Glamorgan 237 and 74-4 (Thomson 3-35)
Derbyshire 198 (Madsen 63, Lloyd 60, Crane 4-60)
Glamorgan lead by 113 runs
I cannot help feeling that Derbyshire let themselves down a little today, with a lack of assertion with the bat. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps more aggressive intent towards Mason Crane may have brought dividends. Then again, an extra spinner in the side for this one would probably have seen us on the way home by lunch time tomorrow.
With the exception of David Lloyd, who batted very well and carried the attack to Glamorgan, and the evergreen Wayne Madsen, our batters were content to merely occupy the crease. That's fine and dandy, but on a pitch where the ball is going to do something on a regular basis, perhaps a more assertive approach might have been more effective? Easy to say when you aren't in the middle, of course, but someone needs to play a match-winning knock second time around.
Harry Came lasted until just before lunch, but only added 14 runs to his overnight score in that time. It took over out of the legs of bowlers, but perhaps also allowed them to settle into a rhythm. Then again, Harry was third top scorer, so he did a job. Had the middle order after Madsen replicated that, we would have had a lead..
Neither Brooke Guest nor Nye Donald looked comfortable and until a late cameo from Zak Chappell it was all rather pedestrian and tentative. Crane is a decent bowler, but I think we gave him too much respect today.
It's interesting though. I spoke to a former county professional who said that the best way to play on such pitches is YOUR way. Not to change it for conditions, just do what comes naturally. Maybe that's a Baldrick-style 'cunning plan' for the second innings..
A first innings deficit of 39 runs was conceded, although Derbyshire fought back well In the final session. Alex Thomson took three more wickets for his first ten wicket haul in a match, while Sam Conners produced a beauty to remove Billy Root. Sam Northeast got a first baller, coming back down to earth, as I had predicted, after his triple century against Middlesex.
At the close, with 74-4 the score, the home side are 113 runs ahead. IF Derbyshire can limit the chase to under 200 - and bigger IF they collectively bat better than they did today - a win is still possible.
For supporters, the wait to see if we can be consistent in both disciplines of four day cricket goes on.
Maybe tomorrow?
On0rimes 0 foa p50ersonal level what fantastic performance from Alex Thomson, and it couldn't have happened to nicer bloke.Im extremely pleased to have been here to witness his haul.On team level a 50/50 day we haven't won the match but neither have we lost it yet. But the facts are these in our entire First Class history we have only ever made over 300 runs in the fourth innings 21 times.Of Course hopefully we'll considerably less than. But historically my point being Derbyshire do not perform well in the fourth innings of a match.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr
Frustrating after day one that we didn’t end up with a first innings lead. Over the last few seasons we don’t seem capable of two successive days on top. Agree with PF that we weren’t more positive with the bat apart from Lloyd’s and Madsen’s innings. Nevertheless we are still in the game thanks to an outstanding contribution from Alex Thomson. A ten wicket haul from a spinner in early April is unheard of (haven’t checked Wisden!) but augurs well for a successful season for a wholehearted cricketer.
ReplyDeleteJust hope we are not chasing too many batting last.
Nudger
We are informed by psychoanalysis that much of professional sport is won and lost in the mind. I feel that Derbyshire lost the mind game today in their batting performance that allowed Mason Crane to dominate their thinking and their response (apart from Lloyd and Madsden) in a continually defensive mode instead of a more positive attitude. Slow turn is not a demon to be scared of but to be channelled and dealt with. Perhaps our coaches can instill a change of method in our second innings?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the points that have been made, and Mike is definitely right about mindset, which has been a consistent problem with Derbyshire teams for most of the past 25 years. This game has been a good contest on a testing wicket of the kind it would be good to see at Derby and things are certainly poised very nicely for a good finish. Having won the toss and competed fairly well, this is the sort of game we need to be winning if we're to achieve anything this season.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comments about mindset. Derbyshire's problem has been that when they bowl well, they don't bat well, and when they bat well, they don't bowl well. It's been rare for them to both bowl and bat well in a game. The word "collapse" is one that can often be described to describe Derbyshire batting. I recall Mickey saying something about out mindset at the end of last season. He has spoken about us being more aggressive this season. I hope that out batting in the first innings was a blip, not a sign that this is the way we will bat this season in games of this sort.
ReplyDeleteYes, it carries an element of risk, of course, but on such pitches (which I would love to see at Derby) you need to perhaps be more aggressive. We will see what today brings, but it has been a very good game. Runs can be scored by good players..
DeleteIs there any particular reason ie injured why Luis Reece hasn't bowled?
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's going to be a disappointing start to the season again, Glamorgan now at a score that we're not going to chase down, and we'll be lucky to hold out for a draw. Rain anyone?
ReplyDelete