The news in this morning’s Derby Evening Telegraph that the ECB are set to announce a rethink on the qualification rules regarding overseas players is extremely welcome at Derbyshire.
Apparently the English Cricket Board is set to announce that for 2010 only, overseas players granted work permits for the last four seasons will get another. On that basis, assuming that Rogers and John Morris can sort out a deal, we can expect to see the Australian opener back in our colours for next season.
I cannot think that many Derbyshire fans will be unhappy at this news. While many feel we need a strike bowler or a quality spinner, the reality is that there are very few of the latter in the world game and even fewer of the former who wish to add to their workload and commit to a long and tiring English season on top of their international commitments.
If Rogers is able to sign on the dotted line before his departure for another season for Victoria at home, it will be one less thing for John Morris to worry about and will ensure that next season we will have as good an opening pair as there is in the country, with Wayne Madsen available full time.
Batsmen prepared to commit to the county game who are good enough to average over 60 are also in short supply and we are very lucky to have as able and committed a cricketer as Chris Rogers as Derbyshire skipper. Regular readers of the blog will know that I was frustrated in the early season when the skipper seemed to get out at 50 on a regular basis, especially in one day games, but you cannot argue with the facts and the statistics emphasise that Rogers is one of the leading batsmen in the County game.
In the same piece is the news that Nantie Hayward has flown home to South Africa, ending his stint with the club. It didn’t work out for the ex-South African Test bowler at Derby as he struggled to find rhythm. As John Morris said in the article, you could not fault his effort, but he’d had little preparation and it just wasn’t there for him. As I’ve said before, however, you cannot blame John Morris as he acted quickly to bring in a bowler of Test experience. If it had come off we’d all be shouting from the rooftops. It was a gamble and they don’t always come off. Anyone replacing Charl Langeveldt was going to have their work cut out but Hayward will go down as one of our least successful overseas imports.
Speaking of overseas players, even if we secure the services of Chris Rogers for 2010, there’s still plenty of opportunity for conjecture as we will be able to sign a second player for the Twenty/20 cricket next year. Each county is allowed two, but at this stage the regulations for that second player are not clear. If they have to satisfy the new requirements it will be a very difficult task and we can perhaps expect a number of recently retired from international cricket players for one last hurrah. If the regulations are relaxed, then there are obviously more possibilities out there.
It would be no great surprise, in the latter scenario, for John Morris to use Chris Rogers’ contacts in Australia to bring over a young player, maybe one who bats and bowls, for the role. I would be surprised if our budget stretched to an Afridi or Symonds, names no doubt on the lips of many fans.
This morning came news that Somerset have approached Cameron White and Graeme Smith to be their second overseas player for the Twenty/20 next season, while at the same time announcing that current Middlesex spinner Murali Kartik will be their full time overseas professional in 2010. It is a shrewd signing and he is a good bowler. He’d also better get ready for long spells at Taunton…
More realistic for us might be someone like young New South Wales all rounder Moises Henriques, who can hit the ball hard and bowl at a quite lively pace. Good enough to have been signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders last winter in the IPL, Henriques also fields brilliantly and would be an exciting signing, as well as being young enough to want to build a reputation.
A great thing, conjecture!
Elsewhere, it is interesting to read in various places that Nottinghamshire are resigned to losing Bilal Shafayat at the end of the season as the talented all rounder’s contract is up. I’d definitely sign him if we had the chance. I don’t think we could afford Kabir Ali and I’m not sure that Will Jefferson would add more to the mix than we already have, but Shafayat is a good cricketer, better than his figures at Trent Bridge have suggested. He is a stylish batsman and a more than useful fast medium bowler and at 25 is nowhere near his prime. A batting and bowling average of around 30 suggests someone with a fair amount to offer and Shafayat would be a fine addition to the squad for 2010. He’s not quite made the impact that he suggested when he starred with England development sides, but is a sound player. Having said that, there’ll be plenty of sides after him and much will depend on whether he is looking for a convenient move or an especially lucrative one.
Finally, another piece in the Derby Telegraph today highlights our prudent work off the pitch and gives more detail on the plans for the winter months at the County Ground. Astonishing is the news that Kent look like they could lose half a million this year, which hardly suggests shrewd financial management.
As for Derbyshire, the club is in good hands off the pitch and we’re making continual strides on it. Happy days…
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Middlesex v Derbyshire day 1
Or should that be Derbyshire v The Elements?
When we started on time this morning I thought we were going to be OK, but in the brief passage of play possible, John Morris will be fairly happy to have reached 72 for the loss of Chris Rogers.
With no play elsewhere I guess you could say we're ahead at present but can do with minimal further interruptions if we're to get the result we need.
I suggested last night that Mark Lawson may get the nod over Jake Needham and that Tom Lungley would miss out and that is what happened today. If Lawson is to take wickets at county level, it is at this time that he will do it, with dryer and more bouncy tracks to help him. I hope he proves his many doubters wrong and we'll know by the weekend for sure.
Elsewhere I notice that Alan Richardson, ex Derbyshire and Warwickshire has moved from Middlesex to Worcestershire, while Chris Silverwood has also left Lords and is in search of another county. Silverwood has been a good bowler, as 570 wickets at 27 testifies, but he has had a few injury problems in recent seasons. He's reportedly looking for another county and at 34 has two or three years to offer someone, but I can't really see John Morris going for him. I think and hope we'll offer Steffan Jones a contract but don't really need two bowlers approaching their mid-30's. You never know, but that one would surprise me.
More from me tomorrow, but for now a family Mario Kart challenge awaits on the Wii. Competitive Dad is in town and intends to win!
When we started on time this morning I thought we were going to be OK, but in the brief passage of play possible, John Morris will be fairly happy to have reached 72 for the loss of Chris Rogers.
With no play elsewhere I guess you could say we're ahead at present but can do with minimal further interruptions if we're to get the result we need.
I suggested last night that Mark Lawson may get the nod over Jake Needham and that Tom Lungley would miss out and that is what happened today. If Lawson is to take wickets at county level, it is at this time that he will do it, with dryer and more bouncy tracks to help him. I hope he proves his many doubters wrong and we'll know by the weekend for sure.
Elsewhere I notice that Alan Richardson, ex Derbyshire and Warwickshire has moved from Middlesex to Worcestershire, while Chris Silverwood has also left Lords and is in search of another county. Silverwood has been a good bowler, as 570 wickets at 27 testifies, but he has had a few injury problems in recent seasons. He's reportedly looking for another county and at 34 has two or three years to offer someone, but I can't really see John Morris going for him. I think and hope we'll offer Steffan Jones a contract but don't really need two bowlers approaching their mid-30's. You never know, but that one would surprise me.
More from me tomorrow, but for now a family Mario Kart challenge awaits on the Wii. Competitive Dad is in town and intends to win!
Monday, 14 September 2009
Middlesex v Derbyshire
Dear Santa,
I know that I'm being greedy but...
Hey, it worked last week so don't knock it! Tomorrow we take to the green sward at Uxbridge in as big a game as we have played in recent years. Not so much a "winner takes all" as a "winner might take something if that other team beats the team above us and then we beat another team in the last game while they don't do quite as well".
Phew. We will in all likelihood be faced with a track that will offer increasing turn as the match progresses and so John Morris has taken a squad of 13 with every spinning option available to him in this squad:
Chris Rogers
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Wavell Hinds
John Sadler
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Jake Needham
Tom Lungley
Steffan Jones
Mark Lawson
The final team? I haven't a clue as I've not seen the track, but given our opposition have three spinners in their squad (Udal, Kartik and Toor) there is a chance that Mark Lawson could get one last crack at the business end. A little bounce, essential for a leggie, might see him get the nod over Jake Needham, with Tom Lungley my other man to miss out. Given that Graham Wagg, Greg Smith and Wayne Madsen can all bowl spin, one full timer might be enough.
Middlesex have the following 12:
Shaun Udal
Gareth Berg
Nick Compton
Neil Dexter
Steven Finn
Dan Housego
Murali Kartik
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
John Simpson
Kabir Toor
I'd have to say that I don't look at that side and worry unduly. With Shah, Morgan and Strauss away with England, their batting is dependent on Nick Compton and Neil Dexter and both have responded well, Dexter making a century in each innings in the last game. There are talented young players but hopefully our greater experience will be of use and the season will go right down to the last game.
We'll need the weather to be on our side, we'll need to hold catches and the toss could be crucial. Whatever happens, it will be a fascinating four days and I hope the boys do us proud.
I know that I'm being greedy but...
Hey, it worked last week so don't knock it! Tomorrow we take to the green sward at Uxbridge in as big a game as we have played in recent years. Not so much a "winner takes all" as a "winner might take something if that other team beats the team above us and then we beat another team in the last game while they don't do quite as well".
