Yorkshire 276-3 (Lyth 97, Root 65*, Brook 44*, Masood 40)
v Derbyshire
David Lloyd continues to do the first thing that a captain should and win the toss. Nor can you fault the decisions to insert the opposition on pitches tinged with green and offering more than a little assistance to the bowlers.
Yet time and again we blow it. Chances were again dropped today, three before lunch, one after it and we didn't bowl especially well. I thought there was too much wide stuff, while the length was a wrong one for this ground.
It always swings at Headingley, yet we were bowling what John Arlott used to call a 'grudging length'. Twenty minutes before he was introduced to the attack, a sage former professional messaged me and called for Luis Reece to be bowling - and he got a wicket, second ball.
Wayne Madsen took a blow on a finger in putting one down and it didn't look good. I was also puzzled why Jack Morley was in the twelve, yet Samit Patel came on as twelfth man in Madsen's gear. Then Ben Aitchison appeared and it all looked like the Sunday XI at the Dog and Duck
David Lloyd had his left hand strapped, so wasn't in the slips, but Harry Came went in there with Luis Reece at third, not a common position for him. Meanwhile, Pat Brown, ostensibly the third seamer, didn't get a bowl until after lunch, when four others and the spinner had all turned their arms over. Rightly or wrongly, it didn't suggest a great deal of confidence in him and cannot have done a great deal for the player.
Yorkshire batted quite serenely and easily after that first hour, with all bar Bean looking at ease in the conditions. Lyth will be annoyed at missing out on his century, while Masood played beautifully, if never suggesting permanence.
Later in the day, before bad light and heavy rain brought a premature close, Joe Root and Harry Brook batted with the class that they have and it is astonishing that two of the country's finest players are in division two. With an incredible feeling of deja vu, Yorkshire look set for around five hundred before tea tomorrow, when we will doubtless face a tricky session against Coad and Fisher (who was fit) who will certainly bowl the right lines and length for this ground.
We might be batting without Madsen too, as I am not expecting good news about the county talisman.
It never rains but it pours.
It might need to do, if we are to escape this game with our 'unbeaten' record intact. Unbeaten, but largely outclassed, so far this year. I can handle Root and Brook doing that, but these catches are SO costly. I know they work very hard at this, but until they start holding on in matches, it ain't worth a dime.
I hope that one day soon we can get ahead of the game.
But if doesn't look like being in this one.
I know you referenced it last match, but I’m not convinced we benefit from 3 seamers considering the options of Reece, Dal and Lloyd. Whiteley outshone Lamb in the seconds this week so I would have preferred to strengthen the batting with him.
ReplyDeleteCraig
Well, Ross offers a different bowling option too and also a very good pair of hands. So there are plenty of reasons to consider him.
DeleteOn what I have seen so far, he and Dupavillon should be in for the Sussex game
Yes, it certainly looks like a case of deja vu after day 1. Sincerely hope this isn't going to be a carbon copy of the previous match. Looking forward to seeing what Dupavillon will bring to the attack and may as well include Whiteley for the next game. We really need to turn things around quickly.
DeleteIan. South Africa.
Yes, not a great day in the field. Yorkshire look well on their way to a big score. And we'll probably be trying to stave off defeat rather than win the game. I was puzzled by the appearance of Aitchison, as he didn't play for the seconds against Notts this week. I'd assumed he hadn't overcome his injury.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he is fit enough to field ,but not fit enough to bowl.
DeleteMartin
Yes that's it. Not quite there for bowling and the action required, but good for fielding and nice to see him back..
DeleteIt all seems very shambolic in my opinion. Dropped catches, strange selection decisions (not for the first time) and now our best batsman could be on the sidelines for a while. Some of this is basic stuff that you would normally associate with average club cricket. I have to wonder what went on in pre season and what our very well paid coach is bringing to the party. Difficult to see any light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
ReplyDeleteNot a great day unfortunately but just like the Leicestershire game vital early catches were dropped 20 for 3 in both games and it's an entirely different proposition. Still as always I'm happy to be here like most cricket fans from January onwards I look forward to the cricket season. I would have to agree with Steve though some strange decisions from David and Mickey today, which I won't repeat because they've already been covered by other contributers.I will say this through this kind of class top 5 were what nearly all County's had back in the and 70s. This Yorkshire five should be taking on Australia at the Gabba in a test match it absolutely ridiculous their playing in Division Two.Still I categorically refuse to lose as some famous boxer once said.Id rather let my Anty Gerty give me spoonful of codlier oil and a kiss than give in to anyone or anything. And my late Anty Gerty had whiskers at that. We ll fight them on the beaches in the hills and on the streets, we shall never surrender.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
I've stayed off here for a while now as to much negativity is not good for the soul. But I cannot stand idly by whilst we produce this rubbish. I made my annual visit for the Leicestershire game and here are some observations:
ReplyDeleteWe are a first class county in name only
Donald's dismissal in the first innings, given the state of the game was probably the worst I have ever seen.
