Well, as the vegetable shop owner said when he went in to pay his library fines - there's a turnip for the books...
Lance Klusener released by Northamptonshire.
On the face of it, this is a strange move. The chap is currently top of the national averages with 73 per innings. OK, his bowling is pretty much gone now, but that's one big average, for the third year running.
The county say that they want to play more England-qualified cricketers. I can understand that, but only if they now release a few of the others. Van der Wath has had a decent season for them, but Andrew Hall, Rikki Wessels, Nick Boje and Jo Louw have all performed only moderately. If I was a fan of theirs tonight I'd be a little cheesed off and a quick read of their 606 board suggests most of them are.
Interestingly one suggests Derbyshire as his next stop...
Would we want Lance Klusener? The answer is probably yes, I'd have thought, with the only concern being that the usual snipers would moan about our being Kolpak central, which we're not in comparison to other sides. We obviously have both Charl Langeveldt and Wavell Hinds for next year and I'd love to see us confirm the re-signing of Chris Rogers in the near future. John Morris has said that he wants another top batsman and lets be honest, Klusener is that and then some.
The Englishman in me says I'd sooner see us sign an English player, but the Derbyshire fan in there (which more frequently surfaces and is rarely, if ever away) would be quite happy as long as it made us a winning side.
Make no bones about it, with English qualified younger players like Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern, Greg Smith, Graham Wagg, Jake Needham and Jon Clare in the side, I've no qualms about our "doing our bit" for the cause. The Glamorgan game on Monday highlighted a need for experience in there. Players like Akhil Patel and Ross Whiteley have bags of talent but are a long way from being county regulars.
John Morris' comments to the Derby Telegraph the other day suggested that he doesn't see too many batting options out there other than players released for poor performance. That being the case, there's a strong argument for making overtures to "Zulu" Klusener. Be honest, you'd like to see him in our colours next year, wouldn't you?
At 37 he's the same as Dominic Cork, but where his batting has improved with the years at the expense of his bowling, Corky seems to have gone the other way. Signing the pair of them would be massive, but we shouldn't kid ourselves at this stage that either will happen. exciting as the prospect may be.
The real tough call would be if Klusener and Ian Blackwell were both available and desperate (you never know) to come to Derby. Maybe the younger and similar style Blackwell would then be my choice, but imagine for a minute. You turn up at the County Ground next season and buy your scorecard. It reads Rogers, Borrington, Hinds, Redfern, Klusener, Smith, Pipe, Clare, Wagg, Cork, Langeveldt...
Settle back in your seats, it's going to be a good day!
Jason Brown has also been released and the off spinner has a good first class record. However, Staffordshire lad he may be, but over the last two years he has definitely lost his mojo and he has been a pale shadow of the player who was on the verge of England recognition a few years back. Maybe he has been flattered by the tracks at Northampton, which usually turned from day one. With not having to try to turn it too much he maybe has lost the art. I don't know, but while he is probably the most experienced spinner to come on the market this winter, I'm not sure if there's a need for him at Derby. I'd far sooner gamble on Lawson at Yorkshire and bring him on as a younger model. Brown is only an average fielder and a poor bat, so Lawson gets my vote.
Anyway, more food for thought. I'll be back tomorrow - please leave your comments if you wish, I look forward to hearing from you.
PS Got the England game a bit wrong last night... they were nearly as good as Derbyshire at our best!
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Networking...
I like it...
I thought that sort of stuff only permeated my workplace and I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad to see it more widespread.
So cricket coaches network too. Do they also indulge in "blue sky thinking" (another I hate)?
Anyway, John Morris is apparently chatting to his network of contacts about players but as I wrote a couple of weeks back, the notifications of approach to counties is pointless. Morris says that players simply use it as a bargaining tool which is absolutely correct. Only the poor players won't get anywhere and we wouldn't want them.
Interestingly Morris is keeping tabs on Mark Lawson of Yorkshire. He is a similar age and has similar experience to Jake Needham, but if nothing else, if we were to sign him it would keep both on their toes. There are hardly any decent spinners around and one who has time to improve is definitely worthy of consideration. Lawson has taken a couple of five wicket hauls and although expensive at times, leggies can also be dangerous in the right conditions. Most who have played the game would agree that the ball leaving you is harder to hit than the one coming in, and Lawson has a reputation as a big spinner of the ball.
Morris says in the Derby Telegraph today that he wants a spinner, a batsman and a seam bowler. He also said he had money in his budget BEFORE Clarke and Doshi left, so we shouldn't be short of bargaining power. It all depends on players being available and signing for the sake of it would be silly.
I find it hard to see where players may come from if we assume that he'd be happy with the two Kolpaks we have in Hinds and Langeveldt. I'd hope that Telo and Sadler might kick on next season and would hope for Tom Lungley to be fitter than he has been this time. If this were the case, we'd be looking at just small tweaks as Morris suggests.
I'd be surprised if Steve Stubbings was retained. I think he's a top bloke and, like Kevin Dean has been a great servant. He has had a wretched year though and has made little impact even in the seconds. I know he's had Benefit Year distractions, but he seems to me the most vulnerable if we were letting another batsman go. We would need to replace him though and should remember that Paul Borrington won't be available until June next year with University commitments.
I thought that we might let two from Hunter, Dean and White go, but Kevin Dean's retiral may mean a reprieve for both. Hunter has bowled well in recent weeks, while White has time on his side. Again, we can't afford to go light on seam bowling with Lungley's track record. Both Graham Wagg and Charl Langeveldt have played through injuries this season and it would be unrealistic to expect Jon Clare to get through a season unscathed next year (OK, apart from Wavell's spikes at Chesterfield).
I still say we should go for Cork. Personalities apart, I'll take talent any time and Dominic is still a dangerous bowler. I'm mystified as to why Lancashire have kept playing him, having said he would be released. Surely this was the time to give a youngster a chance? Whatever the reason, Cork has continued to bowl with accuracy and skill which will no doubt impress a lengthy list of potential suitors.
There were rumours that Steve Kirby may be on the move, but the Gloucestershire bowler, while a 100% trier, isn't in the Cork class.
For what its worth, and based solely on who I have heard is up for a move, I'd sign Dominic Cork, Ian Blackwell, Mark Lawson and Mark Hardinges. Another three all rounders and in Lawson a lad who can handle a bat and has potential. Hardinges is a Paul Aldred-type player. Never the headline act but those with decent memory will recall the year Aldo basically bowled one end for us as everyone else got injured. I rate Hardinges as a solid county player, especially in one day cricket.
Like one or two others, I also like Jim Allenby of Leicestershire, but think there's plenty of others would do too and I'd sooner spend money on a proven match-winner like Blackwell.
So there's some food for thought this evening. I'm now off to get dinner and then watch England lose (probably) to Croatia.
See you soon.
I thought that sort of stuff only permeated my workplace and I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad to see it more widespread.
So cricket coaches network too. Do they also indulge in "blue sky thinking" (another I hate)?
Anyway, John Morris is apparently chatting to his network of contacts about players but as I wrote a couple of weeks back, the notifications of approach to counties is pointless. Morris says that players simply use it as a bargaining tool which is absolutely correct. Only the poor players won't get anywhere and we wouldn't want them.
Interestingly Morris is keeping tabs on Mark Lawson of Yorkshire. He is a similar age and has similar experience to Jake Needham, but if nothing else, if we were to sign him it would keep both on their toes. There are hardly any decent spinners around and one who has time to improve is definitely worthy of consideration. Lawson has taken a couple of five wicket hauls and although expensive at times, leggies can also be dangerous in the right conditions. Most who have played the game would agree that the ball leaving you is harder to hit than the one coming in, and Lawson has a reputation as a big spinner of the ball.
Morris says in the Derby Telegraph today that he wants a spinner, a batsman and a seam bowler. He also said he had money in his budget BEFORE Clarke and Doshi left, so we shouldn't be short of bargaining power. It all depends on players being available and signing for the sake of it would be silly.
I find it hard to see where players may come from if we assume that he'd be happy with the two Kolpaks we have in Hinds and Langeveldt. I'd hope that Telo and Sadler might kick on next season and would hope for Tom Lungley to be fitter than he has been this time. If this were the case, we'd be looking at just small tweaks as Morris suggests.
I'd be surprised if Steve Stubbings was retained. I think he's a top bloke and, like Kevin Dean has been a great servant. He has had a wretched year though and has made little impact even in the seconds. I know he's had Benefit Year distractions, but he seems to me the most vulnerable if we were letting another batsman go. We would need to replace him though and should remember that Paul Borrington won't be available until June next year with University commitments.
