Derbyshire 200-9 (Hudson-Prentice 50*, Came 45)
Warwickshire 207-2 (Pollock 103*, Yates 60)
Warwickshire won by 8 wickets
The words of Dave Houghton before the Royal London Cup and before we started with played three, lost three.
Having competed, at least, in the first two games, this performance, albeit of largely second eleven players, was not even of that standard, as Warwickshire ran out winners with thirteen overs to spare.
Poor Alex Hughes, given the captaincy for a game when he wasn't even in the announced squad. Billy Godleman sustained a groin injury in warm up and yet we got a decent start from Came and Wood, batting sensibly and well. Yet from 82-0 we were quickly 90-3, limping to an underwhelming 200-9 thanks only to another fine knock from the departing Hudson-Prentice.
Bethell looked a decent bowler for the visitors, his arm ball causing problems, but three run outs confirmed running of Keystone Cops quality.
Neither Rampaul nor Aitchison were able to apply pressure, although two potential catches at slip might have made a difference. After that, only Wood, McKiernan and Marshall were to bowl with any semblance of control. I felt for Alex Hughes, handling his bowlers well but with no 'go to' bowler. Wood at least took a maiden wicket from a decent spell, but Pollock's century and 60 from Yates made this a formality. To lose with 30 balls to spare is pretty poor and indicative of a massive gulf in class.
Another competition where we are left playing for pride. Based on today, we certainly won't be playing for points.
No doubt we will get the usual sound bites tomorrow. 'I can' t put my finger on what is wrong' and 'We need to get back to winning ways' will get their customary airing. That might be fine for some people, but it isn't for me. We are a shambles right now and I have no idea where, as a club, we are going.
Never mind. The football season will soon be here and we can see how the Rams get on.
Oh...
For the first time ever I failed to go to a game simply because I couldn't raise the enthusiasm. This from someone who went through all of the bad times and the mediocre times and the odd good times. I don't know where we go from here. Suffice it to say we have as much chance of winning a game in this format or the CC as the Rams have of coming top of the championship.
ReplyDeleteI despair.....
Absolutely dreadful. Without FHP's admirable contributions with the bat in this game and the last one our final total would have been even more embarrassing. The very sad news about Mike Hendrick's passing reminds me what a fine bowler he was and how totally inadequate our bowling attack is now. The only bowler in recent seasons who came anywhere near Hendrick's accuracy, stamina and dedication to the club was a certain Tony Palladino. The circumstances of his sacking are sub judice as he is suing the club for unfair dismissal. When the truth emerges, it is unlikely that Derbyshire CCC will emerge with any credit. What a mess we are in.
DeleteAgain a performance that totally lacked bravery.
ReplyDeleteBatsmen lacking any positive foot movement, stuck in the crease against spin with 3 of the first four out to the cut. We are clueless against spin with only Madsen and Du Plooy positive against it and obviously they are missing.
Bowling wise - no penetration.
Btw Peakfan - we only lost by 30 balls! Not that it really matters
It was only a 42 over game Peakfan so ‘only’ won with 5 to go. Not 13 overs!
ReplyDeleteYes thanks guys.. I was in a rush to get it out ahead of family stuff and forgot the lost time and overs!
ReplyDeleteDuly amended!
Still thrashed though so it doesn't matter. I'm at the stage now where I'm not even bothered about looking for the result let alone watching it. I'm actually enjoying the hundred, I know I apologise profusely Peakfan but it has been mildly entertaining so far
ReplyDeleteSteve, like you, I'm totally nonplussed at how we have thrown games away this season in all competitions. One of the things I noticed today was, again, a lack of aggressive batting. Came and Wood did well enough, and built a foundation, but neither went after it. After their departure, things more or less ground to a halt, but credit to FHP. With our batting tosay, it felt like a four-day game. For f**** sake, why can't someone actually take the bowling on? We were too timid.
ReplyDeleteReferring back to your post about contracts and stuff, the truth is that we have some players who don't have the ability to change games. To my mind, we have too many "bits and pieces" players.
The reality is this season that we've finished bottom of the CC, bottom of the T20, and look like completing the hat trick with the Royal London.
So what's really happening with the coaching and management? I don't have a clue. All I know is that the same mistakes, either with bat or ball, keep happening.
I expected to lose each game quite easily and sadly looks to be the case. I've not seen any live cricket since 2019 and have free tickets for the game at Queen's Park but would probably prefer to be 'pinged' again and have to stay home for another 10 days than go.
ReplyDeleteThink that sums the current state of the club up perfectly Tim
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