There is always a buzz of anticipation ahead of the new T20 campaign. By the time that it starts, on Friday, we will have played a couple of friendlies, sussed out the best personnel to use and be as ready as we can be to give it our best shot.
Despite Durham and despite Leicestershire, this really hasn't been a season of gloom and doom. Yes, we have failed to push home from winning positions and ended up losing, but I recall plenty of summers when we seldom got into a winning position. I also recall signings that made no sense at the time and even less from distance and summers where the chances of T20 wins, let alone qualification were slightly better than me being voted Miss World.
There have been issues, but like all of us in life, sometimes there are mitigating circumstances and, as I have written before on this blog, none of us know what is going on in the background in people's lives. Going back a few years, I recall people being highly critical of a particular player when I knew, though it wasn't common knowledge, that his mother was seriously ill. That's why I always reserve judgement and draw shy of being overly critical. Just as you and I might hope for consideration in such circumstances, so might anyone else.
The T20 is a fresh start and crucially one in a tournament in which we did well last year. Only a freakish innings by Shahid Afridi, admittedly aided by inflexible captaincy from Gary Wilson, saw us out before finals day. There were wonderful, breathtaking displays that we wouldn't have dared to dream of in previous summers.
We go into this year with largely the same personnel. Imran Tahir has been replaced by Wahab Riaz, mystical twirlies swapping places with eastern exocets. Then we have traded Matt Henry for Lockie Ferguson, Kiwi for Kiwi. Henry has followed a somewhat disappointing stint for a golden one with Kent, while Ferguson, a serious pace merchant, can cement a growing reputation with a good spell with us.
Left arm and right arm express pace...lovely. IF they get their lines and lengths right it could be spectacular, but could leave the fielders chasing leather if they don't. At that pace, as we know with Hardus Viljoen, two inches difference on pitching makes a huge difference to the extras, while an edge past the keeper is always likely to be four.
I just hope that our three genuine quick bowlers don't each try to be the fastest gun in the west. It has happened before, when Viv Richards and Ian Botham batted together, but rarely for long, as they each tried to outdistance the other in hitting. I'm not especially fussed by who is the quickest, as long as they all do their job and don't have extras mounting with undue haste.
Few will fancy facing them and the bowling would appear to be in rude health. With Ravi Rampaul and Safyaan Sharif as options, we won't lack for seam. Matt Critchley and Wayne Madsen will offer spin, while Alex Hughes is often very effective in this format. Luis Reece will be sorely missed though, with bat as well as ball.
The batting? Well, I guess there's always a chance of a late innings in a friendly winning an opportunity, but we are likely to be close to last year's line up. It was effective then and, while plenty have concerns about it, the hope will be that we aren't chasing big scores too often. If we are, the bowlers haven't done their job.
I expect Matt Critchley to reprise his fine pinch-hitting role of last year, with the only question mark whether he is partnered by Ben Slater or Billy Godleman. Calum Macleod should bat three, with Wayne at four and Alex Hughes at five. The decision will then be on whether we can play both Gary Wilson and Daryn Smit, or bring in a younger batsman who would likely be more mobile in the field.
For what it is worth I would have Smit behind the timbers, because his glove work off the fast bowlers would be crucial, and would start at least with Wilson at five. He hasn't shown batting form for some time, but from the available candidates I think offers the best chance of success. If it doesn't work, then we will need to rethink it.
Barring last week curve ball signings from local cricket or trialists, my side for the opening game would be:
Critchley
Slater
Macleod
Madsen
Wilson
Hughes
Smit
Viljoen
Riaz
Ferguson
Rampaul
Yes, there are shortcomings, but I reckon seventeen other counties will feel the same, or sixteen, if we exclude Nottinghamshire. Yes a top order batsman of repute would have been handy, but so would his availability and the money to pay for him. There are nevertheless runs - big runs, fast runs - in that top order and we must hope that they fire.
I have every confidence that John Wright and Dominic Cork will again do a fine job for us. I have equal confidence that Grant Bradburn will be an excellent and experienced asset too.
From there it is down to the players, the rub of the green and as much support as we can offer them.
We all start on nought. Let's see how it goes from here.
Saturday, 30 June 2018
Thursday, 28 June 2018
Leicestershire thoughts
I think the pink ball 'experiment' produced a very good cricket match here. It is a shame that we came out on the wrong side of it.
Whether it was the wicket, the ball, the lights or all three, it was a proper game in which batsmen could score runs, if they had the technique and the ability to do so, but bowlers could zip it around and make life difficult for them.
I didn't see any of it, but the bottom line is that our visitors handled it better than we did.
It isn't that our batsmen, with one exception, are out of form. Slater got runs again, Critchley made a second innings score, Madsen one in the first innings. Hughes had a ton in the last match. They are in decent nick but we fail to put an innings of substance together because it seems to be one man only, every time. Until we have two or three meaty contributions, we will struggle in the four-day game.
Until Billy moves back to the top of the order, he will too. I like Billy, as a lovely, quietly spoken bloke with an easy smile and pleasant demeanour. He is a good cricketer too, but as skipper he has to lead from the front. If you think back to the top captains at the club - Kim Barnett and Eddie Barlow in my lifetime - they did what was most needed, when it was most required. They asked nothing of the team that they wouldn't do themselves and set a standard with strong leadership and example.
When four-day cricket resumes, Billy has to do that. I don't think his footwork quick enough, especially when he comes in, to bat five and face spinners, who always challenge him. Far better when he is 'in' and they come on, so he really has to bat at one when things resume, both to help himself and the team.
In the RLODC he averaged 73, while in the championship it is a mere 13. The real Billy Godleman is somewhere in the middle of those averages, somewhere in the forties, but I would guess that 95% of his career hundreds have come at the top of the order. So...
The batting travails of our wicket-keepers continue too and I think Gary Wilson now has to be in poll position for that gig in the T20. I think Daryn Smit a good batsman, but he isn't getting the weight of runs to confirm it, while Harvey Hosein hasn't got any either, albeit in a more unfamiliar opening role. Having three wicket-keepers is excessive, but when none are scoring runs the level of irony goes through the roof.
The bowling? Well, Duanne Olivier is off now, after an excellent spell, while both Ravi Rampaul and Hardus Viljoen have still to convince me that they are value for money signings. Both are good cricketers, their records over many years confirm it, but neither, I think, could look in the mirror and say 'I am doing the job well for which I am paid handsomely'. With international status comes responsibility and the figures of each are more indicative of an average county player, than globe-trotting star. There is a degree of embarrassment in Rampaul's seven four-day wickets at 63, while Viljoen's, while better, need to be better still to reflect the county's huge investment in his services.
Only Tony Palladino emerges from recent performances with reputation upheld. As I have previously written, he gives you everything and his current benefit year deserves bumper success from supporters who will recognise this. Tony leaves nothing in the dressing room and both now and in years to come will be acknowledged as a player who gave one hundred per cent. Of such men are county legends made...
The T20 has come at the right time. Guys getting caught in the slip cordon can now edge with relative impunity, while the old Eddie Barlow maxim of 'see the ball, hit the ball' has never been more apposite. Maybe a few bucolic knocks might be the making of a few people, while a 'threefer' or better will improve the mood and impression of a bowler or two.
There will be new faces in the dressing room. Fast, experienced international bowlers and an aggressive batsman, all of them unsullied by recent shenanigans.
We can only hope that they pick up where they left off last year and that the T20 shines like a beacon in our season's memories.
Because the four-day game, sadly, really won't.
Whether it was the wicket, the ball, the lights or all three, it was a proper game in which batsmen could score runs, if they had the technique and the ability to do so, but bowlers could zip it around and make life difficult for them.
I didn't see any of it, but the bottom line is that our visitors handled it better than we did.
It isn't that our batsmen, with one exception, are out of form. Slater got runs again, Critchley made a second innings score, Madsen one in the first innings. Hughes had a ton in the last match. They are in decent nick but we fail to put an innings of substance together because it seems to be one man only, every time. Until we have two or three meaty contributions, we will struggle in the four-day game.
Until Billy moves back to the top of the order, he will too. I like Billy, as a lovely, quietly spoken bloke with an easy smile and pleasant demeanour. He is a good cricketer too, but as skipper he has to lead from the front. If you think back to the top captains at the club - Kim Barnett and Eddie Barlow in my lifetime - they did what was most needed, when it was most required. They asked nothing of the team that they wouldn't do themselves and set a standard with strong leadership and example.
When four-day cricket resumes, Billy has to do that. I don't think his footwork quick enough, especially when he comes in, to bat five and face spinners, who always challenge him. Far better when he is 'in' and they come on, so he really has to bat at one when things resume, both to help himself and the team.
In the RLODC he averaged 73, while in the championship it is a mere 13. The real Billy Godleman is somewhere in the middle of those averages, somewhere in the forties, but I would guess that 95% of his career hundreds have come at the top of the order. So...
The batting travails of our wicket-keepers continue too and I think Gary Wilson now has to be in poll position for that gig in the T20. I think Daryn Smit a good batsman, but he isn't getting the weight of runs to confirm it, while Harvey Hosein hasn't got any either, albeit in a more unfamiliar opening role. Having three wicket-keepers is excessive, but when none are scoring runs the level of irony goes through the roof.
The bowling? Well, Duanne Olivier is off now, after an excellent spell, while both Ravi Rampaul and Hardus Viljoen have still to convince me that they are value for money signings. Both are good cricketers, their records over many years confirm it, but neither, I think, could look in the mirror and say 'I am doing the job well for which I am paid handsomely'. With international status comes responsibility and the figures of each are more indicative of an average county player, than globe-trotting star. There is a degree of embarrassment in Rampaul's seven four-day wickets at 63, while Viljoen's, while better, need to be better still to reflect the county's huge investment in his services.
Only Tony Palladino emerges from recent performances with reputation upheld. As I have previously written, he gives you everything and his current benefit year deserves bumper success from supporters who will recognise this. Tony leaves nothing in the dressing room and both now and in years to come will be acknowledged as a player who gave one hundred per cent. Of such men are county legends made...
The T20 has come at the right time. Guys getting caught in the slip cordon can now edge with relative impunity, while the old Eddie Barlow maxim of 'see the ball, hit the ball' has never been more apposite. Maybe a few bucolic knocks might be the making of a few people, while a 'threefer' or better will improve the mood and impression of a bowler or two.
There will be new faces in the dressing room. Fast, experienced international bowlers and an aggressive batsman, all of them unsullied by recent shenanigans.
We can only hope that they pick up where they left off last year and that the T20 shines like a beacon in our season's memories.
Because the four-day game, sadly, really won't.
Wednesday, 27 June 2018
Kiwi speedster 'Lockie' Ferguson signs for season's second half
My guess would be that 90% of Derbyshire supporters - possibly those following county cricket - will see the name of our new overseas player and ask the question 'Who'?
Yet that may work very much in favour of player and club. Much as in the case of Duanne Olivier, we have picked up an overseas fast bowler who has a reputation to make and potential suitors to impress.
Be in no doubt, 'Lockie' Ferguson is fast. Blindingly so when it all comes together, when he can consistently hit speeds in excess of 90mph. The final 'whip' as his bowling arm comes through is impressive and must make facing him challenging. He is at an age when his body is developed to handle bowling quickly, so we should hopefully see a robust bowler.
Wahab Riaz, Hardus Viljoen and now Lockie Ferguson. That is serious pace in the Derbyshire T20 attack. If we dare to assume that radars will be collectively locked on, they will carry a threat. If they aren't...well, let's not think about that just yet.
The loss of Mitchell Santner was huge and, as I have written before, top-class spinners are as rare as snowdrops in the Kalahari. My understanding is that contractual complexities made any move for Yasir Shah a non-starter and I wasn't convinced he was a top T20 bowler anyway. It would have been nice to retain Duanne Olivier, for reasons I have mentioned already, but in a heavily restricted market we may just have got lucky here.
It is a contact book signing and Ferguson comes with a relatively low profile, at least in this country, that could well prove to be of mutual benefit. What is noticeable below, in the video clip, is how many of his victims are bowled or leg before, a sign of a real express bowler.
There have been cries regarding a need for a top order 'gun' batsman, but so many are in international action, in the CPL or simply too wealthy to care after IPL stints. We have had cavalier players before, like Tillekaratne Dilshan and Loots Bosman and while all base our hopes and wishes on the couple of times they come off, they can equally frustrate the heck out of you when they more frequently don't.
The bottom line is that John Wright, a man who has coached a side to winning the IPL and knows what it takes to win it, wanted top bowlers for his overseas roles. I am prepared to concede and bow to his greater knowledge.
The rest is down to those players to justify his trust and do the business when and where it matters.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Lockie. May your stay be a long, rewarding and enjoyable one.
Yet that may work very much in favour of player and club. Much as in the case of Duanne Olivier, we have picked up an overseas fast bowler who has a reputation to make and potential suitors to impress.
Be in no doubt, 'Lockie' Ferguson is fast. Blindingly so when it all comes together, when he can consistently hit speeds in excess of 90mph. The final 'whip' as his bowling arm comes through is impressive and must make facing him challenging. He is at an age when his body is developed to handle bowling quickly, so we should hopefully see a robust bowler.
Wahab Riaz, Hardus Viljoen and now Lockie Ferguson. That is serious pace in the Derbyshire T20 attack. If we dare to assume that radars will be collectively locked on, they will carry a threat. If they aren't...well, let's not think about that just yet.
The loss of Mitchell Santner was huge and, as I have written before, top-class spinners are as rare as snowdrops in the Kalahari. My understanding is that contractual complexities made any move for Yasir Shah a non-starter and I wasn't convinced he was a top T20 bowler anyway. It would have been nice to retain Duanne Olivier, for reasons I have mentioned already, but in a heavily restricted market we may just have got lucky here.
It is a contact book signing and Ferguson comes with a relatively low profile, at least in this country, that could well prove to be of mutual benefit. What is noticeable below, in the video clip, is how many of his victims are bowled or leg before, a sign of a real express bowler.
There have been cries regarding a need for a top order 'gun' batsman, but so many are in international action, in the CPL or simply too wealthy to care after IPL stints. We have had cavalier players before, like Tillekaratne Dilshan and Loots Bosman and while all base our hopes and wishes on the couple of times they come off, they can equally frustrate the heck out of you when they more frequently don't.
The bottom line is that John Wright, a man who has coached a side to winning the IPL and knows what it takes to win it, wanted top bowlers for his overseas roles. I am prepared to concede and bow to his greater knowledge.
The rest is down to those players to justify his trust and do the business when and where it matters.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Lockie. May your stay be a long, rewarding and enjoyable one.
Tuesday, 26 June 2018
Derbyshire v Leicestershire days 1 and 2
I am afraid that time has been against me over the past couple of days. A consequence of working compressed shifts is little time at the start of the week, especially when the match is at such a cockeyed time.
We are looking down a barrel here, still behind and with three wickets left. Such is the nature of the pink ball under lights that our visitors will not fancy chasing 175 in the final innings if we bowled ok. But that would need someone to play an innings out of character with recent form tomorrow. Alex Hughes would be the best bet, but the thinking money is on a defeat before the end of session 2 tomorrow.
There is stuff I can say and likely will tomorrow evening, but we have a serious shift to put in tomorrow to get anything from this one.
Top marks to Wayne for his first innings knock and to Tony Palladino for another sterling bowling effort.
The rest...well, it could have been worse.
But has to get a heck of a lot better.
We are looking down a barrel here, still behind and with three wickets left. Such is the nature of the pink ball under lights that our visitors will not fancy chasing 175 in the final innings if we bowled ok. But that would need someone to play an innings out of character with recent form tomorrow. Alex Hughes would be the best bet, but the thinking money is on a defeat before the end of session 2 tomorrow.
There is stuff I can say and likely will tomorrow evening, but we have a serious shift to put in tomorrow to get anything from this one.
Top marks to Wayne for his first innings knock and to Tony Palladino for another sterling bowling effort.
The rest...well, it could have been worse.
But has to get a heck of a lot better.