I thought that we might let two from Hunter, Dean and White go, but Kevin Dean's retiral may mean a reprieve for both. Hunter has bowled well in recent weeks, while White has time on his side. Again, we can't afford to go light on seam bowling with Lungley's track record. Both Graham Wagg and Charl Langeveldt have played through injuries this season and it would be unrealistic to expect Jon Clare to get through a season unscathed next year (OK, apart from Wavell's spikes at Chesterfield).
I still say we should go for Cork. Personalities apart, I'll take talent any time and Dominic is still a dangerous bowler. I'm mystified as to why Lancashire have kept playing him, having said he would be released. Surely this was the time to give a youngster a chance? Whatever the reason, Cork has continued to bowl with accuracy and skill which will no doubt impress a lengthy list of potential suitors.
There were rumours that Steve Kirby may be on the move, but the Gloucestershire bowler, while a 100% trier, isn't in the Cork class.
For what its worth, and based solely on who I have heard is up for a move, I'd sign Dominic Cork, Ian Blackwell, Mark Lawson and Mark Hardinges. Another three all rounders and in Lawson a lad who can handle a bat and has potential. Hardinges is a Paul Aldred-type player. Never the headline act but those with decent memory will recall the year Aldo basically bowled one end for us as everyone else got injured. I rate Hardinges as a solid county player, especially in one day cricket.
Like one or two others, I also like Jim Allenby of Leicestershire, but think there's plenty of others would do too and I'd sooner spend money on a proven match-winner like Blackwell.
So there's some food for thought this evening. I'm now off to get dinner and then watch England lose (probably) to Croatia.
See you soon.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Kevin Dean goes
I never thought I would say this but I am glad that Kevin Dean has announced his retirement.
I thought his place was in jeopardy for next season and would have hated to see John Morris release a man who has been a great servant to the club. I am convinced that but for a run of injuries he could have gained England honours. At his peak there were few better seamers around, and he had a talent for moving the ball around and causing problems if there was a heavy atmosphere.
The last year or so has seen the nip disappear from his bowling and although he could still get men out, he no longer ran through sides. Over 400 wickets at a good average of 26 is testimony to his ability and he remained one of the most affable men in the club. At 32 he has had a good career and will be remembered as one of the best left arm seamers we have had.
Having recently become a father his priorities have no doubt changed and I wish him well for his future career. He will be remembered as a fine player and a top bloke.
His fielding was steady if not spectacular and his batting was functional, with Kevin having the ability to keep an end going, as he did on numerous occasions, especially as night watchman. Few among us will forget his winning runs against the Aussies a few years back or his winning smile, even in adversity.
I'll remember him for that smooth, lithe run up to the wicket and the good line he so often bowled. His ability to take quick wickets was highlighted by two hat tricks and even this year he ran through Bangladesh at Derby in the first innings.
It is good and right that fans will have a chance to say goodbye at this weekend's match against Warwickshire. Curiously, as I watched Ross Whiteley last night I wondered if he might be a new Kevin Dean. He has a long way to go to reach that standard, but if he does, he'll be a good 'un.
I thought his place was in jeopardy for next season and would have hated to see John Morris release a man who has been a great servant to the club. I am convinced that but for a run of injuries he could have gained England honours. At his peak there were few better seamers around, and he had a talent for moving the ball around and causing problems if there was a heavy atmosphere.
The last year or so has seen the nip disappear from his bowling and although he could still get men out, he no longer ran through sides. Over 400 wickets at a good average of 26 is testimony to his ability and he remained one of the most affable men in the club. At 32 he has had a good career and will be remembered as one of the best left arm seamers we have had.
Having recently become a father his priorities have no doubt changed and I wish him well for his future career. He will be remembered as a fine player and a top bloke.
His fielding was steady if not spectacular and his batting was functional, with Kevin having the ability to keep an end going, as he did on numerous occasions, especially as night watchman. Few among us will forget his winning runs against the Aussies a few years back or his winning smile, even in adversity.
I'll remember him for that smooth, lithe run up to the wicket and the good line he so often bowled. His ability to take quick wickets was highlighted by two hat tricks and even this year he ran through Bangladesh at Derby in the first innings.
It is good and right that fans will have a chance to say goodbye at this weekend's match against Warwickshire. Curiously, as I watched Ross Whiteley last night I wondered if he might be a new Kevin Dean. He has a long way to go to reach that standard, but if he does, he'll be a good 'un.
Next year's skipper
In a healthy sized vote, it would appear that a third of you like the idea of Chris Rogers as skipper next year.
There are two schools of thought. Either we recruit someone who has shown a flair for the role and will galvanise the side, or we adopt the Aussie model and choose the best player. Undoubtedly that would be Rogers and I can't see anyone in the county game just now who I'd rate higher than him.
I don't think Michael Vaughan will leave Yorkshire and now he has retained his central contract he'd not be much help to us anyway. Waggy's time will come but not just yet, so that leaves Buck in a strong position.
Today' announcement of the retiral of Kevin Dean perhaps makes the position of seam bowling for next year an easier choice. Wagg, Langeveldt, Clare and Lungley are pretty much certainties, with Smith as back up. Make your feelings known in this week's poll.
There are two schools of thought. Either we recruit someone who has shown a flair for the role and will galvanise the side, or we adopt the Aussie model and choose the best player. Undoubtedly that would be Rogers and I can't see anyone in the county game just now who I'd rate higher than him.
I don't think Michael Vaughan will leave Yorkshire and now he has retained his central contract he'd not be much help to us anyway. Waggy's time will come but not just yet, so that leaves Buck in a strong position.
Today' announcement of the retiral of Kevin Dean perhaps makes the position of seam bowling for next year an easier choice. Wagg, Langeveldt, Clare and Lungley are pretty much certainties, with Smith as back up. Make your feelings known in this week's poll.
Glamorgan v Derbyshire - final thoughts
I don't know about you all, but I didn't read a lot into last night's game. A lot less than the commentators did in fact.
I couldn't believe the stuff they were coming out with. These are supposedly informed people and they couldn't grasp that Derbyshire didn't have a full team out. There were numerous references to our having to rebuild with youngsters as we'd only a couple of senior players. There were no references to the absentees and the difference they'd have made.
I'm still not sure about Wayne White, despite a good spell last night. He bowls some very good balls and some rubbish and until he can bowl more of the former his place in the team and on the staff will be in doubt. I thought Ian Hunter bowled well, but Hunts is another who can be great one day and average the next. Ross Whiteley was overtaken by nerves in his brief spell and bowled too wide, but we really missed the seamers. Needham did OK, but Smith and Redfern looked occasional bowlers and Wavell, while a useful bowler, shouldn't have to bowl a full spell too often.
As for the batting, Chris Rogers was the only one who suggested permanence but was going TOO well and when he got out it looked a different game. Glamorgan's experienced attack was muchtoo clever for our batsmen and it was a foregone conclusion from a long way out though Whiteley and Sadler batted quite well at the end.
I'll be glad when the Warwickshire game is done. This has been a poor one day season, and the sooner it is consigned to the dump bin of history the better.
I couldn't believe the stuff they were coming out with. These are supposedly informed people and they couldn't grasp that Derbyshire didn't have a full team out. There were numerous references to our having to rebuild with youngsters as we'd only a couple of senior players. There were no references to the absentees and the difference they'd have made.
I'm still not sure about Wayne White, despite a good spell last night. He bowls some very good balls and some rubbish and until he can bowl more of the former his place in the team and on the staff will be in doubt. I thought Ian Hunter bowled well, but Hunts is another who can be great one day and average the next. Ross Whiteley was overtaken by nerves in his brief spell and bowled too wide, but we really missed the seamers. Needham did OK, but Smith and Redfern looked occasional bowlers and Wavell, while a useful bowler, shouldn't have to bowl a full spell too often.
As for the batting, Chris Rogers was the only one who suggested permanence but was going TOO well and when he got out it looked a different game. Glamorgan's experienced attack was muchtoo clever for our batsmen and it was a foregone conclusion from a long way out though Whiteley and Sadler batted quite well at the end.
I'll be glad when the Warwickshire game is done. This has been a poor one day season, and the sooner it is consigned to the dump bin of history the better.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Glamorgan v Derbyshire
Not a lot to say about this one really.
An inexperienced Derbyshire side had Glamorgan on the ropes then somehow allowed them to make over 200. Fair play to the Welsh boys, they played some good shots, but the wicket looked tricky early on and the ball appears to be a ticking bomb when it leaves the hand of Robert Croft.
