Gloucestershire v Derbyshire preview

Sloppy journalism in the Guardian today from David Hopps, a man with a decent reputation who should really know better.


Apparently Don ‘Arnott’ (used several times) has left the committee and the departure of such a major sponsor is a source for concern. One would have hoped that the author might have checked his facts before putting such nonsense in the national press. The fact that Don is still on the committee and is on record as saying that he will remain a sponsor seems to have passed Mr Hopps by…

On to tomorrow’s game and Gloucestershire’s overseas import Kane Williamson will not make it in time from New Zealand and will miss the season opener, along with Hamish Marshall. Must be one plane a fortnight from New Zealand…

It is not going to harm Derbyshire’s prospects and the Gloucestershire press are suggesting skipper Alex Gidman will fill that berth. Getting him in against the new ball will be key to our fortunes as he has an even younger side than ours at his disposal after the winter exodus. Their squad in full is:

 C.Dent, I.Cockbain, R.Coughtrie, C.Taylor, A.Gidman (capt), J.Batty (wkt), W.Gidman, I.Saxelby, J.Lewis, D.Payne, L.Norwell, V.Banerjee

There is no news yet on the Derbyshire side, with the big decisions for John Morris being the opening partner to Wayne Madsen after Paul Borrington’s accident and the seam bowlers for the game. My best guess would be:

Madsen, Hughes, Khawaja, Park, Smith, Durston, Sutton, Clare, Groenewald, Footitt, Turner/Palladino

I know some are suggesting Steff for one of the seamers, but it would be a surprise if younger bowlers don't get the call at this stage - at least for me.

Logic suggests that the seamers should enjoy the game and the wicket more than the batsmen and Alex Gidman has already said that he expects to see plenty of movement.

Winning the toss would be the best start for the new skipper and he can then hope to dictate terms. While one would expect the wicket to offer help to the bowlers on the first morning, at the back of their minds will be that it could also deteriorate further as the game progresses. After all, who would have expected a Derbyshire win at lunch on the first day at Bristol last year?

Given Gloucestershire’s loss of so many players in the winter and the absence of Marshall and Williamson, I’m predicting a Derbyshire win for this one. I’d like to think that our line-up is stronger and that we will have too much for them and get off to a flyer.

Now its up to the lads to prove me right.

Go get ‘em…