Essex have named a strong looking squad for tomorrow's game at Chelmsford, which is:
James Foster
Billy Godleman
Tom Westley
Owais Shah
Jaik Mickleburgh
Adam Wheater
Ryan ten Doeschate
Graham Napier
David Masters
Maurice Chambers
Reece Topley
Tom Craddock
There is no definitive news on Derbyshire's side, but Matt Lineker will surely make his debut in the team that I suggested last night.
Elsewhere, there are several comments over recent days regarding the club playing more cricket at Chesterfield. I can totally understand the sentiments, as I can think of nowhere better to watch the game. Scarborough is lovely, but I never expect to enjoy watching cricket anywhere more than I do at Chesterfield. The wicket is sporting in the best sense of the word and the setting simply stunning.
Yet, having said all that, I don't see how it is feasible for Derbyshire to play more matches there than they currently do. Thousands of pounds have been spent on developing Derby and the County Ground is massively improved as a result. The net facilities, indoor and outdoor, are excellent and the facilities for supporters are a world away from when I first went to the ground in 1970.
Such facilities are limited at Chesterfield, despite improvements there in recent years. Temporary accommodation is required for press and corporate hospitality and parking facilities are understandably restricted. While attendances for the week were impressive, that was understandable with Yorkshire one of the visitors, as well as two top of the table clashes to entertain the crowds. If you can't turn up to see that, you never will...
Changes in health and safety legislation has been the death knell for cricket at outgrounds around the country. Derbyshire and Don Amott, as a contributor pointed out last night, have done very well to keep it going at both Chesterfield and Leek. Doing more than at present is unlikely though. Advertisers pay good money for boundary hoardings which, were they to be moved around, would cost the club a small fortune. The club secured ECB money to develop the County Ground to a standard where international matches could take place, something that would not have been possible had our resources been divided between two bases.
No, Chesterfield has a regular, strong and essential presence in Derbyshire cricket's past, present and future, but seven days - at the most ten - is as much as the club can realistically expect to play there. I accept that potential members from the area may be discouraged by this, but how many from the Derby area might have second thoughts if things changed?
I'm sure there will be plenty of opinions on this one, quite possibly dependent on where you live, but I'm looking at this purely on economic grounds and that is the only thing you can do in the current era.
As always, I look forward to your comments!
Wayne as not been taken to Essex????
ReplyDeleteWhy should he be?
ReplyDeleteI still think two weeks is a reasonable option. Yes,the County Ground has improved from the s--t tip it used to be,but its still not a particularly nice place to watch cricket.
ReplyDeleteHeath and safety. I wont dwell too much on one of my pet hates,suffice to say,i dont recall anyone ever dying at a cricket match,except possibly through natural causes. As for me,i always feel much healthier after a day in Queens Park.
Obviously the nets etc are vastly superior at Derby,but i doubt that would make the slightest difference for a couple of weeks. Might even play better without them.
yes, i love watching cricket at Chesterfield, but 6 days is spot on, anymore days, it is at the cost of the club, sponsors . those what that will still be with us next season , three main sponsors are now pulling out, will also not be that happy,
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. No one died at a cricket match - maybe. I do recall several players going down with food poisoning at Chesterfield a few years back though, before they carried out the improvements...
ReplyDeleteI agree that H and S has a lot to answer for, but we cannot legally ignore it.