Thursday 24 December 2020

Merry Christmas!

There is just time before the festivities and excitement start to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the best for 2021.

If has been a challenging year for all of us. Many have lost loved ones and the changes to our lives have presented fresh challenges. 

I apologise for the comparative lack of winter blogging, but while I escapes the worst ravages of Covid-19, I have had the issue of what doctors think is 'long Covid' to deal with. It saw me off work for four months in the summer and struggling with chronic fatigue since. Writing has been more of a challenge than it ever has been, or should be, so I have been putting out what was required, when I was able to do so.

Hopefully the passing of time will aid recovery and by the time April comes around I will be more like my normal self. 

I haven't said anything up to now, but I know there are others in a similar situation and I hope it reassures you that you aren't alone. Thankfully my family are fine and we have a lovely Christmas to look forward to. I will get there too, but I just wanted to assure you that I haven't lost interest in the blog! 

Thank you all for your support in 2020 and here's to a 2021 that is full of exciting cricket and a Derbyshire side that, while young, can compete with the best.

I look forward to seeing them, hopefully in person, at various parts of the summer. 

Keep well and have a lovely Christmas and New Year! 

Friday 18 December 2020

Kirby leaves for Somerset

There is a big appointment coming up for Derbyshire at the end of January, as Steve Kirby leaves his role as county bowling coach to take on a similar position at one of his old counties, Somerset.

He has made a big impression in the last two years and been a major factor in the development of young bowlers. He helped Mikey Cohen settle in this country by having him lodge with him and is credited for his role in their development by several young bowlers.

It was always likely to be a short term role for a highly regarded coach. He has made a big impression and the key for Derbyshire is now in the appointment of the successor. 

Having lost the services of Ravi Rampaul with the fall out from Brexit, then decided against offering a new deal to Tony Palladino, the club has thrown all its eggs into the youth basket where bowling is concerned.

Of the current bowlers on the staff, only Luis Reece can be considered experienced at this level, with Messrs Conners, Aitchison, Cohen, Melton and Hudson-Prentice all having much less than a full season of the first - class game behind them. They will hope that Sean Abbott is able to become the attack's spearhead, assuming he is allowed to play by the Australian cricket authorities, but the new bowling coach will have an obvious key role at the club.

Many will look to Tony Palladino as an option, which I would be happy with. Yet I understand he is starting a new role outside the game in the new year and he may or may not wish to return to county cricket. 

Perhaps former county favourite Graham Wagg could be another option, though whether he is ready to call time on his playing career is a big question. There was a time when Steffan Jones would have been perfect, but he has a globe-trotting niche as a fast bowling expert now and we would be unlikely to be able to afford him.

There will be other options and plenty of interest, for sure. 

The importance of the appointment cannot be underestimated. 

Thursday 17 December 2020

First round of four day fixtures out

The fixtures are out and we can start planning annual leave, days in the sun and watching Derbyshire play some cricket.

Theoretically, at least. 

Covid-19 notwithstanding, I would like to think that at least socially distanced cricket watching may be possible next summer. We have a strong group with reigning champions Essex in it (playing at Chesterfield too!) while Durham, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire make up the numbers.

It is always Nottinghamshire, of course and would be if we were having a karaoke competition. But we showed last year, in that most memorable of games at Trent Bridge, that we can beat them. There is no one to be frightened of and Dave Houghton, on the club site today, has reason to be bullish about our chances.

I am most excited about the away game against Durham. The scheduling of this means I  could see at least three days of the game and not need to take annual leave, so I will keep an eye on that one, for sure.

Mind you, it is in April. The Riverside is pretty chilly at the best of times and I will need to ensure plenty of layers of clothing for that one!

Playing each side home and away in the first conference makes sense and here's hoping for plenty of dry weather, an end to Covid and some fine cricket from the Derbyshire side...

Thursday 10 December 2020

Melton signs on as overseas player

With no disrespect intended to an extremely likeable bloke, today's announcement of Dustin Melton as one of Derbyshire's overseas players for 2021 will have raised a few eyebrows.

I cannot think of another player who has been given such a 'gig' after a short first-class career in which he has taken just ten first-class wickets at 38 runs each.

