It is, as Graeme Welch pointed out today, a sign of Derbyshire's progress that Ben Slater cannot get into the squad for the trip to Wantage Road, for the game that starts on Sunday.
Nor can Matt Critchley, who is likely to be omitted from the side that played Glamorgan at Derby in favour of Shiv Thakor. The latter did all he could do after being left out for the home match - he went away to the seconds and took economical wickets for the seconds, as well as scoring runs.
With skipper Billy Godleman replacing Slater, Derbyshire are likely to line up as follows:
Godleman
Hughes
Rutherford
Madsen
Broom
Durston
Thakor
Poynton
Palladino
Fletcher
Carter
Northamptonshire's small squad is stretched by the absence of several key players, including Rob Keogh, Rob Newton, Steven Crook and Olly Stone. Nor is Monty Panesar considered fit enough to play yet, so they go with the following squad:
Wakely (C), Sanderson, Duckett, Gleeson, Libby, White, Cobb, Azharullah, Levi, Rossington (WK), Murphy, Crook, Kleinveldt.
The keen-eyed will see Crook in the squad but deemed unlikely to play by the local newspapers.
The forecast is pretty favourable, with light rain showers on Monday deemed the only inclement weather, so this is a game that Derbyshire could win. While the home side has some good players, I'm going to tip our lads to produce their best form and return with win points in the bag.
It is worth remembering that we are still unbeaten since the start of pre-season, so confidence should be high and I am anticipating another strong team performance.
Your thoughts?
Looking down the teams I think we are comfortably better man for man. We need to show it.
ReplyDeleteOn current form Broom should have been the one to drop out
ReplyDeleteTrue, Stephen but there isn't a county in the land who would sign an international batsman and drop him after two games. He needs time on our wickets and will doubtless then score runs
ReplyDeleteIs that a polite way of saying we're paying him alot of money so he has to play
ReplyDeleteNo...a polite way of saying he is a player of proven quality who will be very important for us this season. He hasnt played in England before and has had three knocks so far. Give the guy a chance! Slats is a fine player who will go far and will get further opportunities
ReplyDeleteWhy no Alex Hughes?
ReplyDeleteGrant Wells
Hi Grant - Alex, Shiv Thakor and Matt Critchley are effectively competing for one all rounder place. As I wrote last week, Shiv is the better bowler, Alex the better bat and Matt the variation. I can only assume the greater need is seen for an extra bowler, rather than lengthening the batting at this stage. Alex will undoubtedly come into the one-day games, especially T20, in which he excels
ReplyDelete