On a horses for courses basis I'd play Crofty next year against the Aussies at the SWALEC and prepare an absolute bunsen burner to suit him and Panesar. Let's be honest, the Aussies haven't got any spinners now and Croft has made our spinners look exactly what they are - novices.
We'd too many players missing to read anything into this one, although Rogers batted well briefly. Wave never looked at home and Danny Redfern played acouple of good shots but never suggested permanence.
As I type this we're 82-6 needing 10 an over off the last 12 with Sadler and Whiteley at the crease.
It really isn't going to happen. Not on this track and with these bowlers and who we have left.
Never mind, Rikki will be back in town on Saturday. Be still my beating heart...
An inexperienced Derbyshire side had Glamorgan on the ropes then somehow allowed them to make over 200. Fair play to the Welsh boys, they played some good shots, but the wicket looked tricky early on and the ball appears to be a ticking bomb when it leaves the hand of Robert Croft.
On a horses for courses basis I'd play Crofty next year against the Aussies at the SWALEC and prepare an absolute bunsen burner to suit him and Panesar. Let's be honest, the Aussies haven't got any spinners now and Croft has made our spinners look exactly what they are - novices.
We'd too many players missing to read anything into this one, although Rogers batted well briefly. Wave never looked at home and Danny Redfern played acouple of good shots but never suggested permanence.
As I type this we're 82-6 needing 10 an over off the last 12 with Sadler and Whiteley at the crease.
It really isn't going to happen. Not on this track and with these bowlers and who we have left.
Never mind, Rikki will be back in town on Saturday. Be still my beating heart...
Experts?
Listening to Sky's experts today and they do come out with some utter cobblers.
"Batting Dan Redfern at 3 is a desperate act by John Morris" (Nick Knight)
Really? For the best Under 19 bat in the country?
"Why's Chris Rogers moving from Western Australia to Victoria? (Mike Atherton to Ian Harvey)
"He just wanted a change probably". Er... he wanted to play more one day cricket, actually.
"Some of these young players have been introduced by Dave Houghton and given a chance today" (Bob Willis)
Eh? Dave Houghton?
"Batting Dan Redfern at 3 is a desperate act by John Morris" (Nick Knight)
Really? For the best Under 19 bat in the country?
"Why's Chris Rogers moving from Western Australia to Victoria? (Mike Atherton to Ian Harvey)
"He just wanted a change probably". Er... he wanted to play more one day cricket, actually.
"Some of these young players have been introduced by Dave Houghton and given a chance today" (Bob Willis)
Eh? Dave Houghton?
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Glamorgan v Derbyshire Pro 40
Will Derbyshire reverse a poor Pro 40 season away to Glamorgan or will the one day season peter out? Not that it ever really petered in...
We have this game and then the home fixture against the Second Eleven - sorry, Warwickshire on Saturday and the one day year is over.
There are really only two things wrong with our game in one day cricket. We don't bat especially well and we bowl worse. There have been exceptions to that, but not many. Langeveldt has always been accurate, but the other bowlers have been accurate on occasion and horribly expensive on others. Sometimes they've been that way in the two spells of an innings. Frustrating.
As for the batting, I long to see a Derbyshire one day team totally dominate the opposition and win in a canter. The nearest this year was the Pro 40 at Northampton, when Birch and Hinds batted beautifully and in the 20/20 at Headingley when Hinds and Smith did the same. There is usually the loss of more than one quick wicket, that puts us from a position of ascendancy to the back foot in a couple of overs.
There is promise. Hinds will be even better next year, Birch has bucked the norm and done better in his second season than his first and Redfern looks composed, organised and busy at the crease. We should not forget that this is essentially a young and inexperienced side. With Smith fully fit and able to bowl seam again next year, Wagg fit (which he hasn't been for weeks), Clare a year older and a couple of good signings, we could be a better equipped side for one day cricket.
However, the sections in which we find ourselves in the one dayers are tough. Durham are a fine side, although I think we could and should beat the Roses pairing. I was amused (and astonished) to read a Lancashire fan on 606 saying that "we are big and can get who we want" for next season. Excuse me, hahahahahahahahahahahaha....
Another suggests they sign Ackerman or Bopara, Samit Patel and Rikki Clarke...
A third suggests they look at Zimbabweans for the side. Nurse, my medication!
Few seem happy with Luke Sutton as a keeper or batsman and the ex-Derbyshire captain/keeper hasn't hit the heights at Old Trafford. I quite liked him, but I wouldn't swap him for James Pipe.
Anyway, here's to tomorrow, dry weather and a win. We've not won a one day match in Wales since Gandhi was a lad. OK, it was 1990, but seems like longer. I'll not bother suggesting a team as at this stage of proceedings anyone may play. Graham Wagg may get a deserved break, Langers may also miss out, so your guess is as good as mine.
Meanwhile, relations between Justin Langer and Ian Blackwell seem to have broken down. I know that Blackwell isn't the most lithe or slimline of players and that Somerset have some good batsmen, but surely Blackwell would be in their best one day side?
I wonder...
We have this game and then the home fixture against the Second Eleven - sorry, Warwickshire on Saturday and the one day year is over.
There are really only two things wrong with our game in one day cricket. We don't bat especially well and we bowl worse. There have been exceptions to that, but not many. Langeveldt has always been accurate, but the other bowlers have been accurate on occasion and horribly expensive on others. Sometimes they've been that way in the two spells of an innings. Frustrating.
As for the batting, I long to see a Derbyshire one day team totally dominate the opposition and win in a canter. The nearest this year was the Pro 40 at Northampton, when Birch and Hinds batted beautifully and in the 20/20 at Headingley when Hinds and Smith did the same. There is usually the loss of more than one quick wicket, that puts us from a position of ascendancy to the back foot in a couple of overs.
There is promise. Hinds will be even better next year, Birch has bucked the norm and done better in his second season than his first and Redfern looks composed, organised and busy at the crease. We should not forget that this is essentially a young and inexperienced side. With Smith fully fit and able to bowl seam again next year, Wagg fit (which he hasn't been for weeks), Clare a year older and a couple of good signings, we could be a better equipped side for one day cricket.
However, the sections in which we find ourselves in the one dayers are tough. Durham are a fine side, although I think we could and should beat the Roses pairing. I was amused (and astonished) to read a Lancashire fan on 606 saying that "we are big and can get who we want" for next season. Excuse me, hahahahahahahahahahahaha....
Another suggests they sign Ackerman or Bopara, Samit Patel and Rikki Clarke...
A third suggests they look at Zimbabweans for the side. Nurse, my medication!
Few seem happy with Luke Sutton as a keeper or batsman and the ex-Derbyshire captain/keeper hasn't hit the heights at Old Trafford. I quite liked him, but I wouldn't swap him for James Pipe.
Anyway, here's to tomorrow, dry weather and a win. We've not won a one day match in Wales since Gandhi was a lad. OK, it was 1990, but seems like longer. I'll not bother suggesting a team as at this stage of proceedings anyone may play. Graham Wagg may get a deserved break, Langers may also miss out, so your guess is as good as mine.
Meanwhile, relations between Justin Langer and Ian Blackwell seem to have broken down. I know that Blackwell isn't the most lithe or slimline of players and that Somerset have some good batsmen, but surely Blackwell would be in their best one day side?
I wonder...
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Wave on - it's a crazy feeling!
Apologies to Buddy Holly - and how many got that little musical reference in the title - but I'm very pleased that the amiable Jamaican Wavell Hinds has signed for next year with an option for 2010.
He hasn't really fired as a batsman this year, although there have been enough in his cameos to suggest a man with a lot to offer next time. His batting in the 20/20, when we had no overseas player, was excellent and he's played good innings in all competitions without going onto a real biggie.
Of course, its hardly been a year for vintage Caribbean strokeplay and few batsman have taken bowling apart on wickets that have primarily been slow and with plenty of help for the bowlers.
That does, of course make Chris Rogers' prolific form all the more laudable but he has more experience of English wickets than Wavell. If next summer is drier and wickets a little faster, we could see a full flowering of Hinds batting and it should be well worth watching.
We now know that his bowling lends a lot to the side too. There must have been a few counties looking at what our Kolpaks have done this season and wishing that their OVERSEAS player could have matched it. Langeveldt has been a diamond and is already on board for a second year, while Hinds has a batting average in excess of his bowling one and must therefore be considered as an all rounder who has contributed well. Those dibbly dobbly seamers must look so inviting but they've lured a few to their downfall now.