In reality the first home game of the season and it was attended by 2 men and a dog and I struggled to find anyone younger than my 54.
On day 3 whilst watching from square leg I noticed several players one of whom had been in and out twice on the same day, sharing a joke on the grandstand balcony again given the state of the game I found this offensive
Clearly the people of Derby largely don't care, the players on that balcony did not give off the idea that they cared. However as my long suffering wife will testify I do but feel I'm ploughing a lone furrow.
The writing was on the wall against the students but nobody paid attention.
The whole place gave off the idea that the club needs a root and branch overhaul. trouble is its just had one.
In my 25 years supporting, I like everyone else has seen some dark days but I think this is the worst.
Agree with everything u said I haven't commented fora while now I always start the season optimistically though .My first game was in63 ,I was very young!
DeleteThe most damning post from what is obviously a loyal fair and passionate fan
DeleteWake up everyone this needs a change and it needs one fast
John
Chesterfield
We keep winning the toss and putting them in but rarely make inroads. Perhaps we should bat first but not sure I’ve got confidence in either option. Without doubt it has been an underwhelming start to the season yet again.
ReplyDeleteWhile it’s been suggested by many that we are more focussed on the one day game it is nevertheless disappointing when we don’t appear capable of at least competing in the four day game.
Yet another frustrating start to the season when hopes were high that we could perform in all formats.
Back to the drawing board!
Nudger
I'm trying not to negative but it's a mess summed up perfectly by the substitute fielders debacle
ReplyDeleteTalking of coaches and captains in my opinion the best two who worked in partnership for Derbyshire were Kim Barnett and ex medium pacer Phil Russell real progress was made.After finishing near the bottom of the 17 team CC as Durham weren't yet a first class County, these two guided us to 3rd, 5th twice and a 6th place finish in a one Division CC. What would we give to be in Div 1 and finishing 3rd sounds almost unbelievable but I watched some of it.For part of it Russell from memory was player coach.We actually during the same era reached an incredible 12 one day quarter finals winning the famous 1981nat west final.DREAM
ReplyDeleteLes Stillman was a very good coach the perfect foil to Mr Jonas
DeletePhil Russell was an outstanding coach.
DeleteSteve jr.
ReplyDeleteNot even at the end of April and it feels like it is going to be a very long season. I really struggle to see how we are going to bowl teams out twice in a match (even once at this stage) unless we play on an absolute ripper. In the Leicestershire game I felt that our bowlers were too short and would have benefitted from pitching the ball up a bit, something that certainly seemed to help the opposition when they were bowling. Today, again, the lengths seemed wrong for the pitch and conditions. On top of this were yet more dropped catches, and it all feels very dispiriting. Anyone can drop a catch, I’ll admit that, but the quantity and the fact that they have been fairly regulation chances is concerning.
ReplyDeleteI too was rather confused by the substitute fielders. We had Mitch Wagstaff, Ben Aitchison (great to see him back on the field, though) and Samit Patel in a whole array of outfits. It all looked a bit shambolic.
Sadly I fear this game is going to follow a similar pattern to the Leicestershire match. Yorkshire are going to rack up a big first innings score and we are going to struggle to stay in the game. There are only so many times that the weather can come to our aid. Whilst there is no shame in losing to a team liked Yorkshire with their world-class talent evident for all to see, patterns being repeated from game to game is a worrying sign.
If we can somehow escape with a draw, all may not be lost. We have 2 home games coming up and a second overseas due to arrive. However, we need a spark and performance, to kick start the season. If Madsen is out for a while, it's a blow, but I still feel we have some decent players. We need to tighten up in the field and improve with bat and ball. Maybe Whiteley and dupavillon can freshen things up next week? Kris
ReplyDeleteI had got to the stage of the Football Season where I couldn't wait for the Cricket Season to start. I was hoping to get to the stage of the Cricket Season where I couldn't wait for the next Football season to start after the end of the previous Football season.
ReplyDeleteI try to wait until both teams have batted before commenting but I agree with a lot of comments on here tonight. We have too many potential bowlers as shown with the late use of Pat Brown. They are never going to get in any rhythm if we have to spread the overs across 7 bowlers.
Regarding the sub fielders I am guessing that Ben Aitchison was there to do some light net work with physio/coach and when Wayne Madsen went off was called into slip duty as he is one of the sides best slip fielders and not required to do a great deal of running from first slip.
