Enjoying the season so far?
I sure am, and have seen more of it than for some time, with my operation and ongoing recovery.
Tomorrow's game at Durham was to have been my first of the season, at least in the flesh, but I have not yet been cleared to drive and so must rely on another excellent stream to follow the action.
It has been an enthralling start to the summer and we have played some stunning cricket. The batting appears to be in excellent health, with Captain Fantastic averaging 138 in the RLODC. It is only a matter of time before Luis Reece comes good, while we all know what Wayne Madsen can do. Meanwhile, in Leus du Plooy, we appear to have found a gem and he is already a huge fan favourite.
Last night I exchanged messages with a former county stalwart, who suggested that we may have found a new, albeit left-handed, Peter Kirsten. I think that he should be our regular number four now, especially in any one day cricket. You want your best batsmen at the crease for as long as possible and anyone who has watched Leus will know that he is touched by genius.
Like any other player, he will encounter periods where form is elusive, but he looks a cricketer on the brink of something special.
I see only one change to the side for the trip to Durham, dependent on the availability of Logan van Beek. He should replace either Anuj Dal or Sam Conners, though I felt the latter bowled as well as anyone yesterday, with the exception of Rampaul and Critchley.
Our hosts are just above us in the table and a win tomorrow would see us leapfrog them.
Chris Rushworth may return to their side after a run out in the second team, but they are in form and will be a stiffer test than was the case in the 4-day game at the Pattonair County Ground.
Likely side:
Clark, Steele, Lees, Bancroft, Harte, Burnham, Carse, Trevaskis, Raine, Potts/Rushworth, Salisbury
It will be a tough game and I remain more confident in our batting than bowling.
But as the last couple of games have shown, don't discount Derbyshire.
I fancy us in this one Peakfan, Durham are good but are certainly beatable. Reece has to come good soon why not tomorrow?. The bowling is a concern as I don't know where and who the wickets are going to come from, Rampaul, Conners, Gleadall, Van Beek, Hughes etc are much of a muchness and by no means consistent. Win the toss and bat first, that's the way forward for us.
ReplyDeleteDepends on the wicket, Mark. With our batting I think that unless there looked guaranteed early help that would let us whip out the top three, including the dangerous Bancroft, chasing and the knowledge of what we need might be better, so we don't overstretch.
ReplyDeleteBut that wicket holds the key!