Derbyshire 220 and 45-1
Nottinghamshire 508-9 (Hales 218, Read 75)
Derbyshire trail by 243 runs
After commenting before the game on how the season's fixtures between these two sides had been close affairs, this one has gone completely the way of the visitors. So much so, in fact, that if it were a boxing match the referee would have stepped in and stopped it already.
The visitors dominance was the result of a brilliant innings by Alex Hales, who really shouldn't have been here at all. For me, Hales is a really class act, and while he opens to great effect for England in the one-day game, he would be a huge asset for them in the middle order. I would take him every time over Dawid Malan and Tom Westley, both good players but not, in my humble opinion, in the same league as Hales. He can give it away on occasion, as any player with his aggressive mindset will do, but when it is his day, he is quite magnificent. Stick him at five in the England order, between Root and Stokes, then sit back to enjoy it.
He slaughtered us today, along with Bruce Read, in his final innings against us. Another great player in Nottinghamshire colours, who often produced his best against Derbyshire and was under-used by the England selectors.
As for Derbyshire...well, it wasn't good, was it? Notwithstanding the class of Hales, the bowlers all took stick and and, to quote the skipper, didn't find the top of off stump often enough. You might say they didn't find the top of any of them at times, judging by the fifty extras that we conceded.
I have to say that really annoys me, as a supporter. 24 no balls, 10 wides, 11 byes - it tells of indiscipline and that, at this level, is poor. They have to be better than that and well as Hales batted, he's going to face more demanding attacks than that.
Defeat lies ahead, the challenge for the players being to battle and take the game into the final day.
On the evidence of today, that looks unlikely.
What a middle order for England, Root, Hales, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali and Woakes. Sometimes you doff your cap, shake his hand and share a beer with a worthy opponent. The weather gives us an opportunity to save this if we can knuckle down, we can hope.
ReplyDeleteWhilst we seem to be making big strides in the T20, our bread and butter the four day game is still a shambles. Why can we still not get it right season after season this with a strong winter recruitment drive as well. Can easily see us collecting the wooden spoon at this rate, and Kim will be under pressure big time next season.
ReplyDeleteDropped in for the afternoon session and left at tea.
ReplyDeleteIf the meandering and lack of any intensity during those two hours are anything to go by, then I'm not surprised we are dead and buried after two days.
Going through the motions ? You'll have to ask the players.
I wonder if any county has conceded as many double century scores in the last four or five years?
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