Not being privy to dressing room secrets, I can only accept what John Morris says about his positive attitude there and the likes of Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern and Jon Clare, all feeling their way into the first class game, can only learn from playing and training alongside Hinds, Rogers and Langeveldt.
The next thing is to sign up Rogers for 2009. After concerns about his ability to go on to big scores earlier in the season, Rogers is now second highest scorer in the country and has also scored well in one day cricket, supposedly his weaker suit. Confirming him for next season would be another thing to assure fans we are on the right track and Rogers has lost little in comparison with Michael di Venuto, so rightly revered among the fans. He may or may not want the captaincy, but I think we could do a lot worse and he certainly seems to thrive on it.
Regular readers will know how I dislike 20/20 but it is here to stay and I hope we keep some of the budget for players next season to sign an overseas player for the competition. We suffered this year for the lack of an explosive short innings player and must address that for next year. A Loots Bosman, Shaun Marsh, James Hopes or Andrew Symonds would possibly be the difference between the knockout stages and nowhere. With a couple of other recruits, good ones, over the winter months we can look forward to 2009 with a good deal of relish.
He hasn't really fired as a batsman this year, although there have been enough in his cameos to suggest a man with a lot to offer next time. His batting in the 20/20, when we had no overseas player, was excellent and he's played good innings in all competitions without going onto a real biggie.
Of course, its hardly been a year for vintage Caribbean strokeplay and few batsman have taken bowling apart on wickets that have primarily been slow and with plenty of help for the bowlers.
That does, of course make Chris Rogers' prolific form all the more laudable but he has more experience of English wickets than Wavell. If next summer is drier and wickets a little faster, we could see a full flowering of Hinds batting and it should be well worth watching.
We now know that his bowling lends a lot to the side too. There must have been a few counties looking at what our Kolpaks have done this season and wishing that their OVERSEAS player could have matched it. Langeveldt has been a diamond and is already on board for a second year, while Hinds has a batting average in excess of his bowling one and must therefore be considered as an all rounder who has contributed well. Those dibbly dobbly seamers must look so inviting but they've lured a few to their downfall now.
Not being privy to dressing room secrets, I can only accept what John Morris says about his positive attitude there and the likes of Paul Borrington, Dan Redfern and Jon Clare, all feeling their way into the first class game, can only learn from playing and training alongside Hinds, Rogers and Langeveldt.
The next thing is to sign up Rogers for 2009. After concerns about his ability to go on to big scores earlier in the season, Rogers is now second highest scorer in the country and has also scored well in one day cricket, supposedly his weaker suit. Confirming him for next season would be another thing to assure fans we are on the right track and Rogers has lost little in comparison with Michael di Venuto, so rightly revered among the fans. He may or may not want the captaincy, but I think we could do a lot worse and he certainly seems to thrive on it.
Regular readers will know how I dislike 20/20 but it is here to stay and I hope we keep some of the budget for players next season to sign an overseas player for the competition. We suffered this year for the lack of an explosive short innings player and must address that for next year. A Loots Bosman, Shaun Marsh, James Hopes or Andrew Symonds would possibly be the difference between the knockout stages and nowhere. With a couple of other recruits, good ones, over the winter months we can look forward to 2009 with a good deal of relish.
Friday, 5 September 2008
Close season fun and frolics
I've spent a little time message board surfing tonight and there's a few interesting names who are potentially available this close season.
One is Mark Hardinges of Gloucestershire, who has been a solid county pro for a few years now as a medium pace bowler and a batsman good enough to have scored a few centuries. He's no world-beater but I would have thought that he could do a job for someone, especially in the one-day game.
Another that really interested me was that Ian Blackwell is apparently unsettled at Somerset. Now I've always rated Blackwell since I saw him by chance in a second team game at Queens Park. He scored a brilliant century batting at number nine and looked a fine talent. He was much slimmer then and looked to have the world at his feet. He has remained a batsman of destructive brilliance on his day, but the widening girth has prevented him from the highest honours. He is a steady, rather than dangerous slow left armer, while his fielding is adequate, rather than spectacular.
Importantly he is a Derbyshire lad and I would have thought that a few of you might share my interest in him returning to the county of his birth. In this era of covered wickets, spinners rarely get conditions in which they can go through sides and so need a second string to their bow. Robert Croft has been a fine example of this over the years, taking wickets but also contributing with valuable runs. Blackwell would be a batsman who could easily hold a place in the middle order and offer a useful change of pace, if not running through sides.
I'm also interested in Andrew Flintoff now saying that Lancashire should have kept Dominic Cork. It all adds to my previously expressed feeling that he is changed since his days here. While he is linked to Durham and Nottinghamshire, a move back to us may appeal.
Be honest, concerns about Cork's personality aside, surely a middle order of Hinds, Smith, Redfern, Clare, Wagg. Blackwell and Cork (not in batting order) would be an asset? Seven all-rounders!
Add Pipe. Langeveldt, Borrington and Birch and our side for next season looks fairly impressive.
Of course, its all conjecture at this stage, but if you're looking for something to warm the cockles of your heart in those early Autumn/Winter nights ahead, maybe that is it.
Note to Bob Willis/Mike Atherton - Six of those players have, at different stages, come through our youth ranks. Good huh?
One is Mark Hardinges of Gloucestershire, who has been a solid county pro for a few years now as a medium pace bowler and a batsman good enough to have scored a few centuries. He's no world-beater but I would have thought that he could do a job for someone, especially in the one-day game.
Another that really interested me was that Ian Blackwell is apparently unsettled at Somerset. Now I've always rated Blackwell since I saw him by chance in a second team game at Queens Park. He scored a brilliant century batting at number nine and looked a fine talent. He was much slimmer then and looked to have the world at his feet. He has remained a batsman of destructive brilliance on his day, but the widening girth has prevented him from the highest honours. He is a steady, rather than dangerous slow left armer, while his fielding is adequate, rather than spectacular.
Importantly he is a Derbyshire lad and I would have thought that a few of you might share my interest in him returning to the county of his birth. In this era of covered wickets, spinners rarely get conditions in which they can go through sides and so need a second string to their bow. Robert Croft has been a fine example of this over the years, taking wickets but also contributing with valuable runs. Blackwell would be a batsman who could easily hold a place in the middle order and offer a useful change of pace, if not running through sides.
I'm also interested in Andrew Flintoff now saying that Lancashire should have kept Dominic Cork. It all adds to my previously expressed feeling that he is changed since his days here. While he is linked to Durham and Nottinghamshire, a move back to us may appeal.
Be honest, concerns about Cork's personality aside, surely a middle order of Hinds, Smith, Redfern, Clare, Wagg. Blackwell and Cork (not in batting order) would be an asset? Seven all-rounders!
Add Pipe. Langeveldt, Borrington and Birch and our side for next season looks fairly impressive.
Of course, its all conjecture at this stage, but if you're looking for something to warm the cockles of your heart in those early Autumn/Winter nights ahead, maybe that is it.
Note to Bob Willis/Mike Atherton - Six of those players have, at different stages, come through our youth ranks. Good huh?
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 4
Not much to say about this. More rain, game over. What horrible weather we've had this year. Mind you, however bad its been down there, you should see what we've been getting. I never played a game from the start of August with eight successive matches rained off.
As for Derbyshire, its time to regroup and head off to the next game, a meaningless Pro 40 against Glamorgan in Wales. These things seem utterly silly to me, when two teams play at one ground then head off to the away side's patch for a game in another competition.
So we now have two games to go and are 20 points behind Warwickshire in second place and eleven behnd Northants. We now need to win both our remaining fixtures and realistically pick up maximum bonus points to gain promotion. It could all be rendered meaningless with much more of this rain, of course.
I can't think the Derbyshire side will change much from what took the field here, barring injuries. Langeveldt will almost certainly come in for Hunter but there's no one else unless Needham forces his way in to replace a seamer. The chances are that Smith, Wagg and Redfern will do what spin is required while we pray for seamers wickets.
One assumes that James Pipe wil be back to replace the admirable Tom New. The youngster batted well but dropped a couple of chances that Pipe would probably have taken in his spell here, although that should not detract from a laudable spell with us.
The remaining games offer opportunities for several players to reach landmarks. Chris Rogers is 75 runs behind Stephen Moore as the second highest scorer in the country (he's had three innings less) while Graham Wagg needs three wickets and 74 runs to complete the mini double of 500 runs and 50 wickets, which would be an excellent achievement. Dan Birch, Jon Clare and Greg Smith are all battling to be our second highest scorer and there will be a few who are keeping fingers crossed when the retained list is announced.
