Scene of my first match supporting Derbyshire, The 1969 Gillette Cup semi-final, Rhodes and Ward, Hendo v Boycott, Wilkins dropping them in the boating lake, Azharuddin's double ton, Bishop v Tendulkar... and the decision to bat first last year, against Yorkshire...
We must hope that the next four days brings a return to happier memories than last year, when we were over 200 behind after the first day. In our favour is the visit of a Lancashire side that hasn't won a game all season in red ball cricket and, for all its talents, isn't as strong as the white ball equivalent. To my knowledge, none of them will have played at Queen's Park before, so there is a decided 'Advantage Derbyshire' before the start of the game.
Jimmy Anderson will captain the side again, after criticism of his leadership in the game against Kent at Blackpool last weekend. Many felt he should have bowled more overs, especially when only three wickets were required after tea. He will be keen to make amends and also make the most of what is likely to be his only appearance at this wonderful, historic ground.
There is no news as yet of the Lancashire squad, but it is likely they will field a side close to the one that should have beaten Kent. Both T20 overseas players, Ashton Turner and Chris Green played, so one assumes they are likely to do again.
Likely side:
Wells, Jennings, Bohannon, Turner, Hurst, Jones, Green, Balderson, Bailey, Stanley, Anderson.
Luke Wells will likely go to his bed tonight cuddling his bat and dreaming of more runs against us, but Derbyshire can win this game, if they win the toss, make the right decision and pick the right side.
It is likely that there will be turn, as there so often is at Chesterfield, so Mitch Wagstaff is likely to play, replacing the injured David Lloyd and offering a spin option. Mickey Arthur may also consider Alex Thomson and supporters will hope that Blair Tickner is fit to take his place in the side once again.
Likely Derbyshire side:
Jewell, Wagstaff, Came, Madsen, Guest, Dal, Andersson, Thomson/Aitchison, Chappell, Tickner, Morley
Donald and Brown also in the squad.
The weather looks set fair, although predicted showers on the final afternoon could be a challenge. It is hard to predict a result on an outground, without prior knowledge of the pitch, but Derbyshire will again aim to acquit themselves well.
I hope they do and that the game is blessed by good weather and large crowds.
Postscript: thanks to Simon for alerting me to a piece in the England/India Test match programme, in which it suggests Amrit Basra has signed a contract for Derbyshire, that will allow him to play in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Until it is announced by the club, I guess we need to hold fire on excitement, but he has reeled off a number of fine innings for SACA and also for Derbyshire Seconds and is certainly worthy of greater opportunity.
He seems a little further on in his development than Yousaf bin Naeem at this stage, so it makes sense to see if he can cut it at a higher level. With Madsen, Donald, Moore and Brown engaged elsewhere, Derbyshire will be short on numbers.
Let's hope that Rory Haydon, another who has returned good figures in the second team, gets a short-term contract to show what he can do.
As I have said with Mitch Wagstaff, we are only going to appreciate their potential ceiling when they have an opportunity to build an extension...
Basra should be a good signing in my opinion. As would Haydon. Both are young and look hungry.
ReplyDeleteMadsen (41), Lloyd (33), Reece (35 in August), Patel (40) and Whiteley (37 in September) are all at an age where their performances could and will drop off at some point with some already there. As such we need to look at the next generation. Madsen has papered over many a crack but he's had a poor Blast so even if red ball runs continue we need to be aware he won't be around forever. Could Basra step in and develop into a top order run scorer? Or could Wagstaff and Came form a strong opening partnership freeing us up to use the overseas slot to backfill Madsen when he eventually retires? Long term planning needs to start now amd Arthur has been poor in this regard so far.
Aitchison (25) and Morley (24) are the only players 25 or under getting gametime this season (1 over for Potts aside). Moore will come into that group soon but we need to look at developing others.
Basra, Came and Wagstaff could secure our top order for many seasons with others like Tarrant and Parker in the pipeline. Haydon would add a hungry, young option to what has to be honest been a mostly lacklustre pace unit this season. Could be exactly what we need to generate a bit of competition.
I take your point Hamez and is undoubtably true that we have been poor at future planning in the past.
DeleteHowever in addition to the Aitchison and Morley, this years regular teams have included Came (26); Dal, Andersson, Chappell, Guest and Donald (all 28) and Thomson 31 (still mid career for a spinner). All of these could form the centre of a squad for at least the next 5 years, to be supplemented by players coming through, Moore, Wagstaff and Basra as well as others. Together with judicious transfers from other counties and overseas players that hopefully return for 2nd and subsequent seasons, will leave us with a competitive team for several years to come.
Some good points made. The future does look bright, as long as we can keep hold of them. I think Lancs are due a win unfortunately. Grant from Telford
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