Two T20 wins for the second team today, against Nottinghamshire at the 3aaa County Ground.
Wes Durston captained the side, which included Neil Broom and Andy Carter, but it was youngsters who largely led the way.
In the first game, we made 156-5, with Ben Slater making 57 and Scott Elstone 28 not out. The visitors, despite some big names in their side including Brendon Taylor, were 127-8, with Harry White returning the excellent figures of 2-14, as we won by 29 runs.
In the second game, Nottinghamshire made a very average 123-5, with Will Davis taking 2-26 and Andy Carter conceding only ten runs in taking one wicket in his four overs.
We breezed to victory, with Alex Hughes and Greg Cork adding an unbroken 84 runs and finishing 45 and 40 not out respectively. An eight-wicket win with three overs in hand is pretty emphatic.
Very encouraging, I am sure you will agree!
Friday, 13 May 2016
Essex v Derbyshire preview
It's goodbye experience and hello, young tyros as Derbyshire head to Chelmsford for the four-day game against Essex, that starts on Sunday.
Out go Luke Fletcher, Andy Carter and Wes Durston, while in come Tom Milnes, Ben Cotton and Tom Taylor, as Graeme Welch rings the changes for what will be a tough game.They are brave moves, indicative of the man and sensible ones to boot. None of the experienced men have torn up trees as yet, while the youngsters have accepted their place in the seconds and produced figures to say to the coach 'Pick me'. Equally, Carter and Durston will likely be in the frame for T20, so a breather now will ensure they are ready to roll.
There's no better time to be picked for a team than when you are in form and while I accept that the gulf between first and second team cricket is considerable, the young players coming in have the ability and have proven it sporadically in the past. All have had brief careers with shining moments; their challenge now is to produce those moments more frequently.
Matt Critchley also returns and I applaud Welch's encouragement and reward of good performance. Without longer exposure to senior cricket, we won't know which of these lads can make it, but like the others, Critchley returns to the side on the back of form with bat and ball.
The final make up won't be known until the morning of the game, though Chelmsford is likely to be one for the seamers. Dare we play all five, leaving spin in the hands of Chesney Hughes and Wayne Madsen, or play four and the leggie? All will be revealed in due course, but the twelve is:
Billy Godleman (Captain)
Chesney Hughes
Hamish Rutherford
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Shiv Thakor
Matthew Critchley
Tom Poynton
Tom Milnes
Tony Palladino
Ben Cotton
Tom Taylor
Essex will be tough. They won't have Alastair Cook, but Tom Westley is in prime form and Nick Browne always seems to do well against us. Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster and (if fit) Jesse Ryder give them international experience, while Jamie Porter has joined the evergreen David Masters and Graham Napier in forming a potent seam attack.
Can we win? We need to bat and bowl much better than we have, that's for sure. Half the batsmen are in good form and half aren't. Only Tony Palladino and Shiv Thakor have taken wickets this summer at senior level, so the side as a whole needs to up their game.
It is a game against the side that I expect to win the division this summer, after years of under-performance. As such, it will be a good benchmark for our team - and a feather in the cap of the young players if they acquit themselves well.
I hope they do, but we'll do well to get something from this one.
Your thoughts?
Out go Luke Fletcher, Andy Carter and Wes Durston, while in come Tom Milnes, Ben Cotton and Tom Taylor, as Graeme Welch rings the changes for what will be a tough game.They are brave moves, indicative of the man and sensible ones to boot. None of the experienced men have torn up trees as yet, while the youngsters have accepted their place in the seconds and produced figures to say to the coach 'Pick me'. Equally, Carter and Durston will likely be in the frame for T20, so a breather now will ensure they are ready to roll.
There's no better time to be picked for a team than when you are in form and while I accept that the gulf between first and second team cricket is considerable, the young players coming in have the ability and have proven it sporadically in the past. All have had brief careers with shining moments; their challenge now is to produce those moments more frequently.
Matt Critchley also returns and I applaud Welch's encouragement and reward of good performance. Without longer exposure to senior cricket, we won't know which of these lads can make it, but like the others, Critchley returns to the side on the back of form with bat and ball.
The final make up won't be known until the morning of the game, though Chelmsford is likely to be one for the seamers. Dare we play all five, leaving spin in the hands of Chesney Hughes and Wayne Madsen, or play four and the leggie? All will be revealed in due course, but the twelve is:
Billy Godleman (Captain)
Chesney Hughes
Hamish Rutherford
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Shiv Thakor
Matthew Critchley
Tom Poynton
Tom Milnes
Tony Palladino
Ben Cotton
Tom Taylor
Essex will be tough. They won't have Alastair Cook, but Tom Westley is in prime form and Nick Browne always seems to do well against us. Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeschate, James Foster and (if fit) Jesse Ryder give them international experience, while Jamie Porter has joined the evergreen David Masters and Graham Napier in forming a potent seam attack.
Can we win? We need to bat and bowl much better than we have, that's for sure. Half the batsmen are in good form and half aren't. Only Tony Palladino and Shiv Thakor have taken wickets this summer at senior level, so the side as a whole needs to up their game.
It is a game against the side that I expect to win the division this summer, after years of under-performance. As such, it will be a good benchmark for our team - and a feather in the cap of the young players if they acquit themselves well.
I hope they do, but we'll do well to get something from this one.
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, 11 May 2016
Derbyshire v Sussex day 4
The rain came down again at Derby today, meaning we only had to bat for around a session on the final day of the game against Sussex.
We made 92-2 in that time, with Chesney adding to his season tally nicely with 58 not out. There were never any jitters, though Hamish Rutherford would have wanted some time in the middle - more than the one ball he faced, anyway.
Six points separate fourth and seventh, which we are tonight. The division has only seen four positive results in four rounds of matches, which tells its own story. I disagree with Paul, who commented the other night that if the games had played to a finish we'd have played four, lost four. This one, certainly, but no one can predict how a cricket wicket will play, nor how a day's play will do at a given point. While we have flattered to deceive at times, we are still - just - unbeaten.
Sunday will test us, as we head for Chelmsford and a match against the early leaders, Essex. Perhaps this is the year that those perennial under-achievers finally come good and we will need to raise our game by some considerable margin to compete. Essex are top because they are batting and bowling well. We are seventh because we are batting as individuals, rather than a unit, and our strike bowlers, Tony Palladino apart, haven't done well enough.
There is a strong argument for Ben Cotton to replace Andy Carter in this one, because he has been left out since Bristol and has let his figures do the talking. Today, he led the seconds to a great win over a strong Nottinghamshire side, taking 5-31 in fifteen overs, while Matt Critchley followed his innings of 83 with three wickets, as Nottinghamshire, set 306 to win, were bowled out for 195. Their side included Brendon Taylor, Sam Wood, Will Gidman and Will Root, so it was a fine effort by a young Derbyshire side. There was a wicket apiece for Alex Hughes and Tom Knight, so they can all be rightly pleased with their efforts.
It is all they can do - keep scoring runs, taking wickets and waiting for an opportunity.
It is then down to them to take it.
More from me tomorrow.
Postscript - less than two thousand views to the million mark. Crikey...never expected to get close to this, back when it all began...more on that in due course.
We made 92-2 in that time, with Chesney adding to his season tally nicely with 58 not out. There were never any jitters, though Hamish Rutherford would have wanted some time in the middle - more than the one ball he faced, anyway.
Six points separate fourth and seventh, which we are tonight. The division has only seen four positive results in four rounds of matches, which tells its own story. I disagree with Paul, who commented the other night that if the games had played to a finish we'd have played four, lost four. This one, certainly, but no one can predict how a cricket wicket will play, nor how a day's play will do at a given point. While we have flattered to deceive at times, we are still - just - unbeaten.
Sunday will test us, as we head for Chelmsford and a match against the early leaders, Essex. Perhaps this is the year that those perennial under-achievers finally come good and we will need to raise our game by some considerable margin to compete. Essex are top because they are batting and bowling well. We are seventh because we are batting as individuals, rather than a unit, and our strike bowlers, Tony Palladino apart, haven't done well enough.
There is a strong argument for Ben Cotton to replace Andy Carter in this one, because he has been left out since Bristol and has let his figures do the talking. Today, he led the seconds to a great win over a strong Nottinghamshire side, taking 5-31 in fifteen overs, while Matt Critchley followed his innings of 83 with three wickets, as Nottinghamshire, set 306 to win, were bowled out for 195. Their side included Brendon Taylor, Sam Wood, Will Gidman and Will Root, so it was a fine effort by a young Derbyshire side. There was a wicket apiece for Alex Hughes and Tom Knight, so they can all be rightly pleased with their efforts.
It is all they can do - keep scoring runs, taking wickets and waiting for an opportunity.
It is then down to them to take it.
More from me tomorrow.
Postscript - less than two thousand views to the million mark. Crikey...never expected to get close to this, back when it all began...more on that in due course.
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
Derbyshire v Sussex day 3
No play today.
It was hard to believe. We had a glorious day in Scotland today and the T-shirts and shorts were de rigeur for many. Looking at the photographs of the 3aaa County Ground, it was hard to believe it was the same continent, let alone island. Still, it's usually the other way round so we will make the most of it.