I think it will now take something extraordinary for Derbyshire to gain promotion, though third place would still underline what has essentially been a season of progress, certainly in the case of individual players and as a Championship team. We still cannot play one day cricket and run chases essentially falter as soon as Rogers and Hinds are dismissed, but I'm hopeful that this part of our game could improve with the addition of a couple of good players over the winter.
Let's not forget, for a lot of the summer we were only playing ten men.... if you know what I mean.
As for Derbyshire, its time to regroup and head off to the next game, a meaningless Pro 40 against Glamorgan in Wales. These things seem utterly silly to me, when two teams play at one ground then head off to the away side's patch for a game in another competition.
So we now have two games to go and are 20 points behind Warwickshire in second place and eleven behnd Northants. We now need to win both our remaining fixtures and realistically pick up maximum bonus points to gain promotion. It could all be rendered meaningless with much more of this rain, of course.
I can't think the Derbyshire side will change much from what took the field here, barring injuries. Langeveldt will almost certainly come in for Hunter but there's no one else unless Needham forces his way in to replace a seamer. The chances are that Smith, Wagg and Redfern will do what spin is required while we pray for seamers wickets.
One assumes that James Pipe wil be back to replace the admirable Tom New. The youngster batted well but dropped a couple of chances that Pipe would probably have taken in his spell here, although that should not detract from a laudable spell with us.
The remaining games offer opportunities for several players to reach landmarks. Chris Rogers is 75 runs behind Stephen Moore as the second highest scorer in the country (he's had three innings less) while Graham Wagg needs three wickets and 74 runs to complete the mini double of 500 runs and 50 wickets, which would be an excellent achievement. Dan Birch, Jon Clare and Greg Smith are all battling to be our second highest scorer and there will be a few who are keeping fingers crossed when the retained list is announced.
I think it will now take something extraordinary for Derbyshire to gain promotion, though third place would still underline what has essentially been a season of progress, certainly in the case of individual players and as a Championship team. We still cannot play one day cricket and run chases essentially falter as soon as Rogers and Hinds are dismissed, but I'm hopeful that this part of our game could improve with the addition of a couple of good players over the winter.
Let's not forget, for a lot of the summer we were only playing ten men.... if you know what I mean.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 3
Or is it day 2, or maybe day 4?
This game has been seriously overshadowed by the off-field activities and the players have done well to keep their eye sufficiently on the ball to stay in the game. If the weather is kinder tomorrow I'd like to think we would declare overnight, they'd thrash a quick 130 and leave us 250 against the clock. They could use the win as much as us and it may be a good finish, but it has been an odd game.
Wavell again batted well without making that elusive "big" score, while young Master Redfern continues to look a wonderful young talent. While I have no doubt that harder times will affect him in the future - they always do, especially when experienced bowlers find weaker areas - I think Daniel will be an England regular in years to come. He is the one out of the current Under 19s who has taken to the first class game immediately and I look forward to his being a regular in the side next summer.
Who else may join him? Its all up in the air just now, but I can't see many southern based players being in there. Southern players rarely want to head "oop north" and the different tracks and way of life are rarely to their liking.
I've racked my brains today to think of southern players who have played for us with distinction. I pretty much ran out of names after Colin Wells, who was a fair player but not the force he was at Sussex. James Graham-Brown came from Kent but not for nothing did they call him Straight up and down...
So I would be surprised if the likes of Ed Joyce and Ed Smith, rumoured to be falling out with Middlesex, were to head up the M1. They are both good players, Joyce especially, but are likely to stay in or around the M25. Anyone we sign will be from the Midlands up, especially apres Rikki.
For me, the nucleus of next year's side would be:
Rogers
Borrington
Birch
Hinds
Smith
Redfern
Pipe
Clare
Wagg
Cork
Langeveldt
Given that there won't be a better bowler on the market this winter, I'd go for Cork. Say what you like about him, he always tries his best and I think has matured a lot since he was last at Derby. Take a look at that batting - with Cork, a man who has scored centuries, at ten.
In reserve you have Lungley and Needham, Sadler and Telo. Tom New may be worth a punt as reserve keeper and very able batsman, Kevin Dean may get another year.
I think we need another top batsman from somewhere. I know no more than the rest of you who may be available, but assuming that the existing Kolpaks are allowed to stay, I'd spend the Clarke money on HD Ackerman, assuming he is available. Paul Borrington will not be available until he finishes his University studies for the year so another batsman is a must.
A spinner would be useful, but in the absence of any decent options, I'd set the stall out to give Jake Needham opportunities and back him up with Greg Smith, Dan Redfern and Graham Wagg.
You may not agree (especially with Corky) but I think such signings would see further improvement in 2009. As always, I appreciate your comments!
This game has been seriously overshadowed by the off-field activities and the players have done well to keep their eye sufficiently on the ball to stay in the game. If the weather is kinder tomorrow I'd like to think we would declare overnight, they'd thrash a quick 130 and leave us 250 against the clock. They could use the win as much as us and it may be a good finish, but it has been an odd game.
Wavell again batted well without making that elusive "big" score, while young Master Redfern continues to look a wonderful young talent. While I have no doubt that harder times will affect him in the future - they always do, especially when experienced bowlers find weaker areas - I think Daniel will be an England regular in years to come. He is the one out of the current Under 19s who has taken to the first class game immediately and I look forward to his being a regular in the side next summer.
Who else may join him? Its all up in the air just now, but I can't see many southern based players being in there. Southern players rarely want to head "oop north" and the different tracks and way of life are rarely to their liking.
I've racked my brains today to think of southern players who have played for us with distinction. I pretty much ran out of names after Colin Wells, who was a fair player but not the force he was at Sussex. James Graham-Brown came from Kent but not for nothing did they call him Straight up and down...
So I would be surprised if the likes of Ed Joyce and Ed Smith, rumoured to be falling out with Middlesex, were to head up the M1. They are both good players, Joyce especially, but are likely to stay in or around the M25. Anyone we sign will be from the Midlands up, especially apres Rikki.
For me, the nucleus of next year's side would be:
Rogers
Borrington
Birch
Hinds
Smith
Redfern
Pipe
Clare
Wagg
Cork
Langeveldt
Given that there won't be a better bowler on the market this winter, I'd go for Cork. Say what you like about him, he always tries his best and I think has matured a lot since he was last at Derby. Take a look at that batting - with Cork, a man who has scored centuries, at ten.
In reserve you have Lungley and Needham, Sadler and Telo. Tom New may be worth a punt as reserve keeper and very able batsman, Kevin Dean may get another year.
I think we need another top batsman from somewhere. I know no more than the rest of you who may be available, but assuming that the existing Kolpaks are allowed to stay, I'd spend the Clarke money on HD Ackerman, assuming he is available. Paul Borrington will not be available until he finishes his University studies for the year so another batsman is a must.
A spinner would be useful, but in the absence of any decent options, I'd set the stall out to give Jake Needham opportunities and back him up with Greg Smith, Dan Redfern and Graham Wagg.
You may not agree (especially with Corky) but I think such signings would see further improvement in 2009. As always, I appreciate your comments!
Now Doshi follows...
Nayan Doshi has also now been released from the remainder of his contract.
The genial slow left armer has presumably been unimpressed by the departure of his good friend Rikki Clarke and decided that there is greener grass to be had on the other side of the fence. Who knows, destination Edgbaston anyone?
I'm unsure about this one. No one could say that he had been a roaring success this season, although there was his hat trick in the 20/20. He generally bowled with good control but rarely looked like running through sides. Indeed, most of his wickets came when the opposition were "having a go" and eight wickets at 80 runs each in the Championship wasn't the most persuasive argument for retention. He was a nice bloke though and I enjoyed conversations with him this season when he said that he was "loving it" here. Hmmm...
Only in the 20/20 did he perform close to the extended standard but I look around the circuit and wonder who we might sign to replace him. There are precious few slow left armers of any quality around and spinners as a whole are in short supply. The best in the country are Panesar, Croft, Keedy, Udal, Swann, Batty and Rashid and I'm stretching the word "quality" there.
Given that we have Greg Smith and Dan Redfern who can bowl reasonable off spin, plus Jake Needham who has improved this season and has looked penetrative at times, maybe we stick with what we have. Now Graham Wagg is bowling some spin (and took three wickets in the current game with it) perhaps we don't need to look elsewhere. I don't see Danny Vettori becoming a naturalised Englishman and living in derby sometime soon, so maybe we look to pump up that seam attack this winter.
The only possibility would be released Yorkshire leggie Mark Lawson, who has looked a talent on occasion but has been overshadowed by the better all round ability of Adil Rashid. He is at a similar stage of development to Jake Needham, however, so would be far from the finished article.
