Durham v. Derbyshire T20

A point gained or a point lost? For me, given the match situation, very much a point lost at the Riverside tonight.

Derbyshire seemed to have kept a fairly straightforward run chase under control and when Madsen was out after 11 overs we had 104 on the board.

Yet in the next four and a half overs we added only 28 runs. I was surprised, because on the dismissal of Madsen, a right hander, I expected Ali, another right hander to come in and keep the bowlers guessing and changing their lines.

Instead du Plooy came in and never got going, his 13 runs taking 15 balls. Having slept on it, but not with the benefit of hindsight, I do question why there was a need for him to travel all the way to Worsley and play in a second team game, just after he had scored 170. He is a good enough player to change formats easily and it would have made more sense for Mitch Wagstaff, who I understand was 12th man, to play in the team. It would also have meant the Derbyshire skipper wasn't travelling the highways and byways of the country before another lengthy trip to Durham.

While acknowledging a job well done by the second team, perhaps the greater need was for a young player to experience a pressurised situation, rather than playing a high class one. In amateur circles, such a player would be called a 'ringer' and I can understand the frustration of those other teams.

I still argue that he was the only contentious selection, but it was unnecessary.

Ali batted well, but was starved of the strike over the last two overs and it cost us. He looked in fine form and while his presence in the middle order as a finisher is the right thing, greater game sense needs to be employed at the other end to give a man of his talent and power as much of the strike as possible.

The Durham spinners did a good job for their side and slowed the scoring at a crucial side, while Coughlin was excellent, until he took stick in his final over

Earlier I thought we bowled pretty well, the standout yet again being Zaman Khan, whose 4-21 represented high quality, professional bowling. The young Pakistan quick bowler is a class act and I enjoy watching him bowl. Chappell also did well and I enjoyed the change in strategy that we offered in the field, the bowling changes less obvious than recent games.

So it is back to Chesterfield on Sunday. One more run here tonight would have made the prospects for the weekend promising, but I think Derbyshire will look back on this with misgivings and regret.

I know I do. This side should chase down such a target, nine times in ten.

Durham v. Derbyshire T20 preview

The Northern group of the Vitality Blast is so tight. That wins this weekend for Derbyshire. Will see them very much back in the mix for progressing to the knockout stages.

Hard as it is to believe after the three early losses, most of the other teams have been equally inconsistent. The Riverside in Durham hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds over the years in most formats, but Derbyshire have every incentive to show their best game tonight.

There must still be a temptation for Mickey Arthur to have his powerhouse middle order of du Plooy, Madsen and Ali, six hitters all. But to do that someone needs to go in with Luis Reece and attack from the get go. Harry Came and Tom Wood may come into consideration, while Anuj Dal and Ben Aitchison made strong cases for inclusion yesterday in the Second Eleven finals day which Derbyshire won. Yorkshire were beaten in the semi-final, Glamorgan in the final.

As I discussed with North Derbyshire Radio's Matt Rhodes last night (aired tonight at 6pm on the station) I didn't have a major issue with the eleven that won that game.  While Yorkshire supporters were moaning about Derbyshire playing a first eleven, the only first team regulars in the format were Leus du Plooy and Mattie McKiernan. We carry a much smaller squad and so there will inevitably be an overlap when only 17 members of a 20-man squad are currently available. 

After batting for several sessions at Chesterfield, du Plooy likely wanted to get back into his T20 mindset and did so well, playing crucial innings in both games. Anuj Dal also batted very well, while Ben Aitchison took three wickets - all clean bowled - in the final over in finishing with 5-30.

Likely side:

Reece, Ali, du Plooy, Madsen, Wood, Guest, McKiernan, Chappell, Watt, Khan, Scrimshaw

Our hosts tonight have named a squad of 15 and welcome back quick bowler Brydon Carse. 

Bushnell, Carse, Clark, Coughlin, de Leeds, Duneathy, Glover, Jones, Lees, Parnell, Raine,  Robinson, Sowter, Trevaskis, Turner

I am going for a Derbyshire win here to kickstart the T20 campaign once more. They will be buoyed by the comeback at Chesterfield and want to end up on the right side of the result

What do you think? 

Derbyshire v Yorkshire day 4

Derbyshire v. Yorkshire day 3

Derbyshire 111 and 453 (du Plooy 170, Ali 146, Guest 42, Thomson 39*, Fisher 3-70, Bess 3-190

Yorkshire 353 and 147-6 (Masood 68*, Watt 3-46, Thomson 2-30)

Yorkshire need 65 runs to win 

It is extraordinary that, after being 24-6 and 17-4 in their two innings, Derbyshire have got this game to the final day and also have a chance of winning it.

Three wickets in the final four overs left Yorkshire nerves jangling and their support is very nervous tonight. The first partnership tomorrow, between one assumes Malan and Masood, will likely be the crucial one. Yet Leus du Plooy, after changing bowlers and their end on a regular basis, found a combination that worked at the death in Alex Thomson and Mark Watt. 

