Coming off two tremendous wins and with a team full of confidence, Derbyshire will be looking forward to tomorrow's game against local rivals Leicestershire. Especially since the Foxes have been decimated by players defected, retired and injured.
James Taylor and Harry Gurney have gone to Nottinghamshire (memo to Gurney - why?), Paul Nixon has retired and Will Jefferson, Matthew Hoggard and Nathan Buck are all injured. Logically Derbyshire should have a strong opportunity to make it three from three against a dangerous side shorn of its major talent.
Its just a shame about the weather.
Today was apparently horrible and the next few days don't seem much better. If Derbyshire are to make it three from three they will need to score runs quickly and bowl with all the spirit and skill they have shown thus far. There are slight injury doubts over Mark Footitt, with either Tim Groenewald or Mark Turner set to deputise if he fails a fitness test. The Derbyshire squad is:
Martin Guptill, Paul Borrington, Wayne Madsen (Captain), Wes Durston, Dan Redfern, Ross Whiteley, David Wainwright, Jonathan Clare, Tom Poynton, Tim Groenewald, Tony Palladino, Mark Turner and Mark Footitt.
As for the visitors, their depleted side is captained by former West Indies ace Ramnaresh Sarwan, on who much will depend. Their squad is:
Greg Smith, Matthew Boyce, Jacque du Toit, Ramnaresh Sarwan (captain), Josh Cobb, Ned Eckersley, Wayne White, Jigar Naik, Claude Henderson, Robbie Joseph, Alex Wyatt and Nadeem Malik.
If the rain allows it, I expect a Derbyshire win. I'm more confident in the team than the climate though, so I'm sad to have this one down as a likely draw.
Showing posts with label Leicestershire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leicestershire. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Derbyshire v Leicestershire preview
With the injuries Northamptonshire are suffering, we would perhaps have fancied our chances last night, but itwas not to be as heavy rain ruled out any play.
Tonight Derbyshire can get themselves back into the mix with a win over local rivals Leicestershire, a game that will prove tricky for us, especially if we don't improve on the batting against Worcestershire.
Our visitors have a couple of dangerous allrounders in Razzaq and MacDonald, while the rest of their batting line up carries enough weight to post good totals. It will be down to our bowlers to keep things tight and then needs greater professionalism from batsmen who are much better than they looked in front of the television cameras. Anyone who saw us against Yorkshire in the Pro 40 and then the other night must have thought our batsmen had dopplegangers, sadly bereft of the talent of the genuine article. Tonight is a chance to address that.
A win tonight puts us right back in the mix. We're second bottom but only three points behind second place with a game in hand. We will want to improve on last year, when Will Jefferson took the game away from us at Queens Park with a sparkling innings. Josh Cobb has been in fine form recently and this will be a tough game, make no mistake.
Tonight Derbyshire can get themselves back into the mix with a win over local rivals Leicestershire, a game that will prove tricky for us, especially if we don't improve on the batting against Worcestershire.
Our visitors have a couple of dangerous allrounders in Razzaq and MacDonald, while the rest of their batting line up carries enough weight to post good totals. It will be down to our bowlers to keep things tight and then needs greater professionalism from batsmen who are much better than they looked in front of the television cameras. Anyone who saw us against Yorkshire in the Pro 40 and then the other night must have thought our batsmen had dopplegangers, sadly bereft of the talent of the genuine article. Tonight is a chance to address that.
A win tonight puts us right back in the mix. We're second bottom but only three points behind second place with a game in hand. We will want to improve on last year, when Will Jefferson took the game away from us at Queens Park with a sparkling innings. Josh Cobb has been in fine form recently and this will be a tough game, make no mistake.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 3
As I suggested last night, today was largely one of leather-chasing for Derbyshire and Leicestershire declared with a lead of 200. I should have picked my lottery numbers while I was in such a vein of form...
Apart from two quick wickets in the afternoon for Mark Turner, both to catches by Usman Khawaja, the cricket suggested that the perils of the first two days were a thing of the past.
That being the case, there should be no reason why we cannot bat out tomorrow and get a draw from this game. I accept that in Matthew Hoggard and Claude Henderson Leicestershire have the two best bowlers in the match, but I can't believe that our bowlers are as innocuous as they have appeared over the past two days. To be fair they stuck to their task well and only went for three an over, but a few averages went downhill in that innings. Good game for Tony Palladino to miss, methinks...
Can we bat all day tomorrow? I hope so and think so. We can bat down to number ten and all they need to do is stay in. Runs don't matter - leave anything wide and just play the ones you need to and hit the bad ones. The field will be close set but the hosts will realise that once we get past their lead the game is dying on its feet and each run effectively counts double.
If we don't manage to bat out the day I may need to reassess our chances for the season, but I'm confident that our batting is capable of holding out against their bowling, unless the game recommences with heavy cloud cover.
Don't let me down now lads.
Apart from two quick wickets in the afternoon for Mark Turner, both to catches by Usman Khawaja, the cricket suggested that the perils of the first two days were a thing of the past.
That being the case, there should be no reason why we cannot bat out tomorrow and get a draw from this game. I accept that in Matthew Hoggard and Claude Henderson Leicestershire have the two best bowlers in the match, but I can't believe that our bowlers are as innocuous as they have appeared over the past two days. To be fair they stuck to their task well and only went for three an over, but a few averages went downhill in that innings. Good game for Tony Palladino to miss, methinks...
Can we bat all day tomorrow? I hope so and think so. We can bat down to number ten and all they need to do is stay in. Runs don't matter - leave anything wide and just play the ones you need to and hit the bad ones. The field will be close set but the hosts will realise that once we get past their lead the game is dying on its feet and each run effectively counts double.
If we don't manage to bat out the day I may need to reassess our chances for the season, but I'm confident that our batting is capable of holding out against their bowling, unless the game recommences with heavy cloud cover.
Don't let me down now lads.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 1
While a number of batsmen got a start but didn't go on to something really worthwhile, the real significance of our efforts today won't be known until our innings is finished and the opposition bat.
238-5 must have been a heavy going day for all concerned, but that score is only ten short of the best from four innings in Leicestershire's first home match. If we could push on over 300 towards 350 tomorrow we could be nicely in the box seat, assuming we bowl well.
Three wickets for Claude Henderson suggests spin will play a part as the game progresses and Azeem Rafiq may enjoy his first Championship bowl for us in due course. Pride of place today goes to Dan Redfern, whose unbeaten 58 in 2 and three-quarter hours was just reward for a lot of hard work over the winter months. I hope he keeps his head down and goes on to the big one tomorrow, something that would give me great pleasure.
It was a good team effort though. I've never judged any innings until we see how the opponents handle conditions and won't break that habit now. One can only admire the determination showed today and hope that the players continue in similar vein tomorrow.
In closing, special mention for the skipper, whose partnership with young Mr Redfern could be very important in the context of the match. At 174-5 we were rocking. 238-5 seems much more solid and gives us something to build on.
Thumbs up (cautiously) from me after day one.
238-5 must have been a heavy going day for all concerned, but that score is only ten short of the best from four innings in Leicestershire's first home match. If we could push on over 300 towards 350 tomorrow we could be nicely in the box seat, assuming we bowl well.
Three wickets for Claude Henderson suggests spin will play a part as the game progresses and Azeem Rafiq may enjoy his first Championship bowl for us in due course. Pride of place today goes to Dan Redfern, whose unbeaten 58 in 2 and three-quarter hours was just reward for a lot of hard work over the winter months. I hope he keeps his head down and goes on to the big one tomorrow, something that would give me great pleasure.
It was a good team effort though. I've never judged any innings until we see how the opponents handle conditions and won't break that habit now. One can only admire the determination showed today and hope that the players continue in similar vein tomorrow.
In closing, special mention for the skipper, whose partnership with young Mr Redfern could be very important in the context of the match. At 174-5 we were rocking. 238-5 seems much more solid and gives us something to build on.
Thumbs up (cautiously) from me after day one.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Leicestershire v Derbyshire preview
Disappointing as it was, yesterday’s defeat to Netherlands was just one match, just one defeat. Contrary to the belief of some, it doesn’t end our season but highlights the fact – as if we needed it - that our young squad has a long way to go.
There were grumblings on IMWT last night about the absence of Groenewald, Palladino, Clare and Khawaja but that is patently unfair. The first two had a lot of bowling against Middlesex and the signs are that they will be the focal point of our attack this season. We need to treat them well and give them breaks when the coaching and fitness staff – the professionals – think they are needed.
Jon Clare and Usman Khawaja are both carrying injuries. Clare missed the crucial second innings and it was obvious against Middlesex that Khawaja is currently unable to sprint. That is less of a problem in four-day cricket where he can stand at slip and jog between the wickets, but more of an issue in the one-day game, where there is no hiding place. For me, resting him in a game that we should have won made sense – it was the batsmen that played, Durston and Madsen apart, who let us down. Eight, maybe nine times out of ten, a team chasing seven an over from the last ten with seven wickets in hand would stroll to victory. It just needs a bit of common sense.
There were also comments about the injudicious use of the reverse sweep yesterday. When it goes wrong, a batsman can scarcely look more ungainly, but at the end of the day, it is down to personal judgement as to the right time to play it. Wayne Madsen’s hockey background usually helps him look one of the more adept at the shot, but if it costs a wicket too frequently, a batsman has to make a decision on a stroke. The great England opener Herbert Sutcliffe cut out the hook shot after a few too many dismissals playing it, despite scoring a lot of runs in between times with the stroke. Together with the ramp, the reverse sweep is one of the new shots that batsmen have at their disposal and, like all the others, there are times they work and times they don’t.
Anyway, that was yesterday and, slipping seamlessly into my best Scarlett O’Hara impression, tomorrow is another day. We can make amends with a good performance against Leicestershire.
