So 'Jim' posting below the last article suggests that I sit on the fence. Hmmm... I can only assume that he's not read much of the blog as I don't think too many people would concur. I won't flatter myself in thinking that people will always agree with what I write, but I don't think I've ever resorted to a Mavis Barlow, Coronation Street "Ooooh...I don't know."'Jim' presumably doesn't like the fact that I defend the club's stance in only having one overseas player. Now that's fair enough to a point, but it ignores a few harsh realities.
Like the fact that the club had no idea, until it happened, that Usman Khawaja (pictured) would be called up to an Australian training camp at very short notice. Had they known that, early plans could have been put in place for a replacement, because you don't just sign a player, see him jump on a plane and walk into the dressing room. There are many visa and registration details to complete, all the formalities of anyone going to another country to work for a period of time. That's after you've discussed the niceties of the deal with his agent. If you've ever had to do that sort of thing, you know how time-consuming it can be. If you haven't, trust me.
Had Chris Grant got someone to say 'yes' on the day he heard about Khawaja's departure, that player would probably be set to appear from next week, given the timescale. Someone mailed me to suggest he should have had someone lined up for that eventuality. Why would he? That's like having a hire car on constant standby in case yours breaks down. It is unrealistic, to say the least.
I have criticised the club plenty of times in the past - check back if you don't believe me - but what else could they have done? So Leicestershire signed Razzaq in the nick of time - the work on that signing was going on for weeks because they knew they had a vacancy. Simple as that.
The big thing is, what can you realistically expect to get? Some of the bigger names have come to T20 for figures around £80K to £100K for 16 matches, with the semi-finals and finals if they have done the business to be paid for on top of that. That is £5-7K per match, a handsome reward, but not when those big names have just spent six weeks in India in the IPL and have picked up between £30K and £60K per match.
I know that enquiries were made for several players who might have made a big difference, but they weren't interested. The money on offer was not inconsiderable, but when you've been away from your family for six weeks and made a lot of money, is another, less lucrative offer to keep you away for another month really something you would want?
We could then have gone down to the next level. Picked up a Travis Birt, Jon Moss, Chris Harris, Mohammad Kaif if you like. Would they have made a difference? For all the fact that we had Loots Bosman and Charl Langeveldt last season, did they win us many games? A Chris Gayle would, but he's hardly going to bother his shirt for five grand a game. He knows that after his IPL exploits this year he is guaranteed a million next time around.
There were plenty of moans about last year's campaign with those two experienced international cricketers, because there are no guarantees in this game. Middlesex spent a fortune on Dave Warner and Adam Gilchrist, huge names in the format - and did what? Warner had a highest score of 43 from 15 innings and Gilchrist had one decent knock. The previously mentioned Abdul Razzaq had a highest of 44 for Hampshire in 15 attempts...
Keep in mind too that we had two thousand people at the Lancashire game when there was everything to play for. Even if they all paid £16 (which they didn't) that's £32K income to cover all the other costs, including the notional additional overseas player. Sorry to set off my train of thought rolling down this track, but the T20 cash cow is needing urgent veterinary treatment. Have a look at the latest offering by the excellent George Dobell on Cricinfo and see what I mean:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2011/content/story/519534.html
Yes, a second overseas player would have made a difference. That's a no-brainer, but to criticise the club in this instance is just silly. There are too many extraneous factors beyond their control and people need to try and understand that.
Peakfan, you seem very negative about a second overseas player for the 20/20. The facts are that there are players out there who all have a price. This is where a good Head of Cricket comes in who can get us the right deal.
ReplyDeleteThere are comments around about the very 'poor' crowd at last night's match. Well the three men and a dog that were there as well as a good number of those that didn't go are feeling badly 'cheated' by the club this season.
ReplyDeleteWe have already lost a Chairman who was very popular and we have lost a well respected Head of Cricket and a well respected coach. We have also not seen any investment in the team and been fed a constant supply of broken promises.
I have been a supporter for over 40years and I delayed renewing my membership this season as there was speculation about the Chairman Don Amott's position and speculation about a new contract for John Morris. After Amott, Griffin and Grant assured us that John Morris would be granted a new contract I renewed my membership. Then after a good start to the season John was sacked and it's been a farce ever since. I feel that I have been cheated out of good money by the club. After last night's showing I will not attend another 20/20 match this season and I will not be joining next season.