The Scot has bowled splendidly in this game and looked every inch the international bowler that he is. His control of line and length has been almost exemplary on a small ground with little margin for error, but after previous success at Chesterfield, I think he would be quite happy to play more cricket at this venue.

Any suggestions that he is 'only' a limited overs bowler have been well and truly put to bed here. I was especially impressed by his flight and loop, which we don't always see in the short format, but he is a very talented cricketer.

65 to win tomorrow and after yesterday's heroics between Haider Ali and Leus du Plooy, we owe the captain a standing ovation for his efforts here. While his Vitality Blast returns have been less impressive, he averages 80 in 4 day cricket, considerably higher than any of his team.

This innings, his highest for the county, was magnificent. The stroke play always is, but the sheer power of concentration and the level of physical fitness to bat so long in that heat is astonishing. I went out to our garden bench this morning and lasted half an hour, just sitting there. Doing 22 yard sprints in a helmet and pads takes it to a whole new level and he deserves every plaudit and acclamation for his display.

Ali didn't last so long today and the decision didn't look the best, but good support came from Guest and Thomson. While acknowledging that Brooke is perfectly good enough to bat three, there is a reassurance in having him come in at seven. Thomson also did well and has had a pretty good game here, after limited opportunities all summer. I always enjoy watching spinners bowl in tandem and that selection may yet turn out to be crucial.

There is a chance for one of those spinners, for they are the most likely, to be the hero tomorrow. I would be surprised if we didn't open with them and Thomson might, turning it away from the left-handers, be the key weapon.

The one anomaly of the day was Suranga Lakmal having to retire after a blow on the head. He was actually batting pretty well and Thomson even better at the other end. Might they have added a further 15 to 20 runs, which in the context of this finish could be crucial?

Zak Chappell was deemed too good a bat to be allowed to continue Lakmal's innings, though the Sri Lankan, only dismissed once this season, has the higher average.

The game may or may not turn on that decision, which by the law was correct, but regardless of the result this has been an extraordinary advert for county cricket. The setting has been perfect, the weather likewise and the wicket has been everything you could wish for. I would love to see such tracks replicated at Derby, because there genuinely is something in it for everyone.

As it turns out, I won't see tomorrow morning's conclusion, as my wife and I will be travelling, with our dogs, to see my Mum. We will be there for a few days but will be back home in time to see the T20 on Sunday.

I will do a header for the final day, so your comments on it can go in the appropriate place.

Derbyshire v. Yorkshire day 2

Derbyshire 111 and 248-4 (Ali 129*, du Plooy 96*)

Yorkshire 353 (Malan 106, Watt 5-83)

Derbyshire lead by six runs

What an extraordinary day of cricket.

Half an hour into the afternoon session, with Derbyshire facing further embarrassment at 17-4 in their second innings, I was mentally preparing this blog with a view to the game being over tonight. 

Only one man, at that point, had emerged from the game in credit on the Derbyshire side. That was Mark Watt, who picked up his first, first class five wicket haul after a splendid spell of bowling this morning. He was helped to some extent by a tremendous catch by Suranga Lakmal to dismiss Malan, but otherwise bowled with great skill and excellent variation of flight in taking 5-83 in 25 overs. On a small ground with a lightning fast outfield, those are outstanding figures.

Malan batted well, but the lower order didn't overstay their welcome and Derbyshire were batting again straight after lunch.

Yet with the Derbyshire top order blown apart in the first eight overs by Coad and Fisher, the Scot's efforts didn't seem to matter all that much. The two Yorkshire bowlers did an admirable job, but the difference in what happened at the other end was marked, compared to when Derbyshire bowled.

The batting order changed for the second innings, but Reece and Came were quickly gone, Lamb and Madsen soon followed. Perhaps Brooke Guest was given a breather after keeping wicket in intense heat for that length of time, but the emergence of Haider Ali at six brought a remarkable change.

I have written before and quite possibly will do again, that the experiment of the young Pakistan batsman opening the batting has been unfair. Here he showed his ability in spades, as he progressed to a majestic first century for the county. His cover driving was a thing of beauty and class, his defence was secure and the partnership, thus far, unbroken, with Leus du Plooy was a magnificent county record against Yorkshire, currently 231 runs.

A middle order batter of talent doing well as a middle order bat shouldn't be a surprise, but we have wasted a lot of time getting to this point. I was minded of Chris Wilkins, who came from South Africa as an opener, struggled on our wickets but never looked back when he dropped to number four. Ali should stay at five in four day cricket and Reece should revert to opening with Came.

It was a captain's innings from du Plooy, who matched Ali stroke for stroke until they had both reached their half century, when he became more circumspect. When bad light brought an early finish, he was four short of what would be a workmanlike and highly impressive century himself.

The Yorkshire bowling was a mixed bag. There was an obvious lessening of intensity when Coad and Fisher ended their spells, but that was a test of concentration for the batters. Former England man Dom Bess flighted the ball but took heavy punishment, especially from Ali and it was noticeable how Watt was by far the best spinner on display.