The following squad has been announced:
Madsen
Durston
Khawaja
Hughes
Redfern
Smith
Sutton
Clare
Rafiq
Groenewald
Jones
Knight
Turner
So Clare was injured, but is fit, while Palladino was supposedly rested but isn’t in the squad. One assumes a niggle, sustained in training, keeps him out, while Mark Footitt probably needs some bowling in the Seconds. Presumably there will be a late test on Jon Clare and if he is fit, logic suggests Tom Knight will miss out, with Jones and Turner then vying for one place.
Azeem Rafiq should certainly play. If Grace Road sticks to tradition, there will be early movement and then the wicket will increasingly aid spin as the match progresses. ‘Rafiq the Tweak’ will have to match the bowling of 'the lion tamer' Henderson (Claude). It is big challenge for the youngster, but he gives the ball a rip, has the doosra in his armoury and bats well enough to have a first class century to his name.
Should Knight also play I’d venture that it is the youngest spin pairing we have ever fielded and the ECB age payment will need to be transported guarded by armoured cars…
It is hard to see Leicestershire being as poor as they seemed at times in Derby and we will need to play much better collectively than we did on Monday to get anything but a good hiding.
We must keep it in perspective. Somerset have had a nightmare start but they are from being a poor team. We’re not in their class but I’m prepared to see yesterday as an unfortunate blip on an otherwise competitive start to the season. I still think we’ll have our good and bad days in equal measure.
The players will prove or disprove that one in the near future.
There were grumblings on IMWT last night about the absence of Groenewald, Palladino, Clare and Khawaja but that is patently unfair. The first two had a lot of bowling against Middlesex and the signs are that they will be the focal point of our attack this season. We need to treat them well and give them breaks when the coaching and fitness staff – the professionals – think they are needed.
Jon Clare and Usman Khawaja are both carrying injuries. Clare missed the crucial second innings and it was obvious against Middlesex that Khawaja is currently unable to sprint. That is less of a problem in four-day cricket where he can stand at slip and jog between the wickets, but more of an issue in the one-day game, where there is no hiding place. For me, resting him in a game that we should have won made sense – it was the batsmen that played, Durston and Madsen apart, who let us down. Eight, maybe nine times out of ten, a team chasing seven an over from the last ten with seven wickets in hand would stroll to victory. It just needs a bit of common sense.
There were also comments about the injudicious use of the reverse sweep yesterday. When it goes wrong, a batsman can scarcely look more ungainly, but at the end of the day, it is down to personal judgement as to the right time to play it. Wayne Madsen’s hockey background usually helps him look one of the more adept at the shot, but if it costs a wicket too frequently, a batsman has to make a decision on a stroke. The great England opener Herbert Sutcliffe cut out the hook shot after a few too many dismissals playing it, despite scoring a lot of runs in between times with the stroke. Together with the ramp, the reverse sweep is one of the new shots that batsmen have at their disposal and, like all the others, there are times they work and times they don’t.
Anyway, that was yesterday and, slipping seamlessly into my best Scarlett O’Hara impression, tomorrow is another day. We can make amends with a good performance against Leicestershire.
The following squad has been announced:
Madsen
Durston
Khawaja
Hughes
Redfern
Smith
Sutton
Clare
Rafiq
Groenewald
Jones
Knight
Turner
So Clare was injured, but is fit, while Palladino was supposedly rested but isn’t in the squad. One assumes a niggle, sustained in training, keeps him out, while Mark Footitt probably needs some bowling in the Seconds. Presumably there will be a late test on Jon Clare and if he is fit, logic suggests Tom Knight will miss out, with Jones and Turner then vying for one place.
Azeem Rafiq should certainly play. If Grace Road sticks to tradition, there will be early movement and then the wicket will increasingly aid spin as the match progresses. ‘Rafiq the Tweak’ will have to match the bowling of 'the lion tamer' Henderson (Claude). It is big challenge for the youngster, but he gives the ball a rip, has the doosra in his armoury and bats well enough to have a first class century to his name.
Should Knight also play I’d venture that it is the youngest spin pairing we have ever fielded and the ECB age payment will need to be transported guarded by armoured cars…
It is hard to see Leicestershire being as poor as they seemed at times in Derby and we will need to play much better collectively than we did on Monday to get anything but a good hiding.
We must keep it in perspective. Somerset have had a nightmare start but they are from being a poor team. We’re not in their class but I’m prepared to see yesterday as an unfortunate blip on an otherwise competitive start to the season. I still think we’ll have our good and bad days in equal measure.
The players will prove or disprove that one in the near future.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Derbyshire v Leicestershire
Ho ho ho!
So Santa did listen to me (I must have been REALLY good!)and Derbyshire produced a display of total professionalism to beat - no, thrash - Leicestershire this evening.
Apologies for the lateness of the blog, but by the time I'd stripped naked and run round the village singing "Ole, ole, ole, ole" at the top of my voice to celebrate I needed to have a shower...
The game started inauspiciously with the news that Graham Wagg and Tom Lungley were both out with food poisoning after a barbecue at Waggy's house last night. I guess he's not going to follow Matthew Hayden into culinary expertise books sometime soon.
It left us with the not altogether dangerous-looking attack of Groenewald and Smith to open, with Needham, Hughes, Park and Redfern to follow. One of the slowest attacks in our history but they did a steady job. Jake bowled a very tight spell and he, with Hughes, strangled the middle order after Groenewald made early inroads with a fine spell. Hughes had earlier held a good catch in the deep and I was amused by the Sky commentators saying that he had the build of a heavyweight boxer and could really hit a ball. I thought we might have seen Ross Whiteley bowl, but to be fair the guys all did well and, apart from a couple of lapses late on, they did very well in the field. I was especially impressed by Tom Poynton, who aside from some dodgy balls down leg side late in the innings acquitted himself extremely well behind the stumps.
Wayne White added to his growing reputation as an improving batsman with a breezy 34but Leicestershire's final total of 194-8 looked decent without being spectacular. Most of us have seen Derbyshire flop in such a pursuit in the past, but tonight was completely, utterly professional.
Rogers and Madsen were circumspect at first against the promising Buck - it was Buck to Rogers at one point, ho and indeed, ho - and O'Brien but the game changed once Rogers hit the youngster for four successive boundaries. Madsen too found his range and looked a player with plenty of shots in the locker who will bring a lot to the one day side next year. The two were completely in control when Madsen went for the reverse slog/sweep and overbalanced for Tom New to effect a smart stumping. With the run rate a mile ahead, there was no need for him to play the shot, but even Bob "The Grinch" Willis had to praise us tonight and comment on the top class batsmen at the top of the order.
That included Greg Smith who came in and played a composed innings while Rogers looked a player of the very highest class. The verdict among the commentary team was that Rogers could, indeed should get another chance this winter and would have been a better bet in the Ashes than Phil Hughes, or, for that matter, Shane Watson. New missed a chance to stump him off Jigar Naik but that was pretty much it for Leicestershire. What struck me about Rogers tonight was how wonderfully straight he played. Sometimes he gets in a tangle and is lbw, but when he plays straight like that he looks unbeatable. I was thrilled to see him complete a first one day century in this country and it is astonishing he has only made another one in Australia. He is a very, very good player and his recent form has served only to emphasise how we will miss him if he is unable to return next year. He even had to contend with Benning bowling round the wicket at him but starting his run over the wicket and coming between the umpire and the stumps. Weird, very weird.
So no need for Park, Sadler, Hughes, Whiteley or Redfern. Plenty of batting in reserve and there was a lot of praise for the club, the team and the ground from the commentators.
Only one downside for me. At one point the cameras went on to a bunch of fans who were obviously feeling no pain dressed in nuns outfits, all of them standing, shouting and singing in fine fashion. There were, however, old fans in front of them who looked like they wished they could be anywhere than sat there. I'm not an old fogey by any means, but it crossed my mind that my old Dad would have hated that too, as will probably most older cricket fans. It is a side effect of the cameras being present, Friday night and beer flowing freely, but maybe the club might need to think of an area where there is no chanting or an area for those who don't want to, depending on numbers. There is a danger of alienating fans of long standing in attracting a more rowdy element to the game and Derbyshire, like other clubs, will need to come up with a workable solution that will leave both happy.
One more thing impressed me tonight. As Chris Rogers walked off, he shook the hands of the opposition and then those of a few youngsters who approached him, stopping to sign autographs on his way back. I've not seen many do that, and while you could argue that Rogers was entitled to an uninterrupted walk back after his match-winning knock, I was very impressed by his professionalism with the kids.
A great night then. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we've cracked one day cricket and a fine performance against lack lustre opposition doesn't make us world beaters. Yet there was something in that display that made me think we're getting there and as I said to my Dad afterwards, its a long time since I saw such a totally convincing Derbyshire display. No late flurry of wickets, no hiccups, just total professionalism capped by Greg Smith's arrow straight six to finish the game.
Great work by the boys then. And of course I didn't run naked on my own through the village after the game. It was just a joke.
I took Mrs Peakfan with me...
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Derbyshire v Leicestershire preview
Dear Santa
I've been pretty good this year and so I'd like to ask for one early Christmas present if you don't mind.
Please, please, PLEASE let Derbyshire turn up and play like the team we know they can be tomorrow night in front of the TV cameras.
Like everyone else, I'm really fed up with watching us on Sky as if we've put an X in the "no publicity" box, with the end result that you get the usual suspects spouting the usual guff about "poor" and "little" Derbyshire. Or "Derby", which we're not. One of the commentary team (clue, his name is Bob Willis) so annoys me that I've often wished I could do a Uri Geller-like stunt and take control of his microphone, ending with it shoved somewhere a microphone really shouldn't be...
It's up to the boys tomorrow. The side we're playing aren't exactly world-beaters, but in one day cricket most sides we play all of a sudden resemble a fantasy side.