Phew. We will in all likelihood be faced with a track that will offer increasing turn as the match progresses and so John Morris has taken a squad of 13 with every spinning option available to him in this squad:
Chris Rogers
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Wavell Hinds
John Sadler
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Jake Needham
Tom Lungley
Steffan Jones
Mark Lawson
The final team? I haven't a clue as I've not seen the track, but given our opposition have three spinners in their squad (Udal, Kartik and Toor) there is a chance that Mark Lawson could get one last crack at the business end. A little bounce, essential for a leggie, might see him get the nod over Jake Needham, with Tom Lungley my other man to miss out. Given that Graham Wagg, Greg Smith and Wayne Madsen can all bowl spin, one full timer might be enough.
Middlesex have the following 12:
Shaun Udal
Gareth Berg
Nick Compton
Neil Dexter
Steven Finn
Dan Housego
Murali Kartik
Adam London
Dawid Malan
Tim Murtagh
John Simpson
Kabir Toor
I'd have to say that I don't look at that side and worry unduly. With Shah, Morgan and Strauss away with England, their batting is dependent on Nick Compton and Neil Dexter and both have responded well, Dexter making a century in each innings in the last game. There are talented young players but hopefully our greater experience will be of use and the season will go right down to the last game.
We'll need the weather to be on our side, we'll need to hold catches and the toss could be crucial. Whatever happens, it will be a fascinating four days and I hope the boys do us proud.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Middlesex v Derbyshire Pro 40
Today effectively summed up the frustration of being a Derbyshire fan. We went from a sublime performance on Friday to a frustratingly average one against Middlesex where we failed to get going with the bat having pulled the hosts back from what looked like being a 250-plus total.
There were again good bowling perfomances. Chesney bowled a steady spell of eight overs and Steffan and Timmy G were as effective as ever. Still 242-6 was a total that required both a good start and someone to make a big score and on both counts we fell short today.
Six players got to 16 yet none of them went past 32. To have challenged the hosts we needed someone to match Nick Compton's century, but it was not to be. Still, it's one of the things about young teams, they make more mistakes and today was a defeat but far from a disgrace. The youngsters will have benefitted from the game and we'll move on from there.
Elsewhere, Essex surprisingly held out against Glamorgan, albeit by the skin of their teeth with a wicket in hand. Both sides would have loved the win points, but they had to settle for four draw points each. It leaves an intriguingly balanced table as follows (matches/points):
Kent 14 203
Northamptonshire 14 167
Essex 14 155
Gloucestershire 14 154
Derbyshire 14 152
Glamorgan 14 152
With points on the board Northamptonshire will fancy their chances at this stage, but most go to Essex this week in what is a huge game. Meanwhile Glamorgan host Gloucestershire while we play Middlesex at Uxbridge. IF Essex were to beat Northamptonshire and we beat Middlesex while Glamorgan and Gloucestershire draw, the last game of the season at Derby is a massive - no, mega massive match. It would effectively be winner takes all, although there'll be many an eye cast on the game in Northampton where Leicestershire will be visitors.
As always, a lot will depend on the weather for these games and on players rising to the big occasion. I'll look at the teams for Uxbridge tomorrow.
It all makes for a wonderful end to the season and I'm just happy that we're down to the penultimate Championship match with Derbyshire still in the mix, even if we're outsiders at this stage.
The stage is set, mes amis...
There were again good bowling perfomances. Chesney bowled a steady spell of eight overs and Steffan and Timmy G were as effective as ever. Still 242-6 was a total that required both a good start and someone to make a big score and on both counts we fell short today.
Six players got to 16 yet none of them went past 32. To have challenged the hosts we needed someone to match Nick Compton's century, but it was not to be. Still, it's one of the things about young teams, they make more mistakes and today was a defeat but far from a disgrace. The youngsters will have benefitted from the game and we'll move on from there.
Elsewhere, Essex surprisingly held out against Glamorgan, albeit by the skin of their teeth with a wicket in hand. Both sides would have loved the win points, but they had to settle for four draw points each. It leaves an intriguingly balanced table as follows (matches/points):
Kent 14 203
Northamptonshire 14 167
Essex 14 155
Gloucestershire 14 154
Derbyshire 14 152
Glamorgan 14 152
With points on the board Northamptonshire will fancy their chances at this stage, but most go to Essex this week in what is a huge game. Meanwhile Glamorgan host Gloucestershire while we play Middlesex at Uxbridge. IF Essex were to beat Northamptonshire and we beat Middlesex while Glamorgan and Gloucestershire draw, the last game of the season at Derby is a massive - no, mega massive match. It would effectively be winner takes all, although there'll be many an eye cast on the game in Northampton where Leicestershire will be visitors.
As always, a lot will depend on the weather for these games and on players rising to the big occasion. I'll look at the teams for Uxbridge tomorrow.
It all makes for a wonderful end to the season and I'm just happy that we're down to the penultimate Championship match with Derbyshire still in the mix, even if we're outsiders at this stage.
The stage is set, mes amis...
Bullish but...
It was good to read that Chris Rogers feels we could still get promoted from Division Two this year, but I'd have to say that I think that scenario is now extremely unlikely.
For one thing, Northamptonshire are 15 points ahead of us (how I don't know, as they're not a great side) while Essex or Glamorgan could be depending on the result of their close game today. Glamorgan will be favourites at 300 ahead on a spinning track and again it is extraordinary that they're potentially going to leapfrog us with an ordinary side. If I look around Division Two, there are few elevens (Kent aside) I'd swap for ours yet we're now being punished for wins we missed out on through a combination of bad weather and an inability to finish sides off.
If you go through the season, we may well have beaten Essex at Chelmsford, would have been hammered at Cardiff and would probably still have been playing Gloucestershire at Chesterfield. Glamorgan may well then have beaten us at Derby, while the game against Leicestershire was well balanced before the last day was lost.
While the game at Northampton would have been hard to predict, we'd have beaten Middlesex comfortably but for the weather and Owais Shah and should have beaten Kent on a helpful last day track after dominating the game. Surrey shaded the game at Croydon but since then we've been in command against Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Kent yet not won one of them, ending up losing to Northamptonshire.
There's been a mixture of poor umpiring decisions and crucial drops, but the costly factor is that we've missed out on too many win points. Had we turned three of those games we dominated into wins that would have been an extra 30 points (34 if we include the Northants defeat where we came away with only bonus points. On such things do seasons turn, though other counties will have had similar experiences.
Thanks to my friend David for bringing Stuart Law's positive comments about the club on radio yesterday to my attention. He was heaping praise on the club and the "outstanding" crop of young players they have coming through, but warned that the "bigger" counties may soon come sniffing round the door. It is a perennial problem for the less affluent counties and Leicestershire have been as badly hit as anyone in this. With the increased difficulties of signing Kolpaks now, there will be even greater pressure on sides to cultivate - or "nick from other counties" as its known to some - England qualified players.
If you look at the number of talented young players we have at Derby, many of them in their teens, more under the age of 25, it augurs well for our future. Yet that success is dependent on their showing loyalty and the club being able to pay the going rate. We seem to have a good playing environment, which is one thing and as long as we don't have a return to the behind the scenes shenanigans of recent years we'll have a better chance of retaining them than before.
Yet players will often think that there's greener grass on the other side. They'll look at people like Ian Blackwell, Peter Bowler and Dominic Cork and what they achieved elsewhere and perhaps think "I could have that".
I'd point out to them what Matt Cassar, Rob Weston, Adrian Rollins didn't do. For any or all of them, perhaps the greatest achievement in their playing careers could be a contribution to a successful Derbyshire side. Think Rocky. Think David and Goliath. Think most Boys Own comics you ever read where the little guy gives the big fella one in the eye. That would be something to be proud of.
In the words of the Beatles song, we're getting better all the time. Another couple of years and we could be on the verge of something special at Derby and I hope the current crop of exciting talent realise and support that.
For one thing, Northamptonshire are 15 points ahead of us (how I don't know, as they're not a great side) while Essex or Glamorgan could be depending on the result of their close game today. Glamorgan will be favourites at 300 ahead on a spinning track and again it is extraordinary that they're potentially going to leapfrog us with an ordinary side. If I look around Division Two, there are few elevens (Kent aside) I'd swap for ours yet we're now being punished for wins we missed out on through a combination of bad weather and an inability to finish sides off.
If you go through the season, we may well have beaten Essex at Chelmsford, would have been hammered at Cardiff and would probably still have been playing Gloucestershire at Chesterfield. Glamorgan may well then have beaten us at Derby, while the game against Leicestershire was well balanced before the last day was lost.
While the game at Northampton would have been hard to predict, we'd have beaten Middlesex comfortably but for the weather and Owais Shah and should have beaten Kent on a helpful last day track after dominating the game. Surrey shaded the game at Croydon but since then we've been in command against Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Kent yet not won one of them, ending up losing to Northamptonshire.