Of course, after those heroics Derbyshire are still likely to lose this game, just six runs ahead with six wickets left. If somehow they could leave Yorkshire around 200 in the final innings it could make for an excellent finish, but those runs would have to come from the current men at the crease, as well as Guest to follow. Two early wickets tomorrow could easily undo all the good work of today and how often have we seen established overnight batters removed quickly the next day?

In short, top marks for Watt, Ali and du Plooy, whose fight gave us reasons to be cheerful. 

But there is much more to do tomorrow for Derbyshire to salvage anything from this game.

Derbyshire v. Yorkshire day one

Derbyshire 111 (du Plooy 28, Fisher 5-30, Coad 3-28)

Yorkshire 272-5 (Malan 76*, Masood 67, Lyth 48, Reece 2-37, Watt 2-42)

Yorkshire lead by 161 runs

Every year, Derbyshire supporters look forward to the  Chesterfield festival and anticipate a keenly fought game. This year was no exception.

And then that happens.

Notwithstanding that the toss was a good one to win, the home team's effort was pretty anaemic today. Indeed, on a day when stars of yesteryear were in attendance for the former players day, the cynical might say you could have got an eleven together from those players who might have resisted a little better. 

Madsen and Came got good balls early, but some of the rest did themselves no favours by playing across the line to a moving ball. I found myself pining for the days of Alan Hill, Tony Borrington, David Steele and others, who at the very least would have shown them the makers name on the bat, played through the V and made the bowlers work for the wickets. It wasn't easy, but surely not 'bowled out in 32 overs' difficult?

We were poor today and to be all out in the last over before lunch told everything you need to know about a pretty insipid, spineless display. 

Du Plooy and Thomson resisted better than most, but the quality of the batting was put into perspective as Yorkshire raced into a lead of over 150 runs by the end of a rain-shortened day.

Derbyshire went with two spinners, which might have been a decent tactic had we mounted a big enough first innings score to bring them into play in the final innings. Yorkshire had five seamers and could rotate them, which they did well. They were disciplined and impressive, everything we were not.

As it is, unless it rains for the next three days, this game could be over by the close of play tomorrow.

I'm not normally negative, but the Derbyshire attack, with the exception of Mark Watt, went for six or seven an over, including Suranga Lakmal, who we have been hoping to see on such a wicket. It is an understatement to say that the Sri Lankan has been a major disappointment. I suspect a Groenewald, Welch or Palladino would have had a field day.

Eighteen no balls didn't help the Derbyshire cause and it was perhaps the most desperate day of a season where we thought we had already reached the bottom.

I am still prepared to give Mickey Arthur the opportunity to turn this around, but next season is a big one for him, the winter ahead of us perhaps the key factor in whether he will be the success that we hoped for, or just another false dawn

I hope his plans are in motion already, because on the basis of today, major surgery is required.

Derbyshire v Yorkshire Championship Preview

Mickey Arthur has announced a 13 man squad for the 4 day game that starts at Chesterfield tomorrow morning.

It looks like there are two decisions to be made. The first is whether a second spinner might be useful on a wicket that often offers turn and will likely do so even more after the recent dry spell. On the assumption that Suranga Lakmal and Zak Chappell will play, the choice would this appear to be between Alex Thomson and Ben Aitchison for the final place, Sam Conners missing with a calf strain.

Luis Reece will also offer seam support, so the final place appears to be between Matt Lamb and Anuj Dal. I thought the former looked very good in the season's earlier games, one of few to emerge from the game at Durham with credit. A back spasm took him out of the side and he hasn't been able, as yet, to regain his place. 

Dal too has missed matches with a side strain and the four-day side especially missed the balance that he offers in his best form.

So the Derbyshire side is likely to be:

Came, Ali, Guest, Madsen, du Plooy, Reece, Lamb/Dal, Chappell, Watt, Thomson/Aitchison, Lakmal.

They play the division's bottom placed side, Yorkshire, a game with special memories for me as it was the first fixture I saw, back in 1967, at the same ground. I had hoped to be there this year, but events conspired against me and I will need to watch it from my home.

They bring a squad of fourteen, a good mixture of youth and experience. It hasn't been an easy season for them, but they will be buoyed by some recent better displays in the Vitality Blast. Shan Masood will look forward to his return to Chesterfield, as does everyone, of course!

Lyth, Bean, Masood, Malan, Wharton, Revis, Fisher, Thompson, Bess, Chohan, Cliff, Tattersall, Hill, Coad.

It should make for an interesting four days. With the weather set fair, there can be no better setting in the country.

If you are going, enjoy every minute and get behind our lads.

T20 talking points

As we return to the relative tranquillity of four day cricket, starting at Queens Park tomorrow, I thought I would raise a few talking points regarding our Vitality Blast season so far.

I look forward to your comments in due course. Please remember, everyone is entitled to an opinion and I am curious to see the responses to the things that I post below.

1 Is it realistic to harbour genuine expectations of progress from the Northern group every year? Or does the financial advantage of the big counties make it a once every so often affair?

For example, Lancashire have signed two established international cricketers for their overseas roles in Mitchell and de Grandhomme. Nottinghamshire have done the same, with Afridi and Munro. Derbyshire, with no disrespect intended to those concerned, have signed two young players with reputations to make. 