There's a side of encouraging strength pencilled in for tomorrow, with John Morris announcing the following 12:
Chris Rogers
Wayne Madsen
Greg Smith
Garry Park
John Sadler
Dan Redfern
Chesney Hughes
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Tom Poynton
Jake Needham
Tom Lungley
It's good to see Wayne Madsen in there and I'm sure he'll adapt well to the one day game, having played plenty of it back home and, obviously, in the leagues.
I'd guess that the final place will be between Jake Needham and Tom Lungley and on recent form I'd expect Lungley to get the nod, allowing Chesney Hughes another game after an encouraging debut at Edgbaston. It is a useful AND youthful side, with Wavell dropping out. Who knows, maybe the Sky guys might praise our youthful look and the players coming through. Or is that asking too much?
No news of the Leicestershire side at present, though Tom New and James Taylor will be buoyed after receiving their county caps this week, while Wayne White has broken his personal best three times in a week. Given their willingness to blood young players, it should be two of the youngest televised sides on TV this year.
Elsewhere today, news that Hampshire are in discussions with Kabir Ali, though like other potential suitors, they may be put off by Worcestershire's looking for £60K compensation for the last year of his contract. I'd reckon that would rule us out of the game, if we were ever seriously in it.
Another couple of names that have been mailed to me today are Mark Footit from Nottinghamshire and Craig Spearman. I'm not sure whether Spearman is qualified to play next year with the new visa regulations, but a suggestion that he could be engaged a la Stuart Law to play in one day matches isn't the daftest idea I've heard. He's five years younger than Law and a punishing batsman at his best, but there have been suggestions that a bad blow to the head he took earlier this year has shaken him badly, something that might affect any decisions.
Footitt has looked like a left arm quick of some talent for the last couple of years, but the cynic in me suggests that the reason he has been released by Nottinghamshire is less his injury record than the fact that he's under 30...
23 wickets at 30 in nine matches suggests a lad who could be a good bowler if he got fit. Another left armer would be no bad thing as we've lost that variation when Graham Wagg has been injured. I know Atif Sheikh bowls that style, but he's maybe a year or so away from a first team push. Local, available, affordable... let's hope his Twenty/20 game against us was a mere aberration. 2-0-34-0. Still more economical than our guys in the Twenty/20 this year!
Tomorrow's blog will be later to allow for the finish of the Leicestershire game. Here's hoping I'm not typing through tears tomorrow night, or with clenched fists...
I've been pretty good this year and so I'd like to ask for one early Christmas present if you don't mind.
Please, please, PLEASE let Derbyshire turn up and play like the team we know they can be tomorrow night in front of the TV cameras.
Like everyone else, I'm really fed up with watching us on Sky as if we've put an X in the "no publicity" box, with the end result that you get the usual suspects spouting the usual guff about "poor" and "little" Derbyshire. Or "Derby", which we're not. One of the commentary team (clue, his name is Bob Willis) so annoys me that I've often wished I could do a Uri Geller-like stunt and take control of his microphone, ending with it shoved somewhere a microphone really shouldn't be...
It's up to the boys tomorrow. The side we're playing aren't exactly world-beaters, but in one day cricket most sides we play all of a sudden resemble a fantasy side.
There's a side of encouraging strength pencilled in for tomorrow, with John Morris announcing the following 12:
Chris Rogers
Wayne Madsen
Greg Smith
Garry Park
John Sadler
Dan Redfern
Chesney Hughes
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Tom Poynton
Jake Needham
Tom Lungley
It's good to see Wayne Madsen in there and I'm sure he'll adapt well to the one day game, having played plenty of it back home and, obviously, in the leagues.
I'd guess that the final place will be between Jake Needham and Tom Lungley and on recent form I'd expect Lungley to get the nod, allowing Chesney Hughes another game after an encouraging debut at Edgbaston. It is a useful AND youthful side, with Wavell dropping out. Who knows, maybe the Sky guys might praise our youthful look and the players coming through. Or is that asking too much?
No news of the Leicestershire side at present, though Tom New and James Taylor will be buoyed after receiving their county caps this week, while Wayne White has broken his personal best three times in a week. Given their willingness to blood young players, it should be two of the youngest televised sides on TV this year.
Elsewhere today, news that Hampshire are in discussions with Kabir Ali, though like other potential suitors, they may be put off by Worcestershire's looking for £60K compensation for the last year of his contract. I'd reckon that would rule us out of the game, if we were ever seriously in it.
Another couple of names that have been mailed to me today are Mark Footit from Nottinghamshire and Craig Spearman. I'm not sure whether Spearman is qualified to play next year with the new visa regulations, but a suggestion that he could be engaged a la Stuart Law to play in one day matches isn't the daftest idea I've heard. He's five years younger than Law and a punishing batsman at his best, but there have been suggestions that a bad blow to the head he took earlier this year has shaken him badly, something that might affect any decisions.
Footitt has looked like a left arm quick of some talent for the last couple of years, but the cynic in me suggests that the reason he has been released by Nottinghamshire is less his injury record than the fact that he's under 30...
23 wickets at 30 in nine matches suggests a lad who could be a good bowler if he got fit. Another left armer would be no bad thing as we've lost that variation when Graham Wagg has been injured. I know Atif Sheikh bowls that style, but he's maybe a year or so away from a first team push. Local, available, affordable... let's hope his Twenty/20 game against us was a mere aberration. 2-0-34-0. Still more economical than our guys in the Twenty/20 this year!
Tomorrow's blog will be later to allow for the finish of the Leicestershire game. Here's hoping I'm not typing through tears tomorrow night, or with clenched fists...
Friday, 14 August 2009
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 4
There's a tendency to knee jerk reactions after a reverse among fans of any sports side.
We're no different at Derbyshire and there's a few prophets of doom lining up on 606 tonight with a range of comments.
We don't deserve to go up. If we do manage it we'll come back down. Yadda, yadda, yadda...
C'mon guys, reality check.
At lunch time I was the same as everyone else and thought we were pretty much there, but an hour after lunch it was patently obvious that the track was dead. Bereft of life, it had ceased to be (etc). The galling thing from our perspective is that Jigar Naik had a previous best of 16 from eleven innings. This happens though and every dog has its day.
I remember a cup match a few years ago when a young Sussex batsman with little previous form (and not much subsequently) scored 150 against us to take the game after we'd scored 300. I can't remember the lad's name at this time, but it was a phenomenal innings and if he'd used a hockey stick that day he'd have creamed it to all corners of the ground. We'd Malcolm, Cork and other good bowlers but he was superb. It happens and when it does there's nowt you can do about it.
My mind went back this afternoon to when we were pushing for the title under Dean Jones and could not get the last wickets against Somerset with a much stronger attack than we have now. They all tried their best to no avail and it was heart breaking stuff.
Same today. They all did their level best but there were two things that stopped us winning this match. One was the loss of Graham Wagg, the other was the loss of one and a half sessions to the rain. Had either of those gone our way we'd have won it. I'd qualify it by saying that Leicestershire have a very special player in James Taylor, who I think will be one of the best batsmen of his generation. He's a super little player and I'd love to see him at Derby. Then again, every county would want such a compact player and he will go a long way.
Yet while we're crying in our beer tonight guys, let's remember two things. First of all, we're still very much in the promotion hunt and in second place as things stand. Secondly, when was the last time we were genuinely excited by our season? Second in the Championship, second in the Pro 40. Good times.
It's not over yet by a long chalk. Gloucester have still to play Leicestershire, Middlesex and Glamorgan away and both Surrey and Kent at home.
Essex play Surrey, Glamorgan, Leicestershire and us
Surrey play Essex, Kent, Gloucester, Northants and Glamorgan
We have Northants, Kent and Essex at home and Middlesex away.
If you look at those fixtures, there's massive potential for teams to knock each other out of the race. As someone points out on 606 tonight, we could yet finish sixth, which would be a poor return on a pretty good season. But we could yet finish second.
Disappointed tonight? Yes. Disgusted and downhearted? Not by a long chalk.
We're no different at Derbyshire and there's a few prophets of doom lining up on 606 tonight with a range of comments.
We don't deserve to go up. If we do manage it we'll come back down. Yadda, yadda, yadda...
C'mon guys, reality check.
At lunch time I was the same as everyone else and thought we were pretty much there, but an hour after lunch it was patently obvious that the track was dead. Bereft of life, it had ceased to be (etc). The galling thing from our perspective is that Jigar Naik had a previous best of 16 from eleven innings. This happens though and every dog has its day.
I remember a cup match a few years ago when a young Sussex batsman with little previous form (and not much subsequently) scored 150 against us to take the game after we'd scored 300. I can't remember the lad's name at this time, but it was a phenomenal innings and if he'd used a hockey stick that day he'd have creamed it to all corners of the ground. We'd Malcolm, Cork and other good bowlers but he was superb. It happens and when it does there's nowt you can do about it.
My mind went back this afternoon to when we were pushing for the title under Dean Jones and could not get the last wickets against Somerset with a much stronger attack than we have now. They all tried their best to no avail and it was heart breaking stuff.
Same today. They all did their level best but there were two things that stopped us winning this match. One was the loss of Graham Wagg, the other was the loss of one and a half sessions to the rain. Had either of those gone our way we'd have won it. I'd qualify it by saying that Leicestershire have a very special player in James Taylor, who I think will be one of the best batsmen of his generation. He's a super little player and I'd love to see him at Derby. Then again, every county would want such a compact player and he will go a long way.
Yet while we're crying in our beer tonight guys, let's remember two things. First of all, we're still very much in the promotion hunt and in second place as things stand. Secondly, when was the last time we were genuinely excited by our season? Second in the Championship, second in the Pro 40. Good times.
