Derbyshire batted professionally, if not spectacularly today against Lancashire and at the halfway stage had posted a competitive, but not out of sight total of 163-6. All the batsmen contributed, without one of them going on to the big score that made have made the total 180-190.
You always have a chance with such a score, achieved by sensible rotation of the strike and fairly few dot balls, but it is then important to bowl tight at the start of the innings and the hosts got off to the flyer we really didn't want, reaching 32 in the third over before the first wicket fell and then getting to 93 in the 10th before we took another. Lancashire needed only common sense from there to take the points.
Yet we won! Amazingly (and thanks to fine death bowling from Langeveldt, Smith and Jones) Lancashire's innings withered and died, ending with them seven runs short at 156-6. While the defeat would not have ended our T20 interest, the win puts us in a good position for qualification, clear in fourth place in the group by two points from Yorkshire, who have played the same number of matches and who, of course, visit the County Ground for a potential decider next weekend. Assuming we're not through by then...
The fielding was also brilliant again, while Robin Peterson applied pressure in the mid innings after a crucial late onslaught with the bat (26 from eleven balls) that probably swung the match. There were also three vital wickets once again for Tim Groenewald who seems to improve with every match and is a key member of the Derbyshire attack.
Worcestershire are on the same points as Yorkshire but have only two games left, while Northamptonshire are also on that total after their remarkable tie with Nottinghamshire. They have a much inferior net run rate, however. Oh, and they also visit the County Ground next weekend...
Crikey, I need to go and lie down after that one. More tomorrow.
Well done lads! The double over Lancashire - who'd have believed it?
Showing posts with label Lancashire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lancashire. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Derbyshire v Lancashire preview
Cloudy, spots of rain, possible thundery showers.
That's the forecast for tomorrow and not especially exciting. It would be good for Derbyshire to win the toss and dictate the game for once as the wins for Lancashire and Essex have put them, for one day at least, in the box seat.
It's astonishing the difference that one player in the batting line up makes, as Chris Rogers arrival gives the top order a sense of permanence we've not had for a good few years. I think the issue of who his best partner is will run and run, at least until someone makes a score in the role. I'm not totally convinced with Danny Redfern as an opener, but understand the rationale that if he stays in for a while he'll be batting with three experienced international players which is a great learning opportunity. I'm sure he'll bat lower in the 20/20, where it is rumoured that Graham Wagg may pinch hit, but Redfern is a fine talent with bat and ball, where his off spin gives useful variety on a slow pitch.
That variety is the reason why Mark Lawson currently seems to be the first choice spinner. With Redfern and Smith able to bowl off spin, the ball turning away presents a different challenge. I'm sure Jake will be back, but the all round strength of the side is keeping him out for now. Goodness knows what will happen when Langeveldt gets here, but there are worse problems for the coach.
As for tomorrow, we have a squad of 13, namely Chris Rogers (captain), Dan Redfern, Stuart Law, Wavell Hinds, Garry Park, Greg Smith, James Pipe, Graham Wagg, Tim Groenewald, Jonathan Clare, Jake Needham, Ian Hunter and Mark Lawson.
Assuming they're all fit, my guess would be we play the same side that won so well on Sunday, with Needham and Clare missing out. The bowlers all did pretty well, although we missed a fit Wagg in the field, and you can't argue with a batting side that racks up 280 in 50 overs.
Lancashire should be similarly unchanged and travel with the following squad:
Paul Horton, Tom Smith, Ashwell Prince, Francois du Plessis, Steven Croft, Luke Sutton, Kyle Hogg, Glen Chapple (captain), Mark Chilton, Sajid Mahmood, Gary Keedy, Oliver Newby and Stephen Parry.
My guess would be the last two will miss out. Lancashire do bat long, but if we could get Horton and Prince early, I feel they are vulnerable. The wicket is likely to be slow and what happens to the ball under the lights as the evening progresses is anyone's guess.
Elsewhere, the Second XI recorded a fine 5 run win over Worcestershire in a one day trophy match at Kidderminster. We scored 286-4 in 50 overs with John Sadler scoring an unbeaten 115 and Dan Birch 85. Then the hosts made 281, with wickets for Ross Whiteley and Atif Sheikh. It augurs well, with pressure on the guys wearing the first team shirts from those behind them in the pecking order at present. Thanks to the guys on In Morris We Trust for the information. Great dedication boys!
Remember to support the seconds if the firsts are away from home. There's some really good players coming through and we play on some delightful grounds. Who knows, you may spot the next big talent before anyone else. I thoroughly enjoyed a day at Denby last year with glorious weather, a stunning ground and a cracking game.