Root and Brook have dominated far better attacks than ours around the world.
Tomorrow is another day.
I find the selection of Pat Brown odd. Hes never been a four day bowler and simply doesn't give off any impression he will be. Baffling why he was signed for all formats, and gets a game. I can understand him as a like for like for Scrimshaw in white ball, but in 4 day your playing with 10 men.
ReplyDeleteI emphasize with the drops, essex dropped Ollie Rob on 20 odd and Ackerman on 90's will cost us defeat in this game.
Its been a struggle so far you you guys, but the nature of the season and the crazy fact its a quarter done in 4 day cricket nearly means a slump can lead to 4-5 matches gone, and the weekly fixtures don't allow much time to pick up again. All because of the hundred eating up summer. there should be at least 10 day gap between 4 days games.
anyway keep the faith. i think you can come out of this slump.
Essex Fan
I agree with you, Sarah. Morley was the official 12th man, but never came on. Bizarre.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read about the attendance at the County ground for the Leicester game by an above poster. Two men and a dog which could be down to one man for the next home match. In all seriousness though how much longer can a county like ourselves survive when there is very little interest out there from the Derbyshire public.
ReplyDeleteCricket is all about the four day game for me, but if the T20 is getting bums on seats then it's obviously working and maybe we're going flat out to reach finals day in August. Sorry to sound so defeatist but I think we're finishing bottom of the pile this season and Mickey will ride off in to the sunset with nothing achieved in the four day game
I think the red ball season hinges on how well the latest overseas bowler performs when he eventually arrives. When I heard we’d lost Amir a saw this start a mile off. This bowling attack lacks teath.
ReplyDeleteWhen you can’t trouble a university batting unit you have to be worried. As for the dropped catches there is no excuse. Wickets have to be taken with the new ball if we are hopeful of bowling teams out for under 300. I’ve not seen them to be honest but I’ve been led to believe they wernt particularly difficult chances? Pat Brown is no more a 4 day bowler than I am. There’s a reason he never played red ball at his previous county and they unlike us are renowned for developing young cricketers. He might be the only seamer fit but I’d have gone with a spinner or another batter . Don’t expect too much from Ross either . At 36 he’s not played a first class game in years. Huge ask to get him in to cover Mads if his injury his as bad as you fear Steve. If Mads has done a digit we are royally screwed . We haven’t signed anyone to cover Duploys runs and if Mads is out I fear the worst. We always looked a top order batter light and I don’t understand why Mickey didn’t find a top order overseas to replace Masood and then Duploy . Masoods runs made us competitive at least. Lloyd is an ok replacement for Billy . Donald or Lamb to cover Duploys runs? Not sure about that. Let’s see what we can do with the bat when Yorkshire declare. The weather looks like it might just keep our unbeaten run in tact.
Chad Jim
I was there and will be for most of the other days (weather permitting). I'm not too bothered about sub fielders and I thought we bowled OK, Tickner the pick. But we dropped 4 relatively simple catches - never mind other nicks and plenty of runs down to third man, which was rarely if ever employed - and picking Brown but not bowling him until after lunch (when we should have started with our 2 best bowlers anyway) was bizarre. If we had taken the catches then we could in theory have put Masood, Root and Brook under pressure, but they are a class above which is the main factor in this particular game.
ReplyDeleteI've said for years that we have a small club mentality, not enough cricketing expertise and impetus off the field, and take pleasure (somewhat justifiably) that we make a profit most years, yet we are a cricket club not a business first and foremost and we haven't been competitive in the Championship since 2012. If we were serious about promotion we would have 2 overseas players throughout the season - unfortunate with Amir but then his replacement is a guy who is not available, never mind 4-day-match-fit, for over a quarter of the season.
Sat here at headingly I've no choice but to say Root and Brooks are simply to good for our Bowling attack.Whatever the circumstances beit poor decisions or selection as voiced on these pages.Their to good in this particular match.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
They have been too good for international attacks, Steve and we haven't got that. Tickner has done well but there is a gulf in class, which you would expect to be fair
DeleteWould you really describe 5 wks at 51.4 as doing well? As a first class cricket club Derbyshire have had a complete reversal from the 90's when they were overachieving on the field and a complete shambles off it, compared that to 2024 arguably Derbyshire are as far well run as any of the first class counties but a complete shambles on it
DeleteWell I go to the foot of our stairs ! how on earth is Madsen batting.A Yorkshire fan sat a few yards away from me said your fellow is out till August when Wayne went off.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
Well, you know how the saying goes - "a little bit of knowledge is very dangerous.."
DeleteIan. South Africa.
Delete