It's not over yet by a long chalk. Gloucester have still to play Leicestershire, Middlesex and Glamorgan away and both Surrey and Kent at home.
Essex play Surrey, Glamorgan, Leicestershire and us
Surrey play Essex, Kent, Gloucester, Northants and Glamorgan
We have Northants, Kent and Essex at home and Middlesex away.
If you look at those fixtures, there's massive potential for teams to knock each other out of the race. As someone points out on 606 tonight, we could yet finish sixth, which would be a poor return on a pretty good season. But we could yet finish second.
Disappointed tonight? Yes. Disgusted and downhearted? Not by a long chalk.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 3
It was another pretty good day for Derbyshire today at Leicester, but the best news came when I saw that the forecast for tomorrow has changed from the rain predicted earlier in the week to a pretty dry day. We SHOULD have a chance of enough play to get the wickets we need.
Which explains, of course, why we batted on today until we had a lead of 300. My comments last night were based on little play tomorrow and I was surprised when we kept batting after getting our fifth batting bonus point at 400 today. As things stand, Leicestershire have done well today to reach 150 with only two wickets down, but if we can make early inroads tomorrow (and especially if we shift Ackerman and Taylor early) there's every chance that we could force a win.
Unless the forecasters change their mind, of course...
Chris Rogers went on to his highest score of the season today, a fine effort that he had to work for. By the same token, Greg Smith will be kicking himself that a fine innings fell short of three figures and will go down on his record as a fifty, rather than the near century it was. The other batsmen perished going for quick runs, with Wavell hitting some lusty blows and James Pipe getting some in the scorebook on his return.
When Steffan Jones got a wicket with his second ball, removing the other Greg Smith, the boys will have scented a day off, but I just hope we don't live to regret James Pipe dropping Boyce when he was only 17. Logic still suggests a Derbyshire win, since Leicestershire have a long tail, but there seems little wrong with the wicket and I can see us having to do the equivalent of a twenty over thrash tomorrow afternoon, unless the bowling conditions change.
We'll have to do it without Graham Wagg, who won't bowl again in the match, although there is no news yet on the severity of the injury and its long term implications. There's comments on 606 that Wagg has been overbowled this season, but I don't buy into that. I know he's a bloke who likes to bowl and, as I posted on 606, if you have the ability to bowl fast medium then switch to spin, there's every chance you'll have some long spells. When you think back to the 1,000-plus overs that bowlers used to get through, I don't think Wagg has been overbowled personally.
After all, he's been taken off twice....
Joking apart, I remember a season not all that long ago when it seemed Paul Aldred bowled one end from April to September. I'm also casting my mind back years to when I was sports captain of my house at school and wanted to win the school athletics Sports Cup. I'd a mate who ran for the local Harriers and was well rated and I put him in for the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m - plus the relays. He/we won them all and it forced a rule change the next year. I thought it innovative, personally and he barely broke sweat all afternoon. I sweated more as I watched the teachers in earnest discussion as he won yet another race...
Anyway, maximum points here would take us 20 clear of Gloucestershire, who themselves visit Leicester next Wednesday, while we entertain Northamptonshire. The latter are on the back foot against Kent and will have to bat exceptionally well on the last day to win and very well to escape with a draw. It would also put 30 points between us and Surrey. Their attack doesn't look the most dangerous and they're unlikely to have Andre Nel for the remainder of the season.
So tomorrow is more than just another day, it could well be a pivotal one in our season. Who's going to provide the spark for us?
I hope someone does.
Which explains, of course, why we batted on today until we had a lead of 300. My comments last night were based on little play tomorrow and I was surprised when we kept batting after getting our fifth batting bonus point at 400 today. As things stand, Leicestershire have done well today to reach 150 with only two wickets down, but if we can make early inroads tomorrow (and especially if we shift Ackerman and Taylor early) there's every chance that we could force a win.
Unless the forecasters change their mind, of course...
Chris Rogers went on to his highest score of the season today, a fine effort that he had to work for. By the same token, Greg Smith will be kicking himself that a fine innings fell short of three figures and will go down on his record as a fifty, rather than the near century it was. The other batsmen perished going for quick runs, with Wavell hitting some lusty blows and James Pipe getting some in the scorebook on his return.
When Steffan Jones got a wicket with his second ball, removing the other Greg Smith, the boys will have scented a day off, but I just hope we don't live to regret James Pipe dropping Boyce when he was only 17. Logic still suggests a Derbyshire win, since Leicestershire have a long tail, but there seems little wrong with the wicket and I can see us having to do the equivalent of a twenty over thrash tomorrow afternoon, unless the bowling conditions change.
We'll have to do it without Graham Wagg, who won't bowl again in the match, although there is no news yet on the severity of the injury and its long term implications. There's comments on 606 that Wagg has been overbowled this season, but I don't buy into that. I know he's a bloke who likes to bowl and, as I posted on 606, if you have the ability to bowl fast medium then switch to spin, there's every chance you'll have some long spells. When you think back to the 1,000-plus overs that bowlers used to get through, I don't think Wagg has been overbowled personally.
After all, he's been taken off twice....
Joking apart, I remember a season not all that long ago when it seemed Paul Aldred bowled one end from April to September. I'm also casting my mind back years to when I was sports captain of my house at school and wanted to win the school athletics Sports Cup. I'd a mate who ran for the local Harriers and was well rated and I put him in for the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m - plus the relays. He/we won them all and it forced a rule change the next year. I thought it innovative, personally and he barely broke sweat all afternoon. I sweated more as I watched the teachers in earnest discussion as he won yet another race...
Anyway, maximum points here would take us 20 clear of Gloucestershire, who themselves visit Leicester next Wednesday, while we entertain Northamptonshire. The latter are on the back foot against Kent and will have to bat exceptionally well on the last day to win and very well to escape with a draw. It would also put 30 points between us and Surrey. Their attack doesn't look the most dangerous and they're unlikely to have Andre Nel for the remainder of the season.
So tomorrow is more than just another day, it could well be a pivotal one in our season. Who's going to provide the spark for us?
I hope someone does.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day two
What a day!
We only lose one wicket in the two sessions of play possible and stretch our lead to 100 after two days, then sign Wayne Madsen on a two-year contract. Then tonight our village team beat a county second XI, which was quite an event in our little cricketing life. Easy too, won with 7 wickets and two overs to spare. Maybe I should start a club blog...
Anyway, I'm really pleased that we have secured Madsen's services for the next two seasons. I jokingly referred to him as "Bradman" last week and while he's not quite in that class, I think we have signed a batsman of very high talent, as he has already proven. Like other players, he'll have days when he fails and that is always more likely at the head of the innings. Yet he has also shown that when he gets in he is prepared to bat for a long time. It is great to see and I'm delighted with John Morris' work.
As for today, we only lost the wicket of Garry Park, for 41, before Chris Rogers and Greg Smith doubled the score with a fine partnership. The skipper has batted with real restraint here, hitting only eight boundaries in posting his highest score of the season so far, while Greg Smith continued his best season with another punishing knock. I understand that Smith was wanting to bat higher and in recent games he has shown the results to justify the decision. Both of the not out batsmen are within range of their thousand this year and that would be an excellent return.
To be fair, Leicestershire are not a great side, but you can only beat what is put in front of you and at present we are on course to do that in this game.
But...
The forecast for Friday is not too good, so Derbyshire will want to be bowling again, I would guess, sometime in the early/mid afternoon with a lead of 250-plus and maximum batting points from the match. Then it is a case of trying to bowl them out as quickly as possible. Easy peasy...
A win here would be terrific and would lay down a marker to the rest of the chasing pack. Northamptonshire are having a very even battle against Kent but a win here would again put daylight between us in second place and the other sides.
Here's to another good day for the boys tomorrow - and ultimate success!
Finally, I enjoyed reading Steve Stubbings comments in the Derby Telegraph today on his time with Derbyshire. They summed up the man that he is and the reason why we will miss him. There may well be better players fill the opener's berth for us in the years ahead, but they'll have to go a long way to be as nice a guy as Stubbo. A diamond of a man and we'll miss that cheery smile around the place.
We only lose one wicket in the two sessions of play possible and stretch our lead to 100 after two days, then sign Wayne Madsen on a two-year contract. Then tonight our village team beat a county second XI, which was quite an event in our little cricketing life. Easy too, won with 7 wickets and two overs to spare. Maybe I should start a club blog...
Anyway, I'm really pleased that we have secured Madsen's services for the next two seasons. I jokingly referred to him as "Bradman" last week and while he's not quite in that class, I think we have signed a batsman of very high talent, as he has already proven. Like other players, he'll have days when he fails and that is always more likely at the head of the innings. Yet he has also shown that when he gets in he is prepared to bat for a long time. It is great to see and I'm delighted with John Morris' work.
As for today, we only lost the wicket of Garry Park, for 41, before Chris Rogers and Greg Smith doubled the score with a fine partnership. The skipper has batted with real restraint here, hitting only eight boundaries in posting his highest score of the season so far, while Greg Smith continued his best season with another punishing knock. I understand that Smith was wanting to bat higher and in recent games he has shown the results to justify the decision. Both of the not out batsmen are within range of their thousand this year and that would be an excellent return.
To be fair, Leicestershire are not a great side, but you can only beat what is put in front of you and at present we are on course to do that in this game.
But...
The forecast for Friday is not too good, so Derbyshire will want to be bowling again, I would guess, sometime in the early/mid afternoon with a lead of 250-plus and maximum batting points from the match. Then it is a case of trying to bowl them out as quickly as possible. Easy peasy...
A win here would be terrific and would lay down a marker to the rest of the chasing pack. Northamptonshire are having a very even battle against Kent but a win here would again put daylight between us in second place and the other sides.
Here's to another good day for the boys tomorrow - and ultimate success!