I suspect tomorrow will be truncated at Derby and just hope we can get it on, as a draw is more use to other teams than us. I'll miss the game on Sky, sadly, but will content myself with playing on a ground that is like a snooker table. The former groundsman and coach at the school we play at is Lee Spendlove, who many readers will know from his sterling ground and coaching work in and around Derbyshire. Lovely bloke, and he turned the school grounds into something really special. The outfield is better than most tracks we get to play on, so with fair weather forecast I'm expecting a good, high scoring game and not my best bowling figures ever!
Bit like Scotland at Taunton yesterday. Apparently the wicket had nothing for bowlers and the astonishing thing is that Scotland put Somerset in...
Here's hoping we do better tomorrow night. I may get to report on it later tomorrow, but if we get a result (either of my teams) it could be party time!
That's the forecast for tomorrow and not especially exciting. It would be good for Derbyshire to win the toss and dictate the game for once as the wins for Lancashire and Essex have put them, for one day at least, in the box seat.
It's astonishing the difference that one player in the batting line up makes, as Chris Rogers arrival gives the top order a sense of permanence we've not had for a good few years. I think the issue of who his best partner is will run and run, at least until someone makes a score in the role. I'm not totally convinced with Danny Redfern as an opener, but understand the rationale that if he stays in for a while he'll be batting with three experienced international players which is a great learning opportunity. I'm sure he'll bat lower in the 20/20, where it is rumoured that Graham Wagg may pinch hit, but Redfern is a fine talent with bat and ball, where his off spin gives useful variety on a slow pitch.
That variety is the reason why Mark Lawson currently seems to be the first choice spinner. With Redfern and Smith able to bowl off spin, the ball turning away presents a different challenge. I'm sure Jake will be back, but the all round strength of the side is keeping him out for now. Goodness knows what will happen when Langeveldt gets here, but there are worse problems for the coach.
As for tomorrow, we have a squad of 13, namely Chris Rogers (captain), Dan Redfern, Stuart Law, Wavell Hinds, Garry Park, Greg Smith, James Pipe, Graham Wagg, Tim Groenewald, Jonathan Clare, Jake Needham, Ian Hunter and Mark Lawson.
Assuming they're all fit, my guess would be we play the same side that won so well on Sunday, with Needham and Clare missing out. The bowlers all did pretty well, although we missed a fit Wagg in the field, and you can't argue with a batting side that racks up 280 in 50 overs.
Lancashire should be similarly unchanged and travel with the following squad:
Paul Horton, Tom Smith, Ashwell Prince, Francois du Plessis, Steven Croft, Luke Sutton, Kyle Hogg, Glen Chapple (captain), Mark Chilton, Sajid Mahmood, Gary Keedy, Oliver Newby and Stephen Parry.
My guess would be the last two will miss out. Lancashire do bat long, but if we could get Horton and Prince early, I feel they are vulnerable. The wicket is likely to be slow and what happens to the ball under the lights as the evening progresses is anyone's guess.
Elsewhere, the Second XI recorded a fine 5 run win over Worcestershire in a one day trophy match at Kidderminster. We scored 286-4 in 50 overs with John Sadler scoring an unbeaten 115 and Dan Birch 85. Then the hosts made 281, with wickets for Ross Whiteley and Atif Sheikh. It augurs well, with pressure on the guys wearing the first team shirts from those behind them in the pecking order at present. Thanks to the guys on In Morris We Trust for the information. Great dedication boys!
Remember to support the seconds if the firsts are away from home. There's some really good players coming through and we play on some delightful grounds. Who knows, you may spot the next big talent before anyone else. I thoroughly enjoyed a day at Denby last year with glorious weather, a stunning ground and a cracking game.
I suspect tomorrow will be truncated at Derby and just hope we can get it on, as a draw is more use to other teams than us. I'll miss the game on Sky, sadly, but will content myself with playing on a ground that is like a snooker table. The former groundsman and coach at the school we play at is Lee Spendlove, who many readers will know from his sterling ground and coaching work in and around Derbyshire. Lovely bloke, and he turned the school grounds into something really special. The outfield is better than most tracks we get to play on, so with fair weather forecast I'm expecting a good, high scoring game and not my best bowling figures ever!
Bit like Scotland at Taunton yesterday. Apparently the wicket had nothing for bowlers and the astonishing thing is that Scotland put Somerset in...
Here's hoping we do better tomorrow night. I may get to report on it later tomorrow, but if we get a result (either of my teams) it could be party time!