Life is never dull round these parts, is it?
The genial slow left armer has presumably been unimpressed by the departure of his good friend Rikki Clarke and decided that there is greener grass to be had on the other side of the fence. Who knows, destination Edgbaston anyone?
I'm unsure about this one. No one could say that he had been a roaring success this season, although there was his hat trick in the 20/20. He generally bowled with good control but rarely looked like running through sides. Indeed, most of his wickets came when the opposition were "having a go" and eight wickets at 80 runs each in the Championship wasn't the most persuasive argument for retention. He was a nice bloke though and I enjoyed conversations with him this season when he said that he was "loving it" here. Hmmm...
Only in the 20/20 did he perform close to the extended standard but I look around the circuit and wonder who we might sign to replace him. There are precious few slow left armers of any quality around and spinners as a whole are in short supply. The best in the country are Panesar, Croft, Keedy, Udal, Swann, Batty and Rashid and I'm stretching the word "quality" there.
Given that we have Greg Smith and Dan Redfern who can bowl reasonable off spin, plus Jake Needham who has improved this season and has looked penetrative at times, maybe we stick with what we have. Now Graham Wagg is bowling some spin (and took three wickets in the current game with it) perhaps we don't need to look elsewhere. I don't see Danny Vettori becoming a naturalised Englishman and living in derby sometime soon, so maybe we look to pump up that seam attack this winter.
The only possibility would be released Yorkshire leggie Mark Lawson, who has looked a talent on occasion but has been overshadowed by the better all round ability of Adil Rashid. He is at a similar stage of development to Jake Needham, however, so would be far from the finished article.
Life is never dull round these parts, is it?
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day two
If we are to win this game we'll require a second innings run chase.
Hopefully the Welsh boyos are more amenable to setting a target than the Bears were last week. With Robert Croft leading them to near the 350 mark and then rain eating into the day, there is little that Derbyshire can do than beat the follow on tomorrow and then perhaps declare at 250, maybe 300.
There is every likelihood that there will be more interruptions over the next two days, which will put more pressure on beating Gloucestershire and Leicestershire. Both are results we could achieve, especially now the former have lost Marcus North to Australian training, but we need luck with the weather and don't look like even having three days in which to do it here.
A few words about a couple of players. First Dan Birch, who seems much more composed at the crease these days and who I hope is offered another deal as he is gradually coming to terms with County cricket. Second for Graham "Sobers" Wagg. As a dangerous batsman, clever left arm seamer and brilliant fielder he is a huge asset to the side. Now that he has added slow left arm to his talents he is pretty much indispensable.
Just need to perfect those Chinamen over the winter Waggy!
Hopefully the Welsh boyos are more amenable to setting a target than the Bears were last week. With Robert Croft leading them to near the 350 mark and then rain eating into the day, there is little that Derbyshire can do than beat the follow on tomorrow and then perhaps declare at 250, maybe 300.
There is every likelihood that there will be more interruptions over the next two days, which will put more pressure on beating Gloucestershire and Leicestershire. Both are results we could achieve, especially now the former have lost Marcus North to Australian training, but we need luck with the weather and don't look like even having three days in which to do it here.
A few words about a couple of players. First Dan Birch, who seems much more composed at the crease these days and who I hope is offered another deal as he is gradually coming to terms with County cricket. Second for Graham "Sobers" Wagg. As a dangerous batsman, clever left arm seamer and brilliant fielder he is a huge asset to the side. Now that he has added slow left arm to his talents he is pretty much indispensable.
Just need to perfect those Chinamen over the winter Waggy!
Clarke: the aftermath
Sometime tonight, maybe tomorrow this blog will achieve its 12,000th hit of the season.
Amazing, and about eleven and a half thousand more than Rikki Clarke managed this year...
I'm sorry, I'm feeling unusually caustic this evening and the reason is our erstwhile skipper's parting comment that this had been "a year wasted".
Really? You should try it from our side Rikki. If you'd batted like Boycott, bowled like Langeveldt and still caught everything while captaining the side with the mental alacrity of a Brearley and we'd still been hammered every week I could understand that comment. Put another way, it was quite frankly a waste of money, thats what this year was.
A waste of money by the club, who paid a lot to secure your services and deserved better. A waste of money by the members who have witnessed a man who patently couldn't care less since July and for those who have followed the team around the country and deserved a little more respect over the past few months. All of them are worthy of much more than "it was a year wasted".
I don't deny that in any falling out there are usually faults on both sides. The usual solution is that people sit down and thrash them out, they don't run away into the sunset with their pockets full of swag. As I said last night, Clarke was never going to have fans on his side, as Botham did at Somerset, as Boycott did at Yorkshire as Cork and Barnett did here. The majority of fans are still very much on John Morris' side and can see the progress made on and off the field, even if at times it is not translated to results. Both he and Don Amott have maintained a level of dignity thus far that Clarke could only aspire to, saying only that they won't keep a player who doesn't want to be here.
Which is absolutely right. The bottom line is that if Clarke did as badly next year and results are no better, then people will start to question the coach. I firmly believe that with Morris, Hendrick and Krikken we have a dream team, with Messrs Amott and Sears doing excellent work off the field.
If Rikki Clarke had performed remotely up to his supposed standard we would have done much better this season. For 90% of the time we carried him and I am afraid that with his crass and disrespectful parting comments he has alienated the few people left who felt any degree of sympathy for him.
It is amusing to see he still harbours England ambitions. For what its worth Rikki, so do I, but there'd have to be about 750,000 cricketers in this country unavailable before I get the call. As I posted on the Derby Telegraph site this afternoon, Clarke wasn't in the top three all rounders at Derbyshire. Graham Wagg, Greg Smith and Jon Clare are all much better players and all are model professionals.
I am really, bitterly disappointed by the comments made. In years ahead, I hope he comes to regret them and if his time at Warwickshire doesn't work out, maybe he needs to face the fact that he isn't anywhere near the player that he thinks he is.
Amazing, and about eleven and a half thousand more than Rikki Clarke managed this year...
I'm sorry, I'm feeling unusually caustic this evening and the reason is our erstwhile skipper's parting comment that this had been "a year wasted".
Really? You should try it from our side Rikki. If you'd batted like Boycott, bowled like Langeveldt and still caught everything while captaining the side with the mental alacrity of a Brearley and we'd still been hammered every week I could understand that comment. Put another way, it was quite frankly a waste of money, thats what this year was.
A waste of money by the club, who paid a lot to secure your services and deserved better. A waste of money by the members who have witnessed a man who patently couldn't care less since July and for those who have followed the team around the country and deserved a little more respect over the past few months. All of them are worthy of much more than "it was a year wasted".
I don't deny that in any falling out there are usually faults on both sides. The usual solution is that people sit down and thrash them out, they don't run away into the sunset with their pockets full of swag. As I said last night, Clarke was never going to have fans on his side, as Botham did at Somerset, as Boycott did at Yorkshire as Cork and Barnett did here. The majority of fans are still very much on John Morris' side and can see the progress made on and off the field, even if at times it is not translated to results. Both he and Don Amott have maintained a level of dignity thus far that Clarke could only aspire to, saying only that they won't keep a player who doesn't want to be here.
Which is absolutely right. The bottom line is that if Clarke did as badly next year and results are no better, then people will start to question the coach. I firmly believe that with Morris, Hendrick and Krikken we have a dream team, with Messrs Amott and Sears doing excellent work off the field.
If Rikki Clarke had performed remotely up to his supposed standard we would have done much better this season. For 90% of the time we carried him and I am afraid that with his crass and disrespectful parting comments he has alienated the few people left who felt any degree of sympathy for him.
It is amusing to see he still harbours England ambitions. For what its worth Rikki, so do I, but there'd have to be about 750,000 cricketers in this country unavailable before I get the call. As I posted on the Derby Telegraph site this afternoon, Clarke wasn't in the top three all rounders at Derbyshire. Graham Wagg, Greg Smith and Jon Clare are all much better players and all are model professionals.
I am really, bitterly disappointed by the comments made. In years ahead, I hope he comes to regret them and if his time at Warwickshire doesn't work out, maybe he needs to face the fact that he isn't anywhere near the player that he thinks he is.
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Wavell verdict
By a 2/3 majority, the Derbyshire fans have voted that Wavell Hinds deserves another year - always assuming the powers that be don't change the rules on Kolpaks of course.