Finally, I enjoyed reading Steve Stubbings comments in the Derby Telegraph today on his time with Derbyshire. They summed up the man that he is and the reason why we will miss him. There may well be better players fill the opener's berth for us in the years ahead, but they'll have to go a long way to be as nice a guy as Stubbo. A diamond of a man and we'll miss that cheery smile around the place.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 1
Happy days are here again...
A fantastic day for Derbyshire today as they bowled out their hosts for 177 before progressing steadily to 67-1 by the close. You'll not need me to tell you that this is a fantastic situation for the end of the first day in a four day game, but we now need to press on, get a good lead and then bowl them out again.
I find it hard to believe that Leicestershire will capitulate quite as easily again, but the biggest danger to Derbyshire may well be the weather. Tomorrow and Friday are not looking brilliant weather-wise, so it is imperative that we push along and allow maximum time to bowl them out again.
There was great news before the start with the return of James Pipe to the side. This gives a little more solidity to the batting and offers added impetus to the lower order. Nantie Hayward and Jon Clare were omitted, while Mark Lawson was preferred to Jake Needham, surprisingly in some eyes.
Or was it? This is the time of year for leg-spinners to come into their own, with harder, drier wickets tending to dust a little and offer more extravagant bounce - exactly what a leggie needs. It may be that we could see more of Lawson in the coming weeks and he could change people's opinions of him. Certainly his 5-wicket hauls at Yorkshire were obtained in the later season and it is a good weapon to have, especially on last day tracks.
That Lawson took two wickets today (his first ones in the Championship for us) was a first day bonus. Last night I suggested that Steffan Jones had been a little flat, results-wise in recent games and could make way for Nantie Hayward.
WRONG! Hands up to the Steff-meister who produced a two-in-three double to remove Boyce and Dippenaar. When Greg Smith ripped out the middle order we could see light at the end of the tunnel. Wayne White batting at seven doesn't suggest a line-up of great depth and Derbyshire will be very satisfied with bowling the hosts out for just 177, especially when they elected to bat. Jones ended with 4-43, Smith 3-31 and Lawson 2-20. It was a good performance by our boys, with only the 25 extras taking them any way to a total. The only concern was a shoulder injury to Graham Wagg which will be scanned tomorrow. I'm sure we all hope our influential and multi-talented all rounder will be OK.
In reply, I was encouraged to see the skipper getting his head down and Wayne Madsen doing likewise. Madsen was lbw to Claude Henderson before the close, but Garry Park played soundly having earlier held three fine catches.
As for the rest of the match, we could do with runs on the board as quickly as possible. Depending on progress (and let's not forget we need to score them and it is not a foregone conclusion) there could even be a declaration before the close tomorrow or certainly before lunch on Thursday. Maximum batting points would be superb, but it will need a team effort.
If the skipper can make a ton against his former employers tomorrow it will go a long way towards a good points haul in the match, which in turn will set next week's match against Northamptonshire up as a classic. As things stand, we've again leap-frogged Gloucestershire in the table after the first day, while Kent have not had a great time against Northamptonshire on the first day.
Realistically, all we can do is continue to win our games. That in turn will put pressure on the other sides and it is all still very open. Any of six sides could go up this year and much will depend on holding nerve at key moments.
Nice one lads. Keep it up
A fantastic day for Derbyshire today as they bowled out their hosts for 177 before progressing steadily to 67-1 by the close. You'll not need me to tell you that this is a fantastic situation for the end of the first day in a four day game, but we now need to press on, get a good lead and then bowl them out again.
I find it hard to believe that Leicestershire will capitulate quite as easily again, but the biggest danger to Derbyshire may well be the weather. Tomorrow and Friday are not looking brilliant weather-wise, so it is imperative that we push along and allow maximum time to bowl them out again.
There was great news before the start with the return of James Pipe to the side. This gives a little more solidity to the batting and offers added impetus to the lower order. Nantie Hayward and Jon Clare were omitted, while Mark Lawson was preferred to Jake Needham, surprisingly in some eyes.
Or was it? This is the time of year for leg-spinners to come into their own, with harder, drier wickets tending to dust a little and offer more extravagant bounce - exactly what a leggie needs. It may be that we could see more of Lawson in the coming weeks and he could change people's opinions of him. Certainly his 5-wicket hauls at Yorkshire were obtained in the later season and it is a good weapon to have, especially on last day tracks.
That Lawson took two wickets today (his first ones in the Championship for us) was a first day bonus. Last night I suggested that Steffan Jones had been a little flat, results-wise in recent games and could make way for Nantie Hayward.
WRONG! Hands up to the Steff-meister who produced a two-in-three double to remove Boyce and Dippenaar. When Greg Smith ripped out the middle order we could see light at the end of the tunnel. Wayne White batting at seven doesn't suggest a line-up of great depth and Derbyshire will be very satisfied with bowling the hosts out for just 177, especially when they elected to bat. Jones ended with 4-43, Smith 3-31 and Lawson 2-20. It was a good performance by our boys, with only the 25 extras taking them any way to a total. The only concern was a shoulder injury to Graham Wagg which will be scanned tomorrow. I'm sure we all hope our influential and multi-talented all rounder will be OK.
In reply, I was encouraged to see the skipper getting his head down and Wayne Madsen doing likewise. Madsen was lbw to Claude Henderson before the close, but Garry Park played soundly having earlier held three fine catches.
As for the rest of the match, we could do with runs on the board as quickly as possible. Depending on progress (and let's not forget we need to score them and it is not a foregone conclusion) there could even be a declaration before the close tomorrow or certainly before lunch on Thursday. Maximum batting points would be superb, but it will need a team effort.
If the skipper can make a ton against his former employers tomorrow it will go a long way towards a good points haul in the match, which in turn will set next week's match against Northamptonshire up as a classic. As things stand, we've again leap-frogged Gloucestershire in the table after the first day, while Kent have not had a great time against Northamptonshire on the first day.
Realistically, all we can do is continue to win our games. That in turn will put pressure on the other sides and it is all still very open. Any of six sides could go up this year and much will depend on holding nerve at key moments.
Nice one lads. Keep it up
Monday, 10 August 2009
Leicestershire v Derbyshire preview
The Brian Lara post - also known as 501...
There's another big four days coming up for Derbyshire until the weekend with a Championship game against our local rivals Leicestershire.
Our cause has been slightly aided by the absence of Jim Allenby, who has today joined Glamorgan. I have to admit to surprise at that one, as I'd seen half the western world linked with signing the guy. I don't wish to do them a disservice, but there were few counties I thought him LESS likely to sign for. Presumably they have put considerable money in his direction as he's signed for three years. Good luck to him, I would have liked to see him at Derby, but I'm happy to leave it with the thought that either John Morris didn't rate him or he was asking a king's ransom. Given I'm quite happy with how we're shaping up and am not privy to who Morris may have lined up over the winter, I'm quite happy to leave it there for now.
On the face of it, the Foxes haven't the strongest squad in the division, but they have some fine players and we'll need to play well to beat them. Paul Nixon is also out of favour after recent comments and actions, so they will depend on Ackerman and Dippenaar boosting an inexperienced batting line up. Their 12 is:
Boyce
Smith
Dippenaar (capt)
Ackerman
Taylor
New (wk)
du Toit
White
Henderson
Buck
Harris
"Sweet Baby" James Taylor is having a good season for the hosts, while Ackerman and Dippenaar (both possibly in their last year at Leicester) always take some getting past. With ex-Derbyshire players Tom New and Wayne White in the side, there will be a little extra spice in the encounter too. Recent wickets there have offered help to the bowlers, so our final selection will be of paramount importance.
We're taking 14 to the game, as follows:
Chris Rogers (capt)
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Dan Redfern
Wavell Hinds
Greg Smith
Freddie Klokker (wk)
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Jonathan Clare
Jake Needham
Steffan Jones
Mark Lawson
Nantie Hayward
I'd reckon our top nine picks itself with the final two places between the bottom five named. I suspect we'll play a specialist spinner, as Jake Needham did well here last season, which would mean that Hayward, Clare and Jones were going for one place. On current form I'd be inclined to go with Hayward. Steff has not been as penetrative in the last couple of games, while Jon Clare has had a frustrating time with injuries and form this year - typical second season blues in fact.
Staying with the seamers, it was interesting to see Tom Lungley go out on loan to Lancashire today for a month. I'm not sure where it leaves Tom for next year, but he'll do his cause no harm at all if he goes there and takes a few Division One wickets. He's not had the best of seasons and maybe needs a sustained spell of cricket to get fully match fit.
We really need to win this game. With respect to the Foxes, there are few weaker sides in the division and we have to beat the likes of them to stand any chance of promotion. They have good players, but put the two sides on paper and we look stronger. Just need to prove it on grass now then lads eh?
Finally, I see there's suggestions that Mark Ramprakash could make an England return for the final Test. Given we have to win and he's still by a mile the best English batsman in the country - as well as being familiar with the track on his County ground - he has to come in. While accepting that batsmen have it all going for them in the current game, Ramprakash's feats in recent seasons have been extraordinary and he has to come in for the selectors to retain any credibility. There's also talk of Trescothick coming in, but I'm less sure of that one because of the health issues. I'd give Trott a game for sure, as I'm still not convinced that Bell is a bona fide Test batsman at the very highest level.
Still, why should we care? We've got Wayne Madsen, the Derbyshire Bradman...
There's another big four days coming up for Derbyshire until the weekend with a Championship game against our local rivals Leicestershire.
Our cause has been slightly aided by the absence of Jim Allenby, who has today joined Glamorgan. I have to admit to surprise at that one, as I'd seen half the western world linked with signing the guy. I don't wish to do them a disservice, but there were few counties I thought him LESS likely to sign for. Presumably they have put considerable money in his direction as he's signed for three years. Good luck to him, I would have liked to see him at Derby, but I'm happy to leave it with the thought that either John Morris didn't rate him or he was asking a king's ransom. Given I'm quite happy with how we're shaping up and am not privy to who Morris may have lined up over the winter, I'm quite happy to leave it there for now.