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Lancashire v Derbyshire FP Trophy
Well, I wrote last night that I thought we might lose this one today and so it transpired, but there was no disgrace in doing so. At the risk of presenting myself as some form of Mystic Meg, I also suggested that removing Horton was key to success and the Aussie/Lancastrian made a fine century to partner former skipper Mark Chilton to a comfortable victory.
The toss was a factor and the early going was slow. It was a shame that Stuart Law was run out as he seemed to have a point to prove and was going well. Stubbo batted solidly yet never suggested fluency and it was left to Wavell Hinds to put his bad form behind him with a fine innings which deserved, but ultimately fell short of a century. Again we must remember that Chris Rogers and Charl Langeveldt will make a big difference to the side and there was no disgrace in losing today.
At the start of the season I suggested that we would not win anything this year but I would settle for the side being competitive. That wasn't negativity, just realism. I would love to see Chris Rogers lead us to a trophy this season and who is to say that we won't? Yet taking teams the distance is a start and perhaps today if the toss had gone the other way, the result may have done so too.
Tomorrow the focus shifts to Derby and a game against Essex and the thinking money would be on an unchanged side. With Essex well beaten by Glamorgan today after we beat the Welsh side last week, the group is wide open and the second place position is up for grabs. Fingers crossed we'll see the boys in fine fettle again and maybe this is the game in which Stuart Law emulates Wavell and shows us his class.
The toss was a factor and the early going was slow. It was a shame that Stuart Law was run out as he seemed to have a point to prove and was going well. Stubbo batted solidly yet never suggested fluency and it was left to Wavell Hinds to put his bad form behind him with a fine innings which deserved, but ultimately fell short of a century. Again we must remember that Chris Rogers and Charl Langeveldt will make a big difference to the side and there was no disgrace in losing today.
At the start of the season I suggested that we would not win anything this year but I would settle for the side being competitive. That wasn't negativity, just realism. I would love to see Chris Rogers lead us to a trophy this season and who is to say that we won't? Yet taking teams the distance is a start and perhaps today if the toss had gone the other way, the result may have done so too.
Tomorrow the focus shifts to Derby and a game against Essex and the thinking money would be on an unchanged side. With Essex well beaten by Glamorgan today after we beat the Welsh side last week, the group is wide open and the second place position is up for grabs. Fingers crossed we'll see the boys in fine fettle again and maybe this is the game in which Stuart Law emulates Wavell and shows us his class.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Lancashire v Derbyshire preview
A couple of weeks ago I'd have looked on this as a game we could definitely win. Having rolled over the Lancashire side pre-season for only 89, optimism was high and we could feel genuinely confident.
However, without Charl Langeveldt, Chris Rogers and possibly Stuart Law our team looks a little more fragile, as any side would lacking three of its best players. Law may play tomorrow, but a week after a broken finger it would be an impressive return. The Derbyshire squad is:
Steve Stubbings
Dan Redfern
Stuart Law
Garry Park
Wavell Hinds
Dominic Telo
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jake Needham
Mark Lawson
Tim Groenewald
Jon Clare
Old Trafford's reputation would suggest we'll play both spinners and Jon Clare isn't yet at his best this season so may miss out on a return against his old county. If Law is not fit one assumes Dominic Telo will again replace him. Meanwhile Ian Hunter has a rest and Tim Groenewald will presumably hope to bowl like he did last week. If one or two of the top order strike form we can post a total and we have plenty of bowlers who can defend it.
Two years ago, playing for Warwickshire on this ground Groenewald hit five sixes in seven balls to turn a low scoring game, with three in four balls off Gary Keedy then successive blows from Kyle Hogg. I hope that we don't need him tomorrow, but it is useful to know there's that sort of firepower in the lower middle order.
As for the hosts, they have the same squad as last weekend, namely:
Tom Smith
Paul Horton
Ashwell Prince
Mark Chilton
Francois du Plessis
Steven Croft
Kyle Hogg
Luke Sutton (wkt)
Glen Chapple (cpt)
Gary Keedy
Steven Mullaney
Stephen Parry
Oliver Newby
I suspect the bottom two may well drop out so we'll be faced with a side in form, with Horton especially a young man with a growing reputation. With Chapple at nine they also bat a long way down and our young side will have to be at their best to win this one.
I've a feeling this could be our first defeat yet hope I'm wrong. If the impressive early season form has survived the wake up call at Cardiff, we could certainly cause a surprise and early inroads into the Lancashire batting has been shown to set the alarm bells ringing for the hosts.
It should be a good game and I hope the weather stays out of it. Come on boys!