The likelihood is, after his efforts so far, that Zaman Khan will be pursued by one of those bigger counties for next season, just as Shan Masood was by Yorkshire last year.

2 How could we improve the output from the Powerplay? On the face of it, our top four is pretty impressive and contains some serious players. Yet in the matches so far, our first six overs have resulted in totals of 47, 56, 47, 52, 43, 38, 57 and 46. Is the answer perhaps, as someone posted on here last week, to have a more expendable pinch hitter at the top, whose dismissal would allow the serious batters to play a natural and less risky game?

I would regard 55 from the first six overs to be a fair notional target and we have only hit it twice, so far.

3 is it realistic for Derbyshire to challenge in three different tournaments, or do we focus budget on the ones offering greater opportunity of success?

4 Equally, is it realistic for a small county to have players on the staff who will likely only play in one format? For example, Tom Wood, Mattie McKiernan and George Scrimshaw haven't been anywhere near the four day side, but are presumably on full-time salaries. I can see George being in demand elsewhere at the end of the season, likely at a county with far greater resources and better able to afford a specialist.

I think our overseas positions are crucial, moving forward. A lot of money was presumably spent on Suranga Lakmal, to convince him to give up his international career. Yet he has been playing second team cricket during the T20, not really pushing to take the place of either of the young players in that team.

So 5 - is it more realistic to split the overseas roles for another summer, engaging players specifically for the Vitality Blast and others for the county championship and Royal London Cup?

Or are there players out there with the ability and willingness to play in all formats for six months?

These are questions running through my head and I would love to know what people think!

I would especially love to know Mickey Arthur's thoughts on them all. I suspect that the next six months for him, may be more challenging done the last six. He has contract decisions to make for a number of current stars, while also needing to convince those elsewhere that he would like that Derbyshire really is the county of choice...

Derbyshire v. Nottinghamshire T20

Derbyshire 142- 6 (Ali 42)

Nottinghamshire 143-7 (Hales 35, Scrimshaw 3-16, Khan 2-34)

Nottinghamshire won by 3 wickets

George Scrimshaw got it right at the end of the game tonight. Derbyshire were 15 to 20 runs short of what might have been a remarkable win.

The giant Derbyshire quick bowler was in fine form tonight and took 3 wickets, but the home side's sub-par score meant that there was no margin of error against a long and strong Nottinghamshire batting lineup.

Despite the protestations of the Sky commentary 'experts', it never looked like an easy pitch for scoring runs. None of the home side struck their best form, until McKiernan hit some lusty late blows from Afridi. It was too late then, despite the best efforts of Haider Ali, who did well in conditions some way removed from those he is familiar with.

It might have been different had du Plooy given himself a chance to get in. I remain unconvinced that someone new at the crease should be playing a low percentage shot from the final ball of the power play. The trade off between a maximum 6 extra runs or someone staying at the crease is not a positive one.

Nottinghamshire were disciplined and Derbyshire had to emulate that against a strong batting side.

They did well, but it was not to be.

Realistically, we can probably afford only one more defeat to retain any interest in the knockout stages. That boat may already have sailed, as our net run rate is far from impressive.

So the wait to beat Nottinghamshire in this format goes on. But they can take heart from a battling display.

Derbyshire v. Nottinghamshire preview

Once again I have run out of time, with just too much to do at present.

I did catch a bit of the Nottinghamshire game tonight and they were too good for Durham. It will be a big ask for Derbyshire to beat them, even with home advantage tomorrow. It will need 11 players turning up and performing at their best, we cannot do it with any less.

I don't see any changes to the Derbyshire side, but Jake Ball, who bowled well tonight will likely not be risked for games on consecutive evenings for the visitors.

They have a very strong top four, but I would love to see us win the toss and chase, as we did at Edgbaston. I think it suits our game better.

Fingers crossed we acquit ourselves well. If eight wins are normally needed to qualify, we need to win five of our last seven. There are winnable games in there, but we simply cannot afford to lose both games this weekend and next.

Two wins would put us right back in it, but I am not sure we have the depth in our side to beat Nottinghamshire.

But there is a chance for someone to become a hero...

Birmingham v. Derbyshire T20

Birmingham 203-7 (Hain 79*, McKiernan 3-39)

Derbyshire  207-4 (du Plooy 66*, Reece 57, Ali 48)

Derbyshire won by six wickets

When Tom Wood was bowled by one that kept low with three overs to go, Derbyshire still required 42 runs to win from 17 balls.

They got them with three balls to spare. A club record T20 run chase

It was largely thanks to an astonishing captain's innings by Leus du Plooy, who came out of a bad trot with an extraordinary unbeaten innings of 66 from just 25 balls. For those of a certain vintage, his hitting and his confidence in it were reminiscent of Adrian Kuiper, another who knew as soon as a ball left his bat that it had gone the distance. 