On the face of it, the Foxes haven't the strongest squad in the division, but they have some fine players and we'll need to play well to beat them. Paul Nixon is also out of favour after recent comments and actions, so they will depend on Ackerman and Dippenaar boosting an inexperienced batting line up. Their 12 is:
Boyce
Smith
Dippenaar (capt)
Ackerman
Taylor
New (wk)
du Toit
White
Henderson
Buck
Harris
"Sweet Baby" James Taylor is having a good season for the hosts, while Ackerman and Dippenaar (both possibly in their last year at Leicester) always take some getting past. With ex-Derbyshire players Tom New and Wayne White in the side, there will be a little extra spice in the encounter too. Recent wickets there have offered help to the bowlers, so our final selection will be of paramount importance.
We're taking 14 to the game, as follows:
Chris Rogers (capt)
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Dan Redfern
Wavell Hinds
Greg Smith
Freddie Klokker (wk)
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Jonathan Clare
Jake Needham
Steffan Jones
Mark Lawson
Nantie Hayward
I'd reckon our top nine picks itself with the final two places between the bottom five named. I suspect we'll play a specialist spinner, as Jake Needham did well here last season, which would mean that Hayward, Clare and Jones were going for one place. On current form I'd be inclined to go with Hayward. Steff has not been as penetrative in the last couple of games, while Jon Clare has had a frustrating time with injuries and form this year - typical second season blues in fact.
Staying with the seamers, it was interesting to see Tom Lungley go out on loan to Lancashire today for a month. I'm not sure where it leaves Tom for next year, but he'll do his cause no harm at all if he goes there and takes a few Division One wickets. He's not had the best of seasons and maybe needs a sustained spell of cricket to get fully match fit.
We really need to win this game. With respect to the Foxes, there are few weaker sides in the division and we have to beat the likes of them to stand any chance of promotion. They have good players, but put the two sides on paper and we look stronger. Just need to prove it on grass now then lads eh?
Finally, I see there's suggestions that Mark Ramprakash could make an England return for the final Test. Given we have to win and he's still by a mile the best English batsman in the country - as well as being familiar with the track on his County ground - he has to come in. While accepting that batsmen have it all going for them in the current game, Ramprakash's feats in recent seasons have been extraordinary and he has to come in for the selectors to retain any credibility. There's also talk of Trescothick coming in, but I'm less sure of that one because of the health issues. I'd give Trott a game for sure, as I'm still not convinced that Bell is a bona fide Test batsman at the very highest level.
Still, why should we care? We've got Wayne Madsen, the Derbyshire Bradman...
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 2
Amazing as it may seem, this is the 299th article that I've written in 2008, on the third last day of the season.
I'd suggest that today was as encouraging a day as we have had all year too, which makes it a pleasure to write.
Notwithstanding the fact that the opposition aren't the best team in the country, you have to be impressed by the way we bowled them out today and then batted ourselves into a strong position by the close of play. All that with a side whose average age is 22...
A key factor was Graham Wagg's removal of Dippenaar and Ackerman in three balls. Last night I was concerned what they might do to a young and inexperienced attack. Well, Dippenaar did what he has done all season - nothing - and Ackerman was bowled second ball.
Nevertheless, Leicestershire were in a strong position at one stage with Smith and Nixon going well, but Jake Needham (pictured) ran through them after lunch with a wonderful spell of off spin bowling that actually earned him 5-24 in 11.2 overs. On the way to new career best figures of 6-49 Needham moved to second place in the Derbyshire bowling averages this season, his 16 wickets coming at just 23 runs each. Added to the fact that he averages the same with the bat and we have a good cricketer in young Needham, who has staked a claim for the spinning berth next year. Given his ability with the bat and in the field, he will be a good asset in 2009.
The irony was, of course, that the man who may be his biggest rival next year, Mark Lawson, was unable to bowl on a track that would have given him a lot of assistance. Had Lawson been able to bowl in tandem with Jake, Leicestershire may have struggled to make 150. The pitch has offered help throughout, with lateral movement and erratic bounce causing all the batsmen problems.
Which makes the efforts of Paul Borrington and Steve Stubbings all the more laudable. To get to stumps at 85-0 after 43 overs was a superb effort by both of them, despite the hosts using all their bowlers in an attempt to break through. It can't have made for exciting viewing, but who cares? After a season in which we have seen players giving their wicket away with careless strokes, it was nice to see two players selling their wickets dearly and having the technique to stay in when conditions were in favour of the bowlers.
Borrington looks set for a long career with the county and is a real find, while Stubbo did what he always does, playing straight and treating the bowling on its merits. In the absence of Chris Rogers, Bozza couldn't have wished for a better partner than Stubbings and it has been a pleasure to see the amiable opener back into the groove in the past two games. I suggest that he still has a lot to offer us next season and should be retained. Borrington's final year at University will occupy him until June and a Rogers/Stubbings opening pair would be a good option to have. He has not had a vintage year, but the distraction of his benefit, allied to struggles with a shoulder injury have been mitigating factors. Had he not waited for it to settle down over the winter, as advised by specialists, rather than having an operation straight away, we may well have seen a different Stubbo this year. I still feel he has much to offer in one day cricket, where I have seen him play a number of crucial knocks.
So, 71 runs ahead and nine wickets in hand. Remember Mark Lawson is unlikely to bat with his broken finger, so the others must bat with the same resolution shown by the openers. I would love to see Stubbo make a big score and also to see Dom Telo make some runs, but we could do with a lead of 250. I would reckon that the hosts will not fancy chasing much more than 200 on this wicket, so every run tomorrow is crucial.
Still, that's another day. Tonight we can enjoy the fact that our youngsters have put on a worthy show and staked a place for regular cricket next season. For what its worth, I have a feeling we could do very well in the Championship next year. While our one day form is in need of a serious overhaul, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful in Derbyshire cricket at the end of 2008.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Leicestershire v Derbyshire preview
And now, the end is near and so we face the final curtain.
Four days to go until we sigh with the realisation that there will be no more cricket for six months or so. Or at least, cricket that counts. England will be on tour, but if, like me, you look on them as a side attraction, it's going to be a long cold winter.
Tomorrow's game should be sponsored by Farley's, as Derbyshire can rarely have put younger team into the field for a match. While rusks and milk may not be on the lunch menu, the Derbyshire team will have a youthful look. With no Kolpaks and no overseas player and with Tom Lungley and Jon Clare injured, the team pretty much picks itself as there's only a handful of players left.
John Sadler will be disapppointed to miss out on playing against his erstwhile colleages but can have few complaints after a poor year. Graham Wagg celebrates a year's extension to his contract by taking the captaincy in this side:
Paul Borrington
Steve Stubbings
Dan Redfern
Greg Smith
Dominic Telo
Tom New
Graham Wagg (captain)
Jake Needham
Ross Whiteley
Ian Hunter
Wayne White
Mark Lawson
Some interesting names in there. The biggie is former Yorkshire leggie Mark Lawson "probably" playing to see if he's worth a contract for next year. "Probably" is the official line, but it ould be a big surprise if he didn't play. What would they learn if he carries drinks for four days? I'd like to see him do well and earn a contract. There's something about leg-spinners that sends batsmen into panic on occasion and he has produced enough at Yorkshire to be worth a gamble. There's little option on the spin front and as a season progresses I'd see value in such a bowler, with harder tracks (if it ever stops raining...)
Ross Whiteley gets his first senior Championship call up after good performances for the second string and is another who could earn a contract. The other week he reminded me of a coltish young Kevin Dean against Glamorgan and although he was overtaken by nerves on that occasion, he showed enough at the crease to suggest talent as an all rounder in time.
Dom Telo has one last chance to put a nightmare first season to rest but I think we'll see more of the diminutive South African, who looks poised and organised at the crease. He needs a good winter in the indoor school and some sun on his back and we should see the strokeplay that earned him such a reputation back home.
It was so gratifying to see Graham Wagg show loyalty in the face of interest from other counties, including - surprise, surprise - Warwickshire. I'm sure that Waggy must have wondered where these offers were when he was looking for a club after his drugs ban, as Derbyshire were not involved in a bidding frenzy for his services at that time.
Now, however, he is a fine all rounder and one who would be welcomed into any side. I'm delighted that he will be in ours for the next two years and hope that we can secure some silverware with his assistance.
While a defeat with a young side would be no disgrace, a win would be a good way to go into the winter.
Go boys!
Four days to go until we sigh with the realisation that there will be no more cricket for six months or so. Or at least, cricket that counts. England will be on tour, but if, like me, you look on them as a side attraction, it's going to be a long cold winter.
Tomorrow's game should be sponsored by Farley's, as Derbyshire can rarely have put younger team into the field for a match. While rusks and milk may not be on the lunch menu, the Derbyshire team will have a youthful look. With no Kolpaks and no overseas player and with Tom Lungley and Jon Clare injured, the team pretty much picks itself as there's only a handful of players left.
John Sadler will be disapppointed to miss out on playing against his erstwhile colleages but can have few complaints after a poor year. Graham Wagg celebrates a year's extension to his contract by taking the captaincy in this side:
Paul Borrington
Steve Stubbings
Dan Redfern
Greg Smith
Dominic Telo
Tom New
Graham Wagg (captain)
Jake Needham
Ross Whiteley
Ian Hunter
Wayne White
Mark Lawson
Some interesting names in there. The biggie is former Yorkshire leggie Mark Lawson "probably" playing to see if he's worth a contract for next year. "Probably" is the official line, but it ould be a big surprise if he didn't play. What would they learn if he carries drinks for four days? I'd like to see him do well and earn a contract. There's something about leg-spinners that sends batsmen into panic on occasion and he has produced enough at Yorkshire to be worth a gamble. There's little option on the spin front and as a season progresses I'd see value in such a bowler, with harder tracks (if it ever stops raining...)
