The first home T20 of the summer is always exciting, even for a team with as average a record at the format as Derbyshire.
Won one, lost one from the first two doesn't sound overly exciting, but the manner in which the team batted in those two games suggested that the watching could be more exciting this year than in some summers past.
There has been an unchanged side for those first two games and, having destroyed Lancashire at Old Trafford then lost a game we should have won at Northampton, rightly so. The last game showed up the need for another good death/powerplay bowler, however and there lies Graeme Welch's dilemma.
He has one in Ben Cotton. He was our most effective bowler in T20 last year, bowled very economically at either end of the innings and showed himself a bowler of great potential at the format. As I wrote last week, no bowler managed more T20 deliveries than Ben last summer without being hit for a 'maximum', as it is so often called now, rather than 'six', which does me just nicely.
So how does he fit Ben into the side? Before the first game, the final place seemed to be between Ben and Matt Critchley and we all know how well the young leggie has done. He would appear to have cemented a place for now, but Ben's inclusion would allow Jimmy Neesham to bowl the middle overs he is more used to, rather than the ones at either end of the innings.
Does he swap out Alex Hughes? Again, it would be tough, as his skiddy medium pace is perfect for the format, his batting can add valuable runs late in the innings and his fielding will get him into any side. Andy Carter's nous has looked impressive, Shiv Thakor is having a fine season and the places of the Kiwis, at this stage, appear assured.
The batting has gone well, so whichever way Welch goes he has a tough decision and someone will be unlucky. The wicket will almost certainly make up his mind and it will be interesting to see which way he goes.
So what are your thoughts?
Ben Cotton has been very unlucky to miss out in the T20's after performing well last year, I would bring him in for Chesney. I know that is a little harsh after his 46 in the last game but for the balance of the team I think that this would be the best option. As you mention Alex Hughes gives a useful option with the ball and my next option would be to drop Wayne for the T20 but I think he is the best player we have to play the finisher role. Either way it is a tough call and I am glad it is not me making the decision!
ReplyDeleteIf it's Critchley or Cotton I'd keep the young spinner in for now. His figures at OT were excellent and whilst I can't recall what he did at Northampton nearly everyone got carted. Cotton will get a chance soon either through injury or someone's poor figures.
ReplyDeleteI'd bring him in for Carter, if anyone. it's the only like for like swap and I think we need as many batsmen as we can get due to our frequent batting collapses...
ReplyDeleteYou have to admire Peakfans blind faith optimism don't you?. He can always find the positives from a heavy innings defeat or like. Fair play mate!.
ReplyDeleteThere's a bigger picture Mark and it is not just about one game. At the end of the day, and as worked up as we all get at times, it is just sport. No one has died and while a defeat or poor performance is frustrating, they don't do it on purpose and sometimes you have to accept another team has better players.
ReplyDeleteBesides, if all I did was moan all the time you could fit the followers of the blog in a phone box and still have room to dance!