Jones to get them fit

There was the good and the indifferent in the Derby Telegraph this morning, with an excellent piece by Mark Eklid on Steffan Jones theories as a bowling coach. As I wrote a couple of weeks back, his biggest problem has been the lack of fit people to coach, but his comments on the need for Mark Foottitt and Atif Sheikh to get much fitter are extremely pertinent. Those who bemoan our ability to bowl sides out consistently now perhaps have part of the answer, when the bowling coach admits that two of our only fit seamers – the youngest - are unable to come back at full pace after their first spell.

It is by no means a new phenomenon and I remember Graham Dilley going on tour to Australia with England when he’d never previously fielded for a full day. Nor is it meant as criticism of the players concerned, but it does highlight that they have much work to do over the winter if they are to step up to the next level. Footitt’s increased availability from recent seasons has been pleasing, but there’s obviously a world of difference between being ‘fit’ and ‘fit to bowl all day.’ International recognition should not be discounted for either, but both need to show the necessary commitment in the years ahead. Jones mentions that he put on ten miles an hour in his bowling over a winter’s work and on that basis both young bowlers would be seriously quick…

You can read the excellent article in full at:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/sport/Old-fashioned-values-work-Jones-sets-example-young-bowlers/article-2487286-detail/article.html

On the disappointing side, it was odd that the match report of yesterday’s play at Leicester contained no reference to Derbyshire’s decision to bat after winning the toss. That the ball moved around considerably, causing all the top order batsmen problems, is undeniable. Having won the toss, we could probably have inflicted similar damage on the home side, so either John Morris, Chris Rogers or both misread the track. They could have thought that, no matter how bad it was, the wicket was going to deteriorate further, but if that is the case the end of day scores don’t give the theory a great deal of credence.

Once again some ‘fans’ were in their element on 606 and I have this image of some of them rubbing their hands with glee as Derbyshire collapsed in the morning session. I really don’t know why they bother. If you’re not happy, don’t go, stop being a fan and take up cross stitch or some other pursuit. Whether they or I like or dislike, rate or don’t rate John Morris doesn’t count for much at all in the grand scheme of things. I don’t kid myself that my view has any impact on goings on at the County Ground, any more than Charles Collins’ or Mark Eklid’s views don’t. John Morris’ future will be decided at an appropriate time by the Committee that appointed him. Until then, anyone who purports to be a fan should get behind him, the team and the club.