It is a leap of faith in some eyes and undoubtedly a surprise.

And yet, if you give the subject due consideration, it makes a lot of sense. In limited appearances last season, Dustin took eight first-class wickets at 29, bowling with pace and hostility, not unlike a latter-day Ole Mortensen in his aggressive style. He ran in hard, zipped it about and got good wickets with a high level of fitness that let him bowl for long spells. He showed, in bowling the successful final over against Leicestershire in the T20, that he handles pressure well. 

I liked him when I first saw him in the second team, his pace disconcerting a few at that level, though his wayward, nervy debut against Australia was not fully indicative of his talent.

He can still be prone to a wayward spell, as in the second innings against Lancashire at Liverpool last year, but there is potential there. His progress under Steve Kirby is marked and another winter of work should see further development.

Dustin will take a place in a young seam attack featuring Ben Aitchison, Michael Cohen, Sam Conners and possibly an overseas seamer, with good support from a plethora of all rounders.

I suspect that the challenges of finding overseas players for next year played a part. No one knows what the global impact of Covid-19 will continue to be, or how much cricket will be played at this stage. A limited number of players will want to commit to such a role, especially in a slog around the county circuit for several months. Finances will also play a part, with the club's income streams reduced this year and potentially next.

Engaging Melton while he qualifies to play in this country by residence makes sense in the long-term. The experience may benefit us for years to come and I have no doubt that he will work very hard to continue his improvement. By 2022 he should be English-qualified. 

I wish him well. With Ben McDermott also engaged for one-day cricket, one assumes the third permitted overseas player (two can play in any match) will be a seam bowler or an all rounder. No doubt close tabs are being kept on Sean Abbott, but a player who will offer with bat and ball, especially in the one-day game, will be highly prized. A spinner would be nice for late season, but there aren't too many in the world game who are willing or able to come. 

In closing, congratulations to Dustin. He is a lovely bloke, unless he is 22 yards away with a ball in his hand. The club's social media today highlighted what it means to him and how grateful he is for the opportunity. 

It could turn out to be an inspired bit of work by Dave Houghton and is worth keeping an eye on.

With decent luck and continued hard work, Dustin will get his share of wickets next season. 

And beyond. 

Saturday 28 November 2020

McDermott confirmed for 2021 one-days

Regardless of whether he keeps wicket or not, Ben McDermott will be a massive player for Derbyshire in one-day cricket next summer.

The powerful Australian top order batsman is the first confirmed piece of the overseas jigsaw for 2021. His presence in the Blast and the Royal London Cup will give a huge boost to an already powerful top order.

At 25 he has already played two T20 internationals for his country and has a highest score of 114 from just 58 balls. His explosive power seems perfect for opening the innings, though he could equally be used for late innings rope-clearing impetus.

His ability to keep wicket will also enable us to play an extra batsman or bowler and already our batting line up for the one-day game looks powerful.

It also gives Derbyshire supporters an extra incentive to follow the Big Bash in Australia, even if that competition has more gimmicks than is good for the game this year. 

Here's hoping that Ben's stint in county colours, sadly delayed from this year, will be a long and successful one.

Welcome to Derbyshire, Ben! 

Friday 20 November 2020

Book Review: A Celebration of Derbyshire County Cricket Club 150 Year Anniversary by John Shawcroft

For any Derbyshire cricket fan, the writings of John Shawcroft are the standard by which others should be judged.

He has done several books over the years, including the outstanding Local Heroes, on the 1936 Championship winning side, as well as the original version of this book, the centenary history of the club up to 1970.

I have two copies of that book, a using one which is well-thumbed and another that is fairly pristine and signed by numerous County legends I have met over the years. With those books among my desert island picks, it was a reasonable bet that I would find this one to my taste. 

I opted for the subscriber edition, in recognition for what the club has meant to me over the years and quite frankly it is magnificent. 

The book has been updated, of course but the original text (with any amendments required) is enhanced still further with photographs from the club's archive and others taken by David Griffin. It breaks the text into manageable chunks that can be read in a tea break, or before lights out at bed time. They are fascinating and contribute to a book that should be on every county supporters Christmas list, if they haven't already got it, of course.

