Derbyshire 338-9 (Reece 51, Godleman 51, Slater 48. Hughes 46)
v Sussex
It was bitter-sweet for Derbyshire today.
After Sussex elected to bowl, they would have hoped to bowl us out before the close, but resolute batting down the order ensured that we managed one of our better team displays with the bat. Frustratingly, once again a number of batsmen got starts, but none went past 51, on a day when the consensus was the home side bowled poorly.
Luis Reece batted as fluently as anyone and continued a fine season, his century stand with Ben Slater suggesting a major first innings score. When both departed with unseemly haste, Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen continued to build, before Wayne was out leg before.
Yet the skipper and Alex Hughes built again and in the evening session, with the score 232-3, we were perhaps even contemplating the giddy heights of 400. Yet it all went pear-shaped after Billy's dismissal, soon after he was hit on the hand by an accidental beamer. This was later deemed a break and likely end to his season, with Wayne Madsen taking over as skipper for the rest of this game.
Alex Hughes again batted well and has only to turn these good knocks into special ones to become a fine county cricketer, but the length of the tail was confirmed by the sight of Harry Podmore (career average eight) batting in that position.
Yet from 287-8, the last two wickets have so far added 51 runs. Will Davis hit merrily, while Hamidullah Qadri suggested he wouldn't be eleven in the order for too long, as he supported Harvey Hosein in the day's closing overs. Harvey finished unbeaten on 38, and the two youngsters have an opportunity to take us to 350 tomorrow.
Not a bad effort, by any means, but perhaps an opportunity missed for something special on a wicket that Billy Godleman described as 'a good one where you could trust the sideways movement'.
We'll know more tomorrow, no doubt.
As well as getting a first look at our Viljoen/Davis pace pairing.
Our tail is exposed again and lets down a promising position from which we could have dominated.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Podmore batting at eight? Is he on loan to do that? Tom Milnes may not have had the most auspicious of starts with the ball but can bat at eight and has done well in the 2's (with both bat and ball) since what seems his exile. In his last performance for the 1st XI he scored 50 at Glamorgan in floodlit conditions, runs which were invaluable in our only victory for 2 years. He has talent and should be given another go as our late middle order all rounder as he can take wickets. We have nothing to lose.
Bob.
Well that was an unexpected outcome after being put into bat. Perhaps Billy put up PFs pessimistic preview note in the dressing room as a motivational piece. I must say, l was probably thinking along the same lines to be fair to PF. So to comfortably exceed 300 on day one was no mean achievement however Sussex bowled. Just very frustrating that not one of the top order went onto a big score after doing all the hard work.
ReplyDeleteLuis Reece has certainly proved an astute signing, probably the best acquisition this season. He has recovered really well from early season injury/illness to make a really significant contribution to the team in all formats.
Equally glad to see Alex Hughes continue to make vital runs in the middle order. His outstanding ton against Durham must have done him the world of good. And after a rather barren spell, good to see Billy amongst the runs but sad that it looks as though his season is now over. Hope that Ben Slater can turn those forties he is capable of into something more significant.
Hopefully, we can get something out of this game after laying the foundations.
Stuart, York
If I were to flatter myself by thinking my blog would be used for motivation, I might be more critical on a regular basis Stuart!
DeleteFeel sure some of the players will have read your preview on the long trip south. And your comments may well have hit a nerve. Strange how the sporting psyche works.
DeleteStuart, York
I wonder if anyone has any thoughts about the Beamer that caused Billy's injury. It was described as an accidental Beamer, who decides it is accidental?. Surely the only person who knows would be the bowler himself. We have a situation where a bowler bowls an illegal delivery and the punishment is two runs for the no ball, but the advantage to his team is quite considerable I.e. Only nine wickets to take etc. In ice hockey for instance a player is responsible for his stick at all times even an accidental injury to another player can carry a lengthy suspension. A professional bowler should be responsible for his deliveries, perhaps if he causes injury by an illegal delivery he should receive a punishment, by for instance not being allowed to bat or ball for the remainder of the game? Any thoughts anyone?
ReplyDeleteI could see it coming Snapper. As the game gets more cynical, who is to say that some teams may not deem it a meabs of winning at all costs.
ReplyDeleteI dont think a pro would intentionally hit another pro, especially when that side had the fastest bowler in their ranks.
Not a good move...
Means, not meabs. Fat fingers and phones...
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