Thoughts on last night

Derbyshire’s last appearance on Sky this season produced arguably one of their best performances, as Middlesex, fancing their chances when we were four down for less than 50 runs, were blown away by penetrative bowling backed up by fielding of the highest calibre.

It is quite some time since even I was so euphoric over a Derbyshire display. Led by an excellent performance in the field by Greg Smith, who showed some innovative touches with his field placings, Derbyshire looked a really good outfit. As Dave Houghton said at one point, they looked a much better side than their Championship placing suggests.

To begin with the skipper, Smith again led from the front. Batting three, opening the bowling, directing operations and then coming on to bowl off spin may not be sustainable over a prolonged period but was an impressive display of commitment. The way that he dismissed Simpson was excellent captaincy. Placing two fielders at short extra cover, the batsman failed to keep the ball down and fell to a fine catch by Clare, the first of several on the night.

Wagg was at his ebullient best and looked charged up when he batted and bowled. In this mood he is an irresistible character and will be a big loss should he go to Glamorgan. Over on 606 someone has suggested that we break the bank to keep him, which on the face of last night would be a good idea. It sadly neglects the fact, however, that to do so would mean that there was massive disparity between his salary and that of Smith. The figures that I have heard from someone close to the player are not remotely possible for Derbyshire’s budget, unless a rich benefactor came on board. What that would mean to dressing room harmony I could only guess. Is Wagg more important to Derbyshire than Smith, or Madsen? Surely the skipper would be on the highest rate, while overseas players don’t come cheap. You could sacrifice a Kolpak to retain Graham, but the other issues above would remain.

Wayne Madsen yet again confirmed his talent as a batsman, with an innings of poise and class, not to mention common sense. The wicket was no minefield but scoring runs was not easy. Madsen accumulated, bringing out the big shots only when he felt safe in doing so. It was a crucial innings and, supported well by Wagg and Clare, took us to a total that was way in excess of our expectations.

After Wagg’s early demolition job on the visitors, the pivotal period of the game was the spell of Mark Footitt, in which the middle order was blown away in a spell of real hostility. When your first ball travels through at 86mph, it suggests there’s plenty to come and the speed gun got up to 93mph as Footitt was way too quick for the visitors. He was aided, as fast bowlers need to be, by breathtaking fielding. Wes Durston’s catch at second slip was stunning, as was Adshead’s diving take to dismiss Shaun Udal.

The wicket keeper impressed me again last night. He fell early when we batted but constantly encouraged the fielders. His glovework was tidy, the only black mark the spilling of a difficult chance wide to his left from Smith. The batsman was dismissed the following ball and thus the drop did not prove costly. One could even argue that some might not have got near it.

Everywhere you looked there were impressive performances. Redfern batted well before giving it away, but he, together with Park, Durston and Needham, shone on the boundary edge. The ground fielding was excellent and the display was that of a very good team. Importantly, after recent travails there seemed a good spirit afoot, which was good to see.

I said yesterday on the radio that the major frustration of fans was the side’s inconsistency. Had we played like that against Northamptonshire in the T20, or at Worcestershire, we would have breezed both games. It may be that late in the season we have found a strategy that could work next year, with a fast bowler tearing in against the middle order and wily off spin at the other end. Jake Needham again looked good with this and I’m beginning to think that 2011 is the one where he gets the lead role and hopefully fulfils the talent we have known he has for several years.

At the end of the game, Wayne Madsen alluded to the fact that he will be playing in a middle order next year of Smith, Durston and himself at five, which looks a good lineup. With the right additions, that could make for an entertaining and competitive season.

In closing tonight, one comment about someone on 606 who suggested late last night that the current poll on John Morris is rigged, stating that the level of support was what Mugabe or Stalin received.

It is absolute garbage and a shame in an otherwise well constructed article. I resent and totally refute any suggestion that I could be even bothered to fix a poll on the issue and to link this blog and the name of John Morris with two such despots is pretty poor. You all know my thoughts on the issue, but like you I am curious to see the thoughts of other fans. I have locked the poll down, as usual, so that only one vote is possible from an IP address (including mine.) The final result will be a legitimate reflection of the opinion of fans but might not go the way that some would wish.

As for me, I was impressed last night. I just hope, in closing as my train pulls into the station, that the same intensity of performance is replicated in the Championship game that starts today.