Sunday, 24 June 2018
Derbyshire v Leicestershire preview
Derbyshire play Leicestershire at the 3aaa County Ground tomorrow, a match that marks the first pink ball county game at the ground and the last, at least for now, of Duanne Olivier.
The South African has been a terrific success, taking thirteen wickets in the RLODC and 27 (so far) in the county championship. He has stayed fit, bowled a lot of overs, kept a smile on his face and, from what he told me at Durham, thoroughly enjoyed himself. I hope it isn't the last time that we see him at Derbyshire, because I would have him back in a heartbeat. I've seen plenty of overseas bowlers over the years and many have a tendency to coast at times. I haven't seen that with Duanne and his willingness to bowl and keep bowling make him a captain's dream.
Good luck to him, and to his new wife, in the future.
As for Derbyshire, I don't see many changes for the day/night game against our local rivals. Hardus Viljoen should return, quite likely in place of Hamidullah Qadri, but I am unaware of anything that may preclude the involvement of others. I do hope that the skipper reverts to opening, which would create a more normal berth for Harvey Hosein in the middle order.
There's no news yet on our visitors line up either, but despite recent tarnish on our reputation, the game offers Derbyshire an opportunity to cement a place in the top half of the table at the half way point. Indeed, a win could see us move as high as fourth, making the capitulation at Durham all the more annoying. Had that been won, we would have been in contention for third and few would have been moaning then.
It is all about fine margins and the grasping of opportunities as they are presented. There will be more in this game, for sure.
How we set about taking them will dictate whether we go into the T20 on a downer, or with a skip in our step.
We'll find out in due course. My first report on this game won't be until Tuesday evening, however, as my next two days of work are long ones - and the game's late finish will otherwise preclude it.
Good luck lads. Show us what you can do.
The South African has been a terrific success, taking thirteen wickets in the RLODC and 27 (so far) in the county championship. He has stayed fit, bowled a lot of overs, kept a smile on his face and, from what he told me at Durham, thoroughly enjoyed himself. I hope it isn't the last time that we see him at Derbyshire, because I would have him back in a heartbeat. I've seen plenty of overseas bowlers over the years and many have a tendency to coast at times. I haven't seen that with Duanne and his willingness to bowl and keep bowling make him a captain's dream.
Good luck to him, and to his new wife, in the future.
As for Derbyshire, I don't see many changes for the day/night game against our local rivals. Hardus Viljoen should return, quite likely in place of Hamidullah Qadri, but I am unaware of anything that may preclude the involvement of others. I do hope that the skipper reverts to opening, which would create a more normal berth for Harvey Hosein in the middle order.
There's no news yet on our visitors line up either, but despite recent tarnish on our reputation, the game offers Derbyshire an opportunity to cement a place in the top half of the table at the half way point. Indeed, a win could see us move as high as fourth, making the capitulation at Durham all the more annoying. Had that been won, we would have been in contention for third and few would have been moaning then.
It is all about fine margins and the grasping of opportunities as they are presented. There will be more in this game, for sure.
How we set about taking them will dictate whether we go into the T20 on a downer, or with a skip in our step.
We'll find out in due course. My first report on this game won't be until Tuesday evening, however, as my next two days of work are long ones - and the game's late finish will otherwise preclude it.
Good luck lads. Show us what you can do.
Saturday, 23 June 2018
Glamorgan v Derbyshire day 4
Glamorgan 283 and 403-7 (Carlson 152, Khawaja 126)
Derbyshire 362 and 147-8 (Madsen 55, Palladino 30 not)
Match drawn
Call me psychic, if you will, but I fully expect the number of comments tonight to outnumber those at the end of the first two days, when we did quite well and were ahead of this game.
It is the way of things. It is sad but true, but too many are quick to castigate, slow or unwilling to praise. Maybe, as a Derbyshire supporter, too many have had too great an experience of struggle to find praise an easy thing to do, but all of us, as supporters of Derbyshire, have to get behind the players and lend them our support.
No more than any other team, we don't aim to play badly. Sometimes, as I wrote on Twitter today, we need to accept that other teams are allowed to play better than us and outplay us. A few too many times of late we have been outplayed, though it hasn't been for the want of trying. Sometimes, like it or not, form can prove elusive, individually and collectively, results decline and a vicious circle perpetuates.
We don't have the monopoly on poor performance either, though at times it may feel that way. Look at the various social media channels of counties and see how many unhappy fans there are, even those of successful counties. Today I saw Essex fans berating their side after losing to Nottinghamshire, less than twelve months on from winning the biggest county cricket prize of all. Hardly a disgrace, is it? Surrey fans have been similar, while our neighbours in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire have had stern and unpleasant criticism. I read a Somerset fan refer to them as a 'shambles', after the season they are having.
We can do no more than we are, because resources are tight. We run a small playing staff because there is no money for more players. Of course we need 'better' players, whoever and wherever they are, but they need serious salaries and if you can't afford them, the only option is to work with what you have and adjust your aspirations accordingly.
The question that puzzles me is less the losing of games than how we do it. The Yorkshire RLODC was in our grasp, then the tailenders nicked it. The Lancashire game was there to win at 100-0, but we caved in as bowlers applied a little pressure, going for big shots instead of working the ones. The Durham game was ours after two days, then we bowled poorly and blew it, a game that was harder to lose than to win at that stage. At 350-5 we were well ahead here, then let Glamorgan back into it. Is it a collective relaxation, a lack of nous, or what?
I think the T20 will come as a welcome relief and we will be improved, under John Wright and Dominic Cork. As for four-day cricket, there is a growing acceptance that we have so much to learn. We can play well, but it seems that any opposition fightback is like a runaway train we cannot stop, body language betraying a slide to the inevitable.
At this level the game is all about mental toughness. All players have similar techniques, but senior players must hold up their hands and say 'I'm going to get us across the line'. They are the better rewarded and with that comes additional responsibility, because we can't realistically expect the kids to do it if the old heads are not. Individually, all the players must ask themselves if they have given their all each day and if they haven't, or can't, the question has to be 'why'?
There are things we can do to help ourselves in the four-day game. The skipper is a top opening batsman, so should open and the middle order experiment should be abandoned. We should look at the batting order and question it, given the fragility thus far. I'd give Harvey a run at five, but consider Smit there too. You'd be surprised how many players bat to their position in the order, at different levels of the game and he has scored well when batting 3-5 in South Africa. We also need more from Hardus Viljoen and Ravi Rampaul, as well as Gary Wilson. Big name, talented international players all, but at the moment not contributing on a regular enough basis that justifies the likely expense in signing them.
But remember tonight and other nights, when commenting, they are OUR players. They are doing their best, but at times we have to accept that it is not good enough.
Yet massive respect to Tony Palladino, who not only took his 400th first-class wicket today, but also batted 108 deliveries to save the game and the draw points. He is a model professional, emerging from this game with credit as he did at Durham in a game when few did so. Give me a team of Palladinos and you can take on the world.
Is he the most talented in the side? No, but he makes 100% use of his talent, when others sometimes don't. So too Duanne Olivier, who is some way from a batsman, yet showed guts and determination in 51 minutes of batting that has to be replicated throughout the order.
It wasn't great, but if we can pull this around and beat Leicestershire in our next game, we will be fourth in the table. As it is, there are four sides below us tonight and the much-vaunted Middlesex are only three points better off.
I wonder how they are feeling?
Derbyshire 362 and 147-8 (Madsen 55, Palladino 30 not)
Match drawn
Call me psychic, if you will, but I fully expect the number of comments tonight to outnumber those at the end of the first two days, when we did quite well and were ahead of this game.
It is the way of things. It is sad but true, but too many are quick to castigate, slow or unwilling to praise. Maybe, as a Derbyshire supporter, too many have had too great an experience of struggle to find praise an easy thing to do, but all of us, as supporters of Derbyshire, have to get behind the players and lend them our support.
No more than any other team, we don't aim to play badly. Sometimes, as I wrote on Twitter today, we need to accept that other teams are allowed to play better than us and outplay us. A few too many times of late we have been outplayed, though it hasn't been for the want of trying. Sometimes, like it or not, form can prove elusive, individually and collectively, results decline and a vicious circle perpetuates.
We don't have the monopoly on poor performance either, though at times it may feel that way. Look at the various social media channels of counties and see how many unhappy fans there are, even those of successful counties. Today I saw Essex fans berating their side after losing to Nottinghamshire, less than twelve months on from winning the biggest county cricket prize of all. Hardly a disgrace, is it? Surrey fans have been similar, while our neighbours in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire have had stern and unpleasant criticism. I read a Somerset fan refer to them as a 'shambles', after the season they are having.
We can do no more than we are, because resources are tight. We run a small playing staff because there is no money for more players. Of course we need 'better' players, whoever and wherever they are, but they need serious salaries and if you can't afford them, the only option is to work with what you have and adjust your aspirations accordingly.
The question that puzzles me is less the losing of games than how we do it. The Yorkshire RLODC was in our grasp, then the tailenders nicked it. The Lancashire game was there to win at 100-0, but we caved in as bowlers applied a little pressure, going for big shots instead of working the ones. The Durham game was ours after two days, then we bowled poorly and blew it, a game that was harder to lose than to win at that stage. At 350-5 we were well ahead here, then let Glamorgan back into it. Is it a collective relaxation, a lack of nous, or what?
I think the T20 will come as a welcome relief and we will be improved, under John Wright and Dominic Cork. As for four-day cricket, there is a growing acceptance that we have so much to learn. We can play well, but it seems that any opposition fightback is like a runaway train we cannot stop, body language betraying a slide to the inevitable.
At this level the game is all about mental toughness. All players have similar techniques, but senior players must hold up their hands and say 'I'm going to get us across the line'. They are the better rewarded and with that comes additional responsibility, because we can't realistically expect the kids to do it if the old heads are not. Individually, all the players must ask themselves if they have given their all each day and if they haven't, or can't, the question has to be 'why'?
There are things we can do to help ourselves in the four-day game. The skipper is a top opening batsman, so should open and the middle order experiment should be abandoned. We should look at the batting order and question it, given the fragility thus far. I'd give Harvey a run at five, but consider Smit there too. You'd be surprised how many players bat to their position in the order, at different levels of the game and he has scored well when batting 3-5 in South Africa. We also need more from Hardus Viljoen and Ravi Rampaul, as well as Gary Wilson. Big name, talented international players all, but at the moment not contributing on a regular enough basis that justifies the likely expense in signing them.
But remember tonight and other nights, when commenting, they are OUR players. They are doing their best, but at times we have to accept that it is not good enough.
Yet massive respect to Tony Palladino, who not only took his 400th first-class wicket today, but also batted 108 deliveries to save the game and the draw points. He is a model professional, emerging from this game with credit as he did at Durham in a game when few did so. Give me a team of Palladinos and you can take on the world.
Is he the most talented in the side? No, but he makes 100% use of his talent, when others sometimes don't. So too Duanne Olivier, who is some way from a batsman, yet showed guts and determination in 51 minutes of batting that has to be replicated throughout the order.
It wasn't great, but if we can pull this around and beat Leicestershire in our next game, we will be fourth in the table. As it is, there are four sides below us tonight and the much-vaunted Middlesex are only three points better off.
I wonder how they are feeling?
Friday, 22 June 2018
Glamorgan v Derbyshire day 3
Were county cricket a film script, or novel, my guess is that this year's Derbyshire county championship campaign is brought to you by the pen of John Grisham, or Agatha Christie. Maybe even Roald Dahl, because there have been more than a few tales of the unexpected...
A bit of Barbara Cartland would be good, where you know everything will be alright in the end, come what may, but only a fool would predict the outcome in Swansea tomorrow. The home side must fancy their chances though, 122 runs ahead with seven wickets left. The ball has been turning and will turn, but with the four spinners in the game a combined age less than that of our county legend and president, Edwin Smith, one wouldn't expect one of them to run through the opposition.
Once again, being a perfectionist at heart, I would have to question why a position of dominance at 357-5 allowed our opponents back into the game, with an effete slump to 362 all out. Also why, of our first six wickets, two were squandered to run outs. In four-day cricket that is pretty poor and, given that both involved Gary Wilson and he ran himself out calling for two, he has to accept at least some, if not all of the responsibility tonight.
He previously batted well, as did most of the top order, but the kudos tonight go to Alex Hughes. He battled back from a lean spell with an innings of character and skill, one that should have been bigger still but for the mix up with Wilson that cost him his wicket. It was an innings that came at the right time for him, coming into the T20 in which he will again be a key player.
The home side looked in trouble second time around, with wickets for Matt Critchley and Hamidullah Qadri, but Usman Khawaja batted well with Kiran Carlson to steer them to a very handy overnight lead.
I would guess that we will be left chasing around 275 tomorrow, which won't be easy, but runs have been proven to be possible and there is enough talent in the Derbyshire side to make a fist of that.
Sometimes I think they lack a little self-confidence in key situations and need to tell themselves they can do it. There is and has proven to be talent and swagger within the ranks.
Tomorrow would be a good time to show it.
Postscript - I have seen the footage of the run outs now. Hughes was running to the danger end and would have made it easily. Wilson turned his back on him. For me, that is poor running and cricket from Wilson and very much his fault.
A bit of Barbara Cartland would be good, where you know everything will be alright in the end, come what may, but only a fool would predict the outcome in Swansea tomorrow. The home side must fancy their chances though, 122 runs ahead with seven wickets left. The ball has been turning and will turn, but with the four spinners in the game a combined age less than that of our county legend and president, Edwin Smith, one wouldn't expect one of them to run through the opposition.
Once again, being a perfectionist at heart, I would have to question why a position of dominance at 357-5 allowed our opponents back into the game, with an effete slump to 362 all out. Also why, of our first six wickets, two were squandered to run outs. In four-day cricket that is pretty poor and, given that both involved Gary Wilson and he ran himself out calling for two, he has to accept at least some, if not all of the responsibility tonight.
He previously batted well, as did most of the top order, but the kudos tonight go to Alex Hughes. He battled back from a lean spell with an innings of character and skill, one that should have been bigger still but for the mix up with Wilson that cost him his wicket. It was an innings that came at the right time for him, coming into the T20 in which he will again be a key player.
The home side looked in trouble second time around, with wickets for Matt Critchley and Hamidullah Qadri, but Usman Khawaja batted well with Kiran Carlson to steer them to a very handy overnight lead.
I would guess that we will be left chasing around 275 tomorrow, which won't be easy, but runs have been proven to be possible and there is enough talent in the Derbyshire side to make a fist of that.
Sometimes I think they lack a little self-confidence in key situations and need to tell themselves they can do it. There is and has proven to be talent and swagger within the ranks.
Tomorrow would be a good time to show it.
Postscript - I have seen the footage of the run outs now. Hughes was running to the danger end and would have made it easily. Wilson turned his back on him. For me, that is poor running and cricket from Wilson and very much his fault.
Thoughts on a Belper sojourn
I like watching second team cricket.
There's a relaxed air to the proceedings and no need for stewards, though the cricket itself is competitive, the appeals vociferous and the talent patently obvious. Belper Meadows is a lovely ground, the crops in the neighbouring field giving a rustic, rural feel, reinforced by the pavilion boundary running a pronounced uphill. How many catches have been misjudged on that incline over the years?
It was a good game for a Derbyshire fan. James Kettleborough led the team with a quiet authority and the opening attack of Charlie Hartley and Will Davis was a potent one. Davis looked to be bowling more within himself, still lively, but not the express pace of the past two truncated summers. Hartley looked quicker and a talent. I could see why some Kent supporters were surprised at his release last season and why he has been taking plenty of wickets this summer. His run up and action were smooth and impressive, the end products even more so.
The change bowling of Sam Conners and James Taylor was more sedentary in pace, but both bowled well, accurately and with success. I have heard good things about both and their youth allows them a few years of growing and development time. It is good to see both at that level in their teenage years and augurs well. Equally so the selection of Anoop Chima of the county under-FIFTEENS as keeper. He was most impressive, the age being largely irrelevant. He held good catches, showed good hands throughout and must have enjoyed the supportive words of Daryn Smit at second slip.