However, without Charl Langeveldt, Chris Rogers and possibly Stuart Law our team looks a little more fragile, as any side would lacking three of its best players. Law may play tomorrow, but a week after a broken finger it would be an impressive return. The Derbyshire squad is:
Steve Stubbings
Dan Redfern
Stuart Law
Garry Park
Wavell Hinds
Dominic Telo
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jake Needham
Mark Lawson
Tim Groenewald
Jon Clare
Old Trafford's reputation would suggest we'll play both spinners and Jon Clare isn't yet at his best this season so may miss out on a return against his old county. If Law is not fit one assumes Dominic Telo will again replace him. Meanwhile Ian Hunter has a rest and Tim Groenewald will presumably hope to bowl like he did last week. If one or two of the top order strike form we can post a total and we have plenty of bowlers who can defend it.
Two years ago, playing for Warwickshire on this ground Groenewald hit five sixes in seven balls to turn a low scoring game, with three in four balls off Gary Keedy then successive blows from Kyle Hogg. I hope that we don't need him tomorrow, but it is useful to know there's that sort of firepower in the lower middle order.
As for the hosts, they have the same squad as last weekend, namely:
Tom Smith
Paul Horton
Ashwell Prince
Mark Chilton
Francois du Plessis
Steven Croft
Kyle Hogg
Luke Sutton (wkt)
Glen Chapple (cpt)
Gary Keedy
Steven Mullaney
Stephen Parry
Oliver Newby
I suspect the bottom two may well drop out so we'll be faced with a side in form, with Horton especially a young man with a growing reputation. With Chapple at nine they also bat a long way down and our young side will have to be at their best to win this one.
I've a feeling this could be our first defeat yet hope I'm wrong. If the impressive early season form has survived the wake up call at Cardiff, we could certainly cause a surprise and early inroads into the Lancashire batting has been shown to set the alarm bells ringing for the hosts.
It should be a good game and I hope the weather stays out of it. Come on boys!
Friday, 13 June 2008
Uh-oh
Ten past eight on Friday evening and afterthe joy of last night, the wheels appear to have come off this evening.
After a certain Mr Cork took the wicket of the prolific Greg Smith in the first over, we never got going and apart from a spectacular knock from James Pipe and contributions of 25 each from John Sadler and Dan Birch, we're just all out for Nelson (111).
At this stage one wouldn't expect that to worry Lancashire unduly. Six an over with 10 wickets in hand would normally be considered a breeze. Of course, the wicket could be awkward, but my own team's successful Wednesday forays in recent years have been based on better teams than us batting first and overreaching themselves allowing us to chase successfully knowing how we had to pace the innings.
I'll be back later, or tomorrow to report on the result. I'd have to say that I'm not optimistic. Even Langeveldt at his best will struggle to get us anything from this one.
After a certain Mr Cork took the wicket of the prolific Greg Smith in the first over, we never got going and apart from a spectacular knock from James Pipe and contributions of 25 each from John Sadler and Dan Birch, we're just all out for Nelson (111).
At this stage one wouldn't expect that to worry Lancashire unduly. Six an over with 10 wickets in hand would normally be considered a breeze. Of course, the wicket could be awkward, but my own team's successful Wednesday forays in recent years have been based on better teams than us batting first and overreaching themselves allowing us to chase successfully knowing how we had to pace the innings.
I'll be back later, or tomorrow to report on the result. I'd have to say that I'm not optimistic. Even Langeveldt at his best will struggle to get us anything from this one.
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Derbyshire v Lancashire
Wow! If the cricket authorities didn't take us seriously, this should have made them sit up a little.
Lancashire. Test Ground Lancashire. Money bags Lancashire, rest home for Derbyshire stars and one of the big clubs that will thrive when the little counties are forced out of the game. Allegedly...
Well, they were well and truly thumped today in an inspired Derbyshire performance that looked well set for victory from the time that Chris Rogers and Steve Stubbings added 150 for the first wicket. Rogers seemed to be in wonderful touch and while the churlish would say that he didn't make his well deserved century, his innings and the speed at which he scored (only 109 balls) set the tone. Cameos from Dan Birch, Rikki Clarke and especially John Sadler (an unbeaten 21 from 11 balls) ensured a score of 288-5.
After losing early wickets, especially that of the dangerous Mal Loye (who was supposedly unfit according to their website) Lancashire were up against it. With Yousuf and Law in early, they had a chance to build innings and perhaps rival the home total. Tom Lungley held on to a skyer to dismiss Yousuf, who is having a disappointing time for them, then had Law caught at slip and the game was slipping away.
Although du Plessis hit well and Hogg with Gary Keedy hit valiantly, Derbyshire were never in trouble, with ex-keeper Luke Sutton dismissed third ball for a duck as we ran out winners by 100 runs.
