Season Review 2010

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. So begins Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities but it also sums up Derbyshire’s season.

We finished bottom of the County Championship after too many sessions of lack-lustre bowling and limp batting, but were probably a better side than that. We again failed to finish sides off when we had them on the ropes, though the absence of first choice seamers for most of the campaign was a major factor. Steffan Jones and Tim Groenewald seemed to play every game and must be looking forward to putting their feet up for a few weeks.

The batting was also hit and miss, with Chris Rogers and wunderkind Chesney Hughes to the fore. The skipper was not as prolific as in previous seasons, however and after scoring over 300 in the first match barely scraped another thousand thereafter. Wayne Madsen hit four centuries but had his low scores too and will be slightly disappointed with his final average. The struggles of the other batsmen meant we were increasingly dependent on late flourishes from Steffan Jones, who rarely let us down.

In the one-day game we showed signs of improvement, just missing out on the T20 quarter finals with an inept performance against Northamptonshire when it was there for the taking after some sparkling performances. In the Pro 40 we also played some good cricket and finished mid-table, but paid the penalty for a nightmare against the Netherlands and lost to brilliant individual performances against Gloucestershire and Essex. Considering the club’s resources, the season was far from a disaster but fans will naturally hope for better next time.

Here, for what its worth, are my marks for the players for the season:

9 - Excellent 8 - Very Good 7 - Good 6 - Average 5 - Below Average 4 - Poor Less than 4 - nuff said...

Chris Rogers 8
The skipper still made his thousand runs and averaged well over 50, though he never came to terms with one-day cricket. Maybe the weight of responsibility told on him, but he will be remembered as one of the very best batsmen in the club’s history.

Paul Borrington 5
Bozza needs a run as opener to show if he can make it at county level. Good concentration, but still has to play some shots and get runs on the board at this level and can't just block it out. Next year is important for him.

Wayne Madsen 7
His average dropped, but Madsen played some stylish innings and became a good middle-order anchor in the one-day game. Looks to be a very good player in full flow and should score many more runs

Garry Park 6
A difficult second year for perhaps the best fielder in the country. Some good cameos in one day cricket, especially in the T20, but he will be disappointed with his first class average and lack of runs. Good enough to come back though and one of those rare players who is worth playing for his fielding alone in one day games.

Chesney Hughes 8
The most prodigious talent I’ve seen in a young Derbyshire player and real quality. Not the most natural of movers in the field but has a great pair of hands. We rarely saw his bowling, which might become of the occasional variety. The world is at this lad’s feet if he continues to work at his game.

Loots Bosman 5
His Headingley assault on debut was by all accounts spectacular, but there was little afterwards. A knee injury, sustained at Chesterfield, did him no favours, but Bosman was quickly ‘sussed’ by opponents who gave him little width and the runs dried up. A gamble that didn't quite come off.

Greg Smith 6
Smith also struggled with the bat, though the amount of bowling he had to do was a factor. Not convinced he is long term captaincy material yet, and he might need to relax and not try to do it all himself to avoid burnout. Always in the game with bustling seam and really spins it too. Just needs to eliminate the odd wild ball.

Dan Redfern 5
Our great batting hope was usurped by Chesney Hughes and had a difficult time. He has plenty on his side though but will hope for better returns and greater opportunity next season. His spin could have been better utilised. Surely will come again.

John Sadler 5
Some bright knocks in one day cricket, but with a small staff we need someone to do much more than that and he was released. Not quite sure of his role in the Seconds, which needs a rethink over the winter.

Wes Durston 7
Wes plays in the ebullient way that John Morris once did and is always worth watching. A terrific T20 campaign and a spectacular fielder, but next season needs to score more Championship runs to cement a regular place in the middle order

Robin Peterson 7
The leading wicket-taker and usually bowled with control. Unusual and pleasant for us to have a top rank spinner, though his wickets dried up as the summer went on. Thought he’d score more runs than he did, though he played some important cameos. Will be missed, on and off the pitch.

Jon Clare 5
Good to see him back on the pitch, but needs to get fit over the winter to take the place of Wagg. Clean hitter of a ball, but his technique needs to tighten up against the moving ball to be more than a bowler who bats. Could be a handful when he realises his shoulder is now up to it again.

Lee Goddard 4
I had high hopes for him, but never scored the runs that we need from a wicket-keeper. As the season went on his glovework declined and it was difficult to see a talented player so obviously struggling. John Morris did the right thing in releasing him.

Steve Adshead 6
Looked a very solid wicket-keeper but, like Goddard, never scored enough runs to make John Morris consider a long-term deal. The availability of several good wicket-keeper batsmen this year ended his hopes.

Tom Poynton 6
Tidy behind the stumps but had his traumatic days early season when some of the bowling was decidedly erratic. A plucky batsman and may yet be our long term wicket keeper. Not ready yet though, which is why we signed Luke Sutton

Jake Needham 6
Jake bowled well when he had rare opportunities, but none of us know if he can do that all the time and be our front line spinner. Still an important part of our future and his development will be a major factor in that of the side.

Tim Groenewald 7
Tim ran in and bowled in April and only stopped last week. You couldn’t ask for more and he looks an increasingly good county cricketer. Bowls with common sense as well as accuracy and a reliable pro to build a side around. A far better batsman than his position in the order suggests.

Steffan Jones 8
Jones the bat was a revelation, averaging 30 and more than most of the regular batsmen. The bowler, like Groeners, just kept on going and he never, ever gives up. A colossus of a man and player. I’m just glad we’ve got him and I hope he can keep going for a few years yet.

Mark Footitt 7
Got though a season pretty much unscathed after the trials of Nottinghamshire and bowled with increasing accuracy and hostility. Could be a genuine threat next year, especially if his later spells of the day are as fast as his early ones. In late season looked seriously quick on occasion.

Graham Wagg 5
Missed most of the season but made some late appearances without reliving erstwhile glories. Remains a talismanic figure but will do so for another county now.

Ian Hunter 2
He was on the staff but only played one game. Can’t say any more really.

Tom Lungley 4
Played a few more games than of late but rarely looked like running through sides as he did in his golden season. An unfortunate accident was the last we saw of him in our colours and released.

Atif Sheikh 6
A mixed bag. Bowled with hostility and no little skill but needs to get much fitter to do so all day. Early no ball problems cleared up, but silly to get dropped by England Under 19s for off field indiscretion. Has a chance next year, but needs to work harder.

Charl Langeveldt 6
Langers is still an accurate bowler in T20, but has lost a yard or so of pace, which meant that he was less penetrative. An object lesson for younger bowlers, but looked like time was catching up on him.

Player of the Season
Though Rogers again topped the averages and Jones hardly put a foot wrong, Chesney Hughes gets my vote. It is rare for a young player to come into county cricket and make both four and one day games look so straightforward. He should be an England player by the time he's 23 and one of the most sought after players in the game. He just needs to listen to his coaches and keep learning.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts and comments!