It helps our cause, of course and we now have one day to bat, instead of two. Based on the first two days, we don't deserve anything from the match, but a good effort tomorrow could earn us more than looked likely.
It will be tough on Sussex, who have totally outplayed us and may yet go on to bowl us out tomorrow. The wicket may 'sweat' a little after being under the covers for a day, but it is down to the team to graft and graft some more.
I still think that we will get plenty of runs this summer, in all forms of the game. Most of the batsmen have made runs and once Neil Broom finds his form there will be good and deep runs in the line-up. The bowling must be a concern for Graeme Welch, though.
Tony Palladino and Shiv Thakor have both done all the coach could have wanted, taking wickets when conditions allowed it, bowling tight when they didn't. Wes Durston has bowled decently enough and at least gives us a spin option, but the other two seam bowling roles are far from secure. Luke Fletcher will be heading back to Trent Bridge soon, having bowled tidily, for most of the time, but without suggesting he can bowl sides out. His record suggests him a better bowler than this spell has shown, so maybe it's just a rhythm thing.
The same goes for Andy Carter. I had great expectations of the tall, genial seamer, but when I have seen him he doesn't seem as 'loose' as I have seen before. Maybe rhythm, perhaps unlucky with the early season surfaces, but his lines and lengths haven't been right, both pretty crucial for any bowler.
There are opportunities for the young brigade. Ben Cotton has gone to the seconds and bowled tight, as well as taking wickets. Greg Cork has got wickets and scored good runs. Tom Milnes seems to get two or three wickets whenever he bowls at that level. The challenge for each - and those behind them in the pecking order - is to produce those figures when they make the step up.
Tom Taylor is another who is slowly getting back to form, though prone to the 'four ball' an over that is frustrating. All of these lads have the talent.
Can they translate it to results?
It'll be worth watching...
It was hard to believe. We had a glorious day in Scotland today and the T-shirts and shorts were de rigeur for many. Looking at the photographs of the 3aaa County Ground, it was hard to believe it was the same continent, let alone island. Still, it's usually the other way round so we will make the most of it.
It helps our cause, of course and we now have one day to bat, instead of two. Based on the first two days, we don't deserve anything from the match, but a good effort tomorrow could earn us more than looked likely.
It will be tough on Sussex, who have totally outplayed us and may yet go on to bowl us out tomorrow. The wicket may 'sweat' a little after being under the covers for a day, but it is down to the team to graft and graft some more.
I still think that we will get plenty of runs this summer, in all forms of the game. Most of the batsmen have made runs and once Neil Broom finds his form there will be good and deep runs in the line-up. The bowling must be a concern for Graeme Welch, though.
Tony Palladino and Shiv Thakor have both done all the coach could have wanted, taking wickets when conditions allowed it, bowling tight when they didn't. Wes Durston has bowled decently enough and at least gives us a spin option, but the other two seam bowling roles are far from secure. Luke Fletcher will be heading back to Trent Bridge soon, having bowled tidily, for most of the time, but without suggesting he can bowl sides out. His record suggests him a better bowler than this spell has shown, so maybe it's just a rhythm thing.
The same goes for Andy Carter. I had great expectations of the tall, genial seamer, but when I have seen him he doesn't seem as 'loose' as I have seen before. Maybe rhythm, perhaps unlucky with the early season surfaces, but his lines and lengths haven't been right, both pretty crucial for any bowler.
There are opportunities for the young brigade. Ben Cotton has gone to the seconds and bowled tight, as well as taking wickets. Greg Cork has got wickets and scored good runs. Tom Milnes seems to get two or three wickets whenever he bowls at that level. The challenge for each - and those behind them in the pecking order - is to produce those figures when they make the step up.
Tom Taylor is another who is slowly getting back to form, though prone to the 'four ball' an over that is frustrating. All of these lads have the talent.
Can they translate it to results?
It'll be worth watching...
Monday, 9 May 2016
Derbyshire v Sussex day 2
Derbyshire 191
Sussex 468-5 (Joyce 250, Wells 116, Thakor 3-59)
Sussex lead by 277 runs
If this was a boxing match, the umpires would have stopped it at tea.
Ed Joyce played a magnificent, career-best innings for the visitors, with excellent support from Luke Wells, as they added a record 310 for the second wicket. Reports suggested that the day-long sun had long dried the green from the wicket and batting turned from pre-lunch challenge into post-tea carnage.
Shiv Thakor can be extremely proud of his 3-59 in 23 overs, magnificent figures on such a day and indicative of an exemplary line and length. Tony Palladino bowled respectably and Wes Durston twirled away to finish with the wickets of the two centurions.
I'd have to say though that the figures of Luke Fletcher and Andy Carter don't bear close scrutiny. While accepting that it was not a day for bowlers, both were very expensive and it is fair comment that supporters would wish for better figures from experienced men.
Neither has made the impact that I expected thus far and came in for fearful stick from Joyce, who took five successive fours from Fletcher and four from a Carter over.
Putting not too fine a point on it, each has to do better, or the youngsters in the wings should be given an opportunity. At least we'd get ECB payments for their appearance, even if they were no more successful. With greater experience in sport comes greater expectation and neither of the seamers has impressed as yet. I'm disappointed, I have to say and expect economy and discipline, even if the wickets are unfavourable.
Got to do better. Simple as that.
In other news, it appears that Mark Footitt is set to miss 'a considerable part' of the season with a side strain, after his move to Surrey. It is a shame for Mark, who had two seasons of constant fitness at Derbyshire, but shows again how important a contribution James Pipe and Jamie Tallent made to his game. A tailored fitness regime kept him going and bowling long spells at top pace, something that we are badly missing this season.
We'll likely lose this one, but I will be watching the players response to batting a second time, a likely 400 behind. I hope to see a much better effort and people spending time at the crease, as there would appear no excuse for them not doing.
Let's see.
Sussex 468-5 (Joyce 250, Wells 116, Thakor 3-59)
Sussex lead by 277 runs
If this was a boxing match, the umpires would have stopped it at tea.
Ed Joyce played a magnificent, career-best innings for the visitors, with excellent support from Luke Wells, as they added a record 310 for the second wicket. Reports suggested that the day-long sun had long dried the green from the wicket and batting turned from pre-lunch challenge into post-tea carnage.
Shiv Thakor can be extremely proud of his 3-59 in 23 overs, magnificent figures on such a day and indicative of an exemplary line and length. Tony Palladino bowled respectably and Wes Durston twirled away to finish with the wickets of the two centurions.
I'd have to say though that the figures of Luke Fletcher and Andy Carter don't bear close scrutiny. While accepting that it was not a day for bowlers, both were very expensive and it is fair comment that supporters would wish for better figures from experienced men.
Neither has made the impact that I expected thus far and came in for fearful stick from Joyce, who took five successive fours from Fletcher and four from a Carter over.
Putting not too fine a point on it, each has to do better, or the youngsters in the wings should be given an opportunity. At least we'd get ECB payments for their appearance, even if they were no more successful. With greater experience in sport comes greater expectation and neither of the seamers has impressed as yet. I'm disappointed, I have to say and expect economy and discipline, even if the wickets are unfavourable.
Got to do better. Simple as that.
In other news, it appears that Mark Footitt is set to miss 'a considerable part' of the season with a side strain, after his move to Surrey. It is a shame for Mark, who had two seasons of constant fitness at Derbyshire, but shows again how important a contribution James Pipe and Jamie Tallent made to his game. A tailored fitness regime kept him going and bowling long spells at top pace, something that we are badly missing this season.
We'll likely lose this one, but I will be watching the players response to batting a second time, a likely 400 behind. I hope to see a much better effort and people spending time at the crease, as there would appear no excuse for them not doing.
Let's see.
Sunday, 8 May 2016
Derbyshire v Sussex day one
Derbyshire 191 (Thakor 36 not, Hatchett 5-58)
Sussex 83-1 (Joyce 41 not)
Sussex trail by 108 runs
Well, we are in a hole here...
In much the same way as at Northampton, a strong and well-fought lunch position was squandered in the afternoon and by the close, we were looking down a barrel in this game.
The Twitter photograph of the wicket suggested a little green and it was always likely that the visitors would opt to bowl on it. They didn't make headway before the interval, but after Hamish Rutherford was out shortly after lunch, the middle order imploded in worrying fashion. An engine room that suggests a lot of runs and power is misfiring badly at present, which must be a frustration for Graeme Welch.
Shiv Thakor confirmed his continued progress with another fighting knock, but the rest came and went with worrying regularity and 191 all out was a disappointing first innings, even with conditions that helped the bowlers. The form of Neil Broom continues to be a cause for concern, but we must hope the Kiwi comes to terms with English wickets sooner, rather than later.
Having said all that, I applaud the production of a wicket that at least ensures a result.
Whether we play well enough collectively to be on the right side of it is another thing altogether...
Sussex 83-1 (Joyce 41 not)
Sussex trail by 108 runs
Well, we are in a hole here...
In much the same way as at Northampton, a strong and well-fought lunch position was squandered in the afternoon and by the close, we were looking down a barrel in this game.
