Leicestershire 184-6 (Cox 61*, Goldsworthy 48, Patel 2-27, Chappell 3-42)
Derbyshire 187-6 (Patel 67*, Madsen 46)
The Derbyshire captain turned back time and produced a powerful display, exactly when it was needed by his side. He got good support from Wayne Madsen, which helped his side recover from a now traditional mid-innings wobble, while Zac Chappell supported him well at the death.
The run chase looked as if it might be easier than it turned out, but Ben Cox produced a powerful and inventive innings to push Derbyshire's chase, on a slow pitch, into danger territory. Patel's 2-27 was the standout bowling, while Chappell took three wickets but was expensive.
I assume that Fletcher is still injured, because otherwise going into the side with only one overseas player made no sense. Thomson, as I expected, took the final place, but could find it under threat from Dupavillon at Chesterfield tomorrow unless the pitch is expected to turn.
Although Donald and Reece led off well, both went too early for comfort, as did Lloyd. Whiteley also failed and it was left to the two oldest players in the side to steer Derbyshire closer to a win, although Sam Wood bowled very well for Leicestershire and looks a good prospect
It needed fireworks from Patel in the penultimate over, after a six in the one before it had been deemed four by the umpires.
Mohammad Amir started well, but his last two overs were expensive as of the home side, powered 58 from the last four. He will benefit from the runout and will hopefully be back to his best very soon.
One word in closing.. the stream was the worst this year and between odd angles, strange cutting between cameras and incessant buffering, it became almost impossible to watch in the Derbyshire innings.
It may seem churlish to say so, after all, it isn't that long ago when we didn't have any coverage of matches. But it was disappointing tonight and it ruined the game as a televised viewing spectacle.
Still, we got the points and we live to fight another day in this competition.
Now to follow it up at Chesterfield tomorrow!
A brilliant captain's performance from Patel with Madsen, once again, producing the goods. There were times, though, when I wondered if we would pull off the run chase, but we did. Chappell played a valuable cameo at the end to get us there.
ReplyDeleteWe are still to see the best of Whiteley in the competition. Perhaps it will happen at Chesterfield today.
I totally agree about the live stream, Steve. It was frustrating.
I’m relieved to see the comments about the stream, I thought it my television!
ReplyDeleteI’m a bit concerned about Brook Guests form. Excellent other forms but seems to be really struggling in this one. Can hardly hit it beyond the inner circle at the moment! Maybe time for a rest?
Apologies if it’s too controversial.
Not just Guest PB, Whiteley, Lloyd, and Madsen up until yesterday are all hopelessly out of form. If we had other options several could easily be replaced, but sadly we haven't
DeleteNot controversial, an opinion and we all have them, PB!
DeleteGuest has never been a T20 natural for me. There are better options for the middle order, and Donald or Fletcher (if fit) could keep wicket in this format.
ReplyDeleteMark,
High Peak
They could, but there is no one outside the side screaming 'pick me' right now. Lamb like Fletcher has fitness issues, Came has been out of nick, Dal is out for personal reasons...not many options. Oh, for an overseas bat!
DeleteGuest is a strange one in T20. There are times he seems to struggle to hit the ball off the square, then others like the first game against Leicestershire where he came out and smashed two huge sixes and saw us over the line with 20 off 10 balls. He seems reluctant to go for the big shot until he absolutely has too.
ReplyDeleteThe bigger disappointment for me is Ross Whiteley, who outside of one innings has produced very little with the bat. He's looked more dangerous with the ball, but is very very sparingly used.