The forecast looks pretty good - a few showers tomorrow then dry for the next three, so a positive result should be perfectly possible. Will it go Derbyshire's way? I hope so, I really do.
Hampshire have named a squad that rests former Derbyshire player Simon Katich and their thirteen is:
Jimmy Adams
Michael Carberry
Bilal Shafayat
James Vince
Liam Dawson
Chris Wood
Sean Ervine
David Griffith
Michael Bates
James Tomlinson
Kabir Ali
Hamza Riazuddin
David Balcombe
Derbyshire's eleven has yet to be announced, but is unlikely to change from the match at Kent, with Jon Clare deemed not yet fit enough to last the four days. So the likely line up is:
Wayne Madsen
Paul Borrington
Usman Khawaja
Wes Durston
Dan Redfern
Ross Whiteley
David Wainwright
Tom Poynton
Tony Palladino
Tim Groenewald
Mark Turner
The toss will be crucial, but how nice it would be to see Derbyshire take the initiative in this game and some of the worry from the fans. They are good enough to win it, without doubt, and only need to look back on sterling displays in the format this summer for confirmation of that. There's also the curse of the Sky cameras, but last time they were at Derby we were dominant against a very good Sussex side and ran out easy winners.
I'll not predict anything quite so straight forward this time out, but I think Derbyshire have enough in the side (and left in the tank) to win this one. Then it comes down to results and bonus points elsewhere, unless we rack up full points in this one when it doesn't matter one iota. The battle for bonus points at the three grounds will be important and we will all be keeping our eyes on Cardiff and Chelmsford, with both Glamorgan and Essex having many surrogate fans in Derbyshire for the rest of the week.
No Cook, Bopara, nor Masters for Essex, but they will give Yorkshire a tough game.
Good luck to the Derbyshire lads - I am sure that they will do us proud.
Just reflecting that the last time I saw Hampshire was in the last match of the season at Derby, probably 1999, but certainly the last season before two divisions were formed. Derbyshire lost by two runs after declarations but both sides got what they needed to get into the first division. Krikken took his only first class wicket in this match.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I can identify the omens in this, but KK's wicket tilts the balance for me.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteAs we are 6 ahead of Kent, 18 points will be enough (2 bonus + 16 for the win) as this puts us 24 ahead of Kent, of course we know that the maximum for a win is 24.
Kent have to win. A draw for them in no use unless we lose, even then we would need 5 bonus points in a loss to outscore Kent if they drew with maximum bonus points.
If there is a tie, the first tie-breaker is most wins so we have the advantage there, the remaining elements (fewest losses, points between tied teams matches, most runs most wickets) shouldn't be required.
23 points would guarantee us the title as that would put us 24 ahead of Yorkshire and, as explained, they cannot afford a tie.
Obviously, every bonus point Yorkshire and Kent drop means that we need one less.
It would be nice if Yorkshire were bowled out for less than 200 and Essex put a big total on the board so that Yorkshire have to bat to save the game. A similar situation would suffice at Cardiff.
ps no Chambers for Essex either (injured).
Early days, but Derbyshire and Glamorgan going well so far! Yorkshire doing OK... hopefully Essex can pinch another wicket or two before lunch.
ReplyDeleteHampshires Vince getting stuck in to our attack.
ReplyDeleteAnd Borrington gets another chance, and guess what Borrington fails miserably. Seriously, I ask you all this question. Is he really the best we've got for an opening bat?, because if he is or squad must be threadbare and isn't saying much for our 2nd eleven. Peakfan might know his average for this season, but I doubt it's even in the 20's, which is quite frankly apalling. But he's obviously doing something right in Krikken's eyes. Trust us to get in a good position and inevitably toss it away with our batting again.
ReplyDeleteI guess the simple answer to your question about Borrington is yes he is the best available. He has been first choice all season and helped get us to the top of the table. All 4 openers struggled including Carberry and Madsen - bringing youngsters through wont succeed if we don't persist with them.
DeleteI struuggle to see how so many people can find so much to complain about in our best season for countless years - we are in the mix at the end of the season - enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteDerby_tractor