If the weather allows it, Derbyshire have an opportunity tomorrow to improve a league position that in no way reflects the quality of cricket that they have been playing. Surrey, a side who haven't really got going are the opponents but we cannot afford to underestimate a side with some good players.
The big names are, of course, Mark Ramprakash and Steven Davies, but Chris Adams has been bringing young players through and they have plenty of them. Jason Roy has been in good form, as has skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown. The toss, as it has been so far at the County Ground, is likely to be crucial.
I don't see many changes in the Derbyshire side, unless one of the seamers is rested to allow Steffan Jones or Mark Turner an outing. Martin Guptill will replace Usman Khawaja and make his debut and I think we'll see the following Derbyshire side tomorrow:
Guptill, Madsen, Hughes, Durston, Redfern, Smith, Sutton, Clare, Rafiq, Groenewald, Palladino
Guptill and Madsen promises to be an excellent opening pairing and I look forward to seeing their understanding develop as the season progresses.
A good result in this one will see us into the T20 with a spring in our step. If the weather keeps out of it we'll have every chance.
Rafiq wont be playing Mr. Peakfan it says on club site he fractured his finger so has gone back to yorks
ReplyDeletetimmy g rested as well
ReplyDeleteThe perils of posting before the club site guys :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update!
I wonder what the crowd will be as there are a few who won't go again after the Morris and Brown sackings.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think that people support a club, not people within it. If you're a fan you can't switch loyalty on and off like a light.
ReplyDeleteI doubt any people will stop going because of this in fact I know a couple who are going again now JM has gone.
ReplyDeleteWeather forecast looks dodgy. Big improvement for end of week though for start of 20/20.
ReplyDeleteIs Tim Groenewald's omission today (official reason 'rested') anything to do with rumours that he has not signed a contract for next season?
ReplyDeleteNews today of another departure from the County Ground. Sue Evans the lady who runs the shop and does the memberships is on her way. She will be sorely missed and I am sure all members wish her well.
ReplyDeleteWithout a manager for next season I don't know how the club can start to negotiate contracts for players like Groenewald. How the hell did our club get in such a mess? Things were sailing along niceley with Morris and Amott at the helm and now we are the laughing stock of county cricket again!!
ReplyDeleteI think the Groenewald story is far from a rumour - its out in the public domain. His omission is nothing more than needing a rest, after he's played every game so far. I'm sure he'll feature in most of the T20 too, so needs a breather before that starts.
ReplyDeleteCertainly no conspiracy theory there!
I agree, Peakfan. If he'd been in the side against Surrey, he'd have played eight out of nine days before the 20/20 on top of playing in every other match this year.
ReplyDeleteI don't know any more than anyone else commenting on TG's intentions or aspirations, but how many of us wouldn't wonder if someone would pay us £10k or £20k more than our current employers, and be tempted if they would? Professional cricket is a short and uncertain career, and you are a long time retired afterwards. I think the onus is on Derbyshire to come up with an offer that reflects his value to us, rather than hope that his gratitude and loyalty means that he'll sacrifice a substantial amount to stay with us.
Who at the club is sorting out player's contracts these days?
ReplyDeleteKrikken and Chris Grant
ReplyDelete