Whilst I applaud the clubs decision to give youngsters a chance they must earn it. If I want to watch Derbyshire County League players each week then I will watch them playing in the Derbyshire County League on a Saturday afternoon where admission is free.
How our we expected to draw crowds with shocking performances. This is the problem with having the notts game as one of the latter fixtures it is now most likely going to be a top vs bottom clash but this is the fixture that most people want to go to but because we are not playing well the crowd will probably be 1000 or so less than it would be if we were actually playing half decent cricket.
ReplyDeletepeakfan - its called contingency planning - there must have been a chance Usman might have gone on the aussie A tour - if we didnt realise that then thats pretty poor - plus where on earth is Palladino - has to be worth a go in front of Stef or Clare - plus the season is definitely in big danger of imploding again by end of June - well done Chris and Luke !
ReplyDeleteso, the season implodes again in mid-June. Sutton's wishes to be competitive in every match in tatters. Certain players just not up to consistently producing performances required at this level. The overiding note of optimism surrounds Tom Knight. Martin Guptil has already shown his worth as batsman and fielder but has little support. Basically its another great big mess with no sign of any calm, logical thinking to rectify this dire situation on or off the pitch.
ReplyDeleteLook folks, as you know,i don,t always agree with peakfan. We see a number of things differently,but on this occasion i agree entirely.
ReplyDeleteIt possibly would have been beneficial to have a second overseas player,but the logistics made it virtually impossible to achieve that,given the circumstances.
It can be argued,with some justification,that Khawaja,s inclusion in the Aussie set up was more likely to happen than not and therefore his signing in the first place was of questionable merit. Having signed him,the idea of placing someone else on standby is simply ludicrous.
Like peakfan says,there are no guarantees an overseas player would be the answer anyway. We,ve had some good ones over the years,but we,ve also managed to unearth some real lemons.
I don,t disagree that sometimes you have to speculate to accumulate,however,in this instance it would have been a waste of money anyway.
As far as anon,s observations go, who was Arnott popular with anyway?. Not me for a start and the same goes for the previous head of cricket.
One point i keep banging on about,which doesn,t seem to register with some people is this, which i will put in capitals. THIS TEAM WE ARE WATCHING WAS CONSTRUCTED BY JOHN MORRIS. THIS IS HIS SQUAD AND HIS LEGACY. I don,t believe this squad is anywhere near good enough,taken as a whole, but if you,re going to blame anybody then at least blame those responsible. The team needs surgery,major surgery,but you can,t do that half way through a season even if you wanted to. So please be realistic and accept any investment can,t possibly happen now. What we have is what we,ve got. We need to get the best out of those people. Im not sure we are doing it quite right at the moment,but then i,m not paid to pick the team.
marc, agree to a point but when JM was here we won 4 out of first 10 matches - since he has gone we have won 1 out of 12 - unless my maths isnt up to it then since JM has gone things have gone downhill - agree we have to move on but lets make sure we put the blame for the curent dross at the right door
ReplyDeleteActually, it's Peakfan's fence here, and if he decides he wants to sit on it, anyone who doesn't approve doesn't have to watch.
ReplyDeleteDerbyshire were entirely right not to go rushing out for a second overseas. Given the balance of our team, there would have been no point in it being anything but a bowler. As I've said before, with our bowling, we have virtually no chance of defending less than 180-190. So it's a bowler - who does anyone know who we can afford, can be trusted to go for less than seven an over and take two or three wickets? Langeveldt a couple of years ago perhaps, but he's going at 9 an over this year. or perhaps Tim Southee (nearly 9), Damien Wright (8.5), Ryan McLaren (8).
It would have been a blind gamble, and as Peakfan says, they would only just have been arriving now. This dire t20 isn't due to the lack of a second overseas player - it was blindingly obvious that Derbyshire weren't going to be competitive because of the complete unsuitability of the bowling squad for this competition put together for the season - by John Morris, lest we forget. The season isn't imploding - we're having the bad t20 we were always going to have, whoever had been in charge.