It was good to see Smit make a typically compact and stylish century when it was our turn to bat. He has an average akin to Bradman at second team level and rarely looked like getting out, batting at five. Maybe, as he did latterly in South Africa, batting higher might be beneficial in first team cricket and offer a different mindset. Certainly he scored heavily at three in South Africa and the technique is there. With Aneurin Donald of Glamorgan he looked on a different level to some very good batsmen, though I would have loved to see more of Anuj Dal, who played some delightful shots before being dismissed.
It was good to see Chesney Hughes batting well, tested out with a number of yorkers that the big back lift came down on in time. He looked in good shape, was moving well, hitting the ball cleanly and I enjoyed a few words with the genial Anguillan in a break in play. Tom Wood also looked in decent shape and played an excellent first innings knock before a most unfortunate dismissal.
What perhaps most enthused me was Matt McKiernan, a leg spinner who gets genuine turn and looked a decent cricketer. A couple of times he went for six as the batsmen tried to get after him, but he came back well and deceived the talented Donald after being hit a couple of times, bowling a very good batsman. He also held a very sharp caught and bowled and is one to watch, I think.
Around the ground the chat was about the forthcoming T20 and who was going to be our second overseas player. My understanding is that Duanne Olivier has to go home, so it won't be him, but the county has to identify and bring over a player pretty soon, if they have not already done the former. To focus minds, the competition starts two weeks tonight.
All players need time to acclimatise to conditions, stretch their muscles and get the air miles out of their legs. That is especially so if we are going with John Wright's stated preference of a bowler. The embarrassment of bringing someone over late, who then pulled a muscle after inadequate preparation is too awful to contemplate.
Though not, I have to say, as awful as our not having a second overseas player, for whatever reason. I know that we were desperately unlucky in losing the services of Mitchell Santner and, after a hefty delay since his name was mentioned in the media, one assumes we haven't got Yasir Shah either. He would have been a gamble anyway, but with so many competing attractions for their services, overseas players of talent are not easily available.
Yet we need one. Have to have one. One who brings something different to the table than our existing personnel. Having gone out earlier in the year and said that T20 is our focus, to go into it with only one overseas player would be a huge faux pas. Having replaced Imran Tahir with the differently skilled but equally talented Wahab Riaz, we now need to find our Matt Henry for 2018. There may be a few titters around the shire at that one, but he's done Kent well this year and there will be bowlers out there who could do us a fine job. I have confidence that the collective nous of Messrs Barnett and Wright will come up with the goods and hope that confidence is proven correct.
I know that we aren't especially flush for cash, but the forthcoming Little Mix concert (see how hip I am?) should be an earner for them and produce the funds for a player to throw into the...er...little mix.
If not, supporters will rightly question why we are effectively starting a lengthy three-legged race with only two legs, while standing ten yards behind the others on the starting line.
Like you, I hope for news soon.
It had better be of the good variety...
There's a relaxed air to the proceedings and no need for stewards, though the cricket itself is competitive, the appeals vociferous and the talent patently obvious. Belper Meadows is a lovely ground, the crops in the neighbouring field giving a rustic, rural feel, reinforced by the pavilion boundary running a pronounced uphill. How many catches have been misjudged on that incline over the years?
It was a good game for a Derbyshire fan. James Kettleborough led the team with a quiet authority and the opening attack of Charlie Hartley and Will Davis was a potent one. Davis looked to be bowling more within himself, still lively, but not the express pace of the past two truncated summers. Hartley looked quicker and a talent. I could see why some Kent supporters were surprised at his release last season and why he has been taking plenty of wickets this summer. His run up and action were smooth and impressive, the end products even more so.
The change bowling of Sam Conners and James Taylor was more sedentary in pace, but both bowled well, accurately and with success. I have heard good things about both and their youth allows them a few years of growing and development time. It is good to see both at that level in their teenage years and augurs well. Equally so the selection of Anoop Chima of the county under-FIFTEENS as keeper. He was most impressive, the age being largely irrelevant. He held good catches, showed good hands throughout and must have enjoyed the supportive words of Daryn Smit at second slip.
It was good to see Smit make a typically compact and stylish century when it was our turn to bat. He has an average akin to Bradman at second team level and rarely looked like getting out, batting at five. Maybe, as he did latterly in South Africa, batting higher might be beneficial in first team cricket and offer a different mindset. Certainly he scored heavily at three in South Africa and the technique is there. With Aneurin Donald of Glamorgan he looked on a different level to some very good batsmen, though I would have loved to see more of Anuj Dal, who played some delightful shots before being dismissed.
It was good to see Chesney Hughes batting well, tested out with a number of yorkers that the big back lift came down on in time. He looked in good shape, was moving well, hitting the ball cleanly and I enjoyed a few words with the genial Anguillan in a break in play. Tom Wood also looked in decent shape and played an excellent first innings knock before a most unfortunate dismissal.
What perhaps most enthused me was Matt McKiernan, a leg spinner who gets genuine turn and looked a decent cricketer. A couple of times he went for six as the batsmen tried to get after him, but he came back well and deceived the talented Donald after being hit a couple of times, bowling a very good batsman. He also held a very sharp caught and bowled and is one to watch, I think.
Around the ground the chat was about the forthcoming T20 and who was going to be our second overseas player. My understanding is that Duanne Olivier has to go home, so it won't be him, but the county has to identify and bring over a player pretty soon, if they have not already done the former. To focus minds, the competition starts two weeks tonight.
All players need time to acclimatise to conditions, stretch their muscles and get the air miles out of their legs. That is especially so if we are going with John Wright's stated preference of a bowler. The embarrassment of bringing someone over late, who then pulled a muscle after inadequate preparation is too awful to contemplate.
Though not, I have to say, as awful as our not having a second overseas player, for whatever reason. I know that we were desperately unlucky in losing the services of Mitchell Santner and, after a hefty delay since his name was mentioned in the media, one assumes we haven't got Yasir Shah either. He would have been a gamble anyway, but with so many competing attractions for their services, overseas players of talent are not easily available.
Yet we need one. Have to have one. One who brings something different to the table than our existing personnel. Having gone out earlier in the year and said that T20 is our focus, to go into it with only one overseas player would be a huge faux pas. Having replaced Imran Tahir with the differently skilled but equally talented Wahab Riaz, we now need to find our Matt Henry for 2018. There may be a few titters around the shire at that one, but he's done Kent well this year and there will be bowlers out there who could do us a fine job. I have confidence that the collective nous of Messrs Barnett and Wright will come up with the goods and hope that confidence is proven correct.
I know that we aren't especially flush for cash, but the forthcoming Little Mix concert (see how hip I am?) should be an earner for them and produce the funds for a player to throw into the...er...little mix.
If not, supporters will rightly question why we are effectively starting a lengthy three-legged race with only two legs, while standing ten yards behind the others on the starting line.
Like you, I hope for news soon.
It had better be of the good variety...
Thursday, 21 June 2018
Glamorgan v Derbyshire day 2
It is perforce a shorter blog tonight. I am doing it on my phone and the interface is more clunky than on my laptop, which is out of power.
We can be happy with the match situation at Swansea, not too far behind and with seven wickets in hand. If we can kick on tomorrow and hopefully gain a healthy lead, we might be able to force a result.
Top work by Tony Palladino once again, while Ben Slater, Alex Hughes and Wayne Madsen did well with the bat. I would love to see Alex progress to a ton and there is good batting to come in.
Harvey Hosein helped in a solid opening stand and the club has had two good days. At Belper, a stylish century from Daryn Smit took the second team to a lead in excess of 150 and a win looks highly likely tomorrow for them.
I travel home tomorrow, so shall follow the scores as I can, en route.
More of my thoughts from the last few days when I get a little more time over the weekend!
In closing, it was lovely to meet up with a lot of people at Belper over the past two days and enjoy some excellent cricket.
Thank you to all involved!
We can be happy with the match situation at Swansea, not too far behind and with seven wickets in hand. If we can kick on tomorrow and hopefully gain a healthy lead, we might be able to force a result.
Top work by Tony Palladino once again, while Ben Slater, Alex Hughes and Wayne Madsen did well with the bat. I would love to see Alex progress to a ton and there is good batting to come in.
Harvey Hosein helped in a solid opening stand and the club has had two good days. At Belper, a stylish century from Daryn Smit took the second team to a lead in excess of 150 and a win looks highly likely tomorrow for them.
I travel home tomorrow, so shall follow the scores as I can, en route.
More of my thoughts from the last few days when I get a little more time over the weekend!
In closing, it was lovely to meet up with a lot of people at Belper over the past two days and enjoy some excellent cricket.
Thank you to all involved!
Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Glamorgan v Derbyshire day 1
Both at Swansea and Belper, Derbyshire enjoyed excellent days against Glamorgan today.
After a delayed start at Swansea, the home side made 175-7, with Tony Palladino taking four wickets, Ravi Rampaul two and Duanne Olivier the other.
It was a good effort and although the latter was expensive, we can be pleased with efforts on the first day. More so if it is finished off and our innings built on day 2.
Meanwhile at Belper, the seconds enjoyed a fine day at the delightful Belper Meadows ground.
There were four wickets each for Will Davis and Charlie Hartley, with Davis claiming a near un-noticed hat trick split over two overs. Hartley impressed me, bristling with aggression, while Davis seemed to be bowling within himself with only an occasional quicker ball.
Anoop Chima, of the county under-15 side, kept wicket very tidily and there was some good fielding to enjoy. Especially nice was to see Daryn Smit offering advice and encouragment to Chima and a good spirit among the side, well-captained by James Kettleborough.
When we batted, there was a Chesney-style 67 from Chesney, full of booming drives and powerful pulls. Tom Wood also made a fine half century and we ended the day only fifty-odd short of the lead with six wickets in hand.
I thought Chesney looked thinner than I remembered and he looked secure in his time at the crease. Nice to see.
More from me tomorrow.
After a delayed start at Swansea, the home side made 175-7, with Tony Palladino taking four wickets, Ravi Rampaul two and Duanne Olivier the other.
It was a good effort and although the latter was expensive, we can be pleased with efforts on the first day. More so if it is finished off and our innings built on day 2.
Meanwhile at Belper, the seconds enjoyed a fine day at the delightful Belper Meadows ground.
There were four wickets each for Will Davis and Charlie Hartley, with Davis claiming a near un-noticed hat trick split over two overs. Hartley impressed me, bristling with aggression, while Davis seemed to be bowling within himself with only an occasional quicker ball.
Anoop Chima, of the county under-15 side, kept wicket very tidily and there was some good fielding to enjoy. Especially nice was to see Daryn Smit offering advice and encouragment to Chima and a good spirit among the side, well-captained by James Kettleborough.
When we batted, there was a Chesney-style 67 from Chesney, full of booming drives and powerful pulls. Tom Wood also made a fine half century and we ended the day only fifty-odd short of the lead with six wickets in hand.
I thought Chesney looked thinner than I remembered and he looked secure in his time at the crease. Nice to see.
More from me tomorrow.
Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Glamorgan v Derbyshire preview
A fourteen-man squad has been named for the visit to Glamorgan and the game that starts at Swansea tomorrow. Of that squad, I would expect Alfie Gleadall and Calum Brodrick to miss out, with the final place between Qadri, Palladino and Rampaul, with one missing out. It is not inconceivable for Hardus Viljoen to be rested, ahead of a lot of bowling in the T20, but I would reckon it unlikely.
Harvey Hosein and Gary Wilson are in the squad and I would expect the latter to keep and Harvey to play as a specialist batsman, again with one eye on the Vitality Blast. With three keepers in the club, the quest goes on to find the one that will offer the required runs/keeping combo. Daryn Smit did nothing wrong at Durham, but scores of 0 and 1 didn't help his cause.
If Billy Godleman perseveres in his reinvention as a middle order bat, we could even see Hosein open the batting in this side:
Slater
Hosein
Madsen
Godleman
Hughes
Wilson
Critchley
Viljoen
Rampaul/Palladino
Qadri
Olivier
As for our hosts, they have named a 12 that features Usman Khawaja in the overseas role, but is missing several players, including the influential Colin Ingram. Prem Sisodya, a young left-arm spinner, is in the squad, suggesting it may well turn. He will support Andrew Salter, who has been bowling well.
Their squad:
Hogan (C), Lloyd, Selman, Khawaja, Murphy, Carlson, Morgan, Salter, Cooke, Carey, Sisodiya, Lawlor
I am going for a Derbyshire win here, though suspect both sides will want to bowl last after a toss.
As for me, I plan to be at Belper tomorrow, to watch most of the first day's play in the second team fixture there. All this while keeping a close eye on events in Wales...
If you are going along, please come over and say hello!
Harvey Hosein and Gary Wilson are in the squad and I would expect the latter to keep and Harvey to play as a specialist batsman, again with one eye on the Vitality Blast. With three keepers in the club, the quest goes on to find the one that will offer the required runs/keeping combo. Daryn Smit did nothing wrong at Durham, but scores of 0 and 1 didn't help his cause.
If Billy Godleman perseveres in his reinvention as a middle order bat, we could even see Hosein open the batting in this side:
Slater
Hosein
Madsen
Godleman
Hughes
Wilson
Critchley
Viljoen
Rampaul/Palladino
Qadri
Olivier
As for our hosts, they have named a 12 that features Usman Khawaja in the overseas role, but is missing several players, including the influential Colin Ingram. Prem Sisodya, a young left-arm spinner, is in the squad, suggesting it may well turn. He will support Andrew Salter, who has been bowling well.
Their squad:
Hogan (C), Lloyd, Selman, Khawaja, Murphy, Carlson, Morgan, Salter, Cooke, Carey, Sisodiya, Lawlor
I am going for a Derbyshire win here, though suspect both sides will want to bowl last after a toss.
As for me, I plan to be at Belper tomorrow, to watch most of the first day's play in the second team fixture there. All this while keeping a close eye on events in Wales...
If you are going along, please come over and say hello!
Sunday, 17 June 2018
Back to business - and T20 preparation
Derbyshire make the journey to Wales this week for a game against Glamorgan in the scenic splendours of Swansea.
When I realised that the fixture coincided with a week's holiday, I toyed with the idea of a trip down to south Wales, but the realisation quickly dawned that on a good day it would be a seven-hour journey each way for me. On a bad one - well, that was something I didn't wish to entertain.
So it is that the coming week will see me head down the M74, A66 and A1 to God's own county. It gives me a chance to catch up with my parents and with friends old and new. I plan to get along to see the second team at Belper on a couple of days, with the weather set fine for the week and the game affording a chance to see who is playing and (hopefully) doing well. Maybe even a belated trialist, who might force his way into the T20 squad with a stellar performance.
My guess is that spin will play a major part in Wales, so Hamidullah Qadri can expect a game and Billy Godleman is likely to have a bat if he wins the toss, as I don't see the wicket green enough to warrant an automatic decision to bowl. I hope that Duanne Olivier is rested well after a spell at Durham that would have tested a spinner, while we can only hope that Hardus Viljoen is back to Sussex, 2017 mode.
I didn't go with one or two suggestions that we should drop Hardus after Durham. In the first innings he looked terrific and bristled with aggression, but in the second I am sure he will admit himself he was poor. He is, however, a professional who will hopefully look back on what he should have done better and is, still, in my opinion, the second best bowler in the club. You don't omit the second best bowler in any club.
I think the reaction to the Durham defeat is a back-handed compliment. Two years ago, we wouldn't have expected to go there and win. Now, we do. Likewise we wouldn't have expected to beat some of these division one sides in T20, which we did last year. Progress is being made, but all of us need to realise that we can't always win and the opposition, as someone pointed out recently, do have a right to play well against us. We are doing OK on limited resources and are competing, something that has not always been the case. Next is winning more, but that will come.
The T20 is around the corner and John Wright, Dominic Cork and Grant Bradburn will already be discussing their plans for the competition. I think that they have some tough calls to make, with the opening partner for, presumably, Matt Critchley among them. I also think that the necessary make up of the side may mean that either Daryn Smit or Gary Wilson can play, but not both. Whoever gets the nod should also skipper the side, a big ask for a keeper, but for me it is one of them or Alex Hughes, to allow Billy Godleman a breather.