We needed 34 from the last two overs and du Plooy took England man Chris Woakes apart, leaving 14 from the last. A six from the first ball of Miles' last over from Guest made it a very gettable 8 from 5 and a no ball for above waist height with three deliveries left was hammered over extra cover for six by du Plooy, his fifth of the night.

Both sides were helped by the boundaries having been brought in a long way and Birmingham recovered from a slow start to post a challenging total, thanks to a fine innings by the uber-talented Sam Hain. 

Mattie McKiernan bowled his best spell of the summer in taking three good wickets, the ball to dismiss Maxwell perhaps the delivery of his career.  Watt also exerted control, but the seamers took some stick, even the reliable Khan in his final over.

204 looked a big ask, but Luis Reece and Haider Ali matched each other stroke for stroke and put on 95 in the first half of the innings. Ali look set for his second successive half century, before being dismissed in a strange fashion. He should have been stumped, thought the wicket keeper had missed the ball and started to run down the wicket again having first made his ground. It was all rather odd.

It was nice to see Reece back in something approaching his best form, but when he and Madsen departed in quick succession, the game looked up. The jubilation from the opposition when Wayne was caught on the long on boundary. suggested that they thought the game was won at that point.

Truth be told, so did I. Derbyshire sides have not historically chased down 58 from the last four overs, certainly not won the game with three balls to spare.

It was all quite remarkable, breathtaking, extraordinary even. The truth is that du Plooy is a quite superb batter when he plays in front of the wicket, as he did tonight. Only when he plays some of the more inventive, risky shots does he look more vulnerable.

Tonight was his night and that of Derbyshire. We are far from in the driving seat in the group, but remain one of eight sides in it with reason to think it might yet be possible. We just need to keep winning games in a group where most sides are managing to lose their share.

Nottinghamshire are next, but let's enjoy tonight.

Warwickshire v. Derbyshire preview

Derbyshire make the second trip to Edgbaston of the Vitality Blast tomorrow, with a game against Birmingham, who they beat conclusively last week.

It is the same squad as usual and the only decision is whether Harry Came comes into the side to replace Luis Reece. Both played for the second team today at Belper, Came top scoring with a fifty while Reece was dismissed first ball.

The potential omission of Luis would leave us a bowling option short, but it seems that Tom Wood is seen as the 6th bowler, from recent matches.

Tomorrow's game is winable, but we will need to dismiss Sam Hain early again. He has been in sparkling form this year and his only real failure was against us in the corresponding fixture at Derby

We need to get back on the winning trail again and tomorrow is a good place and time to start. Give them the broad spectrum of performance that we have so far produced, it is hard to feel overly confident, but there is no denying that the talent to win games is there.

If everyone does what they are supposed to do...

More from me tomorrow night. Apologies, today got away from me a little.

Yorkshire v. Derbyshire T20

Derbyshire 166-8 (Ali 74, Madsen 44, Mike 3-39)

Yorkshire 169-3 (Malan 81*)

Yorkshire won by 7 wickets

Derbyshire slipped to defeat at Headingley today, which looked inevitable at the halfway stage. 

It is clear to see where the problem is.

From the first six overs we scored only 38 runs. From the last three we scored only 17. The bit in the middle was fine, but we simply have to make greater use of the Powerplay and more intelligent use of the overs at the death. 

Part of the problem, and I hate to say it because I really like him as a player, is that Luis Reece is too slow at the top of the innings. Just six from 14 balls today,following on from 23(21), 53(35), 19(15), 0 (2), 14 (12). Only at Trent Bridge did he score at an acceptable rate and today the problem was compounded by the in form Madsen not getting in until the ninth over.

Reece is a fine player, but perhaps he might be better utilised down the order at present.

I am a big subscriber to your best batters having the most time in the middle in this format. What Derbyshire need to do is elevate Tom Wood to open alongside the rejuvenated Haider Ali, which allows Wayne and Leus to bat at 3 and 4. 

Ali played very well today, while Madsen just missed out on what would have been a world record sixth T20 score over fifty. But as far as the batting went, that was it. Wood lent some support (and later bowled as well as anyone) but the rest of the batting was a mess. Du Plooy is having a bad trot, partially because he is coming in too low, partially because his shot selection at present is awful. Today's was pretty horrific and I didn't understand it, for a player who has such a powerful, front of the wicket game.

The final total was a score that was competitive in the early years of 20 over cricket, but in good conditions not even close today

While the result looked nailed on at the halfway mark, Malan and Lyth sealed it in the Yorkshire power play. Both are good players, of course and would walk into the Derbyshire side, but we had an opportunity ahead of this game and totally failed to take it.

Back to the drawing board. I fully appreciate there are not many options for Mickey Arthur, but today was one of those days when we don't make anything close to the best of what we have.

And with that, I head off to enjoy my Sunday afternoon in the garden.

Book Review: Gideon Haigh On The Ashes

There is not really much one can add to this book, other than to say, it is by one of the greatest living cricket writers on the greatest Test rivalry.

It is a collection of his work over three decades, in which he presents a series of portraits on some of the leading protagonists in the many series since the rivalry began in 1877.