There's been a mixture of poor umpiring decisions and crucial drops, but the costly factor is that we've missed out on too many win points. Had we turned three of those games we dominated into wins that would have been an extra 30 points (34 if we include the Northants defeat where we came away with only bonus points. On such things do seasons turn, though other counties will have had similar experiences.
Thanks to my friend David for bringing Stuart Law's positive comments about the club on radio yesterday to my attention. He was heaping praise on the club and the "outstanding" crop of young players they have coming through, but warned that the "bigger" counties may soon come sniffing round the door. It is a perennial problem for the less affluent counties and Leicestershire have been as badly hit as anyone in this. With the increased difficulties of signing Kolpaks now, there will be even greater pressure on sides to cultivate - or "nick from other counties" as its known to some - England qualified players.
If you look at the number of talented young players we have at Derby, many of them in their teens, more under the age of 25, it augurs well for our future. Yet that success is dependent on their showing loyalty and the club being able to pay the going rate. We seem to have a good playing environment, which is one thing and as long as we don't have a return to the behind the scenes shenanigans of recent years we'll have a better chance of retaining them than before.
Yet players will often think that there's greener grass on the other side. They'll look at people like Ian Blackwell, Peter Bowler and Dominic Cork and what they achieved elsewhere and perhaps think "I could have that".
I'd point out to them what Matt Cassar, Rob Weston, Adrian Rollins didn't do. For any or all of them, perhaps the greatest achievement in their playing careers could be a contribution to a successful Derbyshire side. Think Rocky. Think David and Goliath. Think most Boys Own comics you ever read where the little guy gives the big fella one in the eye. That would be something to be proud of.
In the words of the Beatles song, we're getting better all the time. Another couple of years and we could be on the verge of something special at Derby and I hope the current crop of exciting talent realise and support that.
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Go young guns!
It was good to read this morning about our emphatic win last night.
We've all spent many an (un)happy hour reading reports of Derbyshire being thrashed and its nice to see pretty much universal acclaim of our performance.
Of course, the bowling was not at its strongest. Tim Groenewald bowled beautifully in his first spell and Greg Smith did well up to his last over, but the stars were the lesser lights. Garry Park showed what a good little player he is with a tight spell. The commentators got it right when they said he was similar in style to Mark Ealham and he, like Groenewald, has been a good signing. Timmy G took his 50th competitive wicket of the season last night, while Park needs only 132 from his potential last four innings to reach a thousand in his first full Championship season. Throw in useful bowling that will only get better and brilliant fielding and he is a talented player.
The same goes for Greg Smith. He wants to bat higher in the order than six and showed last night, as he has done regularly of late that he now has the technique to do so. His batting last night showed a maturity that has been lacking previously. No attempt to match Rogers shot for shot, just a workmanlike innings that took us to the finishing line with plenty to spare. Like Park he is brilliant in the field and he offers spin and seam options with the ball, a wonderful asset to any captain.
Speaking of the captain, Chris Rogers now averages over 60 in both one and four day cricket this season, an outstanding effort. Some of his shots last night were superb, especially the drive back past the bowler off the back foot. I also thought he handled his attack well and set good fields last night.
It was good to see so many youngsters in the side. With Redfern, Whiteley, Hughes, Poynton and Needham all under 25 there is a lot of potential. How good a spinner Hughes is likely to be I don't know. He doesn't have a classic action but takes little out of himself and puts it on a decent length. There were a few balls that spun quite sharply too, so there's talent there for the strapping teenager. Given that his stronger suit is supposedly his batting, I'm looking forward to seeing the young man develop. Crikey. I sound like Brian Clough there...
Ross Whiteley got little opportunity last night but I think he's a lad who has much to offer. Sometimes his radar goes a little but his left arm seam/swing can trouble batsmen when he is in the groove. He is also a very clean hitting batsman and I could see him developing into a good all rounder with greater opportunities. With Jon Clare to come again after the travails of the season, we have less to worry about than many counties for next season and the tighter visa regulations.
If Chris Rogers earns an Australian recall, what we do have is an opening partnership of genuine quality. I thought Wayne Madsen looked a very good player last night and loved the way that he was unafraid to hit over the top on the offside, while adding to the fielding strength too. Rogers, Madsen, Smith, Park and Redfern suggests a top five for the future, with the other place there to be fought for. Wavell Hinds may well be back next year, but John Sadler and Chesney Hughes will both have designs on that place. Paul Borrington will also want into the batting line up and his best bet may be if Rogers doesn't return. I would be very surprised if Morris was keen to split a blossoming partnership and Borrington may have to drop down the order if he is to break into the side next year.
It is a nice problem for John Morris. Tomorrow, his side head for Uxbridge and a game against Middlesex in the Pro 40. The same squad will travel, with the addition of Tom Lungley and Graham Wagg. There's little at stake in the game, but Derbyshire will want build on last night and show that it was no fluke. Madsen may well have club commitments and with Ross Whiteley may be the ones to make way, but he'll be a fixture in the one day side next year and I look forward to it immensely.
We've all spent many an (un)happy hour reading reports of Derbyshire being thrashed and its nice to see pretty much universal acclaim of our performance.
Of course, the bowling was not at its strongest. Tim Groenewald bowled beautifully in his first spell and Greg Smith did well up to his last over, but the stars were the lesser lights. Garry Park showed what a good little player he is with a tight spell. The commentators got it right when they said he was similar in style to Mark Ealham and he, like Groenewald, has been a good signing. Timmy G took his 50th competitive wicket of the season last night, while Park needs only 132 from his potential last four innings to reach a thousand in his first full Championship season. Throw in useful bowling that will only get better and brilliant fielding and he is a talented player.
The same goes for Greg Smith. He wants to bat higher in the order than six and showed last night, as he has done regularly of late that he now has the technique to do so. His batting last night showed a maturity that has been lacking previously. No attempt to match Rogers shot for shot, just a workmanlike innings that took us to the finishing line with plenty to spare. Like Park he is brilliant in the field and he offers spin and seam options with the ball, a wonderful asset to any captain.
Speaking of the captain, Chris Rogers now averages over 60 in both one and four day cricket this season, an outstanding effort. Some of his shots last night were superb, especially the drive back past the bowler off the back foot. I also thought he handled his attack well and set good fields last night.
It was good to see so many youngsters in the side. With Redfern, Whiteley, Hughes, Poynton and Needham all under 25 there is a lot of potential. How good a spinner Hughes is likely to be I don't know. He doesn't have a classic action but takes little out of himself and puts it on a decent length. There were a few balls that spun quite sharply too, so there's talent there for the strapping teenager. Given that his stronger suit is supposedly his batting, I'm looking forward to seeing the young man develop. Crikey. I sound like Brian Clough there...
Ross Whiteley got little opportunity last night but I think he's a lad who has much to offer. Sometimes his radar goes a little but his left arm seam/swing can trouble batsmen when he is in the groove. He is also a very clean hitting batsman and I could see him developing into a good all rounder with greater opportunities. With Jon Clare to come again after the travails of the season, we have less to worry about than many counties for next season and the tighter visa regulations.
If Chris Rogers earns an Australian recall, what we do have is an opening partnership of genuine quality. I thought Wayne Madsen looked a very good player last night and loved the way that he was unafraid to hit over the top on the offside, while adding to the fielding strength too. Rogers, Madsen, Smith, Park and Redfern suggests a top five for the future, with the other place there to be fought for. Wavell Hinds may well be back next year, but John Sadler and Chesney Hughes will both have designs on that place. Paul Borrington will also want into the batting line up and his best bet may be if Rogers doesn't return. I would be very surprised if Morris was keen to split a blossoming partnership and Borrington may have to drop down the order if he is to break into the side next year.
It is a nice problem for John Morris. Tomorrow, his side head for Uxbridge and a game against Middlesex in the Pro 40. The same squad will travel, with the addition of Tom Lungley and Graham Wagg. There's little at stake in the game, but Derbyshire will want build on last night and show that it was no fluke. Madsen may well have club commitments and with Ross Whiteley may be the ones to make way, but he'll be a fixture in the one day side next year and I look forward to it immensely.
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...
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Not much today
I've been watching England cuff Croatia tonight, which is more than their cricketing counterparts have been doing to the Aussies...
Cameron White has confirmed what a fine player he is and Callum Ferguson looks like a player with a big future to me. Well organised, nothing fancy, an accumulator of runs rather than a fancy dan, I can see him being a really good player in another couple of years. He's also at the age where there'll be county offers coming in and when he would benefit from it.
The Aussie run chase has been exemplary tonight. No panic when the fours weren't coming and Michael Clarke only hit one in his entire innings, yet they're winning in a canter. That's how to play it and I hope our young players have watched and learned.