Ross Whiteley gets his first senior Championship call up after good performances for the second string and is another who could earn a contract. The other week he reminded me of a coltish young Kevin Dean against Glamorgan and although he was overtaken by nerves on that occasion, he showed enough at the crease to suggest talent as an all rounder in time.
Dom Telo has one last chance to put a nightmare first season to rest but I think we'll see more of the diminutive South African, who looks poised and organised at the crease. He needs a good winter in the indoor school and some sun on his back and we should see the strokeplay that earned him such a reputation back home.
It was so gratifying to see Graham Wagg show loyalty in the face of interest from other counties, including - surprise, surprise - Warwickshire. I'm sure that Waggy must have wondered where these offers were when he was looking for a club after his drugs ban, as Derbyshire were not involved in a bidding frenzy for his services at that time.
Now, however, he is a fine all rounder and one who would be welcomed into any side. I'm delighted that he will be in ours for the next two years and hope that we can secure some silverware with his assistance.
While a defeat with a young side would be no disgrace, a win would be a good way to go into the winter.
Go boys!
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 4
Although it took a fair amount of work, Derbyshire took the final eight wickets of the visitors today to win by mid-afternoon.
Massive credit for the win has to go to "Sobers" Wagg, who in taking ten wickets in the match, as well as scoring a hundred runs, became only the third man in Derbyshire history to achieve the feat and the first since Les Townsend in 1934. The only previous occurrence had been in 1927 when Garnett Lee scored an unbeaten century then took 12 wickets against Northamptonshire.
Wagg is earning himself a deserved reputation and there are few players in the game can bowl seam and spin with equal skill. I still think his batting can develop further and he could become a top-notch all rounder. He's a very fine player as things stand and has totally vindicated the opportunity he was given after the problems of a few years back.
Langeveldt again produced the goods when they were required, dismissing the two danger men in Marshall and Gidman, as well as the stubborn night watchman, Kirby.
He and Wagg now have the same number of wickets this season and it will be interesting to see who ends the year as leading wicket-taker.
We should not, however, forget the efforts of Steve Stubbings in this game. His unbeaten 62 in the first innings was crucial in getting us to a first innings total that was semi-respectable. Meanwhile his second effort was hampered by injury but he hung in there while Wagg put the bowling to the sword and the game out of Gloucestershire's reach. While big innings have been few and far between for Stubbo this year, he has been distracted by benefit commitments and still looks set to finish with a mid-30's average. While the likeliest victim if a batsman has to be sacrificed, we would need to get a good player in to replace him.
And so on to Leicester for the final acts of the season and there's a battle royal for third place in the table. Northants currently head us by one point with Essex five points behind. The latter visit Gloucester, while Northants entertain Middlesex. We should be quite happy to visit Leicester, who have some talented players but are in a transitional period. They are heavily reliant on HD Ackerman for runs and Dillon du Preez as a bowler, while Paul Nixon was back in the runs after a lean period today. The skipper would love a good knock, as eighty runs would see him end the season as the top scorer in the country, Worcestershire and Stephen Moore having finished their season. If he managed 128 in the match he would reach 1500 first class runs for the season, a magnificent effort.
Equally important would be a win sending the supporters into the close season in good heart. It is six months until we start all over again and there will be heightened optimism if this season concludes with two wins and third place.
Bring it on!
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Leicestershire v Derbyshire Pro 40
I'm not sure that there's anything in this game except local pride but for that alone both sides will want to win tomorrow.
Quite frankly I haven't a clue what John Morris' team may be. He may give a few guys a net before Wednesday and Warwickshire or he may give them a rest. I'd be surprised to see Langeveldt play, but on the evidence of the Yorkshire game the top order batting needs some practice in the middle.
Dan Redfern should get another chance to show his undoubted talents, but cricket being the game it is, he could be out quickly tomorrow. This is, of course, the game in which we show how good an all rounder Jim Allenby of Leicestershire is. I rate the chap quite highly, but if he played against us every week his status in the game would be somewhere around that of "Freddie" Flintoff. Another of those who always seem to do well against Derbyshire, he'd be a good asset should he ever fancy a move from Grace Road. Then again, I thought that about John Sadler and that's not worked so far has it?
Leicester welcome back Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques du Toit tomorrow to join the man other Saffers in the squad. With Ackerman, du Preez and Henderson also likely to play, Langeveldt will have plenty of familiar faces to bowl at should he play, or to chat with if he goes along simply to watch.
It is a game that it would be nice to win, to help build momentum built up in the thrilling run chase at Derby. Incidentally, this is supposedly Tom New's last game of his loan spell in which he has acquitted himself well. He had one bad day against Middlesex where he let a few byes and dropped a sitter, but he has been competent behind the stumps and has contributed well with the bat. It would be quite ironic (and sweet) were he to get the runs that won the game tomorrow.
This presumably means that James Pipe is fit for the Warwickshire game and all fans will rejoice about that. He remains a batsman who can turn a game very quickly and a comforting sight at number seven.
The big week starts tomorrow folks. I'm sure there'll be the usual rollercoaster of emotions as it progresses. My club have also got a local trophy final on Wednesday evening when we aim to reclaim what we lost on the last ball last season, so any comments I have on the first day may be late in the evening - unless the weather yet again intervenes in this thrice cancelled affair.
Quite frankly I haven't a clue what John Morris' team may be. He may give a few guys a net before Wednesday and Warwickshire or he may give them a rest. I'd be surprised to see Langeveldt play, but on the evidence of the Yorkshire game the top order batting needs some practice in the middle.
Dan Redfern should get another chance to show his undoubted talents, but cricket being the game it is, he could be out quickly tomorrow. This is, of course, the game in which we show how good an all rounder Jim Allenby of Leicestershire is. I rate the chap quite highly, but if he played against us every week his status in the game would be somewhere around that of "Freddie" Flintoff. Another of those who always seem to do well against Derbyshire, he'd be a good asset should he ever fancy a move from Grace Road. Then again, I thought that about John Sadler and that's not worked so far has it?
Leicester welcome back Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques du Toit tomorrow to join the man other Saffers in the squad. With Ackerman, du Preez and Henderson also likely to play, Langeveldt will have plenty of familiar faces to bowl at should he play, or to chat with if he goes along simply to watch.
It is a game that it would be nice to win, to help build momentum built up in the thrilling run chase at Derby. Incidentally, this is supposedly Tom New's last game of his loan spell in which he has acquitted himself well. He had one bad day against Middlesex where he let a few byes and dropped a sitter, but he has been competent behind the stumps and has contributed well with the bat. It would be quite ironic (and sweet) were he to get the runs that won the game tomorrow.
This presumably means that James Pipe is fit for the Warwickshire game and all fans will rejoice about that. He remains a batsman who can turn a game very quickly and a comforting sight at number seven.
The big week starts tomorrow folks. I'm sure there'll be the usual rollercoaster of emotions as it progresses. My club have also got a local trophy final on Wednesday evening when we aim to reclaim what we lost on the last ball last season, so any comments I have on the first day may be late in the evening - unless the weather yet again intervenes in this thrice cancelled affair.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 4
I think that I am more disappointed tonight than at any time this season.
I can handle being beaten by Durham, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire. I don't like it, but I accept that they're bigger counties, at least at the moment, than we are.
We came close to losing to Leicestershire, however and that is pretty poor stuff. Especially when, in doing so, we concede the second highest score of a low scoring game, allowing a decent tail-ender (Smith) to get two forties. This on top of confirming what we knew from the 20/20, that Jimmy Allenby is the best all-rounder in the world. Well, at least against our attack and bowling at our batsmen...
I don't like singling out individuals, but the time has come to ask what Rikki is doing to justify a place in the team? As a captain, he is OK, but no Brearley. If in doubt, give it to Langeveldt appears to be the policy. Not a bad one, but sooner or later even this willing work horse will buckle under the strain and where are we then?
At one point today, Leicester needed 80 to win from 23 overs and we apparently had one close fielder when Jake Needham bowled. I might be wrong, but only in poor club cricket would you not fancy getting less than four an over, leaving the fielding side needing wickets. Am I being harsh? We got a draw after all, but surely could have done better than that against a team like today's opponents?
I'll grant you that Clarke is a superb slip fielder, one of the very best in the game, but the fact is that he averages 22 in the Championship with the bat and 37 with the ball, this after a poor one day campaign. Part of our batting problem (a major part?) has been that we have often lost his wicket quickly and in a way that suggests carelessness.
Now Rikki Clarke is a fair player. I've seen him bat for Surrey in brilliant fashion with power and a glorious array of shots, especially in his driving. Apart from a good knock against Warwickshire and a promising one against Essex, cut short by a good delivery, we have seen precious little evidence of it this season. He said that he'd had problems adjusting to the wickets "oop north", but surely should have managed it by now? I have more patience for a young player like Dom Telo, who is another world from what he knows, but Rikki really needs to produce the goods.
Is the captaincy affecting his form, as it did Botham and England ? There comparisons with Botham end. I'm sure the captaincy was a major factor in his coming to Derbyshire, but perhaps a break, maybe temporary might be an idea? With his life turned upside down - hey, new babies do that to you - a sabbatical could be worthwhile and no disgrace.
Finally to the game. To very loosely paraphrase Maurice Chevalier, thank heavens for Mr Charl.
Once more our batting dissolved like a rich tea in a very hot brew and we'd to kill some time in a late morning session that must have been torture to watch. After Waggy and Charl ripped out the top four for 43, we looked to be winning it, then Allenby and Smith nearly turned the game around. There you have it, two sessions in a sentence.