It is wonderful stuff, an outstanding read and the perfect appetiser for the series of 2023. There is much to enjoy among the over eighty pieces of writing, ranging from just two or three pages to over a dozen. One is able to read as much as time permits in one sitting or dip in and out at leisure. 

The real cricket buff will likely have read some of the pieces before, but that matters not, as the writing is of a standard that bears a second and third reading. Starting with Charles Bannerman, Tom Horan and WG Grace, this does not disappoint in its coverage and covers most of the names that have influenced the many series to the present day.

Having racked my brain while working my way through this wonderful book, the only one to which I could compare it in quality and the subject is David Frith's excellent book on the 'Bodyline' tour, though it was obviously not so general in it's coverage.

There is only one error as far as I could see, a reference to 'the Yorkshireman' Tommy Mitchell, who was a legend of Derbyshire county cricket and born at Cresswell.

But this does not detract from a collection that is worthy of a place on any bookshelf. Top marks to Allen and Unwin for seeing the potential, which I hope is reflected in the sales.

It is well worth your money.

Gideon Haigh On The Ashes is published by Allen and Unwin and available from all good book stores

Yorkshire v. Derbyshire T20 preview

Mickey Arthur has named a 15 man squad for tomorrow's game at Headingley against Yorkshire (start 11.30am)

I don't envisage any changes to the side that has done well in the last two games, unless we get to Headingley and find it is a beach.

Both Wayne Madsen and Mark Watt are in the squad, so I expect the side to be unchanged, with Dal, Aitchison, Thomson and Came missing out. 

I would like to see how this side approaches a run chase and feel that it might be less frenetic if we had a target to aim for, rather than set. Part of me would still like to see Tom Wood open and Haider Ali in the middle order, but I don't see that changing.

Likely team:

Reece, Ali, Madsen, du Plooy, Wood, Guest, McKiernan, Chappell, Watt, Scrimshaw, Khan

There is no news on the Yorkshire squad at this time, but they beat Lancashire last time out and so the side shouldn't be much different to this one:

Adam Lyth, Dawid Malan, Shan Masood, Will Luxton, Jonny Tattersall, Matthew Revis, Jordan Thompson, David Wiese, Dom Bess, Ben Mike, Jafer Chohan.

Always assuming that Root, Brook and Bairstow are not released by England, of course...

Malan has been in fine form for them so far, as has veteran overseas signing David Wiese, though Shan Masood hasn't yet been as prolific as last year. Will Fraine could come under consideration, after back to back centuries for the second team this week.

A win for either side would put clear daylight between the top five and bottom four. But as the last two nights have shown, if a side gets on a run they can quickly put themselves into contention at this stage.

Fingers crossed that we can continue the excellent form of the last few days and come away with the points once more.

The case for Tom Wood

There were two notable things to come out of Derbyshire's excellent win over the previously unbeaten Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire, to you and me..) last night.

The first was that Wayne Madsen equalled the world record of 5 successive T20 scores in excess of fifty. He has a chance to beat that, tomorrow and become outright world record holder, but he is in some illustrious company, as the list below shows:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/fifties-in-consecutive-innings-283383

The second and in many ways equally important was that Tom Wood has a very valid and key role to play at the club.

Now I won't sit here and pretend that his record thus far is that of a world beater. At 29 he should be an established county cricketer and he isn't. But part of that lies with Derbyshire, some of it with the player himself.

I have watched Derbyshire for a long time, literally man and boy. In that time I have seen plenty of players who didn't have the assets of Tom, nor anything close to the untapped potential. I don't think he was given an opportunity at the right time and he had to go away, work on his game, play in Australia, score rafts of runs in local league cricket, then replicate it in the county second team, when given another opportunity.

Those who saw his remarkable century against Nottinghamshire in the Royal London Cup two years ago will never forget it. The sheer power of the innings was remarkable, especially coming against our neighbours. It showed what he could do and it should have been the launch pad for his career.

Last season was a nightmare for him. He missed most of it because of the investigation into 'drug abuse', when an inhaler that he had used for asthma for many years changed its ingredients. I have no idea how anyone could be expected to know that, outwith the medical profession though it is perhaps fair to say the club's medical personnel of the time may have done so, had they not been so preoccupied with covid-19 and its impact on the playing environment.

All of which meant that this season was perhaps last chance saloon for the player. Ironically at a time when the batting strength, in theory, was stronger than in many years. 

For me, there was an obvious opportunity, given his strength and timing, to see what he could do in at least the Vitality Blast and in the Royal London Cup. His omission for the opening games of this tournament was a puzzle, because without opportunity who can truly judge the talent of anyone in a given walk of life? 

After three successive defeats and fairly lacklustre performances, he was brought in against Leicestershire. It is fair to say that he had a little luck at the start of his innings, but his stand with Wayne Madsen transformed the game. The experienced former skipper dominated, but without the support that he received, Derbyshire may well have struggled to post a total that was in any way a challenge.

Last night was a different matter. Perhaps buoyed by a large and partisan home crowd, Tom looked at home from the outset. He added 79 with Madsen, in just over six overs. The game changed, the impetus moved to his team, the win ensued.