Good piece in the DET today about John Sadler. He had a rough time last year with a botched house move and nasal operations, which understandably took his mind off things. I rate Sads and hope that he gets an opportunity next year. He's a good guy, a decent cricketer and a committed bloke. A good county professional in short and a good man to have on our side.
Nice to see Michael di Venuto score a double ton today, especially against Notts. It highlighted the poor decision of Dave Houghton in letting him go and our loss has been Durham's gain.
Finally tonight, John Morris will be pleased to see that the large vote this week sees him as being very much on the right track with Derbyshire, with well over 80% voting positively.
This week's poll is straightforward again. Kabir Ali - should we make serious overtures to sign him, or is he too unfit and overweight (according to some) for Derbyshire? And what about Will Jefferson at Notts? Worthwhile or no?
I look forward to your results. Thanks for all your comments in the past week
Cameron White has confirmed what a fine player he is and Callum Ferguson looks like a player with a big future to me. Well organised, nothing fancy, an accumulator of runs rather than a fancy dan, I can see him being a really good player in another couple of years. He's also at the age where there'll be county offers coming in and when he would benefit from it.
The Aussie run chase has been exemplary tonight. No panic when the fours weren't coming and Michael Clarke only hit one in his entire innings, yet they're winning in a canter. That's how to play it and I hope our young players have watched and learned.
Good piece in the DET today about John Sadler. He had a rough time last year with a botched house move and nasal operations, which understandably took his mind off things. I rate Sads and hope that he gets an opportunity next year. He's a good guy, a decent cricketer and a committed bloke. A good county professional in short and a good man to have on our side.
Nice to see Michael di Venuto score a double ton today, especially against Notts. It highlighted the poor decision of Dave Houghton in letting him go and our loss has been Durham's gain.
Finally tonight, John Morris will be pleased to see that the large vote this week sees him as being very much on the right track with Derbyshire, with well over 80% voting positively.
This week's poll is straightforward again. Kabir Ali - should we make serious overtures to sign him, or is he too unfit and overweight (according to some) for Derbyshire? And what about Will Jefferson at Notts? Worthwhile or no?
I look forward to your results. Thanks for all your comments in the past week
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
You've got to speculate to accumulate
Well, on that basis I should be getting very wealthy sometime soon, but I'll not tell Mrs Peakfan until it happens...
The silly season is on us, when players around the country are moving pretty much everywhere and has half the civilised world chasing them.
As I put on 606 tonight, I've had e mails from various people suggesting that 5 different players were joining Derbyshire. Given that none of them were from a Mr J Morris, I thanked the people concerned (I'm a nice guy and its good to hear such things!) but will wait to see if any of it is true.
Its crazy really. I read today that Kabir Ali is a target for Warwickshire. Well, dress me in a skirt and call me Betty, there's a surprise, as they're linked with pretty much everyone. I would say that if Kabir Ali signs up to bowl at Edgbaston for the next three years, he's as mad as a box of frogs. OK, its marginally better than doing the same at Taunton (sorry Steffan, but...) yet there's loads of places I'd sooner go as a bowler than Edgbaston. Chris Woakes is a well rated young bowler and one of considerable talent, but he'll never make the grade on those tracks. Maybe we should swap him for Dan Birch... oh, we let him go already. Still, its the usual sort of switch between the two sides.
Realistically, there is always going to be interest in good young players. Another poster on 606 suggests that there are counties after a couple of our better players. Those motivated by the filthy lucre will be tempted and few could blame them, but I'd hope that most of our guys can see what is coming together here. John Morris needs to ensure that the better players are on competitive, performance-related salaries that the club can afford, but cricket is getting increasingly like football (heaven forbid). Money talks and unfortunately those at the Test Grounds have the cash to stage quite a conversation.
Of course, Morris has them on contract, but as the Kabir Ali story shows, they're barely worth the paper they're written on these days. With the Kolpaks effectively ruled out from next season, there will be ever more competition for guys with a UK passport. We have lost so many over the years, but crucially many went when our dressing room was not the happiest of places, a situation that is no longer prevalent. I won't say that I expect the likes of Graham Wagg, Greg Smith and Dan Redfern to see out their careers at Derby, but I hope that they show loyalty to a side that gave them their chance when there weren't many options out there in some cases.
I know Leicestershire fans are resigned to losing James Taylor sometime soon, just as they did Stuart Broad. It's very unfair when a county spends years coaching and nurturing a young talent, trhen loses him as he reaches maturity.
Speaking of people leaving, I read today that Will Jefferson was likely to be leaving Nottinghamshire at the end of the season. Well who wouldn't...
Seriously, its not worked out for the Derby-born giant at Trent Bridge and at 29, with an average in the mid-30's, it crossed my mind as to whether he may be of interest to John Morris. Of course, if Chris Rogers was coming back we'd have four openers (with Madsen and Borrington) but signing an experienced man of some ability might allow more flexibility in the type of overseas man being sought.
Hey, if it didn't work out, they could always build a platform and stand him on the sightscreen at Derby. At 6'10" it would be the best bet yet for blocking out the sun on these Twenty/20 evenings...
Also today came news that Craig Spearman is likely to have the final year of his contract paid up by Gloucestershire. The Kiwi has been a great servant to them and has produced some brilliant displays at the top of the order. Loyalty is, as I said earlier, getting to be an old fashioned virtue, but Spearman owes them nothing and will be remembered with great affection by their - and all - cricket fans.
The silly season is on us, when players around the country are moving pretty much everywhere and has half the civilised world chasing them.
As I put on 606 tonight, I've had e mails from various people suggesting that 5 different players were joining Derbyshire. Given that none of them were from a Mr J Morris, I thanked the people concerned (I'm a nice guy and its good to hear such things!) but will wait to see if any of it is true.
Its crazy really. I read today that Kabir Ali is a target for Warwickshire. Well, dress me in a skirt and call me Betty, there's a surprise, as they're linked with pretty much everyone. I would say that if Kabir Ali signs up to bowl at Edgbaston for the next three years, he's as mad as a box of frogs. OK, its marginally better than doing the same at Taunton (sorry Steffan, but...) yet there's loads of places I'd sooner go as a bowler than Edgbaston. Chris Woakes is a well rated young bowler and one of considerable talent, but he'll never make the grade on those tracks. Maybe we should swap him for Dan Birch... oh, we let him go already. Still, its the usual sort of switch between the two sides.
Realistically, there is always going to be interest in good young players. Another poster on 606 suggests that there are counties after a couple of our better players. Those motivated by the filthy lucre will be tempted and few could blame them, but I'd hope that most of our guys can see what is coming together here. John Morris needs to ensure that the better players are on competitive, performance-related salaries that the club can afford, but cricket is getting increasingly like football (heaven forbid). Money talks and unfortunately those at the Test Grounds have the cash to stage quite a conversation.
Of course, Morris has them on contract, but as the Kabir Ali story shows, they're barely worth the paper they're written on these days. With the Kolpaks effectively ruled out from next season, there will be ever more competition for guys with a UK passport. We have lost so many over the years, but crucially many went when our dressing room was not the happiest of places, a situation that is no longer prevalent. I won't say that I expect the likes of Graham Wagg, Greg Smith and Dan Redfern to see out their careers at Derby, but I hope that they show loyalty to a side that gave them their chance when there weren't many options out there in some cases.
I know Leicestershire fans are resigned to losing James Taylor sometime soon, just as they did Stuart Broad. It's very unfair when a county spends years coaching and nurturing a young talent, trhen loses him as he reaches maturity.
Speaking of people leaving, I read today that Will Jefferson was likely to be leaving Nottinghamshire at the end of the season. Well who wouldn't...
Seriously, its not worked out for the Derby-born giant at Trent Bridge and at 29, with an average in the mid-30's, it crossed my mind as to whether he may be of interest to John Morris. Of course, if Chris Rogers was coming back we'd have four openers (with Madsen and Borrington) but signing an experienced man of some ability might allow more flexibility in the type of overseas man being sought.
Hey, if it didn't work out, they could always build a platform and stand him on the sightscreen at Derby. At 6'10" it would be the best bet yet for blocking out the sun on these Twenty/20 evenings...
Also today came news that Craig Spearman is likely to have the final year of his contract paid up by Gloucestershire. The Kiwi has been a great servant to them and has produced some brilliant displays at the top of the order. Loyalty is, as I said earlier, getting to be an old fashioned virtue, but Spearman owes them nothing and will be remembered with great affection by their - and all - cricket fans.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Time for a moan
Number One
"Old Scratcher" on Lancashire's 606 page, who says about Tom Lungley:
"Probably couldn't get a game with Derbyshire. Looking at their roster they have - based on birthplace anyway - six South Africans, two W Indians, two Aussies and a Dane (yep, a Dane).