The Twitter photograph of the wicket suggested a little green and it was always likely that the visitors would opt to bowl on it. They didn't make headway before the interval, but after Hamish Rutherford was out shortly after lunch, the middle order imploded in worrying fashion. An engine room that suggests a lot of runs and power is misfiring badly at present, which must be a frustration for Graeme Welch.
Shiv Thakor confirmed his continued progress with another fighting knock, but the rest came and went with worrying regularity and 191 all out was a disappointing first innings, even with conditions that helped the bowlers. The form of Neil Broom continues to be a cause for concern, but we must hope the Kiwi comes to terms with English wickets sooner, rather than later.
Having said all that, I applaud the production of a wicket that at least ensures a result.
Whether we play well enough collectively to be on the right side of it is another thing altogether...
Saturday, 7 May 2016
Derbyshire v Sussex preview
It was good to see Graeme Welch demanding more from the Derbyshire players ahead of the fourth championship game of the summer, starting at the 3aaa County Ground tomorrow against Sussex.
We have played steadily and batted with greater elan than has been the case for some time, but haven't really fired yet. We have three batsmen in division two's top twelve, yet have not yet achieved a match-defining first innings.
As Welch points out today, to win on the blameless tracks, you have to post 600 in the first innings, but then to bowl teams out twice you need a special bowler, the like of which we don't yet have. It is equally important to get those runs with reasonable speed, because otherwise there will be insufficient time to play with.
If the weather is kinder to the two teams for this coming match, there is every chance of a result. Neil Godrich seems to have got a better handle on pitch preparation than his counterparts at Bristol and Northampton, where they will struggle for positive results this season on early evidence. I was amazed to see Steve Rhodes commenting that the new toss idea was working this week, because it doesn't look like that to me, or many others.
We have a thirteen-man squad for tomorrow, which is the side from Northampton, plus Matt Critchley and Ben Cotton. Ben has done well with bat and ball for the seconds this week and will doubtless be the first in line when Luke Fletcher's stint with us ends. I'd be surprised if there was any change to the last game though, which most would consider a first-choice side at present. Our thirteen:
Billy Godleman (Captain)
Chesney Hughes
Hamish Rutherford
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Wes Durston
Shiv Thakor
Matthew Critchley
Tom Poynton
Tony Palladino
Ben Cotton
Luke Fletcher
Andy Carter
Sussex were widely tipped to go straight back up this year, but with Luke Wright injured and Chris Jordan at the IPL they haven't had a full-strength side yet. Both miss this game, while Ajmal Shahzad has a side strain and may also miss out.
They still have plenty of good players though and with Kiwi Ross Taylor in their ranks, the New Zealand flavour will be strong. They have a strong batting side and in Steve Magoffin have a very solid bowler. Their squad:
Danny Briggs, Ben Brown, Harry Finch, George Garton, Lewis Hatchett, Ed Joyce, Matt Machan, Steve Magoffin, Chris Nash, Ollie Robinson, Ajmal Shahzad, Ross Taylor, Luke Wells, Stuart Whittingham.
It will be a good test for Derbyshire, but would be a very good game to win. That there is talent in the side is undeniable, but we need everyone, especially the bowlers, to be closer to their very best on a wicket that should give them a little more help than those on other grounds.
If we can find another ten per cent, I will go for a home win. There are a few people with points to prove and this is a good time to start doing it.
We have played steadily and batted with greater elan than has been the case for some time, but haven't really fired yet. We have three batsmen in division two's top twelve, yet have not yet achieved a match-defining first innings.
As Welch points out today, to win on the blameless tracks, you have to post 600 in the first innings, but then to bowl teams out twice you need a special bowler, the like of which we don't yet have. It is equally important to get those runs with reasonable speed, because otherwise there will be insufficient time to play with.
If the weather is kinder to the two teams for this coming match, there is every chance of a result. Neil Godrich seems to have got a better handle on pitch preparation than his counterparts at Bristol and Northampton, where they will struggle for positive results this season on early evidence. I was amazed to see Steve Rhodes commenting that the new toss idea was working this week, because it doesn't look like that to me, or many others.
We have a thirteen-man squad for tomorrow, which is the side from Northampton, plus Matt Critchley and Ben Cotton. Ben has done well with bat and ball for the seconds this week and will doubtless be the first in line when Luke Fletcher's stint with us ends. I'd be surprised if there was any change to the last game though, which most would consider a first-choice side at present. Our thirteen:
Billy Godleman (Captain)
Chesney Hughes
Hamish Rutherford
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Wes Durston
Shiv Thakor
Matthew Critchley
Tom Poynton
Tony Palladino
Ben Cotton
Luke Fletcher
Andy Carter
Sussex were widely tipped to go straight back up this year, but with Luke Wright injured and Chris Jordan at the IPL they haven't had a full-strength side yet. Both miss this game, while Ajmal Shahzad has a side strain and may also miss out.
They still have plenty of good players though and with Kiwi Ross Taylor in their ranks, the New Zealand flavour will be strong. They have a strong batting side and in Steve Magoffin have a very solid bowler. Their squad:
Danny Briggs, Ben Brown, Harry Finch, George Garton, Lewis Hatchett, Ed Joyce, Matt Machan, Steve Magoffin, Chris Nash, Ollie Robinson, Ajmal Shahzad, Ross Taylor, Luke Wells, Stuart Whittingham.
It will be a good test for Derbyshire, but would be a very good game to win. That there is talent in the side is undeniable, but we need everyone, especially the bowlers, to be closer to their very best on a wicket that should give them a little more help than those on other grounds.
If we can find another ten per cent, I will go for a home win. There are a few people with points to prove and this is a good time to start doing it.
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
Northamptonshire v Derbyshire day 4
Derbyshire 324 and 229-1 (Hughes 109 not, Godleman 94)
Northamptonshire 470 (Levi 104)
Match drawn
A match that looked like it had 'draw' written all over it from the end of the second day lived up to its moniker today.
The wicket was simply too good for a finish and Billy Godleman and Chesney Hughes saw us comfortably through to a draw with a superb opening stand of 215. It was the latter's second ton of the season, in which he already has 400 runs at a trifling average of 133..
It was a fine effort, albeit with controversy when Billy Godleman refused to walk for a catch near the boundary, believing the ball hadn't carried. The fielder said he had caught it cleanly, the batsman felt he hadn't and the umpires agreed. Whether the home side and its supporters were unhappy is neither here nor there, but any batsman is entitled to stand his ground if unsure and the decision has to be made by the umpires. That is, after all, why they are paid. We have all seen and many of us taken catches we felt clean that bounced just ahead of our dive - think back to the T20 World Cup final and the 'catch' taken by Jos Buttler from Marlon Samuels.
There will doubtless be calls of Billy 'attracting controversy', but I don't buy it on this occasion.
Last week I talked about the need, on such dead wickets, for sides to play 'brave' cricket and there was another example here, where the home side failed to do so. Their decision to bat on last night left them only one slim window to win the game - making enough runs to sow seeds of doubt in our minds, then bowling us out. It appeared an unlikely scenario on such a track and, with respect, needed a better attack than they have to do so.
Had they declared on 300, or even 275, they had two chances. There was a slim likelihood of bowling us out, perhaps with quick wickets last night, or a better chance of chasing, say, 275 in 55 overs. It may not have worked either, but it gave them a better chance of a positive result.
Sides need to seek and take those chances this season, or it will go down as one of the most dull in recent memory. Look at the scores in the current round of matches and see what I mean. From a spectator perspective, last days have all the intrigue of watching a melting ice cube. If the four-day county game is to be eased out, they have found a mighty fine way of going about it. Death by boredom may yet occur...
It was good to see Andy Carter take two of the last three wickets today. He's not yet hit his stride, but I remain convinced he will. There are plenty of bowlers struggling this year and trying to make an impression at a new county is not easy in such conditions.
Still, we were professional to the end and a draw eased to is better than the scrambled efforts we have seen many times before, or the somewhat ignominious defeats.
You have to admit, the batting looks strong this year.
Sussex at home next. More from me soon.
Northamptonshire 470 (Levi 104)
Match drawn
A match that looked like it had 'draw' written all over it from the end of the second day lived up to its moniker today.
The wicket was simply too good for a finish and Billy Godleman and Chesney Hughes saw us comfortably through to a draw with a superb opening stand of 215. It was the latter's second ton of the season, in which he already has 400 runs at a trifling average of 133..
It was a fine effort, albeit with controversy when Billy Godleman refused to walk for a catch near the boundary, believing the ball hadn't carried. The fielder said he had caught it cleanly, the batsman felt he hadn't and the umpires agreed. Whether the home side and its supporters were unhappy is neither here nor there, but any batsman is entitled to stand his ground if unsure and the decision has to be made by the umpires. That is, after all, why they are paid. We have all seen and many of us taken catches we felt clean that bounced just ahead of our dive - think back to the T20 World Cup final and the 'catch' taken by Jos Buttler from Marlon Samuels.
There will doubtless be calls of Billy 'attracting controversy', but I don't buy it on this occasion.
Last week I talked about the need, on such dead wickets, for sides to play 'brave' cricket and there was another example here, where the home side failed to do so. Their decision to bat on last night left them only one slim window to win the game - making enough runs to sow seeds of doubt in our minds, then bowling us out. It appeared an unlikely scenario on such a track and, with respect, needed a better attack than they have to do so.
