innings if we get it right with the ball!
ReplyDeleteA decent day for Derbyshire, overall, although it was disappointing no one could make a big score and get us over 300. Billy and Brooke Guest laid the foundations with their opening stand.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, Harvey Hosein will recover swiftly. It’s hard to believe that players used to bat without helmets. How on earth there weren’t more serious injuries, I’ve no idea.
Leus du Plooy is having a dreadful start to the season. His duck yesterday was his fifth in eleven innings. His confidence must be shaken. He’s a talented player, and will find his form again. He just needs one big score to restore his self belief.
We seem to have such an unsettled side that is consistently being tinkered within a fair few of the side seem to be a bit transient, failing to hold their position down.
ReplyDeleteSide I'd pick for next game and which I'd give a run:
1. Godleman (C) - Self explanatory
2. Wood - I'd let him open for the rest of the season. Time to decide once and for all whether he is up to it.
3. Guest - Has looked composed and like he may be the answer at 3. Will take the gloves until Hosein is back.
4. Madsen - No explanation needed.
5. Critchley - Key man this season.
6 + 7. Reece/Hosein/Dal - Dependant on who is fit. If Reece time for him to drop down to 6 and focus on his bowling which we are missing. If Reece and Hosein are both out then Dal at 6 and Hughes at 7.
8. Hudson-Prentice - Another key player this season.
9. Aitchison - Looking better and better.
10. Melton/Cohen - Happy with either.
11. Conners - Also improving.
The crux for me is getting that top 5 nailed in. Minimise rotation in the bowling unit and limit tinkering to that 6 and 7 middle order area.
Decent rationale, and no real arguments. If we get to the end of the summer and, Wood still hasn't had opportunity (I suspect he will in the RLODC) then it is a wasted opportunity. BUT he needs to make the most of it, as there won't be another contract if he doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI suspect McDermott will play the next game, which will see that team and batting order 'tweaked'
Ah I hadn't realised McDermott was here and available. He'd go straight in then, I suspect Guest will carry on opening and McDermott could go in at 3. Though I doubt Houghton would do what I would and drop Du Plooy so who knows.
ReplyDeleteWith Hosein missing for Worcester, you'd expect Guest to keep wicket and I don't think it's a good idea for him to be opening the batting as well. Imagine keeping wicket for 80 overs and then going straight out to bat for the last 15. He's dealt well with everything he's been asked to do, but this is asking a lot. Mcdermott generally bats around 3 or 4 in first-class cricket and it's asking a lot of him to do it in English conditions that he's unfamiliar with. In the absence of Hosein and Reece, I think there's going to have to be more chopping and changing.
DeleteI can't see Guest opening and keeping wicket. Imagine keeping wicket for 120 overs and then coming straight out to bat. He's adapted well to the challenges that have been thrown at him so far, but not many do this successfully. I'm not aware that Mcdermott has opened the batting in first class cricket and I don't think that's an option either, particularly when he's not used to English conditions. So I think more chopping and changing is inevitable in the absence of Reece and Hosein.
DeleteI can't see Guest opening and keeping wicket. Imagine keeping wicket for 120 overs and then coming straight out to bat. He's adapted well to the challenges that have been thrown at him so far, but not many do this successfully. I'm not aware that Mcdermott has opened the batting in first class cricket and I don't think that's an option either, particularly when he's not used to English conditions. So I think more chopping and changing is inevitable in the absence of Reece and Hosein.
ReplyDelete