Derbyshire 351-9 (Reece 128, Madsen 113, Hughes 43)
Worcestershire 353-6 (Wessels 130, Ferguson 103*, Critchley 3-73)
Worcestershire won by 4 wickets
Two fine centuries by Wayne Madsen and Luis Reece were eclipsed by one of stunning power by Riki Wessels today, as Worcestershire made the highest successful list A run chase at Derby.
No one bowled badly, but Wessels kept hitting the ball into the middle distance, not for the first time against our bowling. I don't think I have seen a cleaner display of hitting than his 130 from just 62 deliveries, an innings which included eleven sixes, and it had effectively decided this game by the time that he was dismissed.
It was a good game of cricket, ruined a little for me by the wicket being too much in favour of the batsmen. I know a lot of people like to see the ball disappearing for fours and sixes, but I prefer a more even battle between bat and ball.
Madsen and Reece broke the second wicket record for the county in List A cricket, previously held by John Wright and Peter Kirsten. Both batted superbly and from the platform they set we should have been closer to 400 when the innings closed. Wayne's range of strokes was a joy to watch, while Luis looked a player of class, one left/right pairing usurped in the record books by another.
It was disappointing to hear a very average commentary team say that Reece had been out of form. Considering that twice his innings had been terminated prematurely by the poor running of his partner, that wasn't all his fault.
The commentary team's constant references to 'Derby' and 'Worcester' grated, as did Mark Butcher's regular flaw of 'flirting' with a female commentator, which is highly embarrassing to all outside the commentary 'club'. I eventually switched it off and expect I was not alone.
Only Alex Hughes of the later batsmen gave any impetus and he, with Matt Critchley, were the best two bowlers for Derbyshire. They dragged the score back a little, but never to the extent that the result was in doubt. Ferguson played a controlled and masterful innings, accelerating when there was a need to do so and never looking in trouble. It was an innings in the image of Dean Jones, and I can give no greater praise
Another defeat then, but again one in which we competed strongly. You cannot complain when you are beaten by a special innings and despite the other three fine centuries today, Wessels was the game-winner. They are a fine side and young seam bowler Brown is a special talent in limited over cricket.
We finished mid-table in a strong group, beaten only by the sides that finished above us. A little more savvy might have changed two of those, but there can be no complaints about today.
Nor, really, about the performances in the tournament.
Van Beek is a concern for me, very similar to Viljoen, puts the odd good ball down but is way too erratic. Needs to sort it out quickly.
ReplyDeleteYes, with Wessels in that sort of form...
ReplyDeleteGreat performances by Madsen and Reece. It's tough to lose after they put on well over 200, and we reached 350, which looked match winning.
Van Beek has been quite expensive in the competition, but, of course, he wasn't the only one today who got mauled by Wessels.
I didn't like the Sky commentary either, so I muted it and listened to Dave Fletcher instead.
Good game today
ReplyDeleteI would say Van Beek bowled poorly in both spells .
Too much short stuff and Godleman could have withdrawn him sooner to be honest and given the slower bowlers a try
Wessell career average vs Derbyshire must be his best against any other opposition
I thought his first spell he was OK, until Wessels hit him. Think he bowled most of the few balls that beat the bat all day. But he tends to bowl that bad ball an over that kills his figures
DeleteAgree with your summary PF. At the break I thought we'd be raving about Reece and Madsen who played so well against a good bowling attack but Wessels eclipsed both and played a very special innings. It was clear early on that there was nothing in it for the bowler and only Alex Hughes and Brown were consistently able to limit the scoring. Am I alone in thinking that the boundaries are too close in particularly on the Grandstand side - some of the sixes just wouldn't have been scored at other grounds.
ReplyDeleteDerbyshire have competed well in this competition - not enough to qualify but with a bit more luck they could have made it to third.
Yes, against a big hitting side I was puzzled to see shorter boundaries. We can never out hit them.
DeleteGreat batting track and ultimately our score was little more than par. I have to say I wasn’t impressed with our bowling areas nothwithstanding a brutal innings from Wessels. Watt floating up hit me balls without variation AND being kept on too long wasn’t smart from either bowler or captain.
ReplyDeleteMadsen’s innings was a thing of beauty it must be said.
No one has mentioned our poor middle order batting failing to keep up the momentum of the opening pair - a failing that should have added a few more runs that would have been a winning total
ReplyDeleteI think overall Matt Critchleys one day bowling form is a cause of concern.Yes he got 3 wickets but he did go for 70 or 80 odd. generally he doesnt get much wickets. Cant fault his batting
ReplyDeleteIsmaeel