Had they declared on 300, or even 275, they had two chances. There was a slim likelihood of bowling us out, perhaps with quick wickets last night, or a better chance of chasing, say, 275 in 55 overs. It may not have worked either, but it gave them a better chance of a positive result.
Sides need to seek and take those chances this season, or it will go down as one of the most dull in recent memory. Look at the scores in the current round of matches and see what I mean. From a spectator perspective, last days have all the intrigue of watching a melting ice cube. If the four-day county game is to be eased out, they have found a mighty fine way of going about it. Death by boredom may yet occur...
It was good to see Andy Carter take two of the last three wickets today. He's not yet hit his stride, but I remain convinced he will. There are plenty of bowlers struggling this year and trying to make an impression at a new county is not easy in such conditions.
Still, we were professional to the end and a draw eased to is better than the scrambled efforts we have seen many times before, or the somewhat ignominious defeats.
You have to admit, the batting looks strong this year.
Sussex at home next. More from me soon.
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Northamptonshire v Derbyshire day 3
Derbyshire 324
Northamptonshire 438-7 (Libby 102, Kleinveldt 97, Levi 84 not, Duckett 60)
Northamptonshire lead by 114 runs
In a game bearing strange similarities to the recent one at Bristol, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Derbyshire could lose this game tomorrow. The home side are 114 ahead and, if they can stretch that to around 200 in the morning session tomorrow, there is a chance that they could put us under pressure in the afternoon and evening.
Having said that, it really shouldn't happen. While a cluster of wickets went down after lunch on each of the first and third days, for the rest of the time batting has appeared to be a fairly uncomplicated affair. That the late order batsmen of either side have managed to register impressive tallies tells a story and I will be very disappointed if a side that bats as long as ours appears to do is bowled out on such a surface tomorrow.
Shiv Thakor followed up his unbeaten 83 with a three-wicket burst in the afternoon, which reinforced his claim for the number seven spot on a regular basis, but also gave us a glimmer of being able to dictate the pace and course of the game. Until then, Northamptonshire had scored steadily, but rather slowly. If they don't bowl us out tomorrow they might rue their decision to bat on, as a run chase on such a wicket might have been a nice prospect for them.
As it was, Rory Kleinveldt cemented his status as a good value overseas player by adding 97 runs to his three wickets yesterday. His hitting took the game away from us too quickly, with fearsome stick being handed out to the bowlers and especially Andy Carter, who went for 24 in one over. With on-loan Jake Libby scoring a century and Richard Levi nearing one at the close, the home side barely missed their injured players.
It wasn't a day that too many of our bowlers will look back on with any fondness, Thakor apart. Mind you, there aren't many tracks that bowlers will be looking forward to this year and I suspect there may be some horrific bowling averages around the circuit. They at least stuck at it well, conceding only 17 extras to the 41 that we were gifted.
Given the opportunity, of the first and second eleven games currently going on I would sooner have been watching the twos. They have an excellent game going on against Lancashire at Crosby, in which we were bowled out for 104, before bowling out the home side for 150, Ben Cotton taking 4-46, Tom Taylor 3-33 and Tom Milnes 2-26.
By the close, we were 123-3, a lead of 77, with Jon Tattersall making 48 and Greg Cork an unbeaten 39. For me, that's proper cricket, a fair battle between bat and ball, where the technique of batsmen is tested and the bowlers get encouragement, if they are bending their backs.
Against a strong Lancashire side, the Derbyshire boys are doing well. I hope that they push on to win their game, while the first team do all they can do now and save theirs with something to spare.
Could be a long and, it has to be said, fairly dull championship summer at this rate.
Northamptonshire 438-7 (Libby 102, Kleinveldt 97, Levi 84 not, Duckett 60)
Northamptonshire lead by 114 runs
In a game bearing strange similarities to the recent one at Bristol, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Derbyshire could lose this game tomorrow. The home side are 114 ahead and, if they can stretch that to around 200 in the morning session tomorrow, there is a chance that they could put us under pressure in the afternoon and evening.
Having said that, it really shouldn't happen. While a cluster of wickets went down after lunch on each of the first and third days, for the rest of the time batting has appeared to be a fairly uncomplicated affair. That the late order batsmen of either side have managed to register impressive tallies tells a story and I will be very disappointed if a side that bats as long as ours appears to do is bowled out on such a surface tomorrow.
Shiv Thakor followed up his unbeaten 83 with a three-wicket burst in the afternoon, which reinforced his claim for the number seven spot on a regular basis, but also gave us a glimmer of being able to dictate the pace and course of the game. Until then, Northamptonshire had scored steadily, but rather slowly. If they don't bowl us out tomorrow they might rue their decision to bat on, as a run chase on such a wicket might have been a nice prospect for them.
As it was, Rory Kleinveldt cemented his status as a good value overseas player by adding 97 runs to his three wickets yesterday. His hitting took the game away from us too quickly, with fearsome stick being handed out to the bowlers and especially Andy Carter, who went for 24 in one over. With on-loan Jake Libby scoring a century and Richard Levi nearing one at the close, the home side barely missed their injured players.
It wasn't a day that too many of our bowlers will look back on with any fondness, Thakor apart. Mind you, there aren't many tracks that bowlers will be looking forward to this year and I suspect there may be some horrific bowling averages around the circuit. They at least stuck at it well, conceding only 17 extras to the 41 that we were gifted.
Given the opportunity, of the first and second eleven games currently going on I would sooner have been watching the twos. They have an excellent game going on against Lancashire at Crosby, in which we were bowled out for 104, before bowling out the home side for 150, Ben Cotton taking 4-46, Tom Taylor 3-33 and Tom Milnes 2-26.
By the close, we were 123-3, a lead of 77, with Jon Tattersall making 48 and Greg Cork an unbeaten 39. For me, that's proper cricket, a fair battle between bat and ball, where the technique of batsmen is tested and the bowlers get encouragement, if they are bending their backs.
Against a strong Lancashire side, the Derbyshire boys are doing well. I hope that they push on to win their game, while the first team do all they can do now and save theirs with something to spare.
Could be a long and, it has to be said, fairly dull championship summer at this rate.
Monday, 2 May 2016
Northamptonshire v Derbyshire day 2
Derbyshire 324 (Thakor 83 not)
Northamptonshire 66-0
Derbyshire lead by 258 runs
There was a shortened day at Wantage Road today, with Derbyshire adding useful runs for the last wicket once again, before the home side posted a steady reply ahead of the forecast rain, which wiped out the rest of the day.
I sometimes have reservations about late innings rallies. Good as they are, they are usually indicative of an under-performing batting unit and at this stage it looks like we did that here. 324 is a steady first knock, but when your last man comes in and knocks it around with ease, there is a suggestion that the 'proper' men should have done better.
Still, Carter the Unstoppable Six Machine did his stuff and helped Shiv Thakor to add valuable runs. Shiv will take confidence from this effort and rightly so. The lad can play and has much to offer us in the coming seasons. He seemed to use a lot of common sense too, not really a surprise from a level-headed young man.
My concern, at this stage, is the bowling. They are not, by any standards, bad bowlers, as you can't be if playing at this level. Yet there is a sameness about our attack, which regular readers will know has been my criticism of that of the national side. Right arm over times five, at different speeds, which rather allows batsmen to line things up and enjoy themselves. Mark Footitt gave us more than lightning pace, he gave us a change of angle, which in itself can be useful. Right now our attack looks like a tidy one that may do well in one-day cricket, rather than one which will bowl sides out twice, to win a game, but we will see.
It would appear that there is every incentive for Greg Cork and Harry White to work at their games though. Their left-handedness gives them an advantage which would benefit the side - as long as it is accompanied by right lines and lengths, of course...
It will be an interesting day tomorrow, not least to see how the home side play their innings. Do they aim for 450 and the hope of putting us under pressure on the last day? Gloucestershire tried that and it didn't work at all. Or do they get to 250 or 300, then pull out and see what sort of target we are prepared to set them on the last afternoon?
I wrote last week that on this year's wickets, teams will need to be prepared to gamble to get positive outcomes. Unless something extraordinary happens with bat or ball tomorrow, the last day would appear to need a little innovation to make something happen after today's lost time.
Hopefully we are on the right side of things, but I will be happy to see an attempt at a result.
Northamptonshire 66-0
Derbyshire lead by 258 runs
There was a shortened day at Wantage Road today, with Derbyshire adding useful runs for the last wicket once again, before the home side posted a steady reply ahead of the forecast rain, which wiped out the rest of the day.
I sometimes have reservations about late innings rallies. Good as they are, they are usually indicative of an under-performing batting unit and at this stage it looks like we did that here. 324 is a steady first knock, but when your last man comes in and knocks it around with ease, there is a suggestion that the 'proper' men should have done better.
Still, Carter the Unstoppable Six Machine did his stuff and helped Shiv Thakor to add valuable runs. Shiv will take confidence from this effort and rightly so. The lad can play and has much to offer us in the coming seasons. He seemed to use a lot of common sense too, not really a surprise from a level-headed young man.
