v Worcestershire
Captains Fantastic combined for Derbyshire at the 3aaa County Ground today as they recovered from 13-2 in the fourth over after being put in, to a position of considerable strength. This was largely thanks to a superb partnership between Wayne Madsen and Billy Godleman (pictured), which added 251 runs for the third wicket.
After being inserted, on a wicket that offered early help after yesterday's rain, Hamish Rutherford and Chesney Hughes both went early, in a new look Derbyshire side that rested Shiv Thakor, Matt Critchley and Alex Hughes ahead of the T20 matches, while giving Ben Slater a middle order berth and championship debuts to Will Davis and Rob Hemmings, after good displays in the second team.
None were needed today, as Wayne's 21st county century and Billy's career-highest score set a new county record against the visitors for the third wicket. They are both very good players and key to our prospects going forward in this form of the game. While Billy was set back a little by the hand injury at the start of the campaign, he is right back to his best now .
Both offer a solidity we aren't used to of late in the batting order and it must have made for a delightful day's cricket for the Derby faithful. We now have four batsmen (those two plus Chesney and Shiv) averaging over fifty, which is encouraging.
So too was Neil Broom's smaller knock as the day came to a close. He's not had an easy baptism into the county game, but then the wickets take some getting used to and he's not the first to find that. We'll probably see more of him next year, but he has plenty of time left before September to make an impact.
In closing tonight, there was another interesting trialist in the seconds, who were playing Northamptonshire today.
Charlie MacDonnell played against us and made a century for Durham MCCU earlier this summer, one of several good innings he played for them after a prolific summer for Buckinghamshire last year. He's the latest to have trials at the club and hopefully we could see one of them in line for an opportunity next year. Certainly Jon Tattersall has made a decent fist of an extended trial.
MacDonnell's 84 today did him no harm and we just need Tom Wood to get the same opportunity now and see what he can do. It was also good to see Tom Knight batting higher in the order too and making runs - I hope that tomorrow sees him bowling a few overs and rediscovering the mojo that made him a very exciting all round talent.
More from me tomorrow - enjoy your evening!
Very strange side out. If 'resting' players have we given up on the four day game already?
ReplyDeleteSlater and Godleman should be opening with Rutherford, Madsen and Broom 3/4/5. Chesney would have have been left out as far as I'm concerned. Poynton far too high in the order at number seven too.
Averaging over 50 and left out..bit draconian mate!
ReplyDeleteIf the top 5 bat like that it doesnt matter who is at seven..it could be Barbie. I see it as giving worthwhile opportunity and saving three key one day players for compys we are very much still involved in. With Carter also rested and Neesham not available, your one day attack is charging batteries ahead of a busy period.
Rightly so in my book.
Is it any coincidence that we look a far stronger side now Welch has gone?.
ReplyDeleteHarsh maybe, but it could have been called being 'rested' easily enough. I've not looked them up but what are his last ten scores in all cricket?
ReplyDeleteGreat innings from Godleman, and a fantastic recovery with Madsen from another poor start.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's no better a position than we were in against Kent, and it would be wildly optimistic to believe it couldn't happen again. This could have looked very different if Madsen had been given lbw before he'd scored and Godleman hadn't been dropped in his 60's. It was one of those days when all of the decisions went in our favour, and if they hadn't, we could have been in real trouble. On his batting this season, Poynton isn't a competent number 10, never mind 7, and this batting side has collapse written all over it. Much as I've supported Chesney Hughes, he simply cannot buy a run at the moment. He's scored 12 runs in his last 5 championship innings, and hardly better in recent 1 day matches. Rutherford's scarcely better, and with Broom still to prove himself, Slater batting comically out of position, and Poynton three places too high at 7, too much is resting on too few. I'm not sure resting is necessarily the issue. Thakor has looked as though he's carrying an injury in a couple of the one day matches, Critcbley needs a break from the hammering he's been getting in the championship. and Taylor is desperately out of sorts. With Durston still injured, and Alex Hugbes bowling not good enough as the fourth bowler, there aren't too many options.
Isn't that 'resting' by any other name, notoveryet?
DeleteChes is out of nick but if we are giving those lads a break, the ones scoring runs are trialists...
Hi Peakfan, normally keep my thoughts to myself. However on a day off and living locally I went to see Essex v Leicestershire. One thing that struck me was 4 of their top 5 were over 30 and have been brought in from outside. Dexter is 31, Horton is 33, Cosgrove is 32, Pettini is 33. All very well and good today but what happens in 2 years time when they are all washed up and finished. No kids to come through as they havnt been exposed to it. My mother would say bread today never works in the long run. Stick with Cotton, Poynton, Critchley, Hughes, Thakor etal. In 2 years time we will know if they are good enough and we've lost nowt. A scenario that Leicestershire will not be facing. I also concur with an overseas bowler Mckay looks the real deal. Godleman, both Hughes, Thakor, Slater, Cotton, Madsen is none to bad to start with. A little less coaching 1 or 2 less coaches and we will be fine. I'm fully aware of our limitations. My kids still call a Chelmsford car park the Derbyshire lost car park as I've sat in it so many times over the years crying into beer after another thrashing. Just be competitive and by crikey we are that at the minute. Warwickshire v close but no disgrace and the team Yorkshire put out on Sunday would beat most international teams and we lost by 1 run very good effort indeed. Good idea to give Sadler a go and he certainly isn't afraid to make decisions. As I type this Godleman has just made his double hundred absolutely fantastic onwards and upwards.
ReplyDeleteVery good post Rob! On this evidence get the thoughts out there more often. Its an open forum for comment and while we dont always agree I enjoy seeing people's views and replying! Nice one...
DeleteAfter his blistering start, Ches is averaging 9 from his last 10 innings (across all formats). Shame he couldn't have got some confidence back, but well done to the lads though for proving me wrong when I (and suspect most of us) were saying here we go again at 13-2.
ReplyDeleteAs I type Ben has got Worcs in all sorts of trouble. Shame we lost that 1st day, we haven't looked like taking 20 wickets in a match for some time, difficult to imagine we can do it in little over 24hrs.
Paul.
Ches was out first ball for Lullington on Saturday!
ReplyDelete