When one considers that skipper Clarke was unable to bowl, James Pipe was missing, Greg Smith is not yet fit and Wavell Hinds is still to arrive, this was a wonderfully encouraging performance from Derbyshire. It is crucial that one opener posts a score to set a target in one day cricket, but with Rogers and Stubbings both posting 90's, Derbyshire were always on the front foot. Stubbo is a fine pro and I hope that his benefit is successful. For a man deemed not good enough for County cricket by Dominic Cork he has done very well and with Rogers he forms the best opening partnership we have had for a long time. They run well, offer different problems for the bowlers and regularly provide the necessary early innings stability. The Australian made a mockery of the fact that he rarely plays one day cricket back home and is proving to be an outstanding overseas player.
We're not yet through to the quarter finals as this group is still very much any two from four. With a game in hand and the best net run rate we are very much in poll position, however. A win against old rivals Yorkshire on Sunday and I suspect that one win from the last two games against Durham and Scotland will see us through.
I'll be at Titwood next week to see that important last game. We can do this you know....
Derbyshire v Lancashire
Wow! Two and a half thousand hits already...
Thanks so much to regular (hey, and even sporadic) readers of this blog. It's really gratifying to see the hit count mount on a daily basis. If you like it, tell your friends, if there's something you'd like to see, let me know in a comment.
Well, today's the day when we can take a giant step for mankind... sorry, Derbyshire cricket if we can beat Lancashire at the Field of Dreams. The visitors have had an inconsistent campaign so far, with a home loss to Scotland the low point, but they have a lot of batting that we will need to work through to win this one. They also have injuries, and are missing Dominic Cork, Glen Chapple, Andrew Flintoff and Mal Loye for this game. Their squad is:
Gareth Cross
Stuart Law (cpt)
Paul Horton
Mohammad Yousuf
Francois du Plessis
Steven Croft
Luke Sutton (wkt)
Kyle Hogg
Simon Marshall
Sajid Mahmood
Stephen Cheetham
Oliver Newby
Tom Smith
Derbyshire also have injury concerns, with skipper Rikki Clarke, James Pipe and Tom Lungley all set for late fitness tests. Given the importance of the game, I would be surprised if they didn't play and would expect this side to take the field:
Steve Stubbings
Chris Rogers
John Sadler
Dominic Telo
Rikki Clarke
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jonathan Claire
Tom Lungley
Charl Langeveldt
Nayan Doshi
The main concern is the lack of an extra bowler if captain Clarke's thumb fracture prevents him from bowling, and we all hope that the top order fires. It may be that Dan Redfern could slot in to the middle order, depending on his exams which would give us another option, but Greg Smith's return is eagerly awaited, as is the arrival of Wavell Hinds. Let's not forget that the latter is available for the quarter-final - IF we get there.
Come on Derbyshire!
Thanks so much to regular (hey, and even sporadic) readers of this blog. It's really gratifying to see the hit count mount on a daily basis. If you like it, tell your friends, if there's something you'd like to see, let me know in a comment.
Well, today's the day when we can take a giant step for mankind... sorry, Derbyshire cricket if we can beat Lancashire at the Field of Dreams. The visitors have had an inconsistent campaign so far, with a home loss to Scotland the low point, but they have a lot of batting that we will need to work through to win this one. They also have injuries, and are missing Dominic Cork, Glen Chapple, Andrew Flintoff and Mal Loye for this game. Their squad is:
Gareth Cross
Stuart Law (cpt)
Paul Horton
Mohammad Yousuf
Francois du Plessis
Steven Croft
Luke Sutton (wkt)
Kyle Hogg
Simon Marshall
Sajid Mahmood
Stephen Cheetham
Oliver Newby
Tom Smith
Derbyshire also have injury concerns, with skipper Rikki Clarke, James Pipe and Tom Lungley all set for late fitness tests. Given the importance of the game, I would be surprised if they didn't play and would expect this side to take the field:
Steve Stubbings
Chris Rogers
John Sadler
Dominic Telo
Rikki Clarke
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Jonathan Claire
Tom Lungley
Charl Langeveldt
Nayan Doshi
The main concern is the lack of an extra bowler if captain Clarke's thumb fracture prevents him from bowling, and we all hope that the top order fires. It may be that Dan Redfern could slot in to the middle order, depending on his exams which would give us another option, but Greg Smith's return is eagerly awaited, as is the arrival of Wavell Hinds. Let's not forget that the latter is available for the quarter-final - IF we get there.
Come on Derbyshire!
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