My concern, at this stage, is the bowling. They are not, by any standards, bad bowlers, as you can't be if playing at this level. Yet there is a sameness about our attack, which regular readers will know has been my criticism of that of the national side. Right arm over times five, at different speeds, which rather allows batsmen to line things up and enjoy themselves. Mark Footitt gave us more than lightning pace, he gave us a change of angle, which in itself can be useful. Right now our attack looks like a tidy one that may do well in one-day cricket, rather than one which will bowl sides out twice, to win a game, but we will see.
It would appear that there is every incentive for Greg Cork and Harry White to work at their games though. Their left-handedness gives them an advantage which would benefit the side - as long as it is accompanied by right lines and lengths, of course...
It will be an interesting day tomorrow, not least to see how the home side play their innings. Do they aim for 450 and the hope of putting us under pressure on the last day? Gloucestershire tried that and it didn't work at all. Or do they get to 250 or 300, then pull out and see what sort of target we are prepared to set them on the last afternoon?
I wrote last week that on this year's wickets, teams will need to be prepared to gamble to get positive outcomes. Unless something extraordinary happens with bat or ball tomorrow, the last day would appear to need a little innovation to make something happen after today's lost time.
Hopefully we are on the right side of things, but I will be happy to see an attempt at a result.
Sunday, 1 May 2016
Northamptonshire v Derbyshire day 1
Derbyshire 275-8 (Thakor 60 not, Palladino 49) v NorthamptonshireIt was a curious old day at Wantage Road.
It began and ended well, yet the post-lunch session was as madcap a procession as we have become used to in recent years. 117-2 became 161-7 in the time that I took our puppy, Wallace, for a walk, each beep of the incoming tweet leaving him looking at me with what appeared increasing incredulity.
He's not used to it, of course. It was a shame, because Billy Godleman and Chesney Hughes led off in fine, aggressive style and when Billy departed, Hamish Rutherford took up the cause and looked well set at lunch, with Wayne Madsen as his partner.
Ye the middle order disintegrated with a fine spell from the tireless Rory Kleinveldt, a worthy overseas professional who just keeps bowling. At that stage it looked like 200 might be the underwhelming summit of our ambitions, but at a time of adversity you look for your players to dig deep. They did.
Shiv Thakor has disappointed with the bat since arriving from Leicestershire, though the occasional innings has hinted at the talent that appeared obvious when he played there. Here he had the opportunity to play himself in and shape an innings, to which end he applied himself splendidly. Almost three hours of application brought him an unbeaten sixty, with six boundaries, as he shared a priceless stand of 105 with Tony Palladino.
We know Tony of old. He is another who digs deep when the chips are down and has probably performed rescue acts often enough now to be considered an all rounder. Perhaps an average of fifteen doesn't substantiate that, but his big scores usually come when the runs are most needed, which will do me, his team mates and undoubtedly his coach, too.
He deserved a fifty, but fell one short and Luke Fletcher saw it through to a premature close when the light got too murky.
How good is 275-8? Well, we won't know until the home side bats tomorrow, but the best sign is that wickets can go down on the track, which will do me. A few runs more would have been nice, but it could have been considerably less.
Fingers crossed tomorrow sees our four-man seam attack 'do a Kleinveldt' - but hopefully without the late-innings heroics.
I'll see you then.
Book Review: The Good Murungu: A Cricket Tale of the Unexpected by Alan Butcher
I always liked Alan Butcher as a cricketer. He was a committed character who always gave of his best and, as such, was a player with who fans could easily identify.After his coaching role at Surrey ended, the book reveals his struggles, but a phone call from Dave Houghton alerted him to the possibility of coaching the Zimbabwe national side. Whatever your impression of Zimbabwe's fragmented cricket and nation, it will only be heightened by this extraordinary read, which documents Butcher's three madcap years in charge.
At times it is like reading a good review on Trip Advisor, but that is far from a criticism. For the many who have never been, nor considered going to a troubled country, it highlights the beauty and the issues of that country, while giving a compelling account of why working in it can be so frustrating and difficult.
After forty years as a player and coach, little could really prepare Alan Butcher for what he encountered, including accusations of racially motivated selections and conflict with cricket bosses and selectors alike. His efforts to improve team morale and technique were not always met positively and slowly but surely, even his natural positivity was drained.
Despite it all, his tenure saw Zimbabwe's first Test win in six years, which was followed by a one-day series win, as well as victory over neighbouring South Africa in a tri-nations tournament.
It is a compelling read, one which should be essential for all cricket fans. It left me sad that a once proud and talented cricketing nation has been consigned to international also-rans, but is a book that I enjoyed from start to finish.
Well worth opening your wallet for!
The Good Murungu: A Cricket Tale of the Unexpected is written by Alan Butcher and published by Pitch Publishing. It is available from all good book shops, priced £12.99
Book review - The Girls of Summer: An Ashes Year With the England Women's Cricket Team by David Tossell
In fairness, it would be wrong to say that all cricket fans are followers of the women's game, though those who are will recognise the huge strides that have been made in recent years. Thinking back to my youth, the national side seemed to be overly reliant on Enid Bakewell and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint with little else as back up.
Today, the national women's side are fitter (though not fit enough yet, according to their coach after the recent World Cup) and with better techniques. Several players are 'names' on an international scale and some hold their own in competing with and against their male counterparts. There is respect for the women's game in most quarters and rightly so.
The author was granted access to see and talk to the team as they prepared for the Ashes, attending training and social events, as well as being in the dressing room ahead of matches.
The result is a fascinating insight into not just the games, but the participants themselves. As you work through the book, you learn the personal battles faced by players, on and off the pitch, challenges no different to those faced by all on a daily basis yet often forgotten where elite sports men and women are concerned.
The book deserves to do well and is an engaging read, as one would expect from a writer of such experience.Full marks to Pitch Publishing in seeing its potential and helping to raise the stock of the women's game still further.
Long may it continue.
The Girls of Summer: An Ashes Year With the England Women's Cricket Team is written by David Tossell and published by Pitch Publishing. It is available from all good book shops, priced £12.99
First talking point of the summer
Well, that got people restless!
The omission of Ben Slater from the Derbyshire eleven for the game at Northampton resulted in my biggest mail bag for some time. One thing I will say, straight away is that you should remember to append a name to posts, especially if being critical. I am big enough to have my face and name on here and so are other people. Please ensure that you do the same, thank you!
One point of reference for one of the more caustic comments - I am not 'in Derbyshire's pocket' by a long stretch. That I agree with most (not all) of what happens at the club these days reassures me that all is largely well, but no one at Derbyshire ever can or will tell me what to write, as the thoughts on here have always and will always be mine alone.
With regard to the Ben Slater omission, there was always going to be a battle between him and Chesney Hughes to open with Billy Godleman and the chance that he could miss out was always 50/50, unless Hamish Rutherford opted to open and Alex Hughes or another all rounder came in. Omitting the new skipper, a man who was one of only two truly convincing four-day players last year, was never an option once he was fit.
Yes, Ben has done pretty well this year and I count myself among his biggest fans. He has come through the ranks, scored steadily and let no one down. As I said last week, however, to cement a place in the side he needs to convert good fifties into hundreds. Chesney did that at Bristol and, as the heaviest scorer of the two in the games so far, deserves his opportunity.
So should Neil Broom have been the man omitted? Not for me, because for one thing you are then swapping an opener and middle order batsman. He has just come off a winter back home where he averaged over fifty in the first-class game and over eighty in one-day cricket. Yes, he has played league cricket here, but to cite that as relevant experience for facing first-class bowling here suggests I could replace Lewis Hamilton, because I can drive.
Broom needs time in the middle and will deliver, as his record suggests. He has had just three innings in this country and needs more. He hadn't played for a month, prior to arriving here, because of an operation and omitting him at this stage would, in MY opinion, be both silly and patently unfair. By the same token, should he not discover form, as he showed last year with Tillakaratne Dilshan, Graeme Welch would be man enough to make the call to omit him, but that is some way down the line.
Moving to a new place, let alone new country and uprooting family is a big thing for anyone and Neil needs a little time, as anyone else would. That we have players of the quality of Ben Slater, Matt Critchley, Harvey Hosein, Tom Knight, Alex Hughes and a raft of talented seamers outside the squad is testimony to what is developing at Derbyshire. Only eleven can ever play and all those on the staff will know that sustained levels of performance are the one way to guarantee a place in the side.
I have no doubt that Ben will take this on the chin, score heavily in the second team and be back in the side before too long. The only way he won't is if he doesn't do that, or if those in possession are simply doing too well to drop.
If that is the case, then I wouldn't anticipate too many complaints.
The omission of Ben Slater from the Derbyshire eleven for the game at Northampton resulted in my biggest mail bag for some time. One thing I will say, straight away is that you should remember to append a name to posts, especially if being critical. I am big enough to have my face and name on here and so are other people. Please ensure that you do the same, thank you!
One point of reference for one of the more caustic comments - I am not 'in Derbyshire's pocket' by a long stretch. That I agree with most (not all) of what happens at the club these days reassures me that all is largely well, but no one at Derbyshire ever can or will tell me what to write, as the thoughts on here have always and will always be mine alone.
