After two fairly ordinary nights of T20 cricket, Derbyshire return to the comfort of a format they play rather well tomorrow, when they play against county cricket's perennial under-achievers, Essex, at Chelmsford.
There appears to be an epidemic of side strains running through the seam bowlers at present; first Wayne White, then Ben Cotton and now Tom Taylor ruled out with such an injury. Nevertheless, we will go in with a strong seam attack and the depth of that area of the playing staff is one consolation. Alex Hughes is still out, but Wayne Madsen returns to captain the side.
The Derbyshire squad:
Billy Godleman
Ben Slater
Chesney Hughes
Wayne Madsen
Wes Durston
Scott Elstone
Shiv Thakor
Tom Knight
Tom Poynton
Wayne White
Tony Palladino
Mark Footitt
Even without Tillakaratne Dilshan, missing for personal reasons, it is a strong-looking side and I expect an improved performance, one that will hopefully help ease the pain of the T20 performances.
Mark Footitt has a particular reason to bowl well and quickly, as England captain Alastair Cook lines up for his county in a rare county appearance, having made a big hundred in the corresponding game last year. Pre-season they were some people's favourites for promotion, yet sit bottom of the table despite a side that on paper looks the equal of any in the division. They have yet to pick up a batting bonus point at home this year, although the 'sporting' nature of the wickets thus far has been a contributory factor.
Their squad:
Alastair Cook
Nick Browne
Tom Westley
Ravi Bopara
Jesse Ryder
Ryan ten Doeschate
James Foster (Captain/Wicket-Keeper),
Graham Napier
Matt Salisbury
Adeel Malik
Jamie Porter
Jack Winslade
Nick Browne made two centuries in the game at Chesterfield last year and the batting looks to be their stronger suit, with David Masters injured and Reece Topley on what is effectively a phased return after a back injury. There's no Greg Smith either and the former Derbyshire man hasn't had much success since moving down south. Form has been elusive at times and he has had injury issues to contend with, all the more worrying in the last year of his contract.
We will need to bowl well to get through a batting side that, on paper at least has plenty of talent, but there is enough in the Derbyshire side to win it, if they maintain the intensity of the second and third days at Canterbury. The weather is set fair for the four days, so it is time to kick our four-day season into top gear.
Good luck lads!
Just our luck with Dilshan. The sad thing is things like this don,t surprise me any more. The opportunity is there for others to shine and make a name for themselves. I feel Essex are in a false position,one I hope they are still occupying at the end of the match,but I can,t see them staying down there for long.
ReplyDeleteWithout Masters and Topley the Essex attack looks none too threatening,something we must take advantage of. The only real worry is if we are faced with a spinners paradise,which would not be in our favour. The seam attack looks quite strong even without Taylor and as you say,there is every incentive for Footitt to impress. I just hope he doesn,t over react and lose his discipline and control. All these injuries are becoming a real concern.Some may be the result of pure bad luck but i,m beginning to think there may be something more fundamental at the bottom of it.
a shaky start. Match lost.
ReplyDeleteWell, Anon, I suggest you look at the games there this year. Every team winning the toss has bowled and put the opposition out for under 200, then gone on to win the game. That's hardly an indication of great sorcery as a forecast...
ReplyDeleteWere that Derby, would the pitch inspectors be circling?
Questions have to be asked asap as to what the heck is going on with the batting. Sandler's role will have to come under scrutiny if this shocking batting continues. 50-5 as I write this. Pure trash!
ReplyDeleteIn T20 mode I see. That's not a good thing for this club.
ReplyDeleteEssex showing us that with a bit of guile and concentration, batting isn't that difficult. But then again I expect the excuse to be that the ball was doing all sorts while we were at the crease, and calmed down when Essex went in.
ReplyDeletejust about as dispiriting a day as is possible. Nothing to add apart from the obvious- we are just not good enough.
ReplyDeleteMark excuses like injuries and youngsters can no longer be used. The excuse brigade will use stuff like the wicket or as you've said overhead conditions. That doesn't wash with me. They are simply not good enough and that was a pathetic batting performance yet again.
ReplyDeleteH