A betting man might well have had a few quid on Chris Rogers making a score today against his fellow countrymen. It was a shame that he fell short of his century, but he illustrated once again that he is a player of the very highest class. If he is to end his career with only a solitary cap to show for his efforts it would be a travesty, as his batting is good enough to grace any ground in the world.
Maybe there is still hope for Rogers in the restoration of Simon Katich to the Test side. Two years older than the Derbyshire skipper, Katich and his partner Shane Watson both failed in this game and will know that Rogers is breathing down their neck. He also has a major incentive to enjoy a golden run in with Derbyshire, and it would be natural for him to follow the fortunes of the present incumbents and perhaps hope for a failure or two against the Pakistan attack this summer.
Getting an overseas player for the entire summer is increasingly problematic for the first class counties and getting a good one is even more so. In Rogers we have one of the very best and it would be a shame, not just for Derbyshire but for the game as a whole if he were unable to return next summer. The irony is, of course, that we could go and sign a very average Zimbabwe, Bangladesh or West Indies star who might average 30 with the bat or 40 with the ball and have no problems in doing so, but we cannot, as things stand, sign a man who is a credit to the game but doesn't qualify because his country is blessed with such a wealth of talent. Rogers in some ways mirrors the fine West Indian batsman, Roy Marshall, who came here to play because he couldn't break into the national side. Marshall served a qualifying period but then entertained in county cricket for nearly twenty years.
I would be surprised if John Morris made any hasty decisions on the position for next year, however. It is an Ashes winter, when Watson and Katich should be tested more severely than they have been of late. Phil Hughes will fancy his chances of a recall too, but England sorted him out last summer and the selectors may be tempted to go for experience, especially if things aren't going their way. Rogers only needs another Test appearance and as things stand he would then be available for two more county summers. Fingers crossed…
Derbyshire did well today and highlighted the limitations in a close to full strength attack. Wayne Madsen continued his recent good form and was dismissed for the first time this season between fifty and a hundred. Garry Park has also enjoyed good form and kept the score ticking over, while it was good to see Dan Redfern taking on the Australians for the first time. It has been a difficult season for him, but he is simply too good a player for this to be anything other than a minor blip in what I am sure will be a fine career.
I'm sure there will be a few out there who will express disappointment that we "didn't go for it," but anyone who thought that we could chase down 430 in a day against one of the best sides in the world was deluding themselves. I'm happy that we batted solidly, put on nearly 150 before a wicket fell and ensured that the Australians left Derby knowing that they had been given a work out. After tea the game became a little more attritional, but I don't mind that, as there are times it is necessary. Sometimes you simply cannot play the expansive strokes and it was good to see relatively inexperienced players like Park and Goddard battling it out against players who were very keen to make a positive impression themselves. It augurs well for the future, as if they can handle that standard of attack, county bowlers should give them nothing to fear.
Now the focus switches to Old Trafford on Sunday, where we really do need to go for it and most importantly secure a win. With four games to go I suspect that the quarter final places will not be finalised until the last round of games. If we can continue our batting form and welcome back a rested regular attack, there's no reason why we cannot make life very awkward for Lancashire.
I'm sure that Greg Smith, Tim Groenewald, Loots Bosman, Robin Peterson, Charl Langeveldt and Steffan Jones will have enjoyed a few days rest and will be recharged for that one. Here's hoping that they do us proud.
In truth I enjoyed the second day's play slightly more than the first. Although, truth to tell, the power of Ponting and Hussey on the first day was appreciated by many Derbyshire supporters, myself included.
ReplyDeleteFor all my criticism of Footitt in the past, I thought that against the Australians he actually bowled much better - at least he got on to hit the stumps. Sheikh also, had a particularly good first session on day one.
I also have to say well done to the Club for putting on such a well organised two days. It was a pity that Mark Nicholas wasn't there. I hope they announce him to the crowd if he ever turns up - I'm pretty sure we could guarantee him a 'very' special welcome!
The one thing that slightly tarnished today was the way it finished! When Park was out, Whitely was making his way to the wicket, only to see the players shaking hands, and suddenly the game was brought to a close, with 12 overs and over an hours play still remaining. Quite a few of those around where I was sitting, in front of the Gateway Center began to boo. One man even shouted "disgusting."
The game had been built up over a long period, thousands were in attendance, many perhaps had never been before, there was a real atmosphere, and then it finished like a damp squib. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming the Club in the slightest.
I saw the Hon. Sec. Dave Griffin as I was going the the car, and asked him why play finished early. He commented that the umpires gave their approval the grounds that neither side could win the game. I guess that it must have been Ricky Ponting that asked - if that was the case then that is a great shame, as there was a lot of goodwill for him personnaly during the match. It shows a disregard for many who had paid good money to watch both sides. Who's to say, we could have had a few batting or bowling 'fireworks' in the last hour that would have made for an entertaining finish. I was disappointed with whoever asked for the premature conclusion, with then umpires for ageeing, and even with the Derbyshire batsmen for accepting it. David Griffin told me that John Morris knew nothing about the arrangement, nor did he. So how our batsmen could agree without getting Head Coach's or Captain's approval you tell me!
All in all a disappointing end!
Excellent comment and thanks for taking the time to post! Yes, I was a little surprised that the advertised 100 overs or close of play wasn't adhered to. I suppose we were never going to overhaul their total, but it might well be that fans were shortchanged a little at the end.
ReplyDeleteI suppose the Aussies had enough, not that it helps any. I am pleased to hear that all the organisation was to good effect though and the club are to be congratulated on their efforts in that line.