It is an oft-used phrase by Mickey Arthur and I fully understand the rationale. Only if those ahead of you are in prime form should your route to a senior side be held up, when you are in good nick yourself.
I have rated Mitch for a while but there was a time when I felt he was at the time too slight for the senior game. He has filled out now and, at 21, is fully deserving of greater opportunity.
Consider the statistics. In the opening second team game against Lancashire, Mitch made 69 and 73, as well as taking 1-19 and 2-68 with his leg spin. In the one just finished, against Nottinghamshire, he made 74 and 119, as well as taking 2-11 in the second innings.
These are heady figures for anyone and for me Harry Came, averaging 23 this summer, is the one under threat at present. I like Harry a lot, but what appeared to be good touch pre-season has deserted him and were I selecting the side for Old Trafford, Mitch would be pencilled in.
It is important the Derbyshire are seen to be encouraging their own players and Mitch is in the vanguard with Harry Moore in this respect. Yousaf bin Naeem isn't too far behind and Will Tarrant seems to be making a case to be on the staff next summer. The financial value of playing players we have developed is considerable, although of course they have to make the team when the time is right. Kim Barnett, John Morris and Chris Adams made the Derbyshire side and played alongside seasoned professionals like David Steele and John Hampshire, as well as the likes of John Wright and Peter Kirsten. How can you not learn with such experience?
We will see what happens, but in a fixture-free weekend here's my latest interview with North Derbyshire Radio's Matt Rhodes. We discuss the Glamorgan game, next weekend's game at Old Trafford, Brooke Guest's contract and Mickey Arthur's lower key approach this summer.
You can listen to it here and I am on at 13.40 in what is a very enjoyable show.
Enjoy the sunshine and your weekends!
Postscript - Harry Came scored 128 today for Swarkestone against Mitch Wagstaff's Alvaston & Bolton...
I'd stick with the same side Peakfan.We are ticking along nicely and leaving Came out of the side will only affect his confidence.He's a good player and deserves his chance to cement that number 3 position.Topspinner
ReplyDeleteFair point. But what would non selection do for Mitch? And perhaps say to the Pathway youngsters? It's a tough decision, a nice one to have so many staking a claim. Perhaps Harry will play for a league team today and get a big score!
DeleteI would suspect the absence of Luis Reece will create a vacancy, but he might go for Brown or Aitchenson for that one? Craig
ReplyDeleteWith the expected return of Jimmy Anderson I would be playing as many batsmen as possible !!
ReplyDeleteNo they are targeting the away game at Leics that follows for his return, Simon
DeleteBut he should enjoy Chesterfield...
It's impossible NOT to enjoy Chesterfield 👍
DeleteI agree that Mitch should definitely play v Lancashire. Otherwise it seems like a closed shop and must get very disheartening for second team players. Harry cane is too good to stay out of the team for long. But a change every so often keeps players on their toes. Also good to see jack morley bowl 24 overs and do fairly well today for his club side newton le willows. I dare say he would love to play against his old team next week
ReplyDeleteIf Reece isn't fit, then I'd play Wagstaff. If he is, I'd be inclined to stick with Came for another game and see if the runs flow.
ReplyDeleteI think Wagstaff deserves a chance. Let Came build up his confidence by getting runs in the seconds. If Reece isn’t fit then he comes in for him and Came gets a reprieve. Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough decision. Lancs is a must win game, given their poor form. Came has played a couple of nice knocks, but also has 3 ducks, I think. Wagstaff is banging the door down, but we are playing well. I'm glad I'm not a coach! Kris
ReplyDeleteIf Reece isn't fit it is an easy decision - Mitch replaces him. Unless they take the chance for Ben Aitchison to come back as one of the strike bowlers, replacing Luis in that role.
DeleteAs you say, big decision!
We must find a place for Wagstaffe in the team.
ReplyDeleteMy previous comment applies and I see you agree, Steve.
If he can't get in when in such a rich vein of form you question when he ever will. For me, he should play at OT
DeleteLike others have said I suspect the initial chance for Wagstaff may come next week while Reece rests up. If he does well then the big decision comes when Luis is fit and raring to go again.
ReplyDeleteI’d also put David Lloyd and Anuj Dal (with the bat) forward as players we need to see more from to keep their place with Ben Aitchison and Harry Moore hopefully knocking on the door for selection soon too.
Also nice to see we are still in second place after the latest round of fixtures 😃
Adam
I'll be very disappointed if Wagstaff doesn't play. He's already got 2 first class 50s to his name and isn't completely raw. He knows what is required at County level and has gone away, worked on his game and is now dominating in second XI cricket. Now is his time.
ReplyDeleteWagstaff warranted selection in the previous game, as I mentioned. Luis struggling with an injury presents even more of a case.
ReplyDeleteHaving a few selection options is a good situation for the club, over to you MA.
One or two other results seemingly going our way recently, could this be our year? I'd love to see us and Leicestershire in division 1!!!
I was astonished how poor Lancs were in the game just finished. No desire to fight and batting totally dependent on the overseas and Jennings. Both gave it away and the rest couldn't handle Harrison. Hope that continues at OT but the fans are far from happy..
DeleteYeah, I watched the last hour or so of the Lancs/Northants game and was shocked at what I saw from them. Complete lack of desire to fight for a result. Fingers crossed that's not the kick up the backside that has them coming out firing this week.
DeleteAdam
Came has scored 228 runs at an average of 28.5.
DeleteLloyd has scored 213 at an average of 23.67.
Plenty of room for improvement there from both players.
Also, is Came better as an opener rather than number 3?
Lancs fan here. We're a very poorly coached side, and with Jennings having just accepted responsibility for failings that are not his and stepped down (typical of a good man, even if he wasn't the best skipper), I think you'll never have a better opportunity for a free hit at Lancs. Hope you take it. I like Derbyshire and our management deserves to see the side they've mismanaged finish bottom - although I'm sure they'll blame the players.
DeleteIt's our problem position, Ian. Lloyd brings his bowling option as well and has more recently got a few, which strengthens his place.
ReplyDeleteAre Came, Wagstaff and Lloyd number 3s and more likely to score there than Guest? You could move up Reece, when fit, but is opening the bowling and batting three much different to what he was doing before?
Decisions to be made!