We need to fit in Calum MacLeod, one assumes at three in the role vacated by Luis Reece. Riaz, Viljoen and Rampaul are pretty much shoo-ins and that leaves the other overseas role. There has been very little on this from the club and I am not convinced that a quality spinner, our preference when we lost the services of Mitchell Santner, is out there. I would have taken Keshav Maharaj or Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa, but both are on tour in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile Yasir Shah, who was mentioned a few weeks back, would be a gamble considering he was unfit to tour England and I cannot think of another available spinner of a requisite standard.
One man who wasn't picked for that Sri Lankan tour, in a South African squad that has an expected emphasis on spin, is Duanne Olivier. I would be thrilled if the county were able to retain his services, because he has shown an ability to take wickets in all forms of the game. He also goes for less than eight an over in the T20 format and would take his place, for me, in this likely first choice side:
Godleman
Critchley
MacLeod
Madsen
Slater
Wilson/Smit
Hughes
Viljoen
Riaz
Olivier
Rampaul
Lengthy tail? Yes, but Viljoen and Riaz can both clump it and if you need 8-11 to dig you from a hole, 1-7 haven't done their job properly. Accentuating the positive, to quote Jimmy Durante and that attack SHOULDN'T concede too many runs. Sides may try to negate them on away tracks and prepare slow wickets, but that is where Critchley, Madsen and Hughes come into play.
Is it as strong as we would wish? No, because there's no Reece and no Santner, but you go with the resources you have and work within those constraints and talents.
If we shock the cricket world with the news that AB de Villiers is spending the summer with his granny in Belper I wouldn't say no, but time is running out now and I'd have no complaints if Olivier were to stay on. Nor should anyone else, but I have no idea if he needs to be home at this stage.
More from me when the squads are announced for the Glamorgan game.
When I realised that the fixture coincided with a week's holiday, I toyed with the idea of a trip down to south Wales, but the realisation quickly dawned that on a good day it would be a seven-hour journey each way for me. On a bad one - well, that was something I didn't wish to entertain.
So it is that the coming week will see me head down the M74, A66 and A1 to God's own county. It gives me a chance to catch up with my parents and with friends old and new. I plan to get along to see the second team at Belper on a couple of days, with the weather set fine for the week and the game affording a chance to see who is playing and (hopefully) doing well. Maybe even a belated trialist, who might force his way into the T20 squad with a stellar performance.
My guess is that spin will play a major part in Wales, so Hamidullah Qadri can expect a game and Billy Godleman is likely to have a bat if he wins the toss, as I don't see the wicket green enough to warrant an automatic decision to bowl. I hope that Duanne Olivier is rested well after a spell at Durham that would have tested a spinner, while we can only hope that Hardus Viljoen is back to Sussex, 2017 mode.
I didn't go with one or two suggestions that we should drop Hardus after Durham. In the first innings he looked terrific and bristled with aggression, but in the second I am sure he will admit himself he was poor. He is, however, a professional who will hopefully look back on what he should have done better and is, still, in my opinion, the second best bowler in the club. You don't omit the second best bowler in any club.
I think the reaction to the Durham defeat is a back-handed compliment. Two years ago, we wouldn't have expected to go there and win. Now, we do. Likewise we wouldn't have expected to beat some of these division one sides in T20, which we did last year. Progress is being made, but all of us need to realise that we can't always win and the opposition, as someone pointed out recently, do have a right to play well against us. We are doing OK on limited resources and are competing, something that has not always been the case. Next is winning more, but that will come.
The T20 is around the corner and John Wright, Dominic Cork and Grant Bradburn will already be discussing their plans for the competition. I think that they have some tough calls to make, with the opening partner for, presumably, Matt Critchley among them. I also think that the necessary make up of the side may mean that either Daryn Smit or Gary Wilson can play, but not both. Whoever gets the nod should also skipper the side, a big ask for a keeper, but for me it is one of them or Alex Hughes, to allow Billy Godleman a breather.
We need to fit in Calum MacLeod, one assumes at three in the role vacated by Luis Reece. Riaz, Viljoen and Rampaul are pretty much shoo-ins and that leaves the other overseas role. There has been very little on this from the club and I am not convinced that a quality spinner, our preference when we lost the services of Mitchell Santner, is out there. I would have taken Keshav Maharaj or Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa, but both are on tour in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile Yasir Shah, who was mentioned a few weeks back, would be a gamble considering he was unfit to tour England and I cannot think of another available spinner of a requisite standard.
One man who wasn't picked for that Sri Lankan tour, in a South African squad that has an expected emphasis on spin, is Duanne Olivier. I would be thrilled if the county were able to retain his services, because he has shown an ability to take wickets in all forms of the game. He also goes for less than eight an over in the T20 format and would take his place, for me, in this likely first choice side:
Godleman
Critchley
MacLeod
Madsen
Slater
Wilson/Smit
Hughes
Viljoen
Riaz
Olivier
Rampaul
Lengthy tail? Yes, but Viljoen and Riaz can both clump it and if you need 8-11 to dig you from a hole, 1-7 haven't done their job properly. Accentuating the positive, to quote Jimmy Durante and that attack SHOULDN'T concede too many runs. Sides may try to negate them on away tracks and prepare slow wickets, but that is where Critchley, Madsen and Hughes come into play.
Is it as strong as we would wish? No, because there's no Reece and no Santner, but you go with the resources you have and work within those constraints and talents.
If we shock the cricket world with the news that AB de Villiers is spending the summer with his granny in Belper I wouldn't say no, but time is running out now and I'd have no complaints if Olivier were to stay on. Nor should anyone else, but I have no idea if he needs to be home at this stage.
More from me when the squads are announced for the Glamorgan game.
Wednesday, 13 June 2018
Comments a-plenty after successive debacles
Given the nature of the people involved, I have no doubt that there has been plenty of discussion between Kim Barnett and Billy Godleman after the last two matches ended in defeats of embarrassing magnitude.
The defeat at Trent Bridge was understandable to some extent, because you are playing a high quality team with plenty at stake. They are desperate to hold on to the RLODC and came out fighting. We didn't, and with a couple of exceptions played poorly. As I have said before, if we don't have eleven men playing to their capability, we won't win many matches.
I thought the demons had been banished at Chester-le-Street, when after two days we were in a position of nigh total dominance. When, in the second over of the day, the home side were effectively 50-7, we should have wrapped it up. Bowlers of experience SHOULD have known what they had to do on that wicket. Why we didn't bowl Hughes or Madsen earlier, when others were bowling rubbish is a moot point, but we now need the senior group of players to justify their roles and responsibilities.
None of them offered much at Durham, with the exception of Tony Palladino. Billy and Wayne both looked jumpy at the crease, Viljoen was dreadful in the second innings with the ball. Smit keeps wicket to a high standard, but has to start getting runs. Critics will point to the number of byes conceded, but we would have needed Wilson and Hosein alongside him with gloves to have stopped some of the stuff that was coming his way. The number of diving stops, either side of the wicket, that he had to do was ridiculous at this level of the game.
There has to be realism among supporters though, much as it hurts. We cannot bring in loan signings. because they will generally cost money we don't have. If a club wants a player to go on loan for experience, yet still cover their salary, which I believe happened last year with Conor McKerr, it is a different situation, but there is not the money in our coffers for much more playing expense.
I'm thinking ahead, but as things stand I think next summer would be the last for Gary Wilson and Hardus Viljoen, two senior players, both well-rewarded. The former because at the end of his current contract he becomes an overseas player, the latter because I am not convinced that we get value for money. He is a decent cricketer, but I would expect a seasoned professional to take us home in those situations. If struggling for line and length, a bowler might cut down his pace, or say to the skipper that he had a problem.
It left Duanne Olivier with a large workload and he was, and has been, magnificent. Someone said to me, tongue in cheek, that we could maybe swap Kolpaks, but Duanne has been a model professional. he has played every game, generally taken wickets, largely bowled well and been an asset to the team. All that while on an extended honeymoon...
With a small and generally young squad such as ours, there is an expectation and need for the senior men to set the standard and example. Yet only Ben Slater, Tony Palladino and Duanne Olivier came away from that game with genuine credit. The squad as a collective needs to talk it through, dust themselves down, grit their teeth and go again next week.
Yesterday came news that Tim Bresnan was 'considering his options' at Yorkshire for next season, having not got the contract offer he was hoping for. I would have him in like a shot, a genuine all-rounder, at 33 with a few years in him and with the nous to do the right thing. I'd give him the vice-captaincy too and be confident he would do a fine job. He is the sort of senior professional you want and would be worth breaking open piggy banks to sign.
Finally, for now, we badly missed Ravi Rampaul in the last match and his greater accuracy would have been a huge asset. He should come back at Swansea and I hope to see far greater discipline next week.
Pride and professionalism gentlemen.
It is all we, as supporters, ask for.
The defeat at Trent Bridge was understandable to some extent, because you are playing a high quality team with plenty at stake. They are desperate to hold on to the RLODC and came out fighting. We didn't, and with a couple of exceptions played poorly. As I have said before, if we don't have eleven men playing to their capability, we won't win many matches.
I thought the demons had been banished at Chester-le-Street, when after two days we were in a position of nigh total dominance. When, in the second over of the day, the home side were effectively 50-7, we should have wrapped it up. Bowlers of experience SHOULD have known what they had to do on that wicket. Why we didn't bowl Hughes or Madsen earlier, when others were bowling rubbish is a moot point, but we now need the senior group of players to justify their roles and responsibilities.
None of them offered much at Durham, with the exception of Tony Palladino. Billy and Wayne both looked jumpy at the crease, Viljoen was dreadful in the second innings with the ball. Smit keeps wicket to a high standard, but has to start getting runs. Critics will point to the number of byes conceded, but we would have needed Wilson and Hosein alongside him with gloves to have stopped some of the stuff that was coming his way. The number of diving stops, either side of the wicket, that he had to do was ridiculous at this level of the game.
There has to be realism among supporters though, much as it hurts. We cannot bring in loan signings. because they will generally cost money we don't have. If a club wants a player to go on loan for experience, yet still cover their salary, which I believe happened last year with Conor McKerr, it is a different situation, but there is not the money in our coffers for much more playing expense.
I'm thinking ahead, but as things stand I think next summer would be the last for Gary Wilson and Hardus Viljoen, two senior players, both well-rewarded. The former because at the end of his current contract he becomes an overseas player, the latter because I am not convinced that we get value for money. He is a decent cricketer, but I would expect a seasoned professional to take us home in those situations. If struggling for line and length, a bowler might cut down his pace, or say to the skipper that he had a problem.
It left Duanne Olivier with a large workload and he was, and has been, magnificent. Someone said to me, tongue in cheek, that we could maybe swap Kolpaks, but Duanne has been a model professional. he has played every game, generally taken wickets, largely bowled well and been an asset to the team. All that while on an extended honeymoon...
With a small and generally young squad such as ours, there is an expectation and need for the senior men to set the standard and example. Yet only Ben Slater, Tony Palladino and Duanne Olivier came away from that game with genuine credit. The squad as a collective needs to talk it through, dust themselves down, grit their teeth and go again next week.
Yesterday came news that Tim Bresnan was 'considering his options' at Yorkshire for next season, having not got the contract offer he was hoping for. I would have him in like a shot, a genuine all-rounder, at 33 with a few years in him and with the nous to do the right thing. I'd give him the vice-captaincy too and be confident he would do a fine job. He is the sort of senior professional you want and would be worth breaking open piggy banks to sign.
Finally, for now, we badly missed Ravi Rampaul in the last match and his greater accuracy would have been a huge asset. He should come back at Swansea and I hope to see far greater discipline next week.
Pride and professionalism gentlemen.
It is all we, as supporters, ask for.
Tuesday, 12 June 2018
Durham v Derbyshire day 4
Durham 96 and 376
Derbyshire 205 and 172 (Slater 68)
Durham won by 95 runs
And so the game that was lost on day three, after an opportunity to nail down a win on day two, came and went with nary a murmur in one session of day four.
Brodrick didn't last long, Smit lasted even less and despite a valiant and skilled fifty from Ben Slater that showed the rest what could be done, the good ship Derbyshire subsided beneath the waves of defeat with little more than a ripple to acknowledge its passing. Viljoen, who owed us plenty, didn't manage many either and it was left to Tony Palladino (again) to show that it was possible to bat on here, following a first innings 32 with an unbeaten 29.
It was all so predictable. Durham's seamers simply pitched the ball up and let the pitch do the rest. Ours, as I related with frustration last night, tried to be clever and macho by bouncing them out and ended up merely looking undisciplined and unprofessional.
I said at the ground the other day that a chase of 150, what I saw as 'worst case scenario' thinking, would have proved problematic. As it turned out, we lost nine wickets in passing that tally. Irrespective of the mettle and technique shown by the Durham lower order, on that wicket they should never have set close to the eventual target.
The time has come for a serious discussion on the make up of the team. Yet there are not enough people whose current form makes them an automatic choice for it. Godleman (after the RLODC and as skipper) Slater, Olivier, Madsen, - but then who?
James Kettleborough hasn't got many runs in the second team, Harvey Hosein hasn't either and isn't fit. Reece is injured, Wilson with Ireland and calls for Chesney Hughes aren't valid for me, as there has been nothing in any opportunities elsewhere since his release to warrant a return.
All we can do is ride the current storm, work in the nets and hope that the ball finding the middle of the bat for key players comes sooner, rather than later. Maybe the T20, freed from the shackles of close fielders, is what some of them need.
We need a very good second overseas player named for T20 sometime soon, to lift spirits, as well as continued patience while they try to get it right. They aren't bad players, but there are too many in bad trots for us to do anything at the moment.
That's worrying for all of us.
But the sun will still come up tomorrow.
Derbyshire 205 and 172 (Slater 68)
Durham won by 95 runs
And so the game that was lost on day three, after an opportunity to nail down a win on day two, came and went with nary a murmur in one session of day four.
Brodrick didn't last long, Smit lasted even less and despite a valiant and skilled fifty from Ben Slater that showed the rest what could be done, the good ship Derbyshire subsided beneath the waves of defeat with little more than a ripple to acknowledge its passing. Viljoen, who owed us plenty, didn't manage many either and it was left to Tony Palladino (again) to show that it was possible to bat on here, following a first innings 32 with an unbeaten 29.
It was all so predictable. Durham's seamers simply pitched the ball up and let the pitch do the rest. Ours, as I related with frustration last night, tried to be clever and macho by bouncing them out and ended up merely looking undisciplined and unprofessional.
I said at the ground the other day that a chase of 150, what I saw as 'worst case scenario' thinking, would have proved problematic. As it turned out, we lost nine wickets in passing that tally. Irrespective of the mettle and technique shown by the Durham lower order, on that wicket they should never have set close to the eventual target.
The time has come for a serious discussion on the make up of the team. Yet there are not enough people whose current form makes them an automatic choice for it. Godleman (after the RLODC and as skipper) Slater, Olivier, Madsen, - but then who?
James Kettleborough hasn't got many runs in the second team, Harvey Hosein hasn't either and isn't fit. Reece is injured, Wilson with Ireland and calls for Chesney Hughes aren't valid for me, as there has been nothing in any opportunities elsewhere since his release to warrant a return.
All we can do is ride the current storm, work in the nets and hope that the ball finding the middle of the bat for key players comes sooner, rather than later. Maybe the T20, freed from the shackles of close fielders, is what some of them need.
We need a very good second overseas player named for T20 sometime soon, to lift spirits, as well as continued patience while they try to get it right. They aren't bad players, but there are too many in bad trots for us to do anything at the moment.
That's worrying for all of us.
But the sun will still come up tomorrow.
Monday, 11 June 2018
Durham v Derbyshire day 3
Durham 96 and 376 (Harte 114, Olivier 5-105)
Derbyshire 205 and 69-4 (Slater 41 not out)
Derbyshire need 199 to win
In fifty-one summers as a supporter I have watched a number of Derbyshire bowlers whose line and length, on an occasional basis, left a lot to be desired.
