Derbyshire 148
Essex 449-8 (White 4-102)
Essex lead by 301 runs
Well, Derbyshire plugged away all day today at Chelmsford but at the end of it Essex had compiled a lead of 301 runs, which should be more than enough for them to complete an innings win at some point tomorrow.
Wayne White took another four wickets and Tony Palladino bowled with his customary accuracy, but almost all of the Essex batsmen got runs. While I entertain no hopes of Derbyshire salvaging anything from this game (how could I?) I would at least like to see them battle and make it hard for the home side.
It would have been a good day for Mark Footitt to grab a few wickets, especially with an excellent article appearing about him on Cricinfo today. The demand for his inclusion against Australia is growing and I hope he gets the opportunity.
I always find it amusing, when people discuss the ability of players, that they focus on what they can't do, rather than what they can. The perfect action/grip/delivery/follow through really doesn't exist outwith the old MCC coaching manuals and what Graeme Welch appears to have done is encourage Mark to simply go for it and bowl fast. If only all coaches were the same...
Finally tonight, there's an increase in the number of 'Anonymous' posts to articles. I have no issue with anyone opting for that method of contribution, as long as you put a name at the bottom of the post.
Critical comments are always published unless personal attacks and it is important to represent the views of supporters. However, I don't like anonymous keyboard warriors, so please put a name on the bottom.
I have my name and face on the blog, so it's the least you can do.
With the over-riding understanding that it's your blog, so of course you can make the rules, I am happy to offer my version of events but find it more soothing to remain behind a pseudonym . It does not mean I am about to ignite something, it simply means I'd rather not attach lights to my opinion .
ReplyDeleteThe day has turned out more or less as I thought. There are few gremlins in the wicket and according to various reports,there weren,t many yesterday either. Essex have found batting easy enough and now we have to do likewise tomorrow. Just how long we manage to hold out will be as much a test of the mental strength of our batsman in addition to anything served up by the Essex bowlers. It,s been rather a disappointing match for Footitt.Not many people wold have thought he would be wicketless after twenty odd overs,even though his economy rate was satisfactory. I hope we can show some resistance,though the match is clearly a lost cause.
ReplyDeleteAgreed re posting. Man (or indeed woman up) and be at least partly accountable for your comments.
ReplyDeleteA minor plus point is they we at least kept it relatively tight on a quick scoring ground, and whilst we will need to bat heroically to save the game we at least have a chance of getting ahead and making it a time game. That may be a forlorn hope but I have to be positive and we can't bat any worse second time around.
Thanks Mutn..the name itself is largely immaterial but I just prefer people put a moniker of some description
ReplyDeleteNo excuses for not getting a big second innings total here. If we capitulate again, questions have to be asked about the current crop of players and our coaching staff.
ReplyDeleteI make that 2 runs in 5 innings for Slater, including four ducks. Drop the lad to the seconds and see if he can find some form. Elstone needs a break to - 3 ducks in the last four first class innings is enough evidence that he can't presently hack it as a number 5 in a team so weak in batting depth.
ReplyDeleteSaying that, I don't even have any suggestions of replacements...
Stephen
And the woeful batting continues as Slater fails yet again. 35-2, and a lot depends on Chesney and Mads to get us near their first innings total.
ReplyDeleteGiven we zero strength in depth we will have to use the loan market - ideally someone out of contract at the end of the season with a view to signing permanently.
ReplyDeleteBesides Chesney and Madsen, pathetic yet again!!. If only we had some suitable replacement's to come in, instead of some of these failures. Question, are we any better under Welch than we were under Krikken?, and Welch has better players to work with as well.
ReplyDeleteMark - yes. Bowlers have come through, others have improved, young players emerging, albeit slower than some may wish.
ReplyDeleteTim - no, don't see merit in loans, unless they can genuinely improve our chances of promotion. Can a non-regular player from elsewhere do that?