Earlier on I mentioned that we were three players short of being a team to challenge next year. Of course, a firing Wayne Madsen would take care of one of those requirements, while it may be that in time Tom Knight and Peter Burgoyne may take over the spin bowling and all round roles.
The right overseas player will also be crucial for next year and if we can address these areas we will be in contention at the end of the season once more. The feeling remains that an all rounder like Darren Stevens from Kent would be a huge asset to us, but such a player would strengthen any side and would be outside our bracket financially.
No, for the most part patience is needed. Although if there was an opportunity to reclaim one of our own from Leicestershire, Wayne White, I'd be pretty pleased. A batting average of 35 and bowling one of 29 this season from 30 wickets and 600-plus runs highlights once again that we made a mistake in letting the lad go. While his bowling can be costly at times, he takes wickets and scores runs when they are most needed. We could do a lot worse.
On a slightly different tack, I came across an article on Cricket World earlier today that makes interesting reading, with Paul Borrington rated the most valuable club cricketer in the country at present, which is quite an accolade. You can read the piece at:
http://www.cricketworld.com/borrington-retakes-lead-of-club-mvp-ratings/29078.htm
That is quite an achievement and here's hoping that he can retain first place for the last few weeks of the season.
Finally tonight, and closing on an optimistic note as I try to do, I hear that the Seconds today chased down 337 to beat Nottinghamshire Seconds, a very strong side, by two wickets. On a track that was turning yesterday, when Peter Burgoyne and Jake Needham took four and three wickets respectively, that was nothing short of a magnificent effort.
I don't yet know the innings details, but I understand that Derbyshire were at one point 130-0, so there must have been runs for both Paul Borrington and Matt Lineker. We could have done with some of that at Chesterfield...
I'll be honest, after their exploits this season its yet more reason for them to play against Essex at Chelmsford next week. There is no logical reason to omit them and both fully deserve an opportunity to show what they can do.
C'mon Krikk, you know it makes sense.
I agree with you peakfan,we have to give Lineker and Borrington an opportunity,but that wont happen as long as krikken buries his head in the sand and keeps playing Smith and Hughes.
ReplyDeleteI said at the time it was announced by the club that Smith was leaving he should no longer feature in the team and subsequent events have only served to underline that point. He is not good enough and never has been.
Hughes is out of form and needs a break away from the first team. He has talent and will rise again,at some point,but that is no reason to keep playing him at the present time. Krikken,s failure to address such obvious problems is not acceptable and whilst i would not dispute his beneficial influence on the team as a whole,he has made a glaring error in his insistence on playing Smith and Hughes.
This has to change NOW. Borrington and Lineker must play,it,s as simple as that. If they don,t then Krikken could rightly be charged for dereliction of duty. I feel very strongly about this and it,s totally unfair on those players who rightly deserve a chance. Im fed up to the teeth of watching the same player fail over and over again and nothing is done about it. CHANGE IT NOW KRIKKEN.
HOW come when a player gets dropped, folks say hes been rested. if a player is being rested why are they playing for the 2nd team then.
ReplyDeletepaul
Lineker has got to be the first name on the teamsheet at Essex next week and Poynton the second. Poynton's keeping was 'poor' last Sunday but we must have a look at him in the 4 day stuff.
ReplyDeleteBen
Just a point guys before we decide to leave out all the present eleven - if we leave out Sutton (captain), Madsen (apparent on-field captain in Sutton's absence) & Smith (previous captain) - who will be left to actually captain the side??
ReplyDeleteLogically Guptill as the international player would skipper. Better keepers than Poynton have missed a stumping and he's a young lad who will continue to improve.
ReplyDeletePoynton will probably play on sunday. I hope he does. Whilst i have no complaints with Sutton,s keeping or too many with his general captaincy,one thing that has become very clear is the fact he is batting too high. This was brought into graphic detail when you compare Northants number 7 to ours.
ReplyDeleteSutton is frankly a tail ender these days and should drop down to number 9. He certainly shouldn,t be above the likes of Clare.
Guptill would be the logical choice as captain or possibly Durston.