David Wilde lived up to his name, while Peter Hacker could be erratic at times. Devon Malcolm had days when direction was somewhat elusive, Simon Base could lose his run and radar to disastrous effect, while Nantie Hayward wasn't known as 'Wayward' for nothing.
Yet not much compared to the shambles that was our bowling this morning.
I am quick to acknowledge good things on this blog, but for Derbyshire to concede 81 extras in one innings, as they did here, was a disgrace. Just as I praised him earlier for his hundred per cent effort, I have to be highly critical, especially, of Hardus Viljoen tonight.
Some of the balls that were recorded as byes couldn't have been reached had Daryn Smit had rubber arms and been stood on a trampoline. Alfie Gleadall bowled some erratic stuff, but has at least the strong excuse of youth on his side. At two runs an over his figures look a paragon of parsimony, but a lot of those extras were down to the big South African.
I thought both Viljoen and Duanne Olivier, to a lesser extent, got carried away by the bounce this morning, rather than pitching it up and letting the wicket do its stuff. It was poor and I was very disappointed that what looked a routine target when Steel fell in the second over of the day got bigger and bigger. Harte passed a maiden fifty and thereafter a century was as inevitable as night following day.
It was hugely embarrassing and disappointing that a position of complete dominance and a nigh certain win was chucked away with bowling more worthy of a beer match. Such carelessness and profligacy will get exactly what it deserves tomorrow, because we will lose this match by a distance and deservedly so. It is a shame on Olivier, because a ten-wicket match haul would normally be a cause for celebration. Sadly, the champagne looks like being cheap fizz here.
Late in the day, when we were set 268 to win, Matt Salisbury, from Essex second eleven via 27 first-class wickets, pitched the ball up and removed our best two batsmen in the blink of an eye. The admirable Chris Rushworth took the out of form Alex Hughes and Matt Critchley in another two pitched up balls and an easy win was turning into a hammering.
Optimists will cling to the hope of another twist worthy of Agatha Christie in the game, but as a paid-up member of that club I struggle to see where 200 runs can come from in the batting we have left. The presence of Ben Slater offers some solace, but someone has to score a hundred, and get the level of support that the excellent Harte got today. Well done to him.
For me, this was worse than Trent Bridge by a country mile, all this after my drive home last night was filled with thoughts of a promotion challenge after a professional two days.
Almost half this Durham side were making debuts.
There's no word other than 'shocking' will suffice tonight.
Derbyshire 205 and 69-4 (Slater 41 not out)
Derbyshire need 199 to win
In fifty-one summers as a supporter I have watched a number of Derbyshire bowlers whose line and length, on an occasional basis, left a lot to be desired.
David Wilde lived up to his name, while Peter Hacker could be erratic at times. Devon Malcolm had days when direction was somewhat elusive, Simon Base could lose his run and radar to disastrous effect, while Nantie Hayward wasn't known as 'Wayward' for nothing.
Yet not much compared to the shambles that was our bowling this morning.
I am quick to acknowledge good things on this blog, but for Derbyshire to concede 81 extras in one innings, as they did here, was a disgrace. Just as I praised him earlier for his hundred per cent effort, I have to be highly critical, especially, of Hardus Viljoen tonight.
Some of the balls that were recorded as byes couldn't have been reached had Daryn Smit had rubber arms and been stood on a trampoline. Alfie Gleadall bowled some erratic stuff, but has at least the strong excuse of youth on his side. At two runs an over his figures look a paragon of parsimony, but a lot of those extras were down to the big South African.
I thought both Viljoen and Duanne Olivier, to a lesser extent, got carried away by the bounce this morning, rather than pitching it up and letting the wicket do its stuff. It was poor and I was very disappointed that what looked a routine target when Steel fell in the second over of the day got bigger and bigger. Harte passed a maiden fifty and thereafter a century was as inevitable as night following day.
It was hugely embarrassing and disappointing that a position of complete dominance and a nigh certain win was chucked away with bowling more worthy of a beer match. Such carelessness and profligacy will get exactly what it deserves tomorrow, because we will lose this match by a distance and deservedly so. It is a shame on Olivier, because a ten-wicket match haul would normally be a cause for celebration. Sadly, the champagne looks like being cheap fizz here.
Late in the day, when we were set 268 to win, Matt Salisbury, from Essex second eleven via 27 first-class wickets, pitched the ball up and removed our best two batsmen in the blink of an eye. The admirable Chris Rushworth took the out of form Alex Hughes and Matt Critchley in another two pitched up balls and an easy win was turning into a hammering.
Optimists will cling to the hope of another twist worthy of Agatha Christie in the game, but as a paid-up member of that club I struggle to see where 200 runs can come from in the batting we have left. The presence of Ben Slater offers some solace, but someone has to score a hundred, and get the level of support that the excellent Harte got today. Well done to him.
For me, this was worse than Trent Bridge by a country mile, all this after my drive home last night was filled with thoughts of a promotion challenge after a professional two days.
Almost half this Durham side were making debuts.
There's no word other than 'shocking' will suffice tonight.
Calum MacLeod signs for Vitality Blast!
I am assuming that this has been a work in progress for some time, unless Kim Barnett flew to Edinburgh by helicopter last night, contract in hand, but from a timing perspective it could scarcely be better for Cricket Scotland or for Derbyshire.
In addition, Scotland's Kiwi coach Grant Bradburn, who has done such a fine job north of the border, will work alongside John Wright and Dominic Cork in coaching the Derbyshire squad, that now includes Safyaan Sharif and MacLeod from the Scottish set up.
MacLeod is a very talented sportsman who, if you like interesting titbits of information, played hockey at the same club as me near Glasgow. It is fair to say that he was one of the talented juniors, whereas I was one of the journeyman old lags, but hey, it's a claim to fame. I am sure that we will see plenty of reverse stick/reverse sweeps from him and Wayne Madsen as the competition progresses.
As I wrote earlier, there were plenty at Durham who felt MacLeod hard done by to be released there, having earlier been on the Warwckshire staff. Back then he was a promising all rounder, but issues with his action saw him gradually focus on his ability as a powerful batsman. A sweet timer of a cricket ball, he will give additional power to our top order and an average of just under thirty and strike rate of 126 suggest he will be a fine asset. Don't expect a contribution like yesterday every game, as it doesn't work like that, but if he comes off it should be well worth the admission fee.
Full marks to Derbyshire for an innovative and, as it turns out, timely approach for a cricketer, and coach who will now be hot property.
Coming to a ground near you, this summer.
Welcome to Derbyshire, Calum and Grant.
Like Scotland, we're on the move in the right direction.
Top ten blog ranking
As you can see from the side bar, I am proud to announce that the blog has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the ten best cricket blogs in the UK, which looks at 'thousands' of blogs on the internet.
Blogs are apparently ranked by:
Blogs are apparently ranked by:
- Google reputation and Google search ranking
- Influence and popularity on Facebook, twitter and other social media sites
- Quality and consistency of posts.
- Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review
There are some big and established names in that top ten, so I am thrilled to be nominated in such an elevated position and alongside such illustrious company.
You can see the top ten here
You can see the top ten here
I can only say thanks to those concerned, and also to those of you who check in on a regular basis!
Thoughts from the Riverside
I got home yesterday evening after a delightful couple of days in Chester-le-Street, where the weather, for the most part, was fair to roasting, the locals very friendly and the cricket, from a Derbyshire perspective, generally impressive.
There's not that much wrong with our cricket, you know. What struck me was the togetherness of the squad, which despite the presence of a number of newer, younger players, was very tight. You could sense the enjoyment of their cricket and each other's company and, Trent Bridge notwithstanding, which was a collective 'brain freeze' they are playing some good cricket. There was no sense of 'them and us', the younger players, of which there are a number, being assimilated into the squad well. The shared joy in Alfie Gleadall's first wicket was a delight to see.
The purposeful cricket is being helped substantially by Hardus Viljoen and Duanne Olivier, two strapping blokes of contrasting physique who are giving it their all. The club allegedly paid a lot for Viljoen's services, but he is putting in the yards, bowling with serious pace and making a key contribution with bat and ball. Having said that, he must be a nightmare to keep to, and amidst searing yorkers and head-jerking bouncers are balls that saw Daryn Smit flinging himself full-length either way to stop.
That in itself is part of his armoury; at times he seems himself unsure where it might go, so what chance does that leave the batsmen? When he gets it right, which is often enough, he must be very awkward to face and the yorker that removed Michael Jones would have been a challenge for a more established batsman.
Olivier? I would keep him, or get him back, in a heartbeat. With long arms and a loping gait, he looks coltish, perhaps uncoordinated, until he gets a cricket ball in his hand. Then he runs in for every ball with the same gusto and those long arms get him 'whip' that makes him a handful, much in the same way that Bill Copson came through faster than it first appeared with his so-called 'gorilla arms'. Several times Olivier's bouncer discomforted batsmen and although it can be overdone - each new man in seems to get one first ball - he is a very good bowler.
It tells how well off South African cricket is for seam bowlers when he isn't that close to the international side at present. I think he has improved in his time here too and his lithe natural action seems to take little out of him. He has played every game this summer and I would gladly retain his services for the T20 and beyond, without expecting too much when it is his turn to bat.
The Derbyshire batting? There's plenty of talent there, but we have players from four to seven in the order who all lack major runs under their belt. We all know they can do it, because their career statistics confirm it, but there is a feeling that we are currently fallible beyond the top three of Slater, Godleman and Madsen. The former is currently looking in excellent nick, but, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I wish he would turn more of these cameos into something substantial, because when the form goes, those cameos define your average.
We all know form is a cyclical thing, but I would love to see Derbyshire, ahead of the T20 competition, make a move for one of Scotland's heroes from yesterday. The absence of Luis Reece is an all-round blow, but either Kyle Coetzer or man of the moment Calum MacLeod could replicate his dynamism at the top of the order. As news broke of the latter's innings against England yesterday, Durham supporters were telling me that they really liked him and felt he was released too soon 'for financial reasons' by Durham. He certainly hits a clean cricket ball and I think it would be to mutual benefit for any of the Scottish top five to get a county deal.
My understanding is that such a move would cost only travel and accommodation, as they are all contracted by Cricket Scotland, so there would be much to like in such an arrangement.
We will see later if Derbyshire can finish an excellent effort against Durham. It has been a good team effort in which the pace men have excelled and had good support from Tony Palladino and Alfie Gleadall. Someone yesterday suggested Alfie might be 'too small' to be a quick bowler, which caused me to rhyme off a number of names, including Trueman, Larwood, Marshall and Steyn, of players who were not especially tall but were brilliant bowlers.
Gleadall looks a talent and it is telling that he seems to have leapfrogged Will Davis. I hope the latter rediscovers his mojo, because he is a fine talent, but at present this looks like being a lost summer for him.
Finally, for now, thank you to all those whose company I enjoyed at Durham. There were plenty of smiling faces around at a club that has had some rough treatment from the ECB and has lost a lot of very good cricketers in recent seasons. A chronic injury situation hasn't helped either, but they are proud of their own and have some good cricketers still.
Hopefully their problems will ease. Equally hopefully, Derbyshire will wrap up a win here by mid-afternoon at the latest.
There's not that much wrong with our cricket, you know. What struck me was the togetherness of the squad, which despite the presence of a number of newer, younger players, was very tight. You could sense the enjoyment of their cricket and each other's company and, Trent Bridge notwithstanding, which was a collective 'brain freeze' they are playing some good cricket. There was no sense of 'them and us', the younger players, of which there are a number, being assimilated into the squad well. The shared joy in Alfie Gleadall's first wicket was a delight to see.
The purposeful cricket is being helped substantially by Hardus Viljoen and Duanne Olivier, two strapping blokes of contrasting physique who are giving it their all. The club allegedly paid a lot for Viljoen's services, but he is putting in the yards, bowling with serious pace and making a key contribution with bat and ball. Having said that, he must be a nightmare to keep to, and amidst searing yorkers and head-jerking bouncers are balls that saw Daryn Smit flinging himself full-length either way to stop.
That in itself is part of his armoury; at times he seems himself unsure where it might go, so what chance does that leave the batsmen? When he gets it right, which is often enough, he must be very awkward to face and the yorker that removed Michael Jones would have been a challenge for a more established batsman.
Olivier? I would keep him, or get him back, in a heartbeat. With long arms and a loping gait, he looks coltish, perhaps uncoordinated, until he gets a cricket ball in his hand. Then he runs in for every ball with the same gusto and those long arms get him 'whip' that makes him a handful, much in the same way that Bill Copson came through faster than it first appeared with his so-called 'gorilla arms'. Several times Olivier's bouncer discomforted batsmen and although it can be overdone - each new man in seems to get one first ball - he is a very good bowler.
It tells how well off South African cricket is for seam bowlers when he isn't that close to the international side at present. I think he has improved in his time here too and his lithe natural action seems to take little out of him. He has played every game this summer and I would gladly retain his services for the T20 and beyond, without expecting too much when it is his turn to bat.
The Derbyshire batting? There's plenty of talent there, but we have players from four to seven in the order who all lack major runs under their belt. We all know they can do it, because their career statistics confirm it, but there is a feeling that we are currently fallible beyond the top three of Slater, Godleman and Madsen. The former is currently looking in excellent nick, but, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I wish he would turn more of these cameos into something substantial, because when the form goes, those cameos define your average.
We all know form is a cyclical thing, but I would love to see Derbyshire, ahead of the T20 competition, make a move for one of Scotland's heroes from yesterday. The absence of Luis Reece is an all-round blow, but either Kyle Coetzer or man of the moment Calum MacLeod could replicate his dynamism at the top of the order. As news broke of the latter's innings against England yesterday, Durham supporters were telling me that they really liked him and felt he was released too soon 'for financial reasons' by Durham. He certainly hits a clean cricket ball and I think it would be to mutual benefit for any of the Scottish top five to get a county deal.
My understanding is that such a move would cost only travel and accommodation, as they are all contracted by Cricket Scotland, so there would be much to like in such an arrangement.
We will see later if Derbyshire can finish an excellent effort against Durham. It has been a good team effort in which the pace men have excelled and had good support from Tony Palladino and Alfie Gleadall. Someone yesterday suggested Alfie might be 'too small' to be a quick bowler, which caused me to rhyme off a number of names, including Trueman, Larwood, Marshall and Steyn, of players who were not especially tall but were brilliant bowlers.
Gleadall looks a talent and it is telling that he seems to have leapfrogged Will Davis. I hope the latter rediscovers his mojo, because he is a fine talent, but at present this looks like being a lost summer for him.
Finally, for now, thank you to all those whose company I enjoyed at Durham. There were plenty of smiling faces around at a club that has had some rough treatment from the ECB and has lost a lot of very good cricketers in recent seasons. A chronic injury situation hasn't helped either, but they are proud of their own and have some good cricketers still.
Hopefully their problems will ease. Equally hopefully, Derbyshire will wrap up a win here by mid-afternoon at the latest.
Sunday, 10 June 2018
Durham v Derbyshire day 2
Durham 96 and 155-6 (Latham 67, Olivier 3-51)
Derbyshire 205
Durham lead by 46 runs
The Derbyshire tail wagged with sufficient vigour today to take the first innings past 200, gathering a bonus point en route, as well as a first innings lead of over three figures. Not by any means massive, but in the context of the game so far fairly substantial.
Tony Palladino was first out, caught behind when trying to leave the ball, before Alfie Gleadall continued the positive impression he made on the first day with more pleasing strokes on his way to an impressive, unbeaten 27. The innings and the composed way in which he batted suggested he will not long be at number ten in the line up. Besides an array of attacking shots, his cover drive being the pick of them, he has a sound defence and good footwork. One to watch.
When Durham went in again, Tom Latham adopted a more positive mentality than in the first innings and passed his first innings score in the first over. He was missed by Alex Hughes at second slip from Hardus Viljoen's first ball, the latter bowling better lines than Olivier early on.
