Nottinghamshire 229 (Mullaney 76, Palladino 4-44, McKerr 2-53, Taylor 2-58)
Derbyshire 52-2 (Godleman 18 not)
Derbyshire trail by 177 runs
Today, blessed by the first real spare time I have had in a month, I was able to watch a fair bit of the excellent live stream from Trent Bridge of today's game. Those pitching it as David v Goliath came close to witnessing a similar outcome, on a day that must be our best of the season, at least in the four-day game, so far.
That we bowled out our illustrious neighbours in around two sessions of play was most impressive and tribute to a largely more disciplined bowling display. Tony Palladino took most of the plaudits with four wickets, but there was good support from the new ball pairing of Conor McKerr and Tom Taylor.
I thought both did well before lunch, before rather losing their way in the period after it. There is a good bowler in Taylor and he bowled some really good - and at times hostile - stuff today. It was again liberally scattered with stuff that I'd have fancied hitting for four, but once he can lessen this flaw in his game he could make it. There's a greater rhythm to his bowling than when I saw him earlier in the summer and I hope he can build on this effort.
As for the debutant McKerr, I was impressed. He uses his height, which at 6'6" you would hope for and bowls good lines. There was a time or two that I thought he could have slipped in a bouncer, just to keep the batsmen on their toes, but he had a good batting side hurrying their shots, always the mark of a slippery bowler.
At 19 his potential is considerable and, based on today's effort, he could do worse than playing with us for the remainder of the summer. With the Curran brothers, Mark Footitt, Ravi Rampaul, Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker ahead of him, his chances of playing in their first team this year - or next - are likely just a little better than mine. Even if Hardus Viljoen and Will Davis are fit at the end of this month, I think it unlikely that they can play all the cricket from then to the end of the summer.
It was nice to see us having a genuine quick in the attack and he will only get faster and better as he fills out. Quite a talent, Mr McKerr.
The catching was good and Daryn Smit was again impeccable with the gloves, while Billy Godleman skippered the side well, correctly bringing on the leggie to draw things to a close, when too often we have been frustrated by tenth wicket stands.
Luis Reece and the skipper looked solid in reply, before the lively Wood had Reece caught, then Shiv Thakor looked to be taking things to the close, before assaying a somewhat unnecessary shot from the bowling of Hutton, being well held by Samit Patel from the day's final ball.
Derbyshire's day, beyond doubt, but the onus now lies on the batting to build on a good effort from a much maligned attack.
Today they did well and deserve praise accordingly.
Strange camera angle for the stream given the facilities available there. If it's as simple as rigging up a camera and syncing it to the BBC commentary why don't we do it?
ReplyDeleteA good day for us of course which is pleasing to see. The challenge is the usual Derbyshire one; making it two in a row.
I think the angle is good for a single camera Tim. You see more than from the ECB camera to be honest.
DeleteI dunno. Something to think about for sure. Would be an asset but I have no idea on cost
I have just returned from Trent Bridge, an excellent day where there is very little to criticise and much to praise. We just about got everything right from taking advantage of the option to field first on what is a very dirty looking Trent Bridge wicket.
ReplyDeleteThe day could not have started any better for Conor Mckerr on his debut with a wicket in his first over and as you mention he bowled well all day apart for a short period after lunch when Notts attempted to take the fight to him and Taylor. He gave us a viable new ball threat that has been lacking without Davis or Viljoen and it was the correct decision to bring him in. Tom Taylor is improving with every over that he gets under his belt and Tony Palladino was superb with his line and length once he discovered it.
I thought Billy's captaincy was very good today, he seemed to anticipate the game and his bowling changes where timed to perfection and these often resulted in a breakthrough. Once again the catching was first rate (one consistent positive this season) and although we would have liked to just be the one down tonight, if you had offered us this position this morning then I think few would have been disappointed.
There was quite a few people from Derbyshire who made the trip today and it was pleasing to see how happy they all were at the close, let's hope for more of the same tomorrow.
Good day for Derbyshire today!
ReplyDeleteNice to see Chesney back in the game too - hope he does well at Northants.
Love the catch off Read by Smit. The guy is clearly a serious keeper. Shame we have got such competition in one position only!
ReplyDeleteYeah it was a fine catch mate. Personally thought that the one off Pujara even better as it was dropping quickly. As you say a very good keeper.
ReplyDeleteAs I commented yesterday, we couldn't have had a much better time to face Notts, and even the conditions seem to be in our favour. After the cloud and humidity of yesterday, today promises plenty of sunshine and a fresher feel. It still needed Derbyshire to turn up, and apart from the mad half-hour after lunch when Taylor and McKerr lost their lengths, they did. I was again impressed by Taylor's spell after tea following two pretty anaemic spells earlier, and if he can begin to nail this earlier and more consistently, he will be a formidable bowler again. I was surprised to by the reluctance to bowl bouncers. Derbyshire have often overdone this in the past - our last 4 day visit to Trent Bridge in 2013 being a prime example - but with the ball moving late, Notts' batsmen were allowed too much time on the front foot, and a short ball every few overs from McKerr and Taylor might have made them think twice.
ReplyDeleteOur position would of course have been even better if Thakor hadn't got out in the last over. It was a very soft dismissal after he and Godleman had worked so hard to get to that position, and it's that cavalier tendency that makes me wonder about Thakor at 3. No doubt Derbyshire can take a decisive advantage today, but it needs more than Godleman and Wilson to come to the party. Madsen, Hughes and Smit all need runs and need to contribute runs, but a lead of 100 or more should be within our grasp here.
Interesting to note that the smug arrogance and complacency of many Notts supporters hasn't been punctured by relegation, although a poor day against Derbyshire did seem to take the wind out of their sails a bit.
Just read this blog post, eagerly looked up the live feed.
ReplyDeleteThird ball I watched; Billy G got out.
Sorry Billy.
Chris