It might 'only' have been 39 runs, albeit from just 19 deliveries faced. But players who can do this are in demand around the globe. Had that been a Caribbean import, plenty would have waxed lyrical about it.

I don't know what the future holds for Tom Wood. All I do know is that someone capable of doing that is perhaps deserving of opportunity. Ross Whiteley has carved a career out of a similar game plan and there are other examples. He averages 40 in twenty-over cricket, no mean feat, scored at a rate of 135. 

He has been less successful in moderate opportunities in the first class game. But perhaps here he could learn from the way the England side are playing and take his aggression into the longer form. A bad ball is a bad ball, whatever the length of the game and Tom has the ability to punish them severely.

I just hope that Mickey Arthur gives him his head for the remainder of this season. Let's see if he can make a strong case for himself through his continued efforts in the shorter forms of the game, perhaps leading to opportunity in the county championship.

If he doesn't take that chance, then he has only himself to blame. But there is an opportunity for a locally reared player of obvious talent to stake a claim for a place in his county side.

Before any decision is made on his future, I would like to think he got a chance to show what he can do.

Derbyshire v Birmingham T20

Derbyshire 174-5 (Madsen 71*, Wood 39, Ali 32, Maxwell 2-19)

Birmingham 157-9 (Mousley 36, Maxwell 29, Chappell 3-32, Khan 3-34)

Derbyshire won by 17 runs 

Derbyshire produced their best, indeed, first all round performance of the season tonight, to beat Birmingham at the Incora County Ground.

It was a first defeat for the visitors, who looked to have a strong eleven, but on the night they were no match for the home side.

It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on, as evidenced by Derbyshire's slow progress on losing the toss and being asked to bat. Most of the batters struggled with their timing, although Ali worked his way to his best score in the tournament so far. Yet it was a stand of 79 in just 6 overs between Wayne Madsen and Tom Wood that turned the game.

Madsen made a fifth successive score in excess of 50 and is having an astonishing tournament. It is a concern that he had to go off injured later and it is to be hoped it is not too serious. He was once again imperious tonight, although the track legislated against his innings being as fluent as last night.

At the other end Wood bludgeoned his way to 39 from just 19 balls, showing in the process that he should be an early name on the teamsheet in this format. The stand gave Derbyshire an impetus that they didn't relinquish for the rest of the game.

The bowling was excellent. Watt, with his injured knee strapped, set the tone and Khan was again fast and awkward. Chappell kept chipping in with wickets and McKiernan bowled a very canny spell with just the one wicket, but that the crucial one of Glenn Maxwell, who looked dangerous in his short stay. Mousley briefly threatened but didn't score quickly enough to cause genuine concern.

Scrimshaw bowled a very intelligent spell, mixing slower balls with his trademark 'fast and nasties' to fox the visiting batters, while they were all backed up in the field with sound catching and generally smart ground fielding.

When if came down to 48 from the last four overs I could see no way back for Birmingham, as Khan bowled quickly. It appears that Ali works as interpreter for him on the pitch, but the Pakistan quick again confirmed his reputation as an excellent death bowler. He ended the innings by bowling Lintott with his final delivery, by which time the game was well won.

In a bizarre group, this second win puts Derbyshire just outside the promotion places. Nottinghamshire were hammered by Worcestershire, while Lancashire were well beaten by Durham

Perhaps this is the start of the season proper for Derbyshire, who should take great encouragement from the win. The fitness of Madsen and Watt, two key players, is a concern, but they can all reflect on a job well done tonight.

Billy Godleman

I have had a number of emails and DMs on Twitter asking me what has happened with Billy Godleman. 

There has been no official announcement from the club, but the Telegraph reported the following a couple of weeks ago:

• Billy Godleman, the Derbyshire captain until last season, quietly slipped out of the XI after recording a pair in a day – both lbw to Durham's Ben Raine – at the end of last month. Word is that there's been a big fallout with the club's hierarchy and Godleman, who has signed for Rainhill CC in the Liverpool and District League, is unlikely to be seen in Derbyshire colours again.

Source : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2023/05/15/james-rew-england-keeper-batsmen-new-generation-leader/

It wouldn't surprise me, as Billy hasn't played in any second team matches since then, nor been seen by anyone at the ground.

As I wrote over a week ago myself, if he isn't playing four-day cricket, he certainly won't be playing T20 and his only other opportunity would be in the Royal London Cup.

As things stand at the moment, I think it very unlikely that we will see him in Derbyshire colours again and his departure at the end of the season would appear to be inevitable.

It raises a couple of questions for me. Why was he given a contract for this year, when his form in the 2 or 3 years previously was not indicative of his glory days? I can only assume that his contract included a clause whereby either party could activate an additional year, should they choose to do so. 

Secondly, why has nothing been said at this stage? Again, I assume that any discussions are subject to legal niceties and there has been no announcement because they can't, at this stage.

I am sure that at an appropriate time there will be an announcement from the club, but I would be surprised if we saw the uniquely-styled left-hander in the county colours again.