Cameron Steel didn't open, after a blow on the arm in the first innings, and Michael Jones was clanged on the helmet by a skiddy bouncer from Olivier. Otherwise they progressed serenely, Latham looking secure, before Viljoen's yorker, once again, was too much for a batsman, Jones beaten for pace and losing his middle stump, almost his left foot.
Another tough opportunity to remove Latham was missed when Smit failed to get his fingers under a nick that was dropping short of slip and Palladino, the unlucky bowler, caused problems with a probing line and length. But aside from a stoppage when Latham became the latest to be struck on the helmet in the game, there was no further breakthrough for Derbyshire before lunch.
The bowling hadn't carried the same edge as the first innings and, with Durham 47-1, the afternoon looked like being the game's pivotal session.
As the score reached 84 with no further wickets falling, the teams were slowly moving back to parity, but Godleman's captaincy showed initiative in bringing on Alex Hughes, who induced a false shot for Clark to be caught by Brodrick at point. As so often happens, a second wicket fell quickly, Viljoen again too quick as Smith lobbed another up to Brodrick for a simple catch.
Harte came in and battled well alongside Latham, but the Kiwi's gutsy innings came to an end when Olivier was brought back and moved one away, Madsen taking a sharp catch at slip above his head. Then Smit, who had a torrid time with some wayward deliveries from Viljoen and Gleadall, held a fine diving catch down the legside to remove Davies, again off Olivier.
When the same bowler got Coughlin leg before, the pendulum had swung our way, but heavy clouds were gathering around the ground and spots of rain as the players went off for tea were followed by a deluge during the interval.
At 5.30pm, the rain still coming down heavily, it was time for me to go - there appeared little likelihood of any further play today, Yet the forecast for the next two days is good and Derbyshire SHOULD finish this game off tomorrow.
There's always that question mark, that fragility about our batting, butting from here we shouldn't be chasing more than a hundred. The lead is only 46 and there's not much batting to come.
Surely...?
Derbyshire 205
Durham lead by 46 runs
The Derbyshire tail wagged with sufficient vigour today to take the first innings past 200, gathering a bonus point en route, as well as a first innings lead of over three figures. Not by any means massive, but in the context of the game so far fairly substantial.
Tony Palladino was first out, caught behind when trying to leave the ball, before Alfie Gleadall continued the positive impression he made on the first day with more pleasing strokes on his way to an impressive, unbeaten 27. The innings and the composed way in which he batted suggested he will not long be at number ten in the line up. Besides an array of attacking shots, his cover drive being the pick of them, he has a sound defence and good footwork. One to watch.
When Durham went in again, Tom Latham adopted a more positive mentality than in the first innings and passed his first innings score in the first over. He was missed by Alex Hughes at second slip from Hardus Viljoen's first ball, the latter bowling better lines than Olivier early on.
Cameron Steel didn't open, after a blow on the arm in the first innings, and Michael Jones was clanged on the helmet by a skiddy bouncer from Olivier. Otherwise they progressed serenely, Latham looking secure, before Viljoen's yorker, once again, was too much for a batsman, Jones beaten for pace and losing his middle stump, almost his left foot.
Another tough opportunity to remove Latham was missed when Smit failed to get his fingers under a nick that was dropping short of slip and Palladino, the unlucky bowler, caused problems with a probing line and length. But aside from a stoppage when Latham became the latest to be struck on the helmet in the game, there was no further breakthrough for Derbyshire before lunch.
The bowling hadn't carried the same edge as the first innings and, with Durham 47-1, the afternoon looked like being the game's pivotal session.
As the score reached 84 with no further wickets falling, the teams were slowly moving back to parity, but Godleman's captaincy showed initiative in bringing on Alex Hughes, who induced a false shot for Clark to be caught by Brodrick at point. As so often happens, a second wicket fell quickly, Viljoen again too quick as Smith lobbed another up to Brodrick for a simple catch.
Harte came in and battled well alongside Latham, but the Kiwi's gutsy innings came to an end when Olivier was brought back and moved one away, Madsen taking a sharp catch at slip above his head. Then Smit, who had a torrid time with some wayward deliveries from Viljoen and Gleadall, held a fine diving catch down the legside to remove Davies, again off Olivier.
When the same bowler got Coughlin leg before, the pendulum had swung our way, but heavy clouds were gathering around the ground and spots of rain as the players went off for tea were followed by a deluge during the interval.
At 5.30pm, the rain still coming down heavily, it was time for me to go - there appeared little likelihood of any further play today, Yet the forecast for the next two days is good and Derbyshire SHOULD finish this game off tomorrow.
There's always that question mark, that fragility about our batting, butting from here we shouldn't be chasing more than a hundred. The lead is only 46 and there's not much batting to come.
Surely...?
Saturday, 9 June 2018
Durham v Derbyshire day one
Durham 96 (Olivier 5-20, Viljoen 3-30)
Derbyshire 175-8 (Critchley 38, Madsen 36)
Derbyshire lead by 79 runs
A 5 o'clock rise and a departure at six got me to the delightful Riverside ground before 9am, time to drink in the atmosphere, enjoy the surroundings and catch up with a few friends before play got underway today.
The early news was that Ravi Rampaul was unwell and Harvey Hosein had a muscle strain, so with the pitch looking pretty green, the side largely picked itself. Callum Brodrick came in for his first county championship match, while Alfie Gleadall, at 18, made his first-class debut.
Four byes that swung horribly late from Hardus Viljoen were the only thing of note in the opening eight overs, when he and Duanne Olivier both beat the bat and gave nothing away. Olivier especially looked dangerous and had good rhythm and pace and each Durham opener had only a single to their name at that stage.
Olivier, as he has done so often this season, got the breakthrough with one that skipper Cameron Steel nicked through to Daryn Smit while trying to pull his bat away. Debutant Mike Jones played a couple of pleasing shots through the covers before being rapped on the helmet by Olivier. It was good, hostile stuff from the South African pair, but Jones was thankfully able to resume after a brief stoppage.
Tom Latham's tortured innings of six from 39 balls was ended by a fast yorker from Viljoen, who tore in from the press box end, then two balls later Olivier cartwheeled the off stump of Jones with a 'jaffa' to have the home side rocking on 23-3.
In the next over Viljoen's pace was too much for Smith and after a bump ball 'catch' to slip, the batsman's stumps were rearranged by a fast yorker. It was a pleasure to watch the opening pair this morning, quick bowling in the very best Derbyshire tradition.
Tony Palladino bowled in his usual metronomic style and I was impressed by my first sighting of Alfie Gleadall. He has a smooth, accelerating run and worked up good pace, though on the occasions he gave width he was punished. He beat the bat and found the edge enough to be encouraged. It was good to see Viljoen, Madsen and Godleman all having words of encouragement and the first ball of his fifth over ripped through Harte's defences for a comprehensively bowled first wicket.
Clark's resistance ended with the last ball before lunch, caught behind by a diving Smit and lunch came with Durham in disarray at 66-6. The number of the beast indeed...
The sun came out to welcome the afternoon session and the return of South African hostility. Davies was well caught above his head by Madsen at first slip from the excellent Olivier, before Rimmington went the same way, this time low to him, having never suggested permanence.
Josh Coughlin, younger brother of Paul who moved to Nottinghamshire in the winter, somehow got into the teens without locating the middle of the bat, but Olivier produced textbook stuff to remove Salisbury: three outswingers left with a degree of elan, then an inswinger that trapped him in front.
Coughlin's charmed life finally ended when Viljoen castled him and the innings came to a close on 96. It was a fine effort by Derbyshire and an excellent riposte to the debacle of Trent Bridge.
It was very much broadsword and rapier from the two quicks. Viljoen all power, pace and strength, Olivier not much slower but nipping it around and getting the greater reward on this occasion. It was great to watch from the boundary, undoubtedly less so from the heart of the action and twenty-two yards away.
The locals were vocal when the Derbyshire reply began and there was the biggest cheer of the day when local favourite Chris Rushworth took the new ball. Billy Godleman miscalculated the line and lost his off stump to one he left, but Ben Slater and Wayne Madsen, not without alarms, started to rebuild the innings.
As he always does, Slater played some classy shots, but as he seems too often to do he gave it away with a hook against Nathan Rimmington that ballooned to the wicket-keeper. Ben's RLODC average is over fifty and impressive, but he will be more frustrated than anyone that a flowering four-day innings was plucked from full bloom by a careless shot.
After tea Alex Hughes, in poor nick at present, didn't last long and Madsen was trapped in front by one from the excellent Rushworth that nipped back. Critchley was soon into gear and batting with seeming disregard for the conditions, while Brodrick, in at six, looked organised in defence until wafting at the impressive debutant, Matt Salisbury, and being brilliantly caught by Tom Latham at slip, who had put down Critchley in the previous over from a far easier chance.
Smit went the same way and to an equally fine catch, also for a duck, with the score on 122, at which score Critchley's merry innings ended on 38, clean bowled by Coughlin.
With fourteen overs to go it looked like both first innings would be completed on the first day and that I might see a finish in my weekend away. Viljoen played a nice shot through mid wicket and was then leg before, bringing in Gleadall. He was quickly off the mark with an off drive for three, but at the other end Tony Palladino was timing them well off his legs and took the lead past fifty, perhaps substantial in the context of this game.
Every run was greeted with warm applause from the Derbyshire balcony, suggesting a togetherness as well as an awareness of this. Palladino pushed a single to raise the 150, then clipped another through mid wicket for four as the day entered its closing six overs. Another followed, this time through the covers before Gleadall impressed with a couple of sweet cover drives.
The end came with the two batsmen still together, having added a priceless forty runs for the ninth wicket. Palladino has done this many times before, but Gleadall's contribution, together with a maiden first-class wicket, made it a great day for the youngster, and for his club, Eckington.
79 of a lead at the end of the first day.
We'll take that, I think.
Derbyshire 175-8 (Critchley 38, Madsen 36)
Derbyshire lead by 79 runs
A 5 o'clock rise and a departure at six got me to the delightful Riverside ground before 9am, time to drink in the atmosphere, enjoy the surroundings and catch up with a few friends before play got underway today.
The early news was that Ravi Rampaul was unwell and Harvey Hosein had a muscle strain, so with the pitch looking pretty green, the side largely picked itself. Callum Brodrick came in for his first county championship match, while Alfie Gleadall, at 18, made his first-class debut.
Four byes that swung horribly late from Hardus Viljoen were the only thing of note in the opening eight overs, when he and Duanne Olivier both beat the bat and gave nothing away. Olivier especially looked dangerous and had good rhythm and pace and each Durham opener had only a single to their name at that stage.
Olivier, as he has done so often this season, got the breakthrough with one that skipper Cameron Steel nicked through to Daryn Smit while trying to pull his bat away. Debutant Mike Jones played a couple of pleasing shots through the covers before being rapped on the helmet by Olivier. It was good, hostile stuff from the South African pair, but Jones was thankfully able to resume after a brief stoppage.
Tom Latham's tortured innings of six from 39 balls was ended by a fast yorker from Viljoen, who tore in from the press box end, then two balls later Olivier cartwheeled the off stump of Jones with a 'jaffa' to have the home side rocking on 23-3.
In the next over Viljoen's pace was too much for Smith and after a bump ball 'catch' to slip, the batsman's stumps were rearranged by a fast yorker. It was a pleasure to watch the opening pair this morning, quick bowling in the very best Derbyshire tradition.
Tony Palladino bowled in his usual metronomic style and I was impressed by my first sighting of Alfie Gleadall. He has a smooth, accelerating run and worked up good pace, though on the occasions he gave width he was punished. He beat the bat and found the edge enough to be encouraged. It was good to see Viljoen, Madsen and Godleman all having words of encouragement and the first ball of his fifth over ripped through Harte's defences for a comprehensively bowled first wicket.
Clark's resistance ended with the last ball before lunch, caught behind by a diving Smit and lunch came with Durham in disarray at 66-6. The number of the beast indeed...
The sun came out to welcome the afternoon session and the return of South African hostility. Davies was well caught above his head by Madsen at first slip from the excellent Olivier, before Rimmington went the same way, this time low to him, having never suggested permanence.
Josh Coughlin, younger brother of Paul who moved to Nottinghamshire in the winter, somehow got into the teens without locating the middle of the bat, but Olivier produced textbook stuff to remove Salisbury: three outswingers left with a degree of elan, then an inswinger that trapped him in front.
Coughlin's charmed life finally ended when Viljoen castled him and the innings came to a close on 96. It was a fine effort by Derbyshire and an excellent riposte to the debacle of Trent Bridge.
It was very much broadsword and rapier from the two quicks. Viljoen all power, pace and strength, Olivier not much slower but nipping it around and getting the greater reward on this occasion. It was great to watch from the boundary, undoubtedly less so from the heart of the action and twenty-two yards away.
The locals were vocal when the Derbyshire reply began and there was the biggest cheer of the day when local favourite Chris Rushworth took the new ball. Billy Godleman miscalculated the line and lost his off stump to one he left, but Ben Slater and Wayne Madsen, not without alarms, started to rebuild the innings.
As he always does, Slater played some classy shots, but as he seems too often to do he gave it away with a hook against Nathan Rimmington that ballooned to the wicket-keeper. Ben's RLODC average is over fifty and impressive, but he will be more frustrated than anyone that a flowering four-day innings was plucked from full bloom by a careless shot.
After tea Alex Hughes, in poor nick at present, didn't last long and Madsen was trapped in front by one from the excellent Rushworth that nipped back. Critchley was soon into gear and batting with seeming disregard for the conditions, while Brodrick, in at six, looked organised in defence until wafting at the impressive debutant, Matt Salisbury, and being brilliantly caught by Tom Latham at slip, who had put down Critchley in the previous over from a far easier chance.
Smit went the same way and to an equally fine catch, also for a duck, with the score on 122, at which score Critchley's merry innings ended on 38, clean bowled by Coughlin.
With fourteen overs to go it looked like both first innings would be completed on the first day and that I might see a finish in my weekend away. Viljoen played a nice shot through mid wicket and was then leg before, bringing in Gleadall. He was quickly off the mark with an off drive for three, but at the other end Tony Palladino was timing them well off his legs and took the lead past fifty, perhaps substantial in the context of this game.
Every run was greeted with warm applause from the Derbyshire balcony, suggesting a togetherness as well as an awareness of this. Palladino pushed a single to raise the 150, then clipped another through mid wicket for four as the day entered its closing six overs. Another followed, this time through the covers before Gleadall impressed with a couple of sweet cover drives.
The end came with the two batsmen still together, having added a priceless forty runs for the ninth wicket. Palladino has done this many times before, but Gleadall's contribution, together with a maiden first-class wicket, made it a great day for the youngster, and for his club, Eckington.
79 of a lead at the end of the first day.
We'll take that, I think.
Friday, 8 June 2018
And on to Durham
The RLODC is over for another year, at least our involvement and, by extension, my main interest in it. Yesterday was a team disaster, but to quote Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind, tomorrow is another day.
The comments below my report were indicative of the unhappiness of supporters, but we move on. There have been plenty such days over fifty-one summers, days when I have wondered why I bothered supporting a team that frustrates more than is good for the soul. But it's what you do when you support a sports club, isn't it?
At the end of it all, mid-table in the group is no failure, when bottom was predicted by many. We beat all the teams in our division in four-day cricket and when we take the chances that enable it, we can beat those in the top tier too. Why we so often flunk our lines when the big occasion dawns is something that would occupy a team of psycho-analysts, but hopefully the fast-approaching T20 might offer succour in our time of need.
So too might the four-day game, in which we currently lie fourth and in the promotion mix at this stage. It is a position that may flatter and may not be sustainable if there are too many more injuries. The loss of Luis Reece - third best batsman and best bowler on average - crippled our fifty-over aspirations and we await news on the duration of his absence, which will impact considerably on our T20 plans.