Wavell hasn't pulled up any trees with his batting this season, but with an average of just under 30, coupled with handy wickets at 25 he has justifiable claim to be considered an all rounder. To be brutally honest, a recently departed captain would have loved those figures...
Whether one should expect more from an overseas player is a moot point, but there's worse players than Wavell out there, and unless his salary would be the difference between getting and not getting a top player, my inclination would be to keep him. I actually feel we may see more of his batting another year now that he has acclimatised. Having ceased playing for Jamaica, a rest then some slog and run in India will set him up nicely for another year and I'd be happy to see him back.
Why not vote in this week's poll? Who should be the Derbyshire skipper next season? Some interesting choices for you!
Wavell hasn't pulled up any trees with his batting this season, but with an average of just under 30, coupled with handy wickets at 25 he has justifiable claim to be considered an all rounder. To be brutally honest, a recently departed captain would have loved those figures...
Whether one should expect more from an overseas player is a moot point, but there's worse players than Wavell out there, and unless his salary would be the difference between getting and not getting a top player, my inclination would be to keep him. I actually feel we may see more of his batting another year now that he has acclimatised. Having ceased playing for Jamaica, a rest then some slog and run in India will set him up nicely for another year and I'd be happy to see him back.
Why not vote in this week's poll? Who should be the Derbyshire skipper next season? Some interesting choices for you!
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 1
Gareth Rees must dream of playing us.
In six innings against us the youngster has three centuries and two fifties. If we could hypnotise the lad and tell him that they were Derbyshire, he'd be a cert for the Ashes side next summer and would put the Aussies to the sword!
He had his luck today but everyone needs that and I'd reckon at 257-8 the game is fairly even. If we can roll them over for 275 tomorrow then make 400-450 we will be in the box seat, but the captain needs more support than he got at Edgbaston. With Robert Croft still there they'll entertain hopes of getting above 300 and we've missed Charl Langeveldt in this game. I suspect the South African may have fancied that track and we would have been batting by now. That should not detract from an outstanding spell by Jon Clare, after a quiet couple of games. 4-16 in 13 overs is impressive in anyone's language and he was well supported by Graham Wagg, while Wavell popped up with another late wicket.
Wave reminds me of Basil d'Oliveira as a bowler. Not too fast, not too dangerous looking, but very good at breaking a partnership and keeping things steady. If he could only capture his best batting form we would be pretty chuffed, but that has so far eluded him. Maybe tomorrow.
Actually, the groundstaff will do well to get prepared for a prompt start after the late storm, but we can ill afford any delays in this game. What looks like a long and useful batting line up REALLY needs to produce the goods to build on what has been a useful day.
In six innings against us the youngster has three centuries and two fifties. If we could hypnotise the lad and tell him that they were Derbyshire, he'd be a cert for the Ashes side next summer and would put the Aussies to the sword!
He had his luck today but everyone needs that and I'd reckon at 257-8 the game is fairly even. If we can roll them over for 275 tomorrow then make 400-450 we will be in the box seat, but the captain needs more support than he got at Edgbaston. With Robert Croft still there they'll entertain hopes of getting above 300 and we've missed Charl Langeveldt in this game. I suspect the South African may have fancied that track and we would have been batting by now. That should not detract from an outstanding spell by Jon Clare, after a quiet couple of games. 4-16 in 13 overs is impressive in anyone's language and he was well supported by Graham Wagg, while Wavell popped up with another late wicket.
Wave reminds me of Basil d'Oliveira as a bowler. Not too fast, not too dangerous looking, but very good at breaking a partnership and keeping things steady. If he could only capture his best batting form we would be pretty chuffed, but that has so far eluded him. Maybe tomorrow.
Actually, the groundstaff will do well to get prepared for a prompt start after the late storm, but we can ill afford any delays in this game. What looks like a long and useful batting line up REALLY needs to produce the goods to build on what has been a useful day.
Rikki leaves
While not the biggest surprise in the world, Rikki Clarke's departure with only a year of his contract gone is quite sad.
He arrived in a blaze of publicity amid promises to turn Derbyshire into a major county and to resurrect his England ambitions as captain. There was a promising pre-season tour and one or two early season innings, but the "England cricketer" within was very well hidden for the most part. Derbyshire fans would have found it easy to accept his failures if he had appeared to try harder, but the nature of his game is that he plays in a languid style that makes the game look easy. This is fine when he's in form, but when he's not, like this season, it makes him a fairly easy target.
There were signs of a useful captain in there but also some strange decisions in the field which one assumes were his. Team selections I could rarely argue with but whether they were his decision or the coach's is debatable. His bowling was what it has always been, variable and annoying. He is capable of bowling an absolute belter that can defeat the best batsman, then follow it with two long hops and a full pitch and he rarely bowled an economical spell, especially as the season progressed.
One assumes that there were "issues" with John Morris and if so that is nothing new for Derbyshire. Where Kim Barnett and Dominic Cork were on a strong footing in such squabbles because of their performances, Clarke was in no position of strength. Geoff Boycott famously polarised Yorkshire fans, but kept a lot on his side with the sheer force of both his personality and his average. Cork and Barnett did likewise, but when you reach September with a batting average of 21 and a bowling one of 38....
Like most fans I wish him well in his move to Little Derbyshire.... sorry, Warwickshire, where he has signed a three-year deal. He now joins Ant Botha and Boyd Rankin at Edgbaston but will have to improve on his last two years if he is to make any impact. He may end up as a talent unfulfilled but if he can't bat on the wickets at Edgbaston he should and probably will call it a day.
So what does it mean for Derbyshire, which is, after all, what I and many of you care about. It means we have a lot more money in the player budget for next year as Clarke was on a large salary and enables us to compete in the market for names rumoured to be available. To Michael Vaughan, supposedly considering a break from Yorkshire, can be added the names of Ed Joyce and Ed Smith, both considering their future at Middlesex. They'll both be targets for Warwickshire of course...
Perhaps John Morris will use the captaincy as a carrot to entice a "big name", hopefully with greater success than last year. I'm not blaming the coach for this as he must have expected a return from Clarke, like we all did. He may equally decide to give the job to Chris Rogers, who has emerged from an OK start to a very fine season.
Whatever else, it should make the winter months exciting and we'll be keeping our eyes on the County Ground. Hopefully, you'll keep yours on this blog, where any news will be aired as soon as possible.
He arrived in a blaze of publicity amid promises to turn Derbyshire into a major county and to resurrect his England ambitions as captain. There was a promising pre-season tour and one or two early season innings, but the "England cricketer" within was very well hidden for the most part. Derbyshire fans would have found it easy to accept his failures if he had appeared to try harder, but the nature of his game is that he plays in a languid style that makes the game look easy. This is fine when he's in form, but when he's not, like this season, it makes him a fairly easy target.
There were signs of a useful captain in there but also some strange decisions in the field which one assumes were his. Team selections I could rarely argue with but whether they were his decision or the coach's is debatable. His bowling was what it has always been, variable and annoying. He is capable of bowling an absolute belter that can defeat the best batsman, then follow it with two long hops and a full pitch and he rarely bowled an economical spell, especially as the season progressed.
One assumes that there were "issues" with John Morris and if so that is nothing new for Derbyshire. Where Kim Barnett and Dominic Cork were on a strong footing in such squabbles because of their performances, Clarke was in no position of strength. Geoff Boycott famously polarised Yorkshire fans, but kept a lot on his side with the sheer force of both his personality and his average. Cork and Barnett did likewise, but when you reach September with a batting average of 21 and a bowling one of 38....
Like most fans I wish him well in his move to Little Derbyshire.... sorry, Warwickshire, where he has signed a three-year deal. He now joins Ant Botha and Boyd Rankin at Edgbaston but will have to improve on his last two years if he is to make any impact. He may end up as a talent unfulfilled but if he can't bat on the wickets at Edgbaston he should and probably will call it a day.
So what does it mean for Derbyshire, which is, after all, what I and many of you care about. It means we have a lot more money in the player budget for next year as Clarke was on a large salary and enables us to compete in the market for names rumoured to be available. To Michael Vaughan, supposedly considering a break from Yorkshire, can be added the names of Ed Joyce and Ed Smith, both considering their future at Middlesex. They'll both be targets for Warwickshire of course...
Perhaps John Morris will use the captaincy as a carrot to entice a "big name", hopefully with greater success than last year. I'm not blaming the coach for this as he must have expected a return from Clarke, like we all did. He may equally decide to give the job to Chris Rogers, who has emerged from an OK start to a very fine season.