With regard to the Ben Slater omission, there was always going to be a battle between him and Chesney Hughes to open with Billy Godleman and the chance that he could miss out was always 50/50, unless Hamish Rutherford opted to open and Alex Hughes or another all rounder came in. Omitting the new skipper, a man who was one of only two truly convincing four-day players last year, was never an option once he was fit.
Yes, Ben has done pretty well this year and I count myself among his biggest fans. He has come through the ranks, scored steadily and let no one down. As I said last week, however, to cement a place in the side he needs to convert good fifties into hundreds. Chesney did that at Bristol and, as the heaviest scorer of the two in the games so far, deserves his opportunity.
So should Neil Broom have been the man omitted? Not for me, because for one thing you are then swapping an opener and middle order batsman. He has just come off a winter back home where he averaged over fifty in the first-class game and over eighty in one-day cricket. Yes, he has played league cricket here, but to cite that as relevant experience for facing first-class bowling here suggests I could replace Lewis Hamilton, because I can drive.
Broom needs time in the middle and will deliver, as his record suggests. He has had just three innings in this country and needs more. He hadn't played for a month, prior to arriving here, because of an operation and omitting him at this stage would, in MY opinion, be both silly and patently unfair. By the same token, should he not discover form, as he showed last year with Tillakaratne Dilshan, Graeme Welch would be man enough to make the call to omit him, but that is some way down the line.
Moving to a new place, let alone new country and uprooting family is a big thing for anyone and Neil needs a little time, as anyone else would. That we have players of the quality of Ben Slater, Matt Critchley, Harvey Hosein, Tom Knight, Alex Hughes and a raft of talented seamers outside the squad is testimony to what is developing at Derbyshire. Only eleven can ever play and all those on the staff will know that sustained levels of performance are the one way to guarantee a place in the side.
I have no doubt that Ben will take this on the chin, score heavily in the second team and be back in the side before too long. The only way he won't is if he doesn't do that, or if those in possession are simply doing too well to drop.
If that is the case, then I wouldn't anticipate too many complaints.
Saturday, 30 April 2016
Final call for Edwin Smith book
On my next visit, I will realise an ambition and play snooker against him. Maybe I should re-phrase that...I will be beaten by Edwin at snooker. He still plays to a very high standard and while I know I won't face him on a cricket field, this is a pretty good plan B, as far as I am concerned!
He told me that he has four signed copies of his biography still available and if anyone is interested in buying one of these, please drop me an email and I will put you in touch with him.
The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians has a single figure quantity left of a final print run and these can be obtained by calling 01323 460174. Copies cost £14 plus post and packing, whether from Edwin or the society.
There is just over a month to until the launch of my second book, 'In Their Own Words: Derbyshire Cricket in Conversation'. This will be published on June 1 by Pitch Publishing and will be available in hard back and ebook.
More on that in due course!
Friday, 29 April 2016
Northamptonshire v Derbyshire preview
It is, as Graeme Welch pointed out today, a sign of Derbyshire's progress that Ben Slater cannot get into the squad for the trip to Wantage Road, for the game that starts on Sunday.
Nor can Matt Critchley, who is likely to be omitted from the side that played Glamorgan at Derby in favour of Shiv Thakor. The latter did all he could do after being left out for the home match - he went away to the seconds and took economical wickets for the seconds, as well as scoring runs.
With skipper Billy Godleman replacing Slater, Derbyshire are likely to line up as follows:
Godleman
Hughes
Rutherford
Madsen
Broom
Durston
Thakor
Poynton
Palladino
Fletcher
Carter
Northamptonshire's small squad is stretched by the absence of several key players, including Rob Keogh, Rob Newton, Steven Crook and Olly Stone. Nor is Monty Panesar considered fit enough to play yet, so they go with the following squad:
Wakely (C), Sanderson, Duckett, Gleeson, Libby, White, Cobb, Azharullah, Levi, Rossington (WK), Murphy, Crook, Kleinveldt.
The keen-eyed will see Crook in the squad but deemed unlikely to play by the local newspapers.
The forecast is pretty favourable, with light rain showers on Monday deemed the only inclement weather, so this is a game that Derbyshire could win. While the home side has some good players, I'm going to tip our lads to produce their best form and return with win points in the bag.
It is worth remembering that we are still unbeaten since the start of pre-season, so confidence should be high and I am anticipating another strong team performance.
Your thoughts?
Nor can Matt Critchley, who is likely to be omitted from the side that played Glamorgan at Derby in favour of Shiv Thakor. The latter did all he could do after being left out for the home match - he went away to the seconds and took economical wickets for the seconds, as well as scoring runs.
With skipper Billy Godleman replacing Slater, Derbyshire are likely to line up as follows:
Godleman
Hughes
Rutherford
Madsen
Broom
Durston
Thakor
Poynton
Palladino
Fletcher
Carter
Northamptonshire's small squad is stretched by the absence of several key players, including Rob Keogh, Rob Newton, Steven Crook and Olly Stone. Nor is Monty Panesar considered fit enough to play yet, so they go with the following squad:
Wakely (C), Sanderson, Duckett, Gleeson, Libby, White, Cobb, Azharullah, Levi, Rossington (WK), Murphy, Crook, Kleinveldt.
The keen-eyed will see Crook in the squad but deemed unlikely to play by the local newspapers.
The forecast is pretty favourable, with light rain showers on Monday deemed the only inclement weather, so this is a game that Derbyshire could win. While the home side has some good players, I'm going to tip our lads to produce their best form and return with win points in the bag.
It is worth remembering that we are still unbeaten since the start of pre-season, so confidence should be high and I am anticipating another strong team performance.
Your thoughts?
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Slow start but potential for more
Played two, drawn two.
That is Derbyshire's record so far and fourth place after two matches is just about where most people expected us to be. Top half, steady in batting and with question marks thus far against the bowling. We'd take that placing at season end, but hope for more exciting events between times.
In their defence - and that of most teams in the division, the new regulations on the toss, or lack of one, are leaving clubs running scared. There are unlikely to be first-day, old school green tops, because the away side will exercise their right to bowl and leave the home club playing catch up for the rest of the game.
To be fair, I think the majority of supporters would prefer seeing a game of 200 plays 200, even if the match finishes inside three days, to one where you see two big first innings and get no closer to a result than Julian Clary is to Tyson Fury. It effectively renders days three and four of most matches pointless. If the power that be are wanting to lessen still further the appeal of four-day 'proper' cricket, they are going the right way about it.
After those first few games, I am reassured by Derbyshire's batting. Even without Billy Godleman and with our Kiwi signings still to fire, we are scoring runs down the order. Wayne Madsen, Chesney Hughes and Ben Slater are in good form and there are good players outside the eleven awaiting an opportunity.
The bowling hasn't really had a chance. Andy Carter and Luke Fletcher look good bowlers and Tony Palladino is running in more freely than last year. When wickets are more conducive to their talents - and they will be around the circuit - they will get people out. That we lack a quality spinner is a given, though Wes Durston bowls steadily. Truth be told, there are few quality spin bowlers in the division, while identifying regular twirly match-winners around the country would not require the use of all digits on one hand.
Essex are off to a flier, as they should be with their squad, but you also need a combination of good fortune and players to take full advantage of result tracks. What I think is a clear way forward, after two games, is that any team with genuine aspirations of success will need to play brave cricket.
By 'brave', I mean that sides will need to be willing to risk defeat in order to win. If one were to use Warwickshire, Graeme Welch's old club, and Derbyshire as examples, the former had the players to produce basic, route one cricket - score heavily, then bowl sides out with quality seam and world-class spin. That's all well and good, but not every side is blessed with such talent.
While fully accepting that the weather took too much out of the game at Derby over the past four days, similar wickets in the months ahead should produce results, especially if we can get a little bounce and some sunshine on them. It does look, however, as if there will be last days where those brave decisions will have to be made.
Setting or chasing, say, 270 in sixty overs could see defeat, but could see a win if we bat, bowl and field with the intensity that I saw at Derby. Sure, a couple of chances went down, but on days that Jacques Rudolph claimed were the coldest on which he has played cricket, I can forgive that. Even on a dead afternoon yesterday, Derbyshire maintained focus, professionalism and discipline.
They will need all of that in the months ahead. I'm happy to see them risk defeat in order to win, as long as they have a fighting chance of doing so.
Far better as an option than a dull as dishwater final afternoon that ends in a draw of stupefying boredom.
Thoughts?
That is Derbyshire's record so far and fourth place after two matches is just about where most people expected us to be. Top half, steady in batting and with question marks thus far against the bowling. We'd take that placing at season end, but hope for more exciting events between times.
In their defence - and that of most teams in the division, the new regulations on the toss, or lack of one, are leaving clubs running scared. There are unlikely to be first-day, old school green tops, because the away side will exercise their right to bowl and leave the home club playing catch up for the rest of the game.
To be fair, I think the majority of supporters would prefer seeing a game of 200 plays 200, even if the match finishes inside three days, to one where you see two big first innings and get no closer to a result than Julian Clary is to Tyson Fury. It effectively renders days three and four of most matches pointless. If the power that be are wanting to lessen still further the appeal of four-day 'proper' cricket, they are going the right way about it.