Which would be a shame. When he started the summer I had hopes, during his first innings, that the run machine of several seasons past was back in the groove. Let's be very clear about it, at his best he was a very good player indeed, but recent seasons have seen diminishing returns and as we all know, at first class level a player's currency and bargaining tool is in the runs he makes or the wickets he takes.

I can only say that in my interactions with Billy over many years I have always found him very pleasant, intelligent, articulate and as interested in me as I was in him.

From a personal perspective, if this is to be the parting of the ways, I would miss him. But this is professional sport and like everyone else involved in it, Billy will be aware that at some point it comes to an end.

That's all I can say at this point.

Leicestershire v. Derbyshire T20

An innings of consummate brilliance by the evergreen Wayne Madsen was just enough to get Derbyshire over the line for their first win of the season at Grace Road tonight.

Even after all these years, it is hard to believe that Madsen has batted better than he is at present. His timing and placement are a wonder to watch and he seems to be completely in control of the situation, from the minute he takes guard.

I still couldn't name you one bat in the country who I would prefer to watch more than the maestro, who went past 20,000 runs in all cricket for Derbyshire in the course of his innings. He is only the third player, after Kim Barnett and Denis Smith, to do so and has quite rightly entered the county's cricket pantheon.

At the other end he was well supported by Tom Wood, belatedly chosen for a format that seemed as if created for him. He had a bit of luck tonight, but all players need that at times and he lent admirable support to his senior partner as they gradually rebuilt the innings from an awful start.

Both Luis Reece and Haider Ali were out to Callum Parkinson, neither of them to strokes that did them any favours. Ali is in an awful run of form and averages only five in a format that was supposed to be his speciality. There must now be strong pressure to omit him from the side to play Birmingham tomorrow, with Harry Came awaiting his opportunity. He may be saved by Anuj Dal's poor run this time, but the county expects and needs more from an overseas player.

As has become the norm this season, the departure of one from a stand saw a mini collapse, as the home side's spinners got to work on a helpful track. But the reliable Guest lent good support to Madsen, who reached a second Vitality Blast century in successive seasons. It was a magnificent effort and it is hard to imagine how Derbyshire can eventually replace him.

A 190 target seemed a challenge, but the home side battled well. Patel batted beautifully, as did Ackermann, while the late injection of tempo from the precocious Ahmed, who had earlier bowled with skill, looked like it would get Leicestershire across the line.

But Khan and Scrimshaw held their nerve in a tense finish, after Watt had finished his spell almost on one leg, making him seem doubtful for tomorrow. 

The irony of our dropping a spinner on a track that seemed made for them, then cobbling together two overs from the part time du Plooy and Wood was not lost on me, further evidence of muddled thinking. Their two overs went for 25, while Reece bowled his two for just 14. Chappell was unlucky but mixed it up cleverly and took a key wicket of Mulder.

Still, a win is a win and I have waited long enough to report on one this summer. How many more there will be is a moot point, because at some point the incomparable Madsen has to fail. 

Hopefully someone is ready to step up if he does.

But tonight, at least, we got some points on the board.

And we watched the greatest Derbyshire player of the generation at his imperious best.

A nice thought to close with.

My likely team for tomorrow:

Wood, Reece, Madsen, du Plooy, Ali, Guest, Came, McKiernan, Chappell, Scrimshaw, Khan

Or...do you omit Ali and bring in Lakmal?

Leicestershire v. Derbyshire T20 preview

Mickey Arthur has named an unchanged 14 for Derbyshire's game at Leicester tomorrow, followed by a home game against Birmingham on Friday.

Getting out of the group stage is a harder task by the game, with eight wins normally the target for teams hoping to do so.

My own feeling is that the head of cricket needs to shake things up and think a little outside the box in his team selections.

I don't think he has been fair to Haider Ali, who has not looked like an opening bat in his appearances so far. In the absence from the squad of Harry Came, he should open with Tom Wood in these two matches. Indeed, the presence of those two players made the signing of an opening bat a surprise, especially when Billy Godleman was given a new deal for this summer.

I don't think we will see the latter in Derbyshire colours again, but there would be far greater sense in letting Ali come in at number five. A win against Leicestershire is possible, but we need to do much better at both disciplines.

My team would be

Wood, Reece, Madsen, du Plooy, Ali, Guest, McKiernan, Chappell, Watt, Scrimshaw, Khan

As one or two of you have alluded to, we have failed to replace Alex Hughes in this side, a player who gave depth to the batting and contributed canny overs on many occasions. I had hoped that Dal could fulfil that role, but it appears he is not yet fit to bowl.

As for Leicestershire, neither of their two highest profile players, Parkinson and Ackermann, will sign a contract for next season and beyond, so they have a few issues to contend with off the pitch.

I would love to think that Derbyshire can produce a professional performance and get a win under their belt at last, but you just don't know which side will turn up. Too many have failed to produce their best form consistently and the result has been three successive defeats.

A fourth tomorrow would be unthinkable, especially with Birmingham going well ahead of the game on Friday.

I will be back tomorrow. Or actually, later today, as I publish this just after midnight.