A four-day game at Durham, starting tomorrow, affords opportunity for others. Gary Wilson is also missing, on Ireland duty, so there are batting places up for grabs ahead of the squad announcement. One assumes that Billy Godleman will revert to his opening berth in the four-day game, and Callum Brodrick and Harvey Hosein would appear to be battling for a middle-order slot. Perhaps they might play both, because Alex Hughes is out of sorts this season, a bucolic knock against these opponents in the RLODC excepted.
It is too early for a squad announcement, but I would expect Derbyshire to go with the following side:
Godleman
Slater
Hosein
Madsen
Brodrick/Hughes
Smit
Critchley
Viljoen
Qadri
Olivier
Rampaul
Let's face it, there aren't many more options out there in a small squad. The loan market may be an option if there are more injuries, but I would prefer to see what the talented Brodrick and Hosein can do in an elevated role.
The Smit/Hosein debate hasn't gone away and won't, but each has the opportunity to cement a role in the team, Smit as an excellent keeper who can bat, Hosein as a talented batsman who can keep wicket. As I said the other day in a comment, I think that Harvey's technique could see him as a fine top order batsman for us, but I am less sure of the consistency of his wicket-keeping at top level. Likewise, Smit has shown in South Africa that he can score runs, but needs to show that here now, when a somewhat fragile batting line-up needs those it can rely on for regular contributions.
I'll be there for the first two days and look forward to saying hello to friends old and new who have already been in touch.
Postscript: no Will Davis and I of course omitted Tony Palladino from that squad. Alfie Gleadall is also in the fourteen with the 12 named above.
As for our hosts, Mark Wood has joined back up with England ahead of their ODIs against Scotland & Australia, while Barry McCarthy & Stuart Poynter are away on Ireland duty ahead of their T20 tri-series against the Netherlands & Scotland.
The comments below my report were indicative of the unhappiness of supporters, but we move on. There have been plenty such days over fifty-one summers, days when I have wondered why I bothered supporting a team that frustrates more than is good for the soul. But it's what you do when you support a sports club, isn't it?
At the end of it all, mid-table in the group is no failure, when bottom was predicted by many. We beat all the teams in our division in four-day cricket and when we take the chances that enable it, we can beat those in the top tier too. Why we so often flunk our lines when the big occasion dawns is something that would occupy a team of psycho-analysts, but hopefully the fast-approaching T20 might offer succour in our time of need.
So too might the four-day game, in which we currently lie fourth and in the promotion mix at this stage. It is a position that may flatter and may not be sustainable if there are too many more injuries. The loss of Luis Reece - third best batsman and best bowler on average - crippled our fifty-over aspirations and we await news on the duration of his absence, which will impact considerably on our T20 plans.
A four-day game at Durham, starting tomorrow, affords opportunity for others. Gary Wilson is also missing, on Ireland duty, so there are batting places up for grabs ahead of the squad announcement. One assumes that Billy Godleman will revert to his opening berth in the four-day game, and Callum Brodrick and Harvey Hosein would appear to be battling for a middle-order slot. Perhaps they might play both, because Alex Hughes is out of sorts this season, a bucolic knock against these opponents in the RLODC excepted.
It is too early for a squad announcement, but I would expect Derbyshire to go with the following side:
Godleman
Slater
Hosein
Madsen
Brodrick/Hughes
Smit
Critchley
Viljoen
Qadri
Olivier
Rampaul
Let's face it, there aren't many more options out there in a small squad. The loan market may be an option if there are more injuries, but I would prefer to see what the talented Brodrick and Hosein can do in an elevated role.
The Smit/Hosein debate hasn't gone away and won't, but each has the opportunity to cement a role in the team, Smit as an excellent keeper who can bat, Hosein as a talented batsman who can keep wicket. As I said the other day in a comment, I think that Harvey's technique could see him as a fine top order batsman for us, but I am less sure of the consistency of his wicket-keeping at top level. Likewise, Smit has shown in South Africa that he can score runs, but needs to show that here now, when a somewhat fragile batting line-up needs those it can rely on for regular contributions.
I'll be there for the first two days and look forward to saying hello to friends old and new who have already been in touch.
Postscript: no Will Davis and I of course omitted Tony Palladino from that squad. Alfie Gleadall is also in the fourteen with the 12 named above.
As for our hosts, Mark Wood has joined back up with England ahead of their ODIs against Scotland & Australia, while Barry McCarthy & Stuart Poynter are away on Ireland duty ahead of their T20 tri-series against the Netherlands & Scotland.
Michael Richardson is missing after picking up a thigh injury while batting against Leicestershire last night while James Weighell, Matthew Potts & Brydon Carse remain sidelined, as is Paul Collingwood.
It means there could be a number of new faces in their eleven. Ryan Davies is confirmed to make his first-class debut as wicketkeeper, with Michael Jones & Matt Salisbury also included in a 13-man squad.
Tom Latham will also make his maiden first-class appearance of the season, after replacing Aiden Markram before the start of the One-Day Cup.
Josh Coughlin, Gavin Main & Liam Trevaskis all make the squad after impressing for the Seconds in the early part of the season.
Their squad:
Cameron Steel (c), Tom Latham, Will Smith, Graham Clark, Gareth Harte, Michael Jones, Ryan Davies (wk), Liam Trevaskis, Nathan Rimmington, Josh Coughlin, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Gavin Main
I am going for Derbyshire to bounce back with a win here, because pride will have been hurt after yesterday's debacle.
What do you think?
Thursday, 7 June 2018
Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire RLODC
Derbyshire 110 (Madsen 37, Critchley 33)
Nottinghamshire 115-2 in 11.5 overs (Wessels 63)
Nottinghamshire won by eight wickets
And when it came, the battle royal turned into a damp squib.
We never turned up today.
Aside from this being a very good Nottinghamshire side, we played an innings of poor shot selection, hesitant running and sheer carelessness to be rolled over for 110.
Only when Wayne Madsen and Matt Critchley put on a fifty partnership for the fourth wicket did we look as if we would mount a respectable total, but before and after them the batting had the consistency of papier mache.
Even those two gave their wickets away in a fashion that belied the situation and the way in which Derbyshire were dispatched made the onlooker wonder if this was the same side that had played so well earlier in the competition. Our hosts bowled well, but truth be told we made Matt Carter look like Muralitharan today.
It wasn't a great wicket, with spin and movement for all bowlers, but you could argue it was the same for both sides and the home side wasted no time in winning the game inside twelve overs. It was helped by the usual brutal assault by Wessels, who must circle the dates of matches against us for when his average increases. Both Qadri and Critchley were put to the sword and the whole sorry affair came to a close in time for the spectators to get caught in the peak hour traffic on the way home.
I hope that this is as bad as it gets this season, because it was truly awful, painful to watch.
The match was all over inside the time it usually takes for one innings in this competition.
Which tells its own sorry story.
Nottinghamshire 115-2 in 11.5 overs (Wessels 63)
Nottinghamshire won by eight wickets
And when it came, the battle royal turned into a damp squib.
We never turned up today.
Aside from this being a very good Nottinghamshire side, we played an innings of poor shot selection, hesitant running and sheer carelessness to be rolled over for 110.
Only when Wayne Madsen and Matt Critchley put on a fifty partnership for the fourth wicket did we look as if we would mount a respectable total, but before and after them the batting had the consistency of papier mache.
Even those two gave their wickets away in a fashion that belied the situation and the way in which Derbyshire were dispatched made the onlooker wonder if this was the same side that had played so well earlier in the competition. Our hosts bowled well, but truth be told we made Matt Carter look like Muralitharan today.
It wasn't a great wicket, with spin and movement for all bowlers, but you could argue it was the same for both sides and the home side wasted no time in winning the game inside twelve overs. It was helped by the usual brutal assault by Wessels, who must circle the dates of matches against us for when his average increases. Both Qadri and Critchley were put to the sword and the whole sorry affair came to a close in time for the spectators to get caught in the peak hour traffic on the way home.
I hope that this is as bad as it gets this season, because it was truly awful, painful to watch.
The match was all over inside the time it usually takes for one innings in this competition.
Which tells its own sorry story.
A moment of contemplation
I think it a sign of the progress we are making at Derbyshire that we are disappointed that we couldn't chase nearly 250-plus to beat Lancashire, and then lost narrowly to Yorkshire. Equally so that we went to Birmingham and beat Warwickshire, the only team to do so, thus far.
I have watched us for long enough to remember times when a run chase over 175 was comfortably beyond our compass, and it is not that long since we fielded first-class attacks that re-defined the term 'pop gun'.
We won't always get it right and we must remember that we have the second lowest playing budget in the country, so its use has always to err on the side of canny, rather than profligate. Take a look at Lancashire, who cannot qualify today, and Surrey, who might, but really should be doing with the size of their playing budget and those at their disposal. Middlesex too, are another side with far greater resources than us, but looking like winning nothing anytime soon.
We are punching above our weight and I hope will continue to do so. It is a tribute to canny recruitment that you look at our squad in most matches and think we might just beat a strong-looking opposition.
The squad size is the dilemma and yet, what can you do? We either go with a small, but perfectly-formed squad as at present, or throw in a few others as contingencies. The loss of Luis Reece has proved pivotal to our RLODC fortunes, because he has become such a key player in all formats, but we can't carry a similar player outside of the strongest squad.
We released several players over the winter, one or two of them 'perhaps' too soon, but none have shipped up elsewhere to great effect and our embarrassment. Tom Taylor can't get into a very average Leicestershire attack, Ben Cotton is in the Northamptonshire squad today but hasn't played any senior cricket, while others have appeared in second teams around the country. Which all suggests that Kim Barnett got it right.
With such a small squad, injuries cause major issues. We took Mark Footitt on loan, then he went back, injured, after one match. Safyaan Sharif has come in, but also, I understand, has a niggle, hence Alfie Gleadall at eighteen being in today's squad, alongside Dan Wheeldon, who is the club's Cricket and Commercial Operations Manager, though a very good club cricketer. Another couple of injuries would have a severe impact on our T20 fortunes, but we must hope for sustained fitness and good luck from here.
At least we have Wahab Riaz coming in soon. I just wonder if the injury to Reece has meant a rethink on the second overseas role, or if he should be fit by then? That foot will have a lot of work to do in the T20, for sure.
In closing, I am excited at the coming weekend, when I travel to Chester-le-Street and the first two days against Durham. The forecast is set fair and I hope to see Derbyshire resume four-day cricket in the same frame of mind that got them into fourth place before the RLODC took over.
Let me know if you're planning a trip up. It's under three hours for me, so a stroll in the park compared to a trip to Derby. Mrs P suggested I should maybe follow them instead and be able to go more often, but that's not how it works, is it?
I'll be back later, or tomorrow morning, after the Nottinghamshire match.
I have watched us for long enough to remember times when a run chase over 175 was comfortably beyond our compass, and it is not that long since we fielded first-class attacks that re-defined the term 'pop gun'.
We won't always get it right and we must remember that we have the second lowest playing budget in the country, so its use has always to err on the side of canny, rather than profligate. Take a look at Lancashire, who cannot qualify today, and Surrey, who might, but really should be doing with the size of their playing budget and those at their disposal. Middlesex too, are another side with far greater resources than us, but looking like winning nothing anytime soon.
We are punching above our weight and I hope will continue to do so. It is a tribute to canny recruitment that you look at our squad in most matches and think we might just beat a strong-looking opposition.
The squad size is the dilemma and yet, what can you do? We either go with a small, but perfectly-formed squad as at present, or throw in a few others as contingencies. The loss of Luis Reece has proved pivotal to our RLODC fortunes, because he has become such a key player in all formats, but we can't carry a similar player outside of the strongest squad.
We released several players over the winter, one or two of them 'perhaps' too soon, but none have shipped up elsewhere to great effect and our embarrassment. Tom Taylor can't get into a very average Leicestershire attack, Ben Cotton is in the Northamptonshire squad today but hasn't played any senior cricket, while others have appeared in second teams around the country. Which all suggests that Kim Barnett got it right.
With such a small squad, injuries cause major issues. We took Mark Footitt on loan, then he went back, injured, after one match. Safyaan Sharif has come in, but also, I understand, has a niggle, hence Alfie Gleadall at eighteen being in today's squad, alongside Dan Wheeldon, who is the club's Cricket and Commercial Operations Manager, though a very good club cricketer. Another couple of injuries would have a severe impact on our T20 fortunes, but we must hope for sustained fitness and good luck from here.
At least we have Wahab Riaz coming in soon. I just wonder if the injury to Reece has meant a rethink on the second overseas role, or if he should be fit by then? That foot will have a lot of work to do in the T20, for sure.
In closing, I am excited at the coming weekend, when I travel to Chester-le-Street and the first two days against Durham. The forecast is set fair and I hope to see Derbyshire resume four-day cricket in the same frame of mind that got them into fourth place before the RLODC took over.
Let me know if you're planning a trip up. It's under three hours for me, so a stroll in the park compared to a trip to Derby. Mrs P suggested I should maybe follow them instead and be able to go more often, but that's not how it works, is it?
I'll be back later, or tomorrow morning, after the Nottinghamshire match.
Wednesday, 6 June 2018
Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire preview
The mistakes made in the game against Lancashire may well come back to haunt Derbyshire, but tomorrow we must move on and beat Nottinghamshire on their own turf and in doing so hope to qualify for the knock-out stages of the RLODC.
The task is made the more acute by the fact that our hosts, last year's winners, need to win themselves to progress to the next stage and they will be ready for a battle to preserve their record and interest in the competition.
Let's not get too down about things, for regardless of the result tomorrow, we have done well in the RLODC and played some good cricket. The days when we slipped from the requisite standard, we lost. We should have finished off a strong Yorkshire at Derby, then despatched their red rose rivals from a good position, but we didn't, and that is yesterday's news now.
So here we are.
We need to beat Nottinghamshire and hope that Worcestershire beat Warwickshire, or Warwickshire win and better their opponents' run rate, or Northamptonshire beat Yorkshire. Easy, eh?
It is an open group and anything can happen, but we can only do our stuff and so must be at our best at Trent Bridge. The rest is irrelevant if we don't win.
I think we need to tweak the team a little. Perhaps an extra bowler may be of value against Nottinghamshire and I could see merit in including Dan Wheeldon to offer that and a late order hitter, though a gamble it would be and a big game in which to make a debut. Hamidullah Qadri could also be an option, with Alfie Gleadall also in the squad, one assumes for experience.
Our hosts? Packed with talent, the batting headed by Alex Hales and Ross Taylor, but with men down to number seven and eight who can take a game away from you.
Their squad: Hales, Wessels, Moores, Taylor, Patel, Nash, Mullaney, Root, Fletcher, Milnes, Ball, Blatherwick
Can I see us winning? Yes, if our international bowlers show their credentials and get on top of their international batsmen. Their attack has a couple of bowlers of less experience, but we need to ensure their experienced men don't make early inroads. Wessels is a perennial thorn in our sides and if our bowlers aren't locked on with their radar, they could easily be in three figures by the end of the Powerplay.
As reigning champions they will be expected to win, but no one has a right to anything in life or sport, without the hard work.
If we turn up ready for a battle tomorrow, then it could be a terrific game, perhaps like last year's T20 at Trent Bridge, when we ran them so close.
Maybe, just maybe, we can get the right side of the line tomorrow.
Postscript - I can't understand why Sky aren't showing this tomorrow. East Midlands derby, the reigning champions in danger of going out.
Why wouldn't you show that?
The task is made the more acute by the fact that our hosts, last year's winners, need to win themselves to progress to the next stage and they will be ready for a battle to preserve their record and interest in the competition.
Let's not get too down about things, for regardless of the result tomorrow, we have done well in the RLODC and played some good cricket. The days when we slipped from the requisite standard, we lost. We should have finished off a strong Yorkshire at Derby, then despatched their red rose rivals from a good position, but we didn't, and that is yesterday's news now.
So here we are.
We need to beat Nottinghamshire and hope that Worcestershire beat Warwickshire, or Warwickshire win and better their opponents' run rate, or Northamptonshire beat Yorkshire. Easy, eh?
It is an open group and anything can happen, but we can only do our stuff and so must be at our best at Trent Bridge. The rest is irrelevant if we don't win.