After those first few games, I am reassured by Derbyshire's batting. Even without Billy Godleman and with our Kiwi signings still to fire, we are scoring runs down the order. Wayne Madsen, Chesney Hughes and Ben Slater are in good form and there are good players outside the eleven awaiting an opportunity.
The bowling hasn't really had a chance. Andy Carter and Luke Fletcher look good bowlers and Tony Palladino is running in more freely than last year. When wickets are more conducive to their talents - and they will be around the circuit - they will get people out. That we lack a quality spinner is a given, though Wes Durston bowls steadily. Truth be told, there are few quality spin bowlers in the division, while identifying regular twirly match-winners around the country would not require the use of all digits on one hand.
Essex are off to a flier, as they should be with their squad, but you also need a combination of good fortune and players to take full advantage of result tracks. What I think is a clear way forward, after two games, is that any team with genuine aspirations of success will need to play brave cricket.
By 'brave', I mean that sides will need to be willing to risk defeat in order to win. If one were to use Warwickshire, Graeme Welch's old club, and Derbyshire as examples, the former had the players to produce basic, route one cricket - score heavily, then bowl sides out with quality seam and world-class spin. That's all well and good, but not every side is blessed with such talent.
While fully accepting that the weather took too much out of the game at Derby over the past four days, similar wickets in the months ahead should produce results, especially if we can get a little bounce and some sunshine on them. It does look, however, as if there will be last days where those brave decisions will have to be made.
Setting or chasing, say, 270 in sixty overs could see defeat, but could see a win if we bat, bowl and field with the intensity that I saw at Derby. Sure, a couple of chances went down, but on days that Jacques Rudolph claimed were the coldest on which he has played cricket, I can forgive that. Even on a dead afternoon yesterday, Derbyshire maintained focus, professionalism and discipline.
They will need all of that in the months ahead. I'm happy to see them risk defeat in order to win, as long as they have a fighting chance of doing so.
Far better as an option than a dull as dishwater final afternoon that ends in a draw of stupefying boredom.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 4
Glamorgan 377 and 87-2
Derbyshire 345
Match drawn
I decided today that, as a fairly recent owner of a puppy, I was going to commemorate the arrival of Wallace with a cricket award. The winner, even at this early stage of the season, of the inaugural PUP (Peakfan's Utterly Pointless) Award will be today's cricket.
Last night, when Derbyshire continued to bat after the dismissal of Wayne Madsen, I felt that an opportunity for a result had gone. When we came back out to bat at six o'clock it seemed even more likely and that was confirmed this morning, when Tom Poynton and Andy Carter took their last wicket stand to 56, before the latter was dismissed for a career-best 39.
I understand that Derbyshire wanted to make a game of it on the last day, but the visitors were unwilling to do so. I get that, having lost their first game under a new coach. In addition, the timing of a declaration was always going to be problematic, when it was far from clear how much of the day would be lost to the weather. Still, all that was left was an utterly meaningless last day of cricket that carried the spectator value of watching someone cut their toenails.
To be fair to Derbyshire, they maintained focus and both Luke Fletcher and Wes Durston bowled good spells. Fletcher removed Kettleborough with one he left that bowled him, while Durston had Bragg leg before with a decision that the batsman patently disagreed with.
So long did he linger, in fact, that he will be lucky to avoid censure. His look back at the umpire and louder than it should have been oath as he walked off were both telling and unnecessary. I understand frustrations in the game, but when you play at any level of it for a while, you realise that sometimes they go your way too.
I left as very obvious storm clouds gathered over the ground. Perhaps it was nature's way of putting us all out of our misery, although I may well have gone anyway. I rarely leave a game of cricket before the day's last ball has been bowled, but today was nothing more than a glorified net session and I am not that desperate for entertainment.
On the up side, it was good to see Billy Godleman heading to the nets and returning with a smile on his face, presumably an indicator that it went well. Pop's next decision is, I assume, who partners him at Northampton on Sunday.
So it is back to Scotland for me tomorrow. My next trip down will hopefully see better weather (it couldn't be worse!) and a 'proper' game of cricket. It is a shame, as the three previous days had contained much to admire and enjoy, if not the weather...
As for that award, I will have a chat with Wallace, our fox terrier, when I get home tomorrow.
I'm sure he can come up with something appropriate...
Derbyshire 345
Match drawn
I decided today that, as a fairly recent owner of a puppy, I was going to commemorate the arrival of Wallace with a cricket award. The winner, even at this early stage of the season, of the inaugural PUP (Peakfan's Utterly Pointless) Award will be today's cricket.
Last night, when Derbyshire continued to bat after the dismissal of Wayne Madsen, I felt that an opportunity for a result had gone. When we came back out to bat at six o'clock it seemed even more likely and that was confirmed this morning, when Tom Poynton and Andy Carter took their last wicket stand to 56, before the latter was dismissed for a career-best 39.
I understand that Derbyshire wanted to make a game of it on the last day, but the visitors were unwilling to do so. I get that, having lost their first game under a new coach. In addition, the timing of a declaration was always going to be problematic, when it was far from clear how much of the day would be lost to the weather. Still, all that was left was an utterly meaningless last day of cricket that carried the spectator value of watching someone cut their toenails.
To be fair to Derbyshire, they maintained focus and both Luke Fletcher and Wes Durston bowled good spells. Fletcher removed Kettleborough with one he left that bowled him, while Durston had Bragg leg before with a decision that the batsman patently disagreed with.
So long did he linger, in fact, that he will be lucky to avoid censure. His look back at the umpire and louder than it should have been oath as he walked off were both telling and unnecessary. I understand frustrations in the game, but when you play at any level of it for a while, you realise that sometimes they go your way too.
I left as very obvious storm clouds gathered over the ground. Perhaps it was nature's way of putting us all out of our misery, although I may well have gone anyway. I rarely leave a game of cricket before the day's last ball has been bowled, but today was nothing more than a glorified net session and I am not that desperate for entertainment.
On the up side, it was good to see Billy Godleman heading to the nets and returning with a smile on his face, presumably an indicator that it went well. Pop's next decision is, I assume, who partners him at Northampton on Sunday.
So it is back to Scotland for me tomorrow. My next trip down will hopefully see better weather (it couldn't be worse!) and a 'proper' game of cricket. It is a shame, as the three previous days had contained much to admire and enjoy, if not the weather...
As for that award, I will have a chat with Wallace, our fox terrier, when I get home tomorrow.
I'm sure he can come up with something appropriate...
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 3
Glamorgan 377
Derbyshire 331-9 (Madsen 97, Slater 62, Durston 43, Carter 31 not, Poynton 30 not)
Derbyshire trail by 46 runs
With a day of this game to go and more inclement weather forecast for tomorrow, it is hard to see how a positive result can be achieved in this one.
On another bitterly cold day, Ben Slater and Wayne Madsen batted sensibly and well in the first hour or so, each reaching a deserved fifty that owed as much to common sense as it did sound technique. There was plenty of time to admire Slater's two variants on the leave - one is more expansive than the other, perhaps a 'You must be joking?' to a 'Nah, no thanks' of the first. He leaves a ball well and looks increasingly an assured presence at the crease. He needs only turn these assured fifties into match and career-defining centuries to become the real deal. As it is, Graeme Welch has a tough decision on his hands when choosing between Ben and Chesney to partner Billy Godleman in the coming weeks.
Madsen looked his usual assured presence. Only a ball that rapped him on the hand after lifting from a length disturbed his equilibrium, yet his retort was successive square cuts for four that reasserted his presence. There is an air of solidity about Wayne's batting that is unusual among Derbyshire batsmen and, at his best, it is hard to see anyone getting him out.
On the other hand, Neil Broom looked a little at sea and needs time on English wickets to be seen at his best. Wes Durston played some expansive shots in his inimitable style, yet never suggested solidity nor permanence, playing and missing regularly against Graham Wagg in particular, before getting caught behind. Wagg and David 'Bumble 2' Lloyd bowled well after lunch for the visitors, looking altogether more of a challenge than those before the interval.
Matt Critchley is a wonderful talent and will become a very important player for Derbyshire, but is batting too high at number seven on this showing. At 19 it is perhaps unrealistic to expect otherwise, but he never got going and was well held by Jacques Rudolph at slip.
Madsen was becalmed on reaching the eighties, largely the result of losing the strike. In four successive overs, partners played out five balls then took a single from the sixth and for me, it looked like he was trying to push to his century ahead of a declaration when he advanced down the wicket against Salter and effectively yorked himself. It was a superb, nigh-flawless innings, that once again highlighted his importance to the side.
When Tony Palladino fell to a good leg side catch by Cooke, the Derbyshire innings had somewhat gone off the rails. Luke Fletcher's trudge to the wicket was accompanied by gathering clouds and he faced only five balls before the umpires removed the bails and the ground staff brought on the covers as the rain/sleet/hail/snow began to fall. In his short stay, I thought Tom Poynton looked good and his feet were moving much better than they ever did last year, a good sign in any batsman.
I left the ground with the ground looking eerie under the floodlights and liberally covered by Neil Godrich and his efficient team. Further play looked unlikely, barring a miracle of biblical proportions.