At the end of it all, a good if attritional game. For there to be only 18 runs and 2 wickets between teams is better than a 500 a-side runfest. Mind you, Neil Hallam reported this morning that we were close to being docked points for the wicket on Saturday. I'm staggered that they let us off, but given that we only got four from the game, maybe there was pity involved. I far prefer "result" pitches to boring draws where batsman artificially inflate their averages on a featherbed while bowlers age ten years.
Conclusion? I hope Rikki proves me wrong at Northampton and scores 150, but the jury is still out and has booked in for another week's B and B at the hotel...
I can handle being beaten by Durham, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire. I don't like it, but I accept that they're bigger counties, at least at the moment, than we are.
We came close to losing to Leicestershire, however and that is pretty poor stuff. Especially when, in doing so, we concede the second highest score of a low scoring game, allowing a decent tail-ender (Smith) to get two forties. This on top of confirming what we knew from the 20/20, that Jimmy Allenby is the best all-rounder in the world. Well, at least against our attack and bowling at our batsmen...
I don't like singling out individuals, but the time has come to ask what Rikki is doing to justify a place in the team? As a captain, he is OK, but no Brearley. If in doubt, give it to Langeveldt appears to be the policy. Not a bad one, but sooner or later even this willing work horse will buckle under the strain and where are we then?
At one point today, Leicester needed 80 to win from 23 overs and we apparently had one close fielder when Jake Needham bowled. I might be wrong, but only in poor club cricket would you not fancy getting less than four an over, leaving the fielding side needing wickets. Am I being harsh? We got a draw after all, but surely could have done better than that against a team like today's opponents?
I'll grant you that Clarke is a superb slip fielder, one of the very best in the game, but the fact is that he averages 22 in the Championship with the bat and 37 with the ball, this after a poor one day campaign. Part of our batting problem (a major part?) has been that we have often lost his wicket quickly and in a way that suggests carelessness.
Now Rikki Clarke is a fair player. I've seen him bat for Surrey in brilliant fashion with power and a glorious array of shots, especially in his driving. Apart from a good knock against Warwickshire and a promising one against Essex, cut short by a good delivery, we have seen precious little evidence of it this season. He said that he'd had problems adjusting to the wickets "oop north", but surely should have managed it by now? I have more patience for a young player like Dom Telo, who is another world from what he knows, but Rikki really needs to produce the goods.
Is the captaincy affecting his form, as it did Botham and England ? There comparisons with Botham end. I'm sure the captaincy was a major factor in his coming to Derbyshire, but perhaps a break, maybe temporary might be an idea? With his life turned upside down - hey, new babies do that to you - a sabbatical could be worthwhile and no disgrace.
Finally to the game. To very loosely paraphrase Maurice Chevalier, thank heavens for Mr Charl.
Once more our batting dissolved like a rich tea in a very hot brew and we'd to kill some time in a late morning session that must have been torture to watch. After Waggy and Charl ripped out the top four for 43, we looked to be winning it, then Allenby and Smith nearly turned the game around. There you have it, two sessions in a sentence.
At the end of it all, a good if attritional game. For there to be only 18 runs and 2 wickets between teams is better than a 500 a-side runfest. Mind you, Neil Hallam reported this morning that we were close to being docked points for the wicket on Saturday. I'm staggered that they let us off, but given that we only got four from the game, maybe there was pity involved. I far prefer "result" pitches to boring draws where batsman artificially inflate their averages on a featherbed while bowlers age ten years.
Conclusion? I hope Rikki proves me wrong at Northampton and scores 150, but the jury is still out and has booked in for another week's B and B at the hotel...
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 3
We fought back well today and managed to earn a small first innings lead, but my bet would be on the draw tomorrow.
Irrespective of what the weather may be, I think that the wicket is too slow for either side to force a result. The scoring rate has been very slow throughout and while both sides will really want the win neither will risk losing. It appears to be easier to at least stay in today and my guess is a draw tomorrow.
Once again we are indebted to superb spells by Charl Langeveldt and Graham Wagg for our lead. Langeveldt does this all the time, while Wagg is one of those who have improved this season, bowling with both greater control and penetration. At one point it looked like the visitors would have a first innings lead, but the opening bowlers broke through and quickly ended the innings.
In reply Chris Rogers opened with, surprisingly, Jake Needham - Dan Birch having a bout of food poisoning for the second time this season. They gave us a steady start until the Australian was caught behind. Dom Telo battled well until he was lbw and it was gratifying to see young Needham battle for nearly 50 overs for a stubborn and potentially vital 36. Although he fell, as did Rikki Clarke before the end, crucially Wavell Hinds remains tomorrow, with Derbyshire 153 ahead and six wickets still to fall.
Another 80 runs tomorrow would leave the visitors chasing the highet score of the match to win. Unless the hitters in the tail come into their own, that will take us until around lunchtime at the rate of scoring so far, leaving us two sessions to bowl out Leicestershire.
Possible, yes. Likely? I'm not so sure. The time lost on the first two days is likely to be the deciding factor here, but if I'm wrong and we force a win I'll not be in the least disappointed!
Irrespective of what the weather may be, I think that the wicket is too slow for either side to force a result. The scoring rate has been very slow throughout and while both sides will really want the win neither will risk losing. It appears to be easier to at least stay in today and my guess is a draw tomorrow.
Once again we are indebted to superb spells by Charl Langeveldt and Graham Wagg for our lead. Langeveldt does this all the time, while Wagg is one of those who have improved this season, bowling with both greater control and penetration. At one point it looked like the visitors would have a first innings lead, but the opening bowlers broke through and quickly ended the innings.
In reply Chris Rogers opened with, surprisingly, Jake Needham - Dan Birch having a bout of food poisoning for the second time this season. They gave us a steady start until the Australian was caught behind. Dom Telo battled well until he was lbw and it was gratifying to see young Needham battle for nearly 50 overs for a stubborn and potentially vital 36. Although he fell, as did Rikki Clarke before the end, crucially Wavell Hinds remains tomorrow, with Derbyshire 153 ahead and six wickets still to fall.
Another 80 runs tomorrow would leave the visitors chasing the highet score of the match to win. Unless the hitters in the tail come into their own, that will take us until around lunchtime at the rate of scoring so far, leaving us two sessions to bowl out Leicestershire.
Possible, yes. Likely? I'm not so sure. The time lost on the first two days is likely to be the deciding factor here, but if I'm wrong and we force a win I'll not be in the least disappointed!
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 2
After another poor batting display, our bowlers have pulled us back into this game.
Once again, the wonderful Charl Langeveldt has changed our fortunes with an exemplary spell - how often have I written that this summer? The burly South African took three more wickets and now has 28 at just 19 runs each in the Championship this summer. Kolpak or not, he is without doubt one of the best bowlers to represent the county in many a year. On the rare occasions that he doesn't take wickets he commands respect. It crossed my mind, watching the scattergun Proteas attack at Lords yesterday, that they could have done with him to just keep an end quiet. Ntini and Steyn were especially erratic and I wouldn't swap Langeveldt for either of them.
Graeme Wagg also bowled with great discipline and while Jon Clare was more expensive he retains the ability to take wickets. If they can come out tomorrow and keep them down to around 170 (ideally less) we have a good hold on the game.
Of course, much depends on the batting next time around. A lead of 30-40 is important in a low-scoring game, but only if we reinforce it with a total or around 250. I can't imagine the visitors would fancy chasing over 250 in the last innings and it may be that a smaller total could be enough.
We could do without run outs, thanks Wavell, but Leicestershire have been soporific in their batting approach and I'd have to think that a more aggressive, but not reckless approach might bring dividends. On a track like this, wicket balls come regularly so let's make hay - if the sun shines...
Friday, 11 July 2008
Derbyshire v Leicestershire
The more things change, the more they stay the same...
Such were the words of '80s rock gods Cinderella in one of their bigger hits and it was pretty much a summary of the season in today's brief spell of play.
We lost an early wicket, then another one. A good recovery came via the flowing bats of Chris Rogers and Wavell Hinds before Rogers, after another fine fifty, gave it away with a loose shot just before the rain drove them off for the last time.
At 111-2, with both of them able to resume tomorrow, it was our day. The morning (weather permitting) will see Rikki Clarke join Hinds. Another wicket early and we are back in that familiar territory of unfulfilled promise.
It may well be that 250 will be a good total on a seaming wicket. With our attack I would back us from there, unless it rolls out easier as the game progresses. Full marks to Wavell Hinds in conditions a world away from Sabina Park. Having said that, the Sabina Park of Lawrence Rowe's era and that today are chalk and cheese...
At least we have a foundation, but we will hope that Clarke, Smith, Pipe, Wagg and Clare can support Wavell and get us up to a challenging total. We'll see what Mr Langeveldt makes of conditions at that point.
Such were the words of '80s rock gods Cinderella in one of their bigger hits and it was pretty much a summary of the season in today's brief spell of play.
We lost an early wicket, then another one. A good recovery came via the flowing bats of Chris Rogers and Wavell Hinds before Rogers, after another fine fifty, gave it away with a loose shot just before the rain drove them off for the last time.
At 111-2, with both of them able to resume tomorrow, it was our day. The morning (weather permitting) will see Rikki Clarke join Hinds. Another wicket early and we are back in that familiar territory of unfulfilled promise.
It may well be that 250 will be a good total on a seaming wicket. With our attack I would back us from there, unless it rolls out easier as the game progresses. Full marks to Wavell Hinds in conditions a world away from Sabina Park. Having said that, the Sabina Park of Lawrence Rowe's era and that today are chalk and cheese...
At least we have a foundation, but we will hope that Clarke, Smith, Pipe, Wagg and Clare can support Wavell and get us up to a challenging total. We'll see what Mr Langeveldt makes of conditions at that point.
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