The addition of our former all rounder and member of the 2012 trophy-winning side, Ross Whiteley today gives us another dimension in all formats, but makes the T20 side look really strong.
Ross is welcomed back with open arms to the county where he made his name, before going on to a successful career with Worcestershire and Hampshire. Like Aneurin Donald he swaps the south coast for the East Midlands and there is serious depth to the side now. With just a second overseas player to add, there is notionally this side to take the field in the Vitality Blast
Came, Reece, Madsen, Donald, Lloyd, Whiteley, Patel, Guest, Chappell, Brown, Amir
Whiteley has signed for all formats and is likely to want to play more, at this stage of his career, than he has in recent seasons.
I remember seeing him many years back in the second team at Denby. Back then he looked to be a new Kevin Dean who could hit a clean ball. His bowling has never progressed to that standard, but he remains a useful variant for any captain.
He has earned a deserved reputation as a big hitter, a finisher if you will, but there is more to his game than being a merry slogger. He can play proper shots, but also has the power to clear the boundary at the critical stage of the innings. Add that to his useful left arm seam and his value to the squad is clear, even before his brilliant fielding is taken into consideration.
I named a notional side above which includes all of the new players, but doesn't feature the second overseas, still to be named. Nor does it feature Anuj Dal, Ben Aitchison, Sam Conners, Mitch Wagstaff, Matt Lamb, Alex Thomson or Nick Potts. All of them will have a part to play across the formats and the challenge from Derbyshire's Head of Cricket is clear - make me want to pick you.
The batting order could go any number of ways - feel free to let me know your choice - but the talent within the squad is patently clear.
Despite the loss of Leus du Plooy in particular, it looks on paper to be the strongest Derbyshire squad in a number of years. There are competitors within the group, players who are used to winning matches and winning trophies.
Whiteley was not as prolific at Hampshire as he might have hoped, perhaps due to his role in the side. Often he came in having to hit from the outset, to the detriment of his average. But it is clear that a side that features the batters above, should they all be at their best, will be a challenge for any opposition attack.
If Mickey Arthur can get the best from the group of players that he has assembled, the next two seasons promise to be memorable for all of the right reasons.
Welcome back to Derbyshire, Ross.
It is a pleasure to see you back in God's own county.
Great news. I was gutted when he left and he proved me right given whe he's achieved since. Provides real firepower and I honestly don't think we've had a more powerful T20 batting line up ever in the 20 years. Facet
ReplyDeleteThe danger is we tinker too much, as there wasn't a lot wrong with the 2023 T20 side. In terms of 4 day, we had some of the highest individual batting averages, but fewest batting bonus points. Which indicates to me that we didn't come out of the traps quick enough. Kris
ReplyDeleteYes, the weather meant that we had very little preseason out in the middle, even on the Spanish trip. So I think that we were a little undercooked at the start. Then again, other counties had the same problem but came through it.
DeleteWe need to be ready from the off, this time!
Whiteley is a smart signing by Mickey. That would be my T20 starting XI, Steve. It has some real firepower in it. There have been occasions in the past when we've lacked explosive batsmen. That won't be the case in the T20 next season with players like Donald, Whiteley, and Patel in the line-up. I'm excited.
ReplyDeleteMe too, DTW. Just trying to figure the best kind of addition from overseas for balance. And who misses out from that 11 to accommodate them!
DeleteHave to say we look geared up for a real go at T20 , would be very interesting if the players don’t play the Hundred format , we’d be very strong tbh … Still need a strike bowler option in the 4 day format ( overseas ? )
DeleteHi Steve. Great post as usual. I have to confess, on first look this looks a great signing . Love Ross when he was here the first time. Gutted to see him leave and proved he was a quality T20 player ,playing many franchises around the world. I assume this is the main reason for signing him as he as played very little cricket outside the shortest format in recent years. However, at 36 he is like others we have signed, in the twilight of his career. I always look at recent stats before passing judgment on our signings. Not great reading you’d have to say. Career stats in T20 are good for a middle order batsman . An average a little over 23 and a strike rate of 136 tells of his power when the field is back. However, last season was less than impressive. 11 knocks , 130 runs with an average under 12 and a strike rate less than a run a ball would for me be a cause for concern. Once again we appear to be signing a player on the strength of past glories. Nor do I see him as a viable bowling option, having only bowled 40 odd overs in a long career with just 7 wickets and economy around 10.
ReplyDeleteCompare these to Tom Wood last year who scored 230 runs in just 7 innings at a strike rate of over 160. His best score being a 50 ball hundred whilst opening , a position we have failed to fill in recent years. Stats can always be subjective but cricket is a very measurable game. Releasing a 29 year old T20 specialist for a 36 year old with much poorer recent figures doesn’t seem great business to me. I hope I’m wrong because Ross like Wood on his day is a match winner no doubts. Let’s hope this days haven’t passed .
Jim
I suppose the 'problem' with that XI is that you're looking to fiddle 4 overs somewhere(Reece/Lloyd/Whiteley) which may or may not work. This would be addressed by an overseas bowler/all rounder, provided he didn't replace one of the main bowlers!
ReplyDeleteHaving Guest at 8 doesn't quite 'look right' either, far too good. Of course Donald is an option to keep wicket too which would then free up the place for the overseas, but be very harsh on Guest, so maybe Came or Reece may come under pressure....
Looking like one or two selection headaches for MA, which can only be a good thing, providing we steer clear of injuries. 🤞
Agree - and if one of Chappell/Brown/Amir is going round the park, then we look a bit light on bowling options. Hopefully Reece's bowling can come on as much as his batting did last year. And it's not that long since we had Godleman coming out as our finisher!
DeleteSorry to put a damper on this but I am of the age to remember lots of big stars coming to Derbyshire for "one last payday" as they call it these days. Now Ross is 35 and perhaps now these days at the peak of his powers. Does he fall into this category or does he still have something to offer other than experience?
ReplyDeleteI have to agree, in Ross and Samit we have signed two players who are sadly coming to the end of their fine careers and both suffered poor last seasons. Are we suddenly expecting them to come to Derbyshire and produce the form of five seasons ago?. I'm quite sceptical about both these signings, but only time will tell. Welcome back Ross!
DeleteI am, CB. You don't lose the ability they have and I think a new environment will be a catalyst for both of them. Ross has got plenty of time to scale new mountains, while Samit will want to show that he is worth the overseas contracts that he picks up. I think they will both be very good and important players for us.
Delete