Friday 6 May 2022

Weekend warmer

No cricket for Derbyshire this weekend then, which is a crying shame, but with the fixture list drawn up by the ECB, why should we be surprised?

There was a stirring win for the second team at Repton, where after being largely outplayed for much of the game they sealed an unlikely one-wicket win over Durham.

In a textbook 'stake a claim for a first team place' performance, Luis Reece followed 88 in the first innings with 166 in the second. With wicket keeper Harry Caton making an unbeaten 49 with four sixes and the winning boundary, while Josh Lacey of Ockbrook and Borrowash made 53, we chased down a victory target of 343 in 77 overs. 

Caton is an 18-year old from Ramsbottom CC and seems a likely lad, on this performance. With many of the Pathway players doing exams, the side featured a few trialists. 

But Reece must surely come back into the side for the next game. My only concern was that his knee might have flared up when he started limping in his last appearance, but that appears to be fine. 

Mickey Arthur said that he expected him to be bowling for the start of white ball cricket, which isn't far away now. His option of a change of angle will be a huge asset to the attack, as his batting will be to a line up that is doing well anyway. 

Who does he replace? Logically it has to be either Mattie McKiernan or Billy Godleman. The former would be unlucky after a fine century at Leicester, while dropping the captain would be a major decision. Yet so too would leaving out a bloke in such form.

Were it to be Godleman, the likely captain would surely be Shan Masood, who, in answer to various emails I have had on that subject, I expect to be named T20 captain in the coming weeks. 

He is the obvious, logical candidate, with 'previous' in Pakistan. I would be astonished if Billy was in the T20 side, where Reece would likely open with Masood. If that doesn't whet the appetite then nothing will! 

Elsewhere, Ryan Sidebottom's loan has been extended by a further month. For me, this allows bowlers to recover from injury, but also allows Mickey Arthur to have a longer look at him. 

On the basis of his bowling on the last afternoon against Glamorgan, the Warwickshire man might be a canny addition for next summer. A relatively inexperienced attack could do with another man who has been in match situations before and he as outstanding as Glamorgan went on the charge. 

By the end of the month, the Head of Cricket will have a very good idea of the longer term viability of signing him, as he seeks to put his own 'stamp' on the squad. 

As it stands, even with more injuries than would be their preference, they aren't doing too badly, are they? 

Enjoy your weekend! 

17 comments:

  1. As mentioned last time Peakfan, I'm so disappointed with this fixture list. For the life of me, I can't understand how the absence of fixtures helps any stakeholder in English cricket.

    Away from that though, what a great start for Mickey at Derbyshire.

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  2. Feels like a good weekend to not be playing Durham!

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  3. It's stick or twist time for Mickey. Bill's only scored 118 runs in six innings. Yet he's the captain. Dropping him would be a major decision. But how many more innings do you give him to find runs? On the other hand, Reece has just scored big for the seconds, so he's a man in form. The Masood/Godleman partnership hasn't worked, so far. I'd leave Billy out and bring in Reece.

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  4. Shame theres no cricket to watch, but ..... grass seed under bubble wrap....
    'Every cloud' Steve

    And

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    1. Even if Billy retains his place in red ball cricket surely he must have the sense to leave himself out of the T20 side. His efforts in the 20 over competition last year were painful to watch and cast a black cloud over the batting of others.

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    2. To be clear, team selection, captaincy, what we do at the toss etc is all down to the HOC. It has always been so at Derbyshire. I don't think Billy will play T20... Try as I might I cannot get him in my strongest side.

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  5. I cannot see Billy being dropped until after the Notts game when I think Mark Arthur will be able to re-assess red ball tactics. To bring Luis Reece back (and after last week that looks nailed on) I can see a spinner being left out. Especially with the lack of use of the spinners in the Glamorgan game.

    The choice for this weeks 2nd XI game may give a few clues. I'm not 100% on the rules for 2nd XI games but could Billy play for 2 days to get some practice in the middle ?

    At least it is a positive where we are saying who do we leave out rather than who can we select

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    1. He could, David. I don't think MA will jettison his skipper yet either. But he won't dodge a tough decision either. Realistically he will want Luis back in his side asap

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    2. I did mean Mickey Arthur. I should learn to read before publishing

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    3. I had cold sweats at the mention of Mark Arthur….

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    4. Masood would be the obvious candidate to take over the captaincy if Billy was dropped. One thing I wouldn’t want to happen though is for that to then affect his stellar form with the bat!

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  6. Excellent century from KS Velani for the 2nds today v Notts. Ably assisted by Akhter and Scrimshaw. Reece originally down to play but replaced by McKiernan which possibly signals our line up for Thursday.

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    1. Yes, I noticed that McKiernan was playing so Reece (rightly) is back in the team.

      It was a fine knock by Velani, who didn't quite make it at Essex. Also interesting to see Harry Finch, who looked a decent player at Sussex and many were surprised to see released.

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  7. Looking at 2nd XI selection today. It looks like Reece for McKiernen on Thursday. Also good to see Scrimshaw back playing again

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    1. Yes, Scrimshaw will be a big asset in T20. Hopefully he is fit and raring to go!

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