Whatever else, it should make the winter months exciting and we'll be keeping our eyes on the County Ground. Hopefully, you'll keep yours on this blog, where any news will be aired as soon as possible.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Derbyshire v Glamorgan preview
John Morris says that his team are going for the win in an all or nothing attempt against Glamorgan, starting tomorrow at the County Ground.
I hope so, because they have done well to enter September still in the frame. They will need to keep a wary eye on the weather but one would hope that if we got four days a home win would follow. Realistically, the side may need to approach this as a 3-day fixture and push for the win points.
There's little news of the Derbyshire side. All we know is - nothing really. It would appear from the BBC site that Dan Birch has not yet recovered from injury so that may earn a reprieve for Rikki Clarke. Whether he deserves it is questionable as his batting form has been shocking and he's done little bowling of late.
The brave decision - almost too brave - would be to replace Clarke with the fit again Tom Lungley, who bowls so well at Derby. I was about to type that this would weaken the batting, but on recent form I'm not so sure. It would certainly improve the bowling resources and would be a bold signal of intent. While the same site says that both Tom New and James Pipe are in the Derbyshire squad, I have a feeling that Pipe will be back in the side. We should be grateful for the thoroughly professional job that Tom New did in Pipe's absence, and the lad let no one down.
My best guess at tomorrow's team would be:
Chris Rogers (captain)
Paul Borrington
Dan Redfern
Wavell Hinds
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Jon Clare
Graham Wagg
Tom Lungley
Charl Langeveldt
Nayan Doshi
Four good seamers and Wavell's wobblers to back them up, with spin from Doshi, Smith and Redfern. I think that Pipe is a place too high at six in that side, but there are precious few options for Morris. John Sadler might make a few, but Dom Telo has struggled in both XIs this season and isn't really an option.
As for the morning news about Clarke, I'm not sure what I think. Last winter I was really pleased when the news of his signing broke and I looked forward to the season and how he would do. In 40 years of watching the county, the only player who came close to the disappointment afforded by Clarke was Lawrence Rowe. The West Indian never made a century for us, but he played some beautiful cameos and at least finished the season with an average of 38. Rikki would give a lot for that right now and has patently not delivered. Added to the fact that he is probably the highest earner on the staff (with the possible exception of Chris Rogers) then we are entitled to feel short changed.
A fit, in form and fully motivated Clarke would have been a huge asset to this side. I know he has had house moves and babies to contend with, but there should have been some signs of form in his play and there have been precious few. I am sure that John Morris knows what will happen at the end of the season and could well appreciate having the extra financial "clout" freed up by cancelling Clarke's contract. It is interesting to see the name of Michael Vaughan banded about in the press as looking for a fresh challenge and while he is linked with Warwickshire (who isn't) the ex-England skipper would be an intriguing possibility.
Back to tomorrow's game and Glamorgan are missing the hugely talented England Under 19 bowler James Harris. Our regular bete noir Robert Croft is in the side, however and he must be looking forward to tomorrow as he always takes our wickets. Cynics may say that its because they have no one else, but what we mustn't do is take this for granted. I've played and seen enough cricket to know that it will turn you over if you do. Their listed squad is:
GP Rees
RN Grant
DL Hemp
MJ Powell
JWM Dalrymple
TL Maynard
MA Wallace
AG Wharf
RDB Croft
JN Gillespie
DA Cosker
AJ Shantry
DS Harrison
I would expect them to leave out Cosker, the left arm spinner and one of the seamers, either Shantry or Harrison. That would leave an attack of ex-Aussie Test bowler Gillespie, Wharf, Shantry/Harrison with Croft and Dalrymple for spin. They have a side with batsmen who can fire (remember Rees in the first game?) with Tom Maynard earning good reviews and Wallace an able wicket-keeper batsman.
Derbyshire should have the beating of them, however. A 10.30am start might make for early moisture and movement and that would be to the liking of our seam attack. We wouldn't fancy chasing a fourth innings total against Mr Croft, however, so this is set for a good game.
Come on lads!
I hope so, because they have done well to enter September still in the frame. They will need to keep a wary eye on the weather but one would hope that if we got four days a home win would follow. Realistically, the side may need to approach this as a 3-day fixture and push for the win points.
There's little news of the Derbyshire side. All we know is - nothing really. It would appear from the BBC site that Dan Birch has not yet recovered from injury so that may earn a reprieve for Rikki Clarke. Whether he deserves it is questionable as his batting form has been shocking and he's done little bowling of late.
The brave decision - almost too brave - would be to replace Clarke with the fit again Tom Lungley, who bowls so well at Derby. I was about to type that this would weaken the batting, but on recent form I'm not so sure. It would certainly improve the bowling resources and would be a bold signal of intent. While the same site says that both Tom New and James Pipe are in the Derbyshire squad, I have a feeling that Pipe will be back in the side. We should be grateful for the thoroughly professional job that Tom New did in Pipe's absence, and the lad let no one down.
My best guess at tomorrow's team would be:
Chris Rogers (captain)
Paul Borrington
Dan Redfern
Wavell Hinds
Greg Smith
James Pipe
Jon Clare
Graham Wagg
Tom Lungley
Charl Langeveldt
Nayan Doshi
Four good seamers and Wavell's wobblers to back them up, with spin from Doshi, Smith and Redfern. I think that Pipe is a place too high at six in that side, but there are precious few options for Morris. John Sadler might make a few, but Dom Telo has struggled in both XIs this season and isn't really an option.
As for the morning news about Clarke, I'm not sure what I think. Last winter I was really pleased when the news of his signing broke and I looked forward to the season and how he would do. In 40 years of watching the county, the only player who came close to the disappointment afforded by Clarke was Lawrence Rowe. The West Indian never made a century for us, but he played some beautiful cameos and at least finished the season with an average of 38. Rikki would give a lot for that right now and has patently not delivered. Added to the fact that he is probably the highest earner on the staff (with the possible exception of Chris Rogers) then we are entitled to feel short changed.
A fit, in form and fully motivated Clarke would have been a huge asset to this side. I know he has had house moves and babies to contend with, but there should have been some signs of form in his play and there have been precious few. I am sure that John Morris knows what will happen at the end of the season and could well appreciate having the extra financial "clout" freed up by cancelling Clarke's contract. It is interesting to see the name of Michael Vaughan banded about in the press as looking for a fresh challenge and while he is linked with Warwickshire (who isn't) the ex-England skipper would be an intriguing possibility.
Back to tomorrow's game and Glamorgan are missing the hugely talented England Under 19 bowler James Harris. Our regular bete noir Robert Croft is in the side, however and he must be looking forward to tomorrow as he always takes our wickets. Cynics may say that its because they have no one else, but what we mustn't do is take this for granted. I've played and seen enough cricket to know that it will turn you over if you do. Their listed squad is:
GP Rees
RN Grant
DL Hemp
MJ Powell
JWM Dalrymple
TL Maynard
MA Wallace
AG Wharf
RDB Croft
JN Gillespie
DA Cosker
AJ Shantry
DS Harrison
I would expect them to leave out Cosker, the left arm spinner and one of the seamers, either Shantry or Harrison. That would leave an attack of ex-Aussie Test bowler Gillespie, Wharf, Shantry/Harrison with Croft and Dalrymple for spin. They have a side with batsmen who can fire (remember Rees in the first game?) with Tom Maynard earning good reviews and Wallace an able wicket-keeper batsman.
Derbyshire should have the beating of them, however. A 10.30am start might make for early moisture and movement and that would be to the liking of our seam attack. We wouldn't fancy chasing a fourth innings total against Mr Croft, however, so this is set for a good game.
Come on lads!
Rikki to go?
Apologies for the lack of a blog yesterday - bit busy on the domestic front!
Anyway, here's a very interesting link you may not have seen from the Birmingham Post, which suggests that Rikki Clarke could have his contract cancelled by mutual consent at season end.
http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/cricket-news/2008/08/31/warwickshire-draw-again-as-search-for-new-players-goes-on-65233-21643757/
How true it is I don't know, but I can only hope the author's journalism is better than his statistics - Rogers recorded the highest score ever by a Derbyshire batsman? Hmmm...
More tonight as we look ahead to the next importand game.
Anyway, here's a very interesting link you may not have seen from the Birmingham Post, which suggests that Rikki Clarke could have his contract cancelled by mutual consent at season end.
http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/cricket-news/2008/08/31/warwickshire-draw-again-as-search-for-new-players-goes-on-65233-21643757/
How true it is I don't know, but I can only hope the author's journalism is better than his statistics - Rogers recorded the highest score ever by a Derbyshire batsman? Hmmm...
More tonight as we look ahead to the next importand game.
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