The Palladino omission for the 20/20's is a strange one. He has been by far our best bowler this season, he is a good fielder and gives it a crack with the bat. Given that we are struggling for seam bowlers he should be the first name on the teamsheet. A Committee man was on the ground recently saying that two of our players were against John Morris being sacked. Given that Morris rescued Palladino's career I can only assume that Palladino may have been one of these players and has been 'frozen out' by whoever is picking the team at present.
ReplyDeletewhoever is currently leaving Palladino out is crazy - he has been our best seam bowler by a country mile - only Timmy G is running him close at moment and methinks the last post is very close to the mark
ReplyDeleteTo anon earlier.
ReplyDeleteThe last twelve matches have produced 1 win, 1 draw, 2 tied games, 2 cancelled and 6 defeats. These encompassing all forms of the game.
To look a little further into it,seven of those games played have been T20,a format which notoveryet rightly suggests,we are not very good at. We never have been though, have we?. That,s why we are the 17th worst county in 20/20 history. It,s not something that,s just happened this season.
In saying that,we could and indeed should have won at least three of these games,not withstanding the Lancs game.
We have played two CC matches and might have won one of those,but for the weather. The Holland match should also have been won. So yes, on the face of it you are correct,but i think you must agree it might have been a different story. That,s the frustrating thing for me. Losing games that should be won.
It,s not a total disaster yet and by a miracle we could still qualify from T20 group. Not likely,i must admit,but not impossible yet. We still have a chance in the CB40 and need to improve in the CC.
I don,t think anything would be any different had Morris still been in charge.
Good comments guys. Its all about opinions and talking points. Good analysis of the last few games since Morris left Marc - saved me doing a similar job!
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that the guys who make a real difference in T20 - the likes of Kallis, de Villiers, Gayle, a few Indians - all have enough cricket and money. In the case of the Indians, they have, of course been in the Caribbean since the IPL.
With Groenewald already looking at his options for next season we should not be picking him ahead of Palladino anyway.
ReplyDeleteJust one other thing to anon. If indeed Palladino was one of two players who supported the previous regime, then you have your answer as to the level of support they commanded in the dressing room. Virtually none. I hope people will bear this in mind.
ReplyDeleteUntil we get to see the minutes from the now famous sacking of Morris and Brown Committee Meeting we won't know the truth and speculation will continue to grow. Being paying members of the club though I would have thought we could request copies of minutes taken from such meetings. Can anyone confirm this?
ReplyDeleteI would be very keen to know exactly what Don Amott said at the meeting if he was actually there?
You will not get to see the minutes. They are not for public display. End of story.
ReplyDeleteCorrect Marc, and please bear in mind, just in case anyone is going to make comments on the rights and wrongs, that they will be deleted in the light of potential legal action.
ReplyDeleteI can live without being cited, thanks!
Sorry, just ignore everything I've said about the problems of finding good quality overseas at short notice. Apparently there's an ace Sri Lankan on the market (and even better he's got an English passport). Adrian Shankar is the name. Let's go sign him.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, an ace Saffer fast bowler with good test experience. Nantie Hayward's the name.
It's all so easy, why don't the professionals work it out?
LOL notoveryet!
ReplyDeleteI think the reason palladino does not play is because he has got a no ball problem. At the county ground in particular he regularly oversteps the mark but apart from he has been our best bowler. It is also the same problem with footit and turner who are very quick but very erratic.
ReplyDeleteI see that Uncle Ashley is at it again with his 'come and play for the Bears and I'll pick you for England campaign' This time the target is Foxes James Taylor. Ashley should not remain a selector whilst he is managing a county side.
ReplyDeleteOn the Palladino situation, do we know who is actually picking the team now?
ReplyDeleteAfter the Morris sacking we were told that Krikken, Borrington, Jones, Sutton etc were picking it. Now that Krik is head of Cricket is he picking it? If Sutton is picking it then maybee Poynton can sit with Palladino!
I would imagine Krikken is now soley responsible for team selection with imput from Sutton.
ReplyDeleteI hope Leicestershire tell Giles where to stick it, haven't they got any decent batsmen in their academy. he has no shame just like Notts poaching players.
ReplyDeleteHe if does go it doesn't bode well for contracts, not worth the paper they are written on