Derbyshire 557-6 (du Plooy 118, Godleman 102, Hudson-Prentice 99, Reece 96, Dal 92)
Middlesex 135-3 (Reece 2-37)
It was a day when records tumbled at Derby, as Derbyshire amassed 557-6 declared, with two batsmen making centuries and another three registering scores of over 90.
It was an outstanding performance, which highlighted the work done by Dave Houghton over the course of the winter. Leus du Plooy scored his first championship century for the club, and based on the increasingly confident manner in which he played, there will be many more to follow.
Anuj Dal was another to near, but not quite reach, the century mark, but the way in which he and Fynn Hudson-Prentice batted gave plenty of cause for celebration. Dave Houghton looks like he will have some serious decisions to make, when Wayne Madsen is fit and Tom Lace is available for selection.
Middlesex batted competently, but had lost 3 wickets by the close, two of them to the ever- dangerous Luis Reece. Whether there is enough help in the wicket to allow us to push for victory is a moot point, but we are in the ascendancy in this game.
Off the field, the news broke tonight that Billy Stanlake will not now be joining us for the T20, after suffering another stress fracture. A bowler of genuine talent, he has repeatedly suffered from issues around his long back and one wonders whether his fragile body will ever allow him to reach the level that once looked possible.
To be fair, I questioned his fitness record on this blog only a week ago. While the concept of his bowling for us was a laudable one, there was a high element of risk involved. The previous contract offered to him, by Yorkshire, also fell through because of injury and it would be a brave club that offered him another opportunity.
That is, of course, two Australian bowlers who have failed to take up their contract for the summer. Ironically, Kane Richardson has barely played for Australia in the World Cup, but the press release from the club tonight suggests that we may be unable to find another replacement.
I understand fully that the pool of available players is a small one after the World Cup, but would be very surprised if our limited bowling options were sufficient to mount any kind of challenge in the T20 without being bolstered from overseas.
Having said that, it has to be a player of quality and reputation, and there is no point spending money on anyone who will not make a considerable difference.
As always I will be interested to read your thoughts. I am sure that they will be more articulate, considered and interesting than the nonsense that appeared on Twitter this evening. Anyone would think the club knew of the injury before the contract offer from the immature twaddle being posted by so-called supporters.
Plenty to be proud of at Derby today. Let's hope we can reinforce that with a good display tomorrow.
And to Anuj Dal, Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Luis Reece - be proud of what you achieved here.
You have every right to be.
Surely we’ve got to attempt to get someone else in? Was looking through the Cricketer magazine and most counties have a decent duo of overseas players for the Blast. Guessing Palladino won’t play so that leaves Rampaul, Reece and Van Beek as the pace attack before you drop into the unproven youngsters. They’ll be shattered by the time we get to the start of the T20, never mind the end!
ReplyDeleteI agree, but we are not awash with money. Do we sign someone not good enough, but affordable?
DeleteYou could ask, of course, why we need another coach in Cork when one assumes Steve Kirby and Daryn Smit could take the side, as DH does the 4 day and Mal Loye the 50 over side...
We must have been paying Richardson/Stanlake a reasonable fee to come over or are our financial issues bigger than has been reported?
DeleteThink it more the availability of the right quality of bowler, Gary. We can't afford a Malinga, who can't need it anyway. Might Richardson not realise he has done nowt for a month and use some cricket ahead of the Ashes?
DeleteWithout looking back, why is that Richardson wanted to be released from his contract? What are Riaz, Ferguson and any of another dozen or more WC players doing after the competition ends. Presumably there's some clash with another competition that reduces the pool of options but without a list of those taken up it's difficult to pinpoint genuine options.
ReplyDeleteRichardson wanted a breather after the World Cup, but has hardly played. I know the T20 games are intense, but one wouldn't think four overs overly demanding. The thought of it for old pros is quite comical, when they bowled a thousand overs a season and more
DeleteAssume Lockie and Wahab are unavailable as they were both class in t20 last season. Surely someone over here fancies staying. Yorkshire got a West Indian batsmen the other day I seem to remember reading.
ReplyDeleteYes, Yorkshire signed Nicholas Pooran, who got a ton today and looks a class player
DeleteI looked for the 'immature twaddle' you mentioned and couldn't see anything that fits that bill to be honest.
ReplyDeleteWhat's Malinga doing after the WC? Anyway, though it's unlikely to be successful maybe our only hope in the T20 is to bat to 9/10 with plenty of half-options and hope we can blast enough runs.
Very rarely disagree with you Peakfan but every effort must be made to get a replacement.The money is budgeted and T20 success is crucial in the Clubs progression.It may not be a stellar name but an extra body to help out the workload is a must.
ReplyDeleteIn which case the claims of Dustin Melton for a T20 deal become strong. See what he can do ahead of a possible deal next year. They will keep looking, but need to watch the pennies.
DeleteI guess the cancelled gig at Derby may be an issue too, as they would have banked on that income
I think a bowling replacement is important but a difficult balance with the budget available although assume it must still be there to have covered Stanlake. I wondered about Fabian Allen - left arm spin - who hasn't played much for the WI or could we get Mendis back perhaps.
ReplyDeleteOn the current game - from the off it looked a good pitch and hard to understand why Middlesex didn't back first. But credit to the Derbyshire batsman and just a shame for three of them not to reach their century. If they get Middlesex out twice the bowlers will have done an exceptional job.