Little wonder the kids would sooner play football or video games. The English are unable to get a team together without recourse to S African born players. How much longer before it's the full eleven."
Yawn, yawn, yawn. So what? Its a modern world and qualification rules allow it, so why worry. You'll see I've replied to him, no doubt he'll be back with more "in my day etc" piffle, but its stupid.
I've said before and will again. If John Morris could find three Eskimos who were brilliant cricketers and through some backdoor route could get them playing for Derbyshire, I wouldn't care. People always talk about such stuff keeping out the good young English players, but where are they? If they were good, they'd still come through. Yes, its great that we're committed to an Academy and its bringing lads through, but the administrators need to tighten regulations (which they've done) and then counties work within (and around) that.
Number Two
Simon Hughes in his latest book. I'd name it, but frankly can't be bothered. I picked it up in Waterstones on Saturday and read (I have to paraphrase) that Derbyshire at one time became a second class county and many would wish that they'd never ceased to be one, as their ground is horrible and they've hardly produced any players of note.
Doctor, my sides...
Given that Hughes was a distinctly average county cricketer who has fallen very lucky in becoming an "expert" analyst for TV, he should perhaps keep his comments to himself. He ended with a very similar bowling average to our own Colin Tunnicliffe and given 60 seconds, any self-respecting Derbyshire fan could reel off 20 names better than the genial and willing Tunners. Hughes took wickets primarily because batsmen were taking risks against him before Wayne Daniel, Emburey and Edmonds came back on and on some occasions he looked incapable of bowling a hoop down a hill. Now he tells everyone what X is doing wrong and how to put it right. Hmmm... I'll take that from a Benaud, Holding, Botham or even Atherton - EVEN Bob Willis, the man who slags off County cricket despite barely playing it for Warwickshire. Not Hughes. His book went back on the shelf.
Rant over.
"Old Scratcher" on Lancashire's 606 page, who says about Tom Lungley:
"Probably couldn't get a game with Derbyshire. Looking at their roster they have - based on birthplace anyway - six South Africans, two W Indians, two Aussies and a Dane (yep, a Dane).
Little wonder the kids would sooner play football or video games. The English are unable to get a team together without recourse to S African born players. How much longer before it's the full eleven."
Yawn, yawn, yawn. So what? Its a modern world and qualification rules allow it, so why worry. You'll see I've replied to him, no doubt he'll be back with more "in my day etc" piffle, but its stupid.
I've said before and will again. If John Morris could find three Eskimos who were brilliant cricketers and through some backdoor route could get them playing for Derbyshire, I wouldn't care. People always talk about such stuff keeping out the good young English players, but where are they? If they were good, they'd still come through. Yes, its great that we're committed to an Academy and its bringing lads through, but the administrators need to tighten regulations (which they've done) and then counties work within (and around) that.
Number Two
Simon Hughes in his latest book. I'd name it, but frankly can't be bothered. I picked it up in Waterstones on Saturday and read (I have to paraphrase) that Derbyshire at one time became a second class county and many would wish that they'd never ceased to be one, as their ground is horrible and they've hardly produced any players of note.
Doctor, my sides...
Given that Hughes was a distinctly average county cricketer who has fallen very lucky in becoming an "expert" analyst for TV, he should perhaps keep his comments to himself. He ended with a very similar bowling average to our own Colin Tunnicliffe and given 60 seconds, any self-respecting Derbyshire fan could reel off 20 names better than the genial and willing Tunners. Hughes took wickets primarily because batsmen were taking risks against him before Wayne Daniel, Emburey and Edmonds came back on and on some occasions he looked incapable of bowling a hoop down a hill. Now he tells everyone what X is doing wrong and how to put it right. Hmmm... I'll take that from a Benaud, Holding, Botham or even Atherton - EVEN Bob Willis, the man who slags off County cricket despite barely playing it for Warwickshire. Not Hughes. His book went back on the shelf.
Rant over.
Interesting comments
Thanks to Anon who replied to my post the other night suggesting that I was James Middlebrook's agent, that he was too long in the tooth and that a better option might be Gareth Breese of Durham.
I can't argue that Breese is a decent cricketer who has a British passport and isn't getting anywhere near the cricket that he should do with Durham, for whom Ian Blackwell is having an excellent season, especially with the ball.
However, there's little between them as cricketers. Breese averages 27 with the bat to Middlebrook's 26, Middlebrook has 300-plus first class wickets at 38, Breese has 280 at 30. Both are very good Twenty/20 bowlers, Breese proving especially effective in this form of the game.
Breese is still very much engaged by Durham though and is also a year older than Middlebrook at 33. That wouldn't worry me one bit if he was available as the best spinner in the country, Robert Croft, is considerably older. Breese would be a good asset to Derbyshire, but he's not available to my knowledge. Middlebrook would too, and he is a free agent. That's the crucial difference.
There's also comments on the In Morris We Trust site as to other players who may go. Tom Lungley, John Sadler, Ian Hunter and Nantie Hayward are all cited to join Dom Telo, Steve Stubbings and Dan Birch through the exit door.
For me, the answer is clear cut. Lungley has a year's offer on the table and may or may not choose to sign it, while Sadler looks set to get another deal and probably has been unlucky not to get more chances this summer, when he's scored heavily in the Seconds and in club cricket. Hunter still has a year on his contract to the best of my knowledge, while Hayward was always a gamble and one that hasn't come off. The latter will go and for me should be joined by Mark Lawson, who hasn't proved himself at all this year.
Peakview sums it up succinctly by saying that if Morris could get better, he would chop them. Can he get better?
If we assume that Stubbings, Telo, Birch, Lawson and Hayward are all out, that would leave a reasonable "pot" of money. Most fans would want to see Steffan Jones re-signed on a permanent basis, but what is not clear is if Wayne Madsen and Nantie Hayward are signed from existing resources - i.e. Charl Langeveldt's salary - or the club have spent extra.
I'm sure that interest in Kabir Ali and Stephen Moore of Worcestershire would be welcomed, but neither will lack for suitors and will want a division one club. That is especially the case with Moore, who has invoked a clause in his contract that granted him release if Worcestershire were relegated. I'd be surprised if Morris were not in for them both, but suspect we'll be more realistically looking elsewhere, for another Park, Groenewald or Madsen, an unpolished diamond or undiscovered talent.
How successful he is will determine the direction we go for an overseas player should Chris Rogers be unable to return. Sign a batsman and we could get a bowler or all rounder and vice versa.
It will be an interesting winter.
I can't argue that Breese is a decent cricketer who has a British passport and isn't getting anywhere near the cricket that he should do with Durham, for whom Ian Blackwell is having an excellent season, especially with the ball.
However, there's little between them as cricketers. Breese averages 27 with the bat to Middlebrook's 26, Middlebrook has 300-plus first class wickets at 38, Breese has 280 at 30. Both are very good Twenty/20 bowlers, Breese proving especially effective in this form of the game.
Breese is still very much engaged by Durham though and is also a year older than Middlebrook at 33. That wouldn't worry me one bit if he was available as the best spinner in the country, Robert Croft, is considerably older. Breese would be a good asset to Derbyshire, but he's not available to my knowledge. Middlebrook would too, and he is a free agent. That's the crucial difference.
There's also comments on the In Morris We Trust site as to other players who may go. Tom Lungley, John Sadler, Ian Hunter and Nantie Hayward are all cited to join Dom Telo, Steve Stubbings and Dan Birch through the exit door.
For me, the answer is clear cut. Lungley has a year's offer on the table and may or may not choose to sign it, while Sadler looks set to get another deal and probably has been unlucky not to get more chances this summer, when he's scored heavily in the Seconds and in club cricket. Hunter still has a year on his contract to the best of my knowledge, while Hayward was always a gamble and one that hasn't come off. The latter will go and for me should be joined by Mark Lawson, who hasn't proved himself at all this year.
Peakview sums it up succinctly by saying that if Morris could get better, he would chop them. Can he get better?
If we assume that Stubbings, Telo, Birch, Lawson and Hayward are all out, that would leave a reasonable "pot" of money. Most fans would want to see Steffan Jones re-signed on a permanent basis, but what is not clear is if Wayne Madsen and Nantie Hayward are signed from existing resources - i.e. Charl Langeveldt's salary - or the club have spent extra.
I'm sure that interest in Kabir Ali and Stephen Moore of Worcestershire would be welcomed, but neither will lack for suitors and will want a division one club. That is especially the case with Moore, who has invoked a clause in his contract that granted him release if Worcestershire were relegated. I'd be surprised if Morris were not in for them both, but suspect we'll be more realistically looking elsewhere, for another Park, Groenewald or Madsen, an unpolished diamond or undiscovered talent.
