Worcestershire 164 all out (Cox 40, Cotton 4-28, Palladino 4-32)
and 24-1 (Cotton 1-6)
Day three of this game (day two of cricket) was a day of such total Derbyshire dominance against a very good Worcestershire side that it was hard to believe. Bear in mind that we had an attack of two regulars, two championship debutants and part-timers. What a funny game this cricket is!
Before lunch we added 148 runs for the loss of Billy Godleman, who made a career-best 204, and Neil Broom, who was unluckily, or carelessly out for his second ninety-odd of the summer. It was heartening to follow from afar, even though it appeared a prelude for a long session in the field against a talented batting line-up.
When I came back from a short meeting at work, Ben Cotton (pictured) had already got three back in the hutch, a talented three in Mitchell, D'Oliveira and Clarke. This season looks like it may go down as big Ben's breakthrough year, as after a slow start, albeit on dead wickets, he has bowled with hostility and skill in the past few weeks. A few months short of his 23rd birthday, it has started to 'click' for the tall seamer and he is starting to look the real deal.
As for Tony Palladino, he just keeps on running in, moving it around and getting people out if they don't maintain concentration. His accuracy is a lesson to all the youngsters coming through and four wickets for him too were apparently reward for a fine spell of accurate seam.
There was a first championship wicket for Will Davis, a proud moment for a talented young bowler,but if criticising his greater expense, keep in mind that the lad is 20 and three years back in his development from Ben Cotton. Rob Hemmings produced a tidy spell too, in his first day in the field among the big boys and at the same age.
It was all so very encouraging. Whether they can finish the job off by taking the last nine wickets tomorrow is a moot point. By all accounts the wicket hasn't changed that much and there was as much careless batting as accurate, skilled bowling to blame for the visiting demise.
Yet first sessions at Derby, especially if there's a little cloud cover, can be a challenge. If Tony and Ben can get among them with early wickets - and importantly, we hold our catches - then a first championship win is a possibility.
Who knows, we might even see one of our young tyros start to make a name for themselves.
It keeps getting better for John Sadler and his young side are playing some terrific cricket.
Let's finish it off tomorrow lads.
An excellent all-round performance so far. I wish there was another bowler with experience in the attack, but the improvement in recent weeks is very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteRob Hemmings is a fast medium bowler,not spin Peakfan, if not there is something wrong with my eyesight.Probably the best day of championship cricket we have witnessed this season, onwards and upwards.It looks as though the credentials of the younger brigade are going to be tested a move I suggested a couple of weeks ago, we cannot afford to carry a top heavy squad any longer than necessary if their progress has stalled completely.
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave. We are starting to see the fruits of the labours and have some really good cricketers coming through!
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