A last afternoon run chase is the only chance of a result here, but with both captains uncertain as to what time is left in the game, any declaration is unlikely to be realistic nor the cause of a positive result.
Thoughts on the game so far? Despite one or two failures, I have few concerns over our batting. Neither Kiwi scored runs, but they will and we mounted a decent tally without them. The bowling looks more functional than deadly, but time will tell. To say 'we miss Footitt' is easy and undeniable, as any team would miss a 'go to' bowler as he was.
There is a dilemma for Graeme Welch at seven though. At this stage it is essentially between three all-rounders: Shiv Thakor (the best bowler), Alex Hughes (the best batsman) and Matt Critchley, who gives variation. Tom Knight, if his bowling returns, could be another option, but we could do with one of those players kicking on and delivering, for the better balance of the team in four-day cricket.
Finally, massive respect to James Pipe and to the ground staff today. SHORTS! In April, when most people were wearing several layers of clothes and wondering where they could procure more. I can only assume those concerned have constitutions like an ox, or wooden legs, as the circulation in mine would surely have ended, if the skin were exposed to the elements today.
Gentlemen, I salute you!
Postscript - I wrote this at tea, when the thought of spending time on a cold, soggy cricket ground had as much appeal as dipping my feet in acid. To get from the then 274-8 to 331-9 in little time was a good effort and reinforced my earlier assertion that TP is batting well.
As for Andy Carter - who knew we had a top value tailend clumper, as well as a fine bowler?
I didn't. It shows good team spirit, which augurs well.
Derbyshire 331-9 (Madsen 97, Slater 62, Durston 43, Carter 31 not, Poynton 30 not)
Derbyshire trail by 46 runs
With a day of this game to go and more inclement weather forecast for tomorrow, it is hard to see how a positive result can be achieved in this one.
On another bitterly cold day, Ben Slater and Wayne Madsen batted sensibly and well in the first hour or so, each reaching a deserved fifty that owed as much to common sense as it did sound technique. There was plenty of time to admire Slater's two variants on the leave - one is more expansive than the other, perhaps a 'You must be joking?' to a 'Nah, no thanks' of the first. He leaves a ball well and looks increasingly an assured presence at the crease. He needs only turn these assured fifties into match and career-defining centuries to become the real deal. As it is, Graeme Welch has a tough decision on his hands when choosing between Ben and Chesney to partner Billy Godleman in the coming weeks.
Madsen looked his usual assured presence. Only a ball that rapped him on the hand after lifting from a length disturbed his equilibrium, yet his retort was successive square cuts for four that reasserted his presence. There is an air of solidity about Wayne's batting that is unusual among Derbyshire batsmen and, at his best, it is hard to see anyone getting him out.
On the other hand, Neil Broom looked a little at sea and needs time on English wickets to be seen at his best. Wes Durston played some expansive shots in his inimitable style, yet never suggested solidity nor permanence, playing and missing regularly against Graham Wagg in particular, before getting caught behind. Wagg and David 'Bumble 2' Lloyd bowled well after lunch for the visitors, looking altogether more of a challenge than those before the interval.
Matt Critchley is a wonderful talent and will become a very important player for Derbyshire, but is batting too high at number seven on this showing. At 19 it is perhaps unrealistic to expect otherwise, but he never got going and was well held by Jacques Rudolph at slip.
Madsen was becalmed on reaching the eighties, largely the result of losing the strike. In four successive overs, partners played out five balls then took a single from the sixth and for me, it looked like he was trying to push to his century ahead of a declaration when he advanced down the wicket against Salter and effectively yorked himself. It was a superb, nigh-flawless innings, that once again highlighted his importance to the side.
When Tony Palladino fell to a good leg side catch by Cooke, the Derbyshire innings had somewhat gone off the rails. Luke Fletcher's trudge to the wicket was accompanied by gathering clouds and he faced only five balls before the umpires removed the bails and the ground staff brought on the covers as the rain/sleet/hail/snow began to fall. In his short stay, I thought Tom Poynton looked good and his feet were moving much better than they ever did last year, a good sign in any batsman.
I left the ground with the ground looking eerie under the floodlights and liberally covered by Neil Godrich and his efficient team. Further play looked unlikely, barring a miracle of biblical proportions.
A last afternoon run chase is the only chance of a result here, but with both captains uncertain as to what time is left in the game, any declaration is unlikely to be realistic nor the cause of a positive result.
Thoughts on the game so far? Despite one or two failures, I have few concerns over our batting. Neither Kiwi scored runs, but they will and we mounted a decent tally without them. The bowling looks more functional than deadly, but time will tell. To say 'we miss Footitt' is easy and undeniable, as any team would miss a 'go to' bowler as he was.
There is a dilemma for Graeme Welch at seven though. At this stage it is essentially between three all-rounders: Shiv Thakor (the best bowler), Alex Hughes (the best batsman) and Matt Critchley, who gives variation. Tom Knight, if his bowling returns, could be another option, but we could do with one of those players kicking on and delivering, for the better balance of the team in four-day cricket.
Finally, massive respect to James Pipe and to the ground staff today. SHORTS! In April, when most people were wearing several layers of clothes and wondering where they could procure more. I can only assume those concerned have constitutions like an ox, or wooden legs, as the circulation in mine would surely have ended, if the skin were exposed to the elements today.
Gentlemen, I salute you!
Postscript - I wrote this at tea, when the thought of spending time on a cold, soggy cricket ground had as much appeal as dipping my feet in acid. To get from the then 274-8 to 331-9 in little time was a good effort and reinforced my earlier assertion that TP is batting well.
As for Andy Carter - who knew we had a top value tailend clumper, as well as a fine bowler?
I didn't. It shows good team spirit, which augurs well.
Monday, 25 April 2016
Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 2
Glamorgan 377 (Palladino 5-83)
Derbyshire 98-2 (Slater 41 not, Madsen 23 not)
Derbyshire trail by 279 runs.
Derbyshire didn't get long in the middle today, after fighting back well with the ball to get Glamorgan out for 377. For most of the day yesterday, 450 looked likely, but the admirable Tony Palladino added another five-wicket haul to his collection for the club and only some late, lusty blows from van der Gugten took the visitors past 350.
Our reply was a little stop start affair and we lost Chesney to a flat-footed shot that has been too common in previous years. When Hamish Rutherford perished to third man, one of the more unusual ways to get out in a four-day game, there could have been alarm bells ringing, but Ben Slater batted sensibly and with considerable skill, while Wayne Madsen simply did what he has been doing all season so far. If one accepts his retirement on 100 against Durham MCCU as a not out, Waynce currently sits with a season average of 300. Bradmanesque? Madsenesque, perhaps. In this form there are few better players in the country and aspirations of England may not be unrealistic.
Hopefully there will be better luck tomorrow, but the forecast isn't great and this game looks even more the nailed-on draw that it appeared at lunchtime yesterday. I doubt we will see a challenging declaration on the last day at this stage of the summer, but I will be there to see how it goes regardless.
One final word - Mark asked my thoughts on Martin Guptill going to Lancashire. I have no issue with it. Gup is a wonderful player and will doubtless do well for them, but from a balance perspective our need for this year was more a batsman who bowls or all-rounder. The batting looks strong and long and be in no doubt that Jimmy Neesham is a very good cricketer. Assuming that he is over his back injury, he could give us the 'nous' to get across the finishing line in the T20.
I'm sure Martin Guptill will be warmly welcomed back at Derby in any capacity, for or against us.
Derbyshire 98-2 (Slater 41 not, Madsen 23 not)
Derbyshire trail by 279 runs.
Derbyshire didn't get long in the middle today, after fighting back well with the ball to get Glamorgan out for 377. For most of the day yesterday, 450 looked likely, but the admirable Tony Palladino added another five-wicket haul to his collection for the club and only some late, lusty blows from van der Gugten took the visitors past 350.
Our reply was a little stop start affair and we lost Chesney to a flat-footed shot that has been too common in previous years. When Hamish Rutherford perished to third man, one of the more unusual ways to get out in a four-day game, there could have been alarm bells ringing, but Ben Slater batted sensibly and with considerable skill, while Wayne Madsen simply did what he has been doing all season so far. If one accepts his retirement on 100 against Durham MCCU as a not out, Waynce currently sits with a season average of 300. Bradmanesque? Madsenesque, perhaps. In this form there are few better players in the country and aspirations of England may not be unrealistic.
Hopefully there will be better luck tomorrow, but the forecast isn't great and this game looks even more the nailed-on draw that it appeared at lunchtime yesterday. I doubt we will see a challenging declaration on the last day at this stage of the summer, but I will be there to see how it goes regardless.
One final word - Mark asked my thoughts on Martin Guptill going to Lancashire. I have no issue with it. Gup is a wonderful player and will doubtless do well for them, but from a balance perspective our need for this year was more a batsman who bowls or all-rounder. The batting looks strong and long and be in no doubt that Jimmy Neesham is a very good cricketer. Assuming that he is over his back injury, he could give us the 'nous' to get across the finishing line in the T20.
I'm sure Martin Guptill will be warmly welcomed back at Derby in any capacity, for or against us.
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