I think we need to tweak the team a little. Perhaps an extra bowler may be of value against Nottinghamshire and I could see merit in including Dan Wheeldon to offer that and a late order hitter, though a gamble it would be and a big game in which to make a debut. Hamidullah Qadri could also be an option, with Alfie Gleadall also in the squad, one assumes for experience.
Our hosts? Packed with talent, the batting headed by Alex Hales and Ross Taylor, but with men down to number seven and eight who can take a game away from you.
Their squad: Hales, Wessels, Moores, Taylor, Patel, Nash, Mullaney, Root, Fletcher, Milnes, Ball, Blatherwick
Can I see us winning? Yes, if our international bowlers show their credentials and get on top of their international batsmen. Their attack has a couple of bowlers of less experience, but we need to ensure their experienced men don't make early inroads. Wessels is a perennial thorn in our sides and if our bowlers aren't locked on with their radar, they could easily be in three figures by the end of the Powerplay.
As reigning champions they will be expected to win, but no one has a right to anything in life or sport, without the hard work.
If we turn up ready for a battle tomorrow, then it could be a terrific game, perhaps like last year's T20 at Trent Bridge, when we ran them so close.
Maybe, just maybe, we can get the right side of the line tomorrow.
Postscript - I can't understand why Sky aren't showing this tomorrow. East Midlands derby, the reigning champions in danger of going out.
Why wouldn't you show that?
Sunday, 3 June 2018
Derbyshire v Lancashire RLODC
Lancashire 290-8 (Livingstone 86. Olivier 2-36)
Derbyshire 265-8 (Godleman 75, Viljoen 50*, Slater 46)
Lancashire won by 25 runs
There was a degree of consternation on social media when Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat today, but I was in full agreement on that.
For one thing, any help there might be (negligible) would have been there first thing, while we would then know what was a winning score.
We didn't help our cause with a couple of dropped catches, and the out fielding was apparently more sloppy than of recent times. 290 could and should have been 260, but we weren't at our best today and it cost us.
By and large the bowlers did well, on a fine batting track. I thought Viljoen slipped himself for the first time this summer, the rhythm was right and there were some fast, hostile balls. He could have had the excellent Livingstone early, Smit's acrobatic attempt getting finger tips to an edge, round about second slip, but Hardus had a good all round game.
Rampaul also bowled a canny spell, but Olivier was the pick of the seamers. His closing spell was in Langeveldt class, giving the batsmen little to hit, bowling quick and short and doing an excellent job. When the batsmen tried to back away, he followed them. He only conceded six runs from his final two overs, aided by a superb catch by Alex Hughes to dismiss Joe Mennie. It was a fine effort, as was Wayne Madsen's spell, which dragged it back when 350 looked on the cards at one point. 203-3 in 36 overs became 290-8, and that was a decent job.
It should have been within our compass and when Godleman and Slater yet again led off with a big stand, the chase looked well and truly on. Yet the advent of spin simply strangled the life out of the Derbyshire innings. It was a classic case of role reversal from Northampton - very much the biter bit. Should we have batted first on winning the toss? Only if we were again going to pick Hamidullah Qadri, whose control might have been useful.
Lancashire bowled 29 overs of spin and it killed our innings. A little bit of slap at the end of the innings from Hardus Viljoen made the scores closer than they really were, but we were well out of the running today.
Of course, the needless and crazy run out that cost us Wayne Madsen didn't help, given he is the best player of spin in the side by a country mile. No one else got going, nor, crucially, did they look like doing so, until Viljoen's late blast.
It is easy after the event, of course, but why he was kept back in the order, when the less dynamic Smit and Brodrick used up seven overs is a moot point. Hardus won't always make runs, but he will either do so quickly, or get out equally fast in the attempt. We needed quick runs and declined to use the man most likely to get them until too late.
At the end of it all we lost and must now go into the cauldron of Trent Bridge and win to progress in this competition.
It isn't impossible, but the small gains we could have made today - holding catches, being better in the field, not losing silly wickets - have got to be improved upon.
Otherwise a hiding awaits.
Derbyshire 265-8 (Godleman 75, Viljoen 50*, Slater 46)
Lancashire won by 25 runs
There was a degree of consternation on social media when Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat today, but I was in full agreement on that.
For one thing, any help there might be (negligible) would have been there first thing, while we would then know what was a winning score.
We didn't help our cause with a couple of dropped catches, and the out fielding was apparently more sloppy than of recent times. 290 could and should have been 260, but we weren't at our best today and it cost us.
By and large the bowlers did well, on a fine batting track. I thought Viljoen slipped himself for the first time this summer, the rhythm was right and there were some fast, hostile balls. He could have had the excellent Livingstone early, Smit's acrobatic attempt getting finger tips to an edge, round about second slip, but Hardus had a good all round game.
Rampaul also bowled a canny spell, but Olivier was the pick of the seamers. His closing spell was in Langeveldt class, giving the batsmen little to hit, bowling quick and short and doing an excellent job. When the batsmen tried to back away, he followed them. He only conceded six runs from his final two overs, aided by a superb catch by Alex Hughes to dismiss Joe Mennie. It was a fine effort, as was Wayne Madsen's spell, which dragged it back when 350 looked on the cards at one point. 203-3 in 36 overs became 290-8, and that was a decent job.
It should have been within our compass and when Godleman and Slater yet again led off with a big stand, the chase looked well and truly on. Yet the advent of spin simply strangled the life out of the Derbyshire innings. It was a classic case of role reversal from Northampton - very much the biter bit. Should we have batted first on winning the toss? Only if we were again going to pick Hamidullah Qadri, whose control might have been useful.
Lancashire bowled 29 overs of spin and it killed our innings. A little bit of slap at the end of the innings from Hardus Viljoen made the scores closer than they really were, but we were well out of the running today.
Of course, the needless and crazy run out that cost us Wayne Madsen didn't help, given he is the best player of spin in the side by a country mile. No one else got going, nor, crucially, did they look like doing so, until Viljoen's late blast.
It is easy after the event, of course, but why he was kept back in the order, when the less dynamic Smit and Brodrick used up seven overs is a moot point. Hardus won't always make runs, but he will either do so quickly, or get out equally fast in the attempt. We needed quick runs and declined to use the man most likely to get them until too late.
At the end of it all we lost and must now go into the cauldron of Trent Bridge and win to progress in this competition.
It isn't impossible, but the small gains we could have made today - holding catches, being better in the field, not losing silly wickets - have got to be improved upon.
Otherwise a hiding awaits.
Derbyshire v Lancashire RLODC preview
There's no change for Derbyshire today, which thankfully means no further injuries than the one that ruled Luis Reece out of the rest of these group games.
One assumes that Hardus Viljoen will return for the game against Lancashire at the 3aaa County Ground, the winning of which will enable the county to put one foot, at least, into the quarter-finals. With such a tightly-contested group, however, it is hard to say what will be necessary to qualify with a degree of confidence at this stage. Apart from winning both of our remaining games, of course. That'll do it...
Viljoen's return will see either Callum Brodrick or Hamidullah Qadri drop out and the decision will be largely around whether an extra batsman or bowler is deemed the more important. Qadri bowled beautifully at Northampton and he continues to show a temperament that appears unfazed by occasion or opponent. He will get more opportunities as the summer progresses, as will Brodrick, who seems increasingly to be the next one to fully graduate from the academy to first team regular.
Our visitors have named fourteen to travel to Derby and they are 'enjoying' an up and down campaign so far. Certainly, a glance at their fans forum suggests they are not happy with team nor coach and the drums would be beating were they to go down to us today.
Their squad:
Liam Livingstone (C), Tom Bailey, Josh Bohannon, Karl Brown, Jordan Clark, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Haseeb Hameed, Rob Jones, Joe Mennie, Graham Onions, Matt Parkinson, Stephen Parry, Dane Vilas
Plenty of talent in that squad, but as things stand I don't think Derbyshire are frightened of anyone. Opposition supporters will look at our side and worry about a lot of players and what they might do, knowing that we are a team in form and capable of beating them.
In the light of that form, and with what I hope will be a large crowd behind them, I am going for a Derbyshire win here.
We now have a core of experienced, contributing senior professionals whose attitude is beginning to rub off on the younger members of the squad. Thus far, whenever we have hit a problem and a game has been going away from us, someone has put up their hand and wrested the initiative back.
Let's hope that it continues today.
Good luck lads.
One assumes that Hardus Viljoen will return for the game against Lancashire at the 3aaa County Ground, the winning of which will enable the county to put one foot, at least, into the quarter-finals. With such a tightly-contested group, however, it is hard to say what will be necessary to qualify with a degree of confidence at this stage. Apart from winning both of our remaining games, of course. That'll do it...
Viljoen's return will see either Callum Brodrick or Hamidullah Qadri drop out and the decision will be largely around whether an extra batsman or bowler is deemed the more important. Qadri bowled beautifully at Northampton and he continues to show a temperament that appears unfazed by occasion or opponent. He will get more opportunities as the summer progresses, as will Brodrick, who seems increasingly to be the next one to fully graduate from the academy to first team regular.
Our visitors have named fourteen to travel to Derby and they are 'enjoying' an up and down campaign so far. Certainly, a glance at their fans forum suggests they are not happy with team nor coach and the drums would be beating were they to go down to us today.
Their squad:
Liam Livingstone (C), Tom Bailey, Josh Bohannon, Karl Brown, Jordan Clark, Steven Croft, Alex Davies, Haseeb Hameed, Rob Jones, Joe Mennie, Graham Onions, Matt Parkinson, Stephen Parry, Dane Vilas
Plenty of talent in that squad, but as things stand I don't think Derbyshire are frightened of anyone. Opposition supporters will look at our side and worry about a lot of players and what they might do, knowing that we are a team in form and capable of beating them.
In the light of that form, and with what I hope will be a large crowd behind them, I am going for a Derbyshire win here.
We now have a core of experienced, contributing senior professionals whose attitude is beginning to rub off on the younger members of the squad. Thus far, whenever we have hit a problem and a game has been going away from us, someone has put up their hand and wrested the initiative back.
Let's hope that it continues today.
Good luck lads.
Friday, 1 June 2018
Northamptonshire v Derbyshire RLODC
Derbyshire 265-2 (Godleman 125 not, Slater 94, Wilson 28 not)
Northamptonshire 214 (Duckett 57, Olivier 3-31, Rampaul 3-36)
Derbyshire won by 51 runs
Now that was impressive.
From the moment that Billy Godleman, ably assisted by Ben Slater, steered Derbyshire past 250 runs today, I was confident that we would win this game. Especially when I saw how the ebullient and bucolic Gary Wilson could hardly time the ball. Gary was constantly looking at the bottom of his bat and only managed one trademark blow over mid-wicket in the final over.
Which made the efforts of the openers all the more impressive. Though the ball moved off the seam and the bounce was variable, the most obvious thing was the slow pace of the wicket. Godleman and Slater realised this, watched the ball onto the bat and played it late. They ran well and did their team proud.
The skipper has recovered from a sketchy start to the season in four-day cricket to be in prime nick right now. He is a functional player who knows what he can do and limits his game to just that - with great effect. Slater continues to look a real talent and it should not be overlooked that he, Critchley, Qadri, Hughes and Brodrick have come through the club system. That's one in the eye for those who say we are nothing but Kolpaks, but it is telling that they are all emerging with support from quality senior players. Just like the good old days, in fact.
By the time the openers were separated, in the 38th over, the score had reached 182 and a final onslaught was on the cards. It never became an avalanche of runs, as the home side bowled well and common sense saw the score to a more than respectable 265. A lesson learned from the last game, when we over-reached and under-achieved against Yorkshire.
I couldn't believe comments I saw on Twitter at the halfway stage, suggesting we had batted too slowly. I was quite confident that the home side would struggle and they never looked especially threatening, especially when the dangerous Ben Duckett holed out off Alex Hughes.
The senior group made a big call before the game and omitted Hardus Viljoen. It was a brave but one hundred per cent correct decision. I thought Hamidullah Qadri bowled beautifully and was rewarded with his first one-day wicket for us. Wayne Madsen was very accurate, Matt Critchley more expensive but was targeted by Duckett as a danger man. He took the key wicket of Wakely though and played his part.
Above all the two senior seamers bowled splendidly. Rampaul has rediscovered his mojo in the past two matches, while Olivier has done very well throughout this competition. He has run in hard, bowled accurately and done what you want your overseas seamer to do.
The team supported the bowlers well in the field and the win was achieved with plenty to spare. Once again I thought the skipper handled his attack very well and I continue to be impressed by the counsel of the leadership group between overs. There's a real brains trust going on out there and I would give a special shout out to Daryn Smit, who continually offered words of encouragement and advice to Hamidullah Qadri and ensured in doing so that the young player was fully integrated into the side.
In closing, we're top of the section with two games to go, at home to Lancashire on Sunday and then Nottinghamshire away next Thursday.
Both will be tough games against good sides, but we are playing some very good cricket at present and need fear no one.
Unless things go radically awry, if we win one of them, we will be in the quarter-finals and that would be a fine achievement. It would also be their just desserts for playing some very good, positive and aggressive cricket.
Well done gentlemen. Top effort today.
Northamptonshire 214 (Duckett 57, Olivier 3-31, Rampaul 3-36)
Derbyshire won by 51 runs
Now that was impressive.
From the moment that Billy Godleman, ably assisted by Ben Slater, steered Derbyshire past 250 runs today, I was confident that we would win this game. Especially when I saw how the ebullient and bucolic Gary Wilson could hardly time the ball. Gary was constantly looking at the bottom of his bat and only managed one trademark blow over mid-wicket in the final over.
Which made the efforts of the openers all the more impressive. Though the ball moved off the seam and the bounce was variable, the most obvious thing was the slow pace of the wicket. Godleman and Slater realised this, watched the ball onto the bat and played it late. They ran well and did their team proud.
The skipper has recovered from a sketchy start to the season in four-day cricket to be in prime nick right now. He is a functional player who knows what he can do and limits his game to just that - with great effect. Slater continues to look a real talent and it should not be overlooked that he, Critchley, Qadri, Hughes and Brodrick have come through the club system. That's one in the eye for those who say we are nothing but Kolpaks, but it is telling that they are all emerging with support from quality senior players. Just like the good old days, in fact.
By the time the openers were separated, in the 38th over, the score had reached 182 and a final onslaught was on the cards. It never became an avalanche of runs, as the home side bowled well and common sense saw the score to a more than respectable 265. A lesson learned from the last game, when we over-reached and under-achieved against Yorkshire.
I couldn't believe comments I saw on Twitter at the halfway stage, suggesting we had batted too slowly. I was quite confident that the home side would struggle and they never looked especially threatening, especially when the dangerous Ben Duckett holed out off Alex Hughes.
The senior group made a big call before the game and omitted Hardus Viljoen. It was a brave but one hundred per cent correct decision. I thought Hamidullah Qadri bowled beautifully and was rewarded with his first one-day wicket for us. Wayne Madsen was very accurate, Matt Critchley more expensive but was targeted by Duckett as a danger man. He took the key wicket of Wakely though and played his part.
Above all the two senior seamers bowled splendidly. Rampaul has rediscovered his mojo in the past two matches, while Olivier has done very well throughout this competition. He has run in hard, bowled accurately and done what you want your overseas seamer to do.
The team supported the bowlers well in the field and the win was achieved with plenty to spare. Once again I thought the skipper handled his attack very well and I continue to be impressed by the counsel of the leadership group between overs. There's a real brains trust going on out there and I would give a special shout out to Daryn Smit, who continually offered words of encouragement and advice to Hamidullah Qadri and ensured in doing so that the young player was fully integrated into the side.
In closing, we're top of the section with two games to go, at home to Lancashire on Sunday and then Nottinghamshire away next Thursday.
Both will be tough games against good sides, but we are playing some very good cricket at present and need fear no one.
Unless things go radically awry, if we win one of them, we will be in the quarter-finals and that would be a fine achievement. It would also be their just desserts for playing some very good, positive and aggressive cricket.
Well done gentlemen. Top effort today.