I have seen a lot of cricket this year, so it is typical that it all 'kicked off' on pretty much the first day that I missed.
From the many comments on social media, Logan van Beek turned into Harold Larwood yesterday afternoon, rather than 'simply' bowling at the stumps to get out Lukas Carey, the opposition number ten.
It was a strange tactic, against two batsmen whose career averages were barely in double figures. Certainly a tactic requested by the captain, presumably after seeing Carey hit the pitched up bowling in the first innings. I am never comfortable with intimidation and to be honest, for it to be done 'well' it needs a bowler of uncommon accuracy. Thus, Michael Holding could do it, but it failed yesterday.
I stand by my assertion that this was an opportunity missed. Yet just as our wins have been team efforts, so too are defeats. Had we batted anything to ability on day three, we would have been out of sight, but no one played the innings that would have allowed that. So to blame van Beek for the loss is missing the point and merely seeking an easy scapegoat.
Dave Houghton now has his first selection dilemma of the summer. With Leus du Plooy presumably returning for the game at Leicester next week, who misses out? It would have been Anuj Dal, but he batted well in both innings and has been in fine touch in recent weeks. He is also the best fielder in the side.
Reece has all round importance, Madsen and Hughes top the averages, Lace has done well. Which leaves you with Critchley, the side's spinner, and Godleman, the captain. The omission of either would be a brave decision, but from a purely batting perspective they are the two most vulnerable players.
It is not so long since the skipper was carrying all before him in the RLODC and his championship form uncannily mirrors 2018. He is good enough to come through it, as is Critchley, currently experiencing one of those spells that the young cricketer has. Houghton could rest Tony Palladino, lengthening the batting still further, but there are greater concerns over the bowling, as there always were.
Which brings me neatly back to van Beek. He was signed as a player 'with a point to prove' and has not yet done so. I thought his first spell in the first innings was the best I have yet seen him bowl, but at times his relative inexperience shows. Let's not forget that he has played only nine more first-class games than Harvey Hosein, who is hardly a veteran.
The role of professional is a tough one, whether in league cricket or at a higher level. The expectation is high and plenty struggle underneath it. One has only to read John Wright's autobiography to understand how he initially had problems in coping, yet went on to become a county great. Midway through his first season in the leagues, Basil D'Oliveira had done little for his club, then it all clicked.
You just don't know. Billy Stanlake could be terrific, or no better than Nathan Rimmington was, or Nantie Hayward. Pace without direction counts for little, but people with better credentials than I rate him highly, so we must hope and trust in their judgement. Just as Bob Carter and John Wright, two very good judges, recommended Logan to Derbyshire.
He is giving 100% and will be a better cricketer by the end of this season. Whether his improvement will justify renewing his contract for 2020 I couldn't say. Maybe he is short of the standard required for that key role, but only time will confirm that. Would our perception of his value and the expectations change were he playing as a Netherlands player on an EU passport?
The lad needs our support, through good times and bad, like they all do. We were not world beaters when we topped the division, nor are we a disgrace for losing a game that we should have won.
We are somewhere in between, which is what I always thought. A promotion place is still very possible, but only if there is both an individual and collective improvement on this game.
It is a work in progress, but hopefully this is pothole in the road, rather than a widening sink hole.
There's no point in making Van Beek the scapegoat for this defeat. It was really the second innings batting performance and Derbyshire were simply 50 runs or so short. That said with seven wickets down, the advantage should have been pressed home. The sort of game which must be won to have any hope of promotion. I spent a day at old trafford (using Derbyshire membership) and I'd be surprised if both Lancashire and Worcestershire don't occupy the top spots. They both have strong pace attacks which counterbalance batting weaknesses - and that's something we simply don't have.
ReplyDeleteWe had the game in the bag more than once but on every occasion managed to let it slip away. Things like that make me tear my hair out! We have proved that we CAN play well, and we did in this latest match, but, as so often before, we flattered to deceive! We have some potentially very fine players who sometimes disappoint by failing to fulfil their potential. No different from many other teams, of course, but it would be nice to sometimes see more consistency and application.
ReplyDeleteStill, although Derbyshire are not always very good, and although they cause me lots of pain, they are, and will remain MY TEAM!
Rev Keith