How successful he is will determine the direction we go for an overseas player should Chris Rogers be unable to return. Sign a batsman and we could get a bowler or all rounder and vice versa.
It will be an interesting winter.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Warwickshire v Derbyshire Pro 40
There's not been many times that I've said this in 2009, but that was pretty poor today.
In a game that smacked of "end of season", there were very few bright spots for Deryshire. Chesney Hughes made his debut and bowled encouragingly (until he had one over too many), while Greg Smith had a decent all round match, but aside from a decent knock from Graham Wagg against his former employers, there was little else for those hardy fans who travelled from Derbyshire to cheer.
Warwickshire's total got to respectability thanks to a breezy partnership between two of our old boys, Ant Botha and Rikki Clarke and after Garry Park went first ball and Chris Rogers soon afterwards, Derbyshire never looked to be remotely in this game.
Nantie Hayward again was expensive and appears destined to go down as one of our least successful overseas imports. With Tim Groenewald, Ian Hunter and Steffan Jones all rested, it was, probably, one of our worst three performances of 2009
Enough said really...
In a game that smacked of "end of season", there were very few bright spots for Deryshire. Chesney Hughes made his debut and bowled encouragingly (until he had one over too many), while Greg Smith had a decent all round match, but aside from a decent knock from Graham Wagg against his former employers, there was little else for those hardy fans who travelled from Derbyshire to cheer.
Warwickshire's total got to respectability thanks to a breezy partnership between two of our old boys, Ant Botha and Rikki Clarke and after Garry Park went first ball and Chris Rogers soon afterwards, Derbyshire never looked to be remotely in this game.
Nantie Hayward again was expensive and appears destined to go down as one of our least successful overseas imports. With Tim Groenewald, Ian Hunter and Steffan Jones all rested, it was, probably, one of our worst three performances of 2009
Enough said really...
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Derbyshire v Kent day 4
A frustrating, but not entirely unexpected final day as we took only one wicket before a draw was agreed between the skippers.
There's the (expected) comment of "something lacking" and "not ramming home advantage" on 606, but let's be honest, to win on this sort of wicket you need an outstanding bowler. A Michael Holding might have made something happen, but there's none like him around at present.
The bottom line is that if we make 586-4 there's nothing wrong with the track. The only way we could win today was if the atmosphere had been muggy and the ball had swung. With nothing in the wicket, the game looked a draw from 11.30am this morning. Key, Jones and Van Jaarsveld are all international players and international players drink at the well when conditions are there for them.
I agree with "Peter" on 606 tonight. Another year in this division will be no bad thing and we'll be a stronger side next year. If we could pick up another spinner (Middlebrook?) another seamer (hands up if you fancy Kabir Ali coming here...) and maybe another batsman to replace those who have left, we'll have a good side next season. If Yorkshire join Worcestershire in the relegation places, there'd be no one I would especially fear next season, though Surrey must surely be better than this year.
I still think that Essex will gatecrash the second promotion place, though will need to win their next games as I fear the last game at Derby will be like this, a high scoring draw.
For me, that's the essential for next season, to get more pace in the tracks and make them more bowler friendly while not enough to fall foul of the pitch inspectors. Durham have a fine side, but its no coincidence that their Chester-le-Street track usually helps the bowlers and therefore brings a positive result. The preparation of such pitches is a fine art, but our current seam attack would take advantage of a helpful wicket more often than not, while we bat low enough to put on a total regularly.
In short? We should have been able to take three wickets after lunch at Leicester and Northamptonshire should definitely have been beaten at Chesterfield. Today there is no shame after outplaying Kent for most of the game, as we did indeed at Canterbury. Two wins in the last two games could still keep it tight at the top, but its not going to happen. I can see us beating a poor Middlesex (especially without Shah) but not Essex.
One problem today was the loss of Chris Rogers with what looked like an ankle injury. Hopefully it won't keep him out for long, but the chances are he'll miss tomorrow's game at Edgbaston in the Pro 40. The hosts have named a strong looking squad, with England hero Jonathan Trott back in their side. The squad is:
Trott
Carter
Bell
Troughton
Ambrose (wkt)
Westwood (captain)
Clarke
Botha
Barker
Piolet
Sreesanth
Ord
Rankin
With three ex-Derbyshire men in the side there'll be a little extra spice and I'm sure Graham Wagg and Tim Groenewald will want to play against their old side. Maybe we should have kept Dan Birch and Dom Telo on and it could have been an Edgbaston trial for them...
No news on our side at this stage, but I'm guessing that Morris may give Ian Hunter and Chesney Hughes an outing. Assuming Rogers misses the game, Madsen has club commitments to fulfil and Poynton gets more experience, the side could well be:
Sadler
Park
Smith
Hinds
Redfern
Hughes
Wagg
Poynton
Groenewald
Jones
Hunter
I can't think there's any point in playing Lawson and Needham seems out of form and favour. There's plenty of bowling options and should be a decnet match, even if one with little at stake.
See you tomorrow!
There's the (expected) comment of "something lacking" and "not ramming home advantage" on 606, but let's be honest, to win on this sort of wicket you need an outstanding bowler. A Michael Holding might have made something happen, but there's none like him around at present.
The bottom line is that if we make 586-4 there's nothing wrong with the track. The only way we could win today was if the atmosphere had been muggy and the ball had swung. With nothing in the wicket, the game looked a draw from 11.30am this morning. Key, Jones and Van Jaarsveld are all international players and international players drink at the well when conditions are there for them.
I agree with "Peter" on 606 tonight. Another year in this division will be no bad thing and we'll be a stronger side next year. If we could pick up another spinner (Middlebrook?) another seamer (hands up if you fancy Kabir Ali coming here...) and maybe another batsman to replace those who have left, we'll have a good side next season. If Yorkshire join Worcestershire in the relegation places, there'd be no one I would especially fear next season, though Surrey must surely be better than this year.
I still think that Essex will gatecrash the second promotion place, though will need to win their next games as I fear the last game at Derby will be like this, a high scoring draw.
For me, that's the essential for next season, to get more pace in the tracks and make them more bowler friendly while not enough to fall foul of the pitch inspectors. Durham have a fine side, but its no coincidence that their Chester-le-Street track usually helps the bowlers and therefore brings a positive result. The preparation of such pitches is a fine art, but our current seam attack would take advantage of a helpful wicket more often than not, while we bat low enough to put on a total regularly.
In short? We should have been able to take three wickets after lunch at Leicester and Northamptonshire should definitely have been beaten at Chesterfield. Today there is no shame after outplaying Kent for most of the game, as we did indeed at Canterbury. Two wins in the last two games could still keep it tight at the top, but its not going to happen. I can see us beating a poor Middlesex (especially without Shah) but not Essex.
One problem today was the loss of Chris Rogers with what looked like an ankle injury. Hopefully it won't keep him out for long, but the chances are he'll miss tomorrow's game at Edgbaston in the Pro 40. The hosts have named a strong looking squad, with England hero Jonathan Trott back in their side. The squad is:
Trott
Carter
Bell
Troughton
Ambrose (wkt)
Westwood (captain)
Clarke
Botha
Barker
Piolet
Sreesanth
Ord
Rankin
With three ex-Derbyshire men in the side there'll be a little extra spice and I'm sure Graham Wagg and Tim Groenewald will want to play against their old side. Maybe we should have kept Dan Birch and Dom Telo on and it could have been an Edgbaston trial for them...
No news on our side at this stage, but I'm guessing that Morris may give Ian Hunter and Chesney Hughes an outing. Assuming Rogers misses the game, Madsen has club commitments to fulfil and Poynton gets more experience, the side could well be:
Sadler
Park
Smith
Hinds
Redfern
Hughes
Wagg
Poynton
Groenewald
Jones
Hunter
I can't think there's any point in playing Lawson and Needham seems out of form and favour. There's plenty of bowling options and should be a decnet match, even if one with little at stake.
See you tomorrow!
Better if the Buck stops here
It wasn't just the innings he played against Kent over the last couple of days that prompted this article, but in recent weeks I have been increasingly of the opinion that we would be best served next season if Chris Rogers were to remain as overseas player.
There are a number of reasons for this, but highest among them is that I cannot think of anyone who could realistically do any better, or be more readily available.
Think about it. If Rogers were to earn an Australian recall this winter, it would be as a member of their Test side, not the one day one. Rogers the four day batsman is a far more impressive beast than the one day variety, despite the fact that he averages over 50 for us in one day cricket this season. Shane Watson has made a good fist of opening this year, but for me he is not a genuine Test match opening batsman, while Phil Hughes was found out a little in the Ashes series, despite batting in Bradmanesque style for Middlesex beforehand. Rogers is a compact, organised, classy player who scores runs.
