It hasn't been forthcoming. We have since learned that as well as the expected absence of Muhammad Abbas for Pakistan's England tour, he has been selected for their tour of Bangladesh. Nor have we seen any sign of Pat Brown at this stage of proceedings, though they may be keeping him for the Blast after winter surgery.
Today comes the news that after missing the 2025 season through injury, Harry Moore will now miss the whole of 2026, with a stress fracture in his back. I understand that this is a fresh injury, not a new problem with the same one that kept him out of last season
It is very sad news for both the player, who will be 19 this week, as well as for the club. When he burst onto the scene, Harry looked a very special player, an excellent new ball bowler and a young man who showed every possibility of developing into a genuine all-rounder. It was very easy to get carried away with his potential.
He still has it. This doesn't end his career, but I remember writing a couple of seasons back that the length of his back - he is 6'7 after all - could become a problem when he progressed from social and age group cricket to being a full-time professional. I have no pleasure at all in being proved correct, but there is a big difference in bowling ten overs across two or three spells, compared to 15-20 in a day.
Harry will have excellent care and treatment with a view to getting him ready for 2027. There is a long road ahead of him, but he doesn't need to look too far for people who can advise on similar injuries during the course of their career. Perhaps a small modification of his action may be required, I don't know, but Chris Wright, the bowling coach has been there, so too Ben Aitchison. Both came through it, perhaps the stronger, certainly more aware of the demands of the first- class game.
They need to take time with him. At the start of next season he will still only be 20. Plenty of very good players hadn't even started their career at that stage and it might be that we just need to be patient and wait for Harry's body to fully develop and his physique be ready for the demands of first-class cricket. I hope that he is ready and willing to take that time himself and do the requisite work to give himself the very best chance.
I also wrote at the start of the summer of Derbyshire's excellent depth in seam bowling. Well, we have also lost - temporarily at least - the services of Luis Reece as a bowler, so the numbers are dwindling and the workload on those remaining is set to increase.
Again, turning it around, it offers opportunity. Rory Haydon looks increasingly like the expected beneficiary, while Nick Potts will also hope for a chance to impress in the final year of his current deal. There will be a few eyes on the second team too, where Matt Stewart's ability to take wickets will be carefully watched.
All that remains is to wish Harry the very best in his recovery. It is a setback in his career.
But it is NOT the end of it, by a long chalk.
Awful, awful news.
ReplyDeleteIn the clubs 156 year history it’s been more than a coincidence that the majority of Derbyshire’s best bowlers have come from a mining background it doesn’t take a genius to work out why. A trivia question for you Mr Peakview can you name the last Derbyshire miner to play for Derbyshire? A clue is that he went on to play for England but not while he was with Derbyshire
ReplyDeletePeakfan, KJB, not Peakview!
ReplyDeleteI think you may be confusing two players. Paul Taylor left Derbyshire to move to Northamptonshire and played for England. To my knowledge he was never a miner
His namesake, Les, WAS a miner and played for Leicestershire with distinction for several years. With the pits closing, I can't think of another miner since him who went on to play for England.
Several did while they were at Derbyshire, of course!
PS and although he was a good bowler, Les Taylor never played for Derbyshire, nor England
ReplyDeletePaul Taylor was an apprentice electrician at Donisthorpe Colliery
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that. I knew he was a trainee sparky, but didn't know it was in the mines. Interesting
DeleteHe’s from Linton in South Derbyshire the only reason he was born in Ashby is because it’s the nearest hospital, he was in my sisters year at Pringle School Swadlincote
DeleteVery sad for Harry. He has to look after his health for his lifetime, not just for the next 15 years of his cricket career. If that means giving up on his dreams of being a county and possibly international class fast bowler, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteI suspect he very possibly has the talent to become a batsman who can bowl some medium pace, if that is what he has to do.
I was looking forward to him having a good run in the white ball season, especially the One Day Cup where I thought/still think we have a good chance, given the strength in depth of our second 11 and that at the moment we only stand to lose Nye Donald to the Hundred.
Wishing Harry all the best and that he is getting the best support and advice.
Agreed David, focus on batting is an option as would be a focus on the white ball game if the demands of bowling in first class cricket prove too much.
DeleteMany an injury ravaged quick has been able to maintain a career in the t20 game if talented enough which I've no doubt Moore is, though missing two key years of development is far from ideal.
Bad news for Harry, at least ruling him out for the season prevents any temptation to try to recover too quickly.
ReplyDeleteHe will need to take it easy before he starts bowling again. Martin
Don't think he was quite as tall, but If my memory serves me correct it was a similar injury which curtailed former Derbyshire and West Indies quick Ian Bishop's career.
ReplyDeleteMark, from Buxton