For what its worth, I think he would do better in one day games if he didn't try to score so quickly. It perhaps seems silly, but he is a naturally free scoring batsman and should go out simply to bat through 20, 40 or 50 overs, rather than going for the over ambitious. Several times in the Twenty/20 this year he was caught in the deep, yet there are few Derbyshire players score much faster than him when he is simply working it around and punishing the bad ball.
It is perhaps churlish to criticise someone who averages over 50 in one day cricket, but Rogers has never been recognised as a one day player and rarely goes on to centuries by which top one day players are judged. I don't doubt for a second that an Afridi, Watson, White or Hopes would win us more one day cricket than Rogers, but would they be better players overall?
I think not. Partly because of their commitments to their countries next summer and partly because Rogers is a tough act to follow. They are all fine players, but in first class cricket this year the skipper has four centuries and four fifties in 17 innings, one in every two. I cannot see, nor expect, that anyone else would do better than that. I've written before that an overseas batsman, to be worth the money, must average 50. Forty is OK if that player takes some wickets, fifty is a good player. Buck averages 60.
He also catches flies at slip, a very safe pair of hands, while he has been a solid captain. Note I said "solid", not excellent. For me, a really good captain makes things happen. Mike Brearley, Ray Illingworth, Michael Vaughan, Eddie Barlow - those guys were captains. If the game was drifting, or going away from them, they would do something unexpected. A little like Stuart Surridge, the legendary Surrey captain. He was known to declare an innings in arrears as he saw the overhead conditions changing to suit his bowlers. Bowl them out again, then knock them off was a policy he used more than once. It needed confidence in his men - easier to have when you have Bedser, Loader, Laker and Lock in your attack and Peter May in your batting line up - and in his own judgement.
Yet it was a different age. Imagine the message boards if Rogers had declared at 270-1 yesterday and aimed to bowl Surrey out again, or be set a total that we could go for on an easing pitch. That may have been our best chance of a win, as I find it hard to see us bowling Kent out today on an increasingly docile track, but Rogers would have been slaughtered. It's at times a thankless task. Look how many (me included) moaned that he'd not bowled Mark Lawson when we failed to beat Northamptonshire. Yet look how Lawson bowled against Kent in the Pro 40. Was Rogers wrong, or were we?
No, we should be thankful that we have one of the better, most consistent and reliable professionals on the market. Maybe, just maybe, Cameron White might score the weight of runs that Rogers has done and might take a few wickets to boot. He'd catch just as well at slip and he'd be great in the Twenty/20. He's a very good captain too, having been given the Victorian post at a similar age to that of Kim Barnett when he was skipper here. He would, however, miss around 6-8 weeks of the season with Australian commitments, so then what? Afridi might win a one day game or two and could do the same with a late season leggie spell or two. Yet his commitments would rule him out for a longish period, while the concept of Afridi averaging 60 with the bat stretches credibility just a little...
Likewise Hopes. You'd probably get a batsman averaging in the forties and a bowler in the thirties, while Watson might average in the fifties yet not worry too many with the ball, even assuming his dodgy knee/back/groin/shoulder lasted the course. Fine players both, but again, the bottom line is they've too many other commitments.
For me, the ideal scenario would be a Test recall for Chris Rogers. The cruel among us might hope he didn't acquit himself too well, but success wouldn't impair his availability for Derbyshire. I'm firmly of the opinion that Rogers could be every bit the success for Australia that Simon Katich has been of late. For a country that has prided itself on being the land of opportunity, to discard forever a player as good as Chris Rogers after one Test would be unduly cruel.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who hopes he gets a chance this winter and I'm sure that John Morris will make no final decision on replacing him until he's seen how things pan out.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Derbyshire v Kent day 3
Another terrific day for Derbyshire today, as we ended up by declaring 300 runs ahead and only four wickets down.
A magnificent double century by the skipper was almost matched by his first for the county by Garry Park, who followed the old maxim of "drinking at the well" when in the groove by making a fine unbeaten 178, a career best score eclipsing his previous best for Durham against Yorkshire.
Greg Smith "failed" with 59 and Wavell gave it a quick slap with 18 before John Sadler came in at a crisis, 483-4...
It was good to see Sads getting a few runs and scoring at a run a ball, but park has highlighted his talent today. There were a few doubters, but I've not been one of them. When you sign a young player who can obviously bat, but has not yet realised his full potential, can bowl useful medium pace, keep wicket and field as well as anyone in the country, the chances are that you're on to a winner. I think this will be the start of something good for Park and I look forward to more of the same in the years ahead.
As for the skipper, he was like the Duracell bunny, just going on and on and on...
The boys are in a good position tonight but be honest, if we've made 583-4, the chances are there's nothing wrong with the wicket. Semtex and gelignite could be required tomorrow to get through a strong Kent batting line up a second time. There's every chance we won't do it, but it would be great if we could.
Whatever - no shouts of "bottlers" eh? We've dominated the best team in the division throughout. A little humidity and cloud cover would do nicely tomorrow.
I may not be able to blog tomorrow or over the weekend as our phones and internet have gone down locally. I'm currently sat in my local library dashing this out before they close - wonderful places, libraries - and the speed at which normal service is resumed is dictated by the amount of overtime the engineers are prepared to put in.
Hopefully be back soon!
A magnificent double century by the skipper was almost matched by his first for the county by Garry Park, who followed the old maxim of "drinking at the well" when in the groove by making a fine unbeaten 178, a career best score eclipsing his previous best for Durham against Yorkshire.
Greg Smith "failed" with 59 and Wavell gave it a quick slap with 18 before John Sadler came in at a crisis, 483-4...
It was good to see Sads getting a few runs and scoring at a run a ball, but park has highlighted his talent today. There were a few doubters, but I've not been one of them. When you sign a young player who can obviously bat, but has not yet realised his full potential, can bowl useful medium pace, keep wicket and field as well as anyone in the country, the chances are that you're on to a winner. I think this will be the start of something good for Park and I look forward to more of the same in the years ahead.
As for the skipper, he was like the Duracell bunny, just going on and on and on...
The boys are in a good position tonight but be honest, if we've made 583-4, the chances are there's nothing wrong with the wicket. Semtex and gelignite could be required tomorrow to get through a strong Kent batting line up a second time. There's every chance we won't do it, but it would be great if we could.
Whatever - no shouts of "bottlers" eh? We've dominated the best team in the division throughout. A little humidity and cloud cover would do nicely tomorrow.
I may not be able to blog tomorrow or over the weekend as our phones and internet have gone down locally. I'm currently sat in my local library dashing this out before they close - wonderful places, libraries - and the speed at which normal service is resumed is dictated by the amount of overtime the engineers are prepared to put in.
Hopefully be back soon!
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Derbyshire v Kent day 2
Wow...
There seems to have been a bit of a positive surge in the poll for this week, somewhat emphatically backed by today's performance.
In a nutshell, there can have been few days in recent, or indeed distant memory where Derbyshire have so thoroughly dominated very good opposition as they have today.
Last night I suggested that early wickets might change things a little and Derbyshire ripped through the Kent lower order as an overnight 232-5 became 281 all out. The Jones boy 20 overs for 35 runs and five wickets. That's Les Jackson territory, hostility and accuracy and confirmation that we really do need to sign this chap for next year. He was well supported by Tom Lungley's three wickets while Graham Wagg and Tim Groenewald got one each.
Then it was time for the skipper to come out with a biggie and he responded in fine style. I wrote a couple of weeks ago that I thought Rogers and Madsen could be an outstanding opening pair, yet this was our first opening stand of a century this season. Extraordinary! Should they get to 200 tomorrow it would be only the twelfth time in the club's history that an opening pair has reached that milestone. Extraordinary to the power ten...
At the close we were 186-0, just 95 runs behind and Chris Rogers (pictured) is just 32 runs away from completing his 1,000 for the season. He and Madsen have an interesting competition going on for top of the averages, with the skipper at 60 and the so-impressive Madsen just under 59 per innings.
What now for the game? Well, the next two days look good weather-wise, so tomorrow we'll hope to be ahead by lunch, flogging it before tea and having them in again before stumps. Key to it all again (deja vu anyone?) is bowling them out a second time. They're top of the league because they've played consistently good cricket this year, but in six days against them we've probably only lost 2 sessions. Yesterday after lunch they got away a bit, and after lunch on the last day at Canterbury they did the same, before we hit back, too late, after tea.
The only down side about the day was that Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire both did well. Still, no point worrying about what you can't affect. This was a terrific day for Derbyshire cricket and its fans.
It was topped off by the news late tonight that John Morris has signed a new two-year deal at the club. Regular readers will know I think Morris is going in the right direction, and tonight 80% of those in the poll seem to think the same.
Well done guys!
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Derbyshire v Kent day 1
First the bad news. We didn't take the initiative from Kent today after reducing them to 68-3. Geraint Jones saw to that, his increasing penchant for Derbyshire bowling getting slightly annoying now! After his second innings ton at Canterbury this was consecutive centuries against us and he's a fine player, having passed his 1,000 runs in the process.
Now the good news. We're still very much in this game and early wickets when we next get on the field could change things quickly. Note I didn't say "tomorrow" as the forecast suggests that there'll not be too much play. Let's hope it is wrong.
There was good bowling from Tom Lungley and superb bowling from Steffan Jones (yet again). The rest were a little more off kilter, with Graham Wagg understandably rusty after his lay off.
IF the rain allows the game to develop, having won the toss we can at least go for it on the final day. We'd not want to lose everything and draw points would ber better than nothing, but if Kent leave anything vaguely gettable I'm sure that we'll go for it. We have to, needing two wins from three to have even a chance of going up.
There'll be no blog from till later tomorrow as I've got an event on at work which will keep me busy till around 9.30pm. I'll try and dash down some thoughts later and hope its as little more than "it rained"...
I was amused today to reasd on teletext that "Loye leads Lancashire charge". When I put the page on they were 131-5. Does that constitute a charge? Wouldn't "Loye limps faster than the rest" been more appropriate? He got 58, but come on guys...
Last week's poll suggested that there's around 65% of people looking for a spinner over the winter. I think we should get our running shoes on, as there'll not be many of them out there. Given Batty's gone back to Surrey, the current choices are James Middlebrook and... er... James Middlebrook. Given Kolpaks are out and there's not much else out there, maybe Geoff Miller will be donning the whites again.
Anyway, here's a poll looking for your thoughts on the state of the club. Are we on the right track from a playing perspective? Or going over the cliff edge in slow motion?
I look forward to your thoughts on that one.
Now the good news. We're still very much in this game and early wickets when we next get on the field could change things quickly. Note I didn't say "tomorrow" as the forecast suggests that there'll not be too much play. Let's hope it is wrong.
There was good bowling from Tom Lungley and superb bowling from Steffan Jones (yet again). The rest were a little more off kilter, with Graham Wagg understandably rusty after his lay off.
IF the rain allows the game to develop, having won the toss we can at least go for it on the final day. We'd not want to lose everything and draw points would ber better than nothing, but if Kent leave anything vaguely gettable I'm sure that we'll go for it. We have to, needing two wins from three to have even a chance of going up.
There'll be no blog from till later tomorrow as I've got an event on at work which will keep me busy till around 9.30pm. I'll try and dash down some thoughts later and hope its as little more than "it rained"...
I was amused today to reasd on teletext that "Loye leads Lancashire charge". When I put the page on they were 131-5. Does that constitute a charge? Wouldn't "Loye limps faster than the rest" been more appropriate? He got 58, but come on guys...
Last week's poll suggested that there's around 65% of people looking for a spinner over the winter. I think we should get our running shoes on, as there'll not be many of them out there. Given Batty's gone back to Surrey, the current choices are James Middlebrook and... er... James Middlebrook. Given Kolpaks are out and there's not much else out there, maybe Geoff Miller will be donning the whites again.
Anyway, here's a poll looking for your thoughts on the state of the club. Are we on the right track from a playing perspective? Or going over the cliff edge in slow motion?
I look forward to your thoughts on that one.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
What a joke...
Poor show at Old Trafford tonight.
When a club that purports to be one of the "big players" can't ensure that both the wicket and run ups are kept dry, its a pretty poor show.
When their chief executive says it's been "sweating", yet the players say the run ups were moving under foot, there's something far wrong.
Jim Cumbes has to be kidding when he says the players should have gone on anyway. These are top international sportsmen, Mr Cumbes, not kids at Sports Day where it doesn't matter.
Wouldn't get that happening at Derby...
When a club that purports to be one of the "big players" can't ensure that both the wicket and run ups are kept dry, its a pretty poor show.
When their chief executive says it's been "sweating", yet the players say the run ups were moving under foot, there's something far wrong.
Jim Cumbes has to be kidding when he says the players should have gone on anyway. These are top international sportsmen, Mr Cumbes, not kids at Sports Day where it doesn't matter.
Wouldn't get that happening at Derby...
Derbyshire v Kent preview
"The business end of the season" Greg Smith calls it on the official site today and I hope that Derbyshire are set to be business-like in their remaining games after a break that should have recharged their batteries.
First up tonight, serious congratulations to Derbyshire's physio team who have got Graham Wagg fit again. I thought we'd seen the last of Waggy for this year and he must have had a lot of work to do to get himself back so quickly. Whether he is back as the fast medium version or as solely the slow left armer we'll need to wait and see, but there's little doubt that he has a talismanic effect on the side and it will be good to have him back.
Hello again to Tom Lungley, after we sent him off to our nursery club, Lancashire, to regain form and fitness. He'll be the first to admit that it has not been a vintage year, but he could go a long way towards redeeming himself if he rediscovers his old skills in the run in.
There's also a return for John Sadler after a season of consistently good returns in the Second XI. He replaces Dan Redfern, who has had a long first season and is rested. In most other seasons in the last ten years Sadler would have walked into the batting line up, but the top six have done the business this year. They've all had barren spells but have come out of them before it became critical.
The Derbyshire side in full is:
Chris Rogers (captain)
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Wavell Hinds
John Sadler
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Tom Lungley
Steffan Jones
Nantie Hayward
Given that Nantie Hayward hasn't really fired, I'd expect the top eleven to be the side taking the field.
Kent will miss Joe Denly after his England 20/20 selection, but still come with a strong side. Given that they've beaten us with their Firsts and Seconds in recent weeks, the cynics might say that it doesn't matter who they bring along, but I'm sure that Derbyshire will be up for this one.
The Kent squad of 13 is:
Key
Northeast
Jones (W)
van Jaarsveld
Stevens
Kemp
Blake
Tredwell
Cook
Khan
Edwards
Ferley
Coles
John Morris said yesterday that if we win two out of the last three we could still go up and I'd agree, but we'd need to make sure that we don't lose to Essex in among that. For me they're the rivals and if we could (somehow) beat Kent then go to Uxbridge and win, the last game would be a real belter.
First things first. Can we beat Kent? Of course we can. Will we? I'm not so sure we're quite there yet, but sincerely hope I'm wrong.
Finally tonight, I said yesterday that someone could/should take a chance on Herath of Sri Lanka. Lo and behold, Surrey sign him today for the remainder of the season. So while I'm in the zone, I think we should sign Jacques Kallis or JP Duminy for next season.
Now, where's that lucky white heather...
First up tonight, serious congratulations to Derbyshire's physio team who have got Graham Wagg fit again. I thought we'd seen the last of Waggy for this year and he must have had a lot of work to do to get himself back so quickly. Whether he is back as the fast medium version or as solely the slow left armer we'll need to wait and see, but there's little doubt that he has a talismanic effect on the side and it will be good to have him back.
Hello again to Tom Lungley, after we sent him off to our nursery club, Lancashire, to regain form and fitness. He'll be the first to admit that it has not been a vintage year, but he could go a long way towards redeeming himself if he rediscovers his old skills in the run in.
There's also a return for John Sadler after a season of consistently good returns in the Second XI. He replaces Dan Redfern, who has had a long first season and is rested. In most other seasons in the last ten years Sadler would have walked into the batting line up, but the top six have done the business this year. They've all had barren spells but have come out of them before it became critical.
The Derbyshire side in full is:
Chris Rogers (captain)
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Wavell Hinds
John Sadler
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Tom Lungley
Steffan Jones
Nantie Hayward
Given that Nantie Hayward hasn't really fired, I'd expect the top eleven to be the side taking the field.
Kent will miss Joe Denly after his England 20/20 selection, but still come with a strong side. Given that they've beaten us with their Firsts and Seconds in recent weeks, the cynics might say that it doesn't matter who they bring along, but I'm sure that Derbyshire will be up for this one.
The Kent squad of 13 is:
Key
Northeast
Jones (W)
van Jaarsveld
Stevens
Kemp
Blake
Tredwell
Cook
Khan
Edwards
Ferley
Coles
John Morris said yesterday that if we win two out of the last three we could still go up and I'd agree, but we'd need to make sure that we don't lose to Essex in among that. For me they're the rivals and if we could (somehow) beat Kent then go to Uxbridge and win, the last game would be a real belter.
First things first. Can we beat Kent? Of course we can. Will we? I'm not so sure we're quite there yet, but sincerely hope I'm wrong.
Finally tonight, I said yesterday that someone could/should take a chance on Herath of Sri Lanka. Lo and behold, Surrey sign him today for the remainder of the season. So while I'm in the zone, I think we should sign Jacques Kallis or JP Duminy for next season.
Now, where's that lucky white heather...
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