Bob Taylor's foreword sets the scene nicely and his photograph at the end neatly bookends the 256 pages that simply fly by. 

I am flattered to have been included in John's acknowledgements at the front and it is nice to see the input of former players over the years acknowledged too. As the author says himself, their anecdotes add the seasoning to the text and make it all the more special. 

If you are a Derbyshire supporter you really must own this book, as it will rekindle memories for all of you. If you don't support the club you should still buy it, because it is an overview of the county scene over 150 years that will be tough to beat. 

Warm congratulations to John and to David Griffin for their work.

The final product has met all expectations. And then some...

A Celebration of Derbyshire Cricket:150 Year Anniversary is written by John Shawcroft and available from Derbyshire County Cricket Club

Friday 13 November 2020

Good news on and off the pitch

Old Supporter beat me to the draw this week, with his update on the superb form shown by Sean Abbott and Ben McDermott in Australia.

Abbott's extraordinary form has seen him called 'the country's form player' and he currently averages 130 with the bat, to go with fourteen wickets at the same average. It has earned him a call up to his country's Test squad and rightly so.

He has been around the international setup for a while but the strength of Australian quick bowling has kept him out of contention up until now. Yet such stellar form cannot be ignored and he may well get a game or two this winter. What that would mean to Derbyshire's chances of him coming over next summer is anyone's guess. On the one hand it could give him the chance to broaden his experience, but they might also want to protect him from overwork.

Meanwhile Ben McDermott is averaging nearly seventy and has been racking up some big scores. Frustratingly he gets out before adding to his list of first-class centuries and that will be something he will want to build on. Four fifties so far is good going, but he will hope that is the basis for progress, rather than the pinnacle. 

Both players are hoped to take up the contracts that were there for last summer, subject to clearance by the Australian cricket authorities. 

Meanwhile, back home Nick Potts has won a rookie contract with the club after impressing in training and for the England development set up.

At 18, he is the latest from what is becoming a very good academy production line and it is encouraging to see this starting to produce the goods after too many barren years.

They have a good man in charge with Daryn Smit and I fully expect to see more lads coming through to join what is a young senior squad.

All this and an imminent vaccine too.. who knows, we might get to see some cricket next year, live and in the flesh. 

Now THAT would be special! 

Saturday 7 November 2020

150th to be celebrated next year

This week's news, that the club's 150th anniversary will be celebrated in 2021 was welcome, if expected.

There were a lot of events planned, some at the embryonic stage and others further advanced, but for me it always made more sense to celebrate in the year of the playing of the first match. 

The public meeting to agree the club being established was in November, 1870, but the first game was played in May of the following year.

It is wholly appropriate that the celebrations take place in the 150th year after that game, though of course with the centenary celebrated in 1970, the next celebration ideally had to follow on. 

There will doubtless be merchandise available, which I look forward to purchasing and if it is of comparable standard to the commemorative book I received this week, written by John Shawcroft, there will be no complaints.

A full review of this will appear soon, but for now I will say but three words. 

It is magnificent. 

Book Review: The Life Of A Sports Agent - The Middleman by Luke Sutton


Agents eh? The ruination of sport and the root cause of many of its issues. They make loads of money, rip off their clients, don't really do that much and are perceived as 'sharks' by perhaps too many people for comfort.

And yet.. like any other profession there are a minority who tarnish the good name of plenty of others, working quietly and professionally under the radar. Like Luke Sutton, the former Derbyshire cricketer and captain. 

Regular readers will recall my review of his fairly harrowing first book, which dealt with his ultimately successful battles with his addictions. Many were oblivious to this in his playing days, just as there will be plenty who are unaware of the range of work involved in being a successful agent.

I am grateful to Luke for sending a copy of his excellent book to me ahead of its publication date at the end of this month. It is a really good read, full of relatable stories and names that will aid understanding of the work that agents do.

What impressed me most, as in his first book, is his honesty. He doesn't claim to have got everything right, freely admitting to mistakes along the way, but that is only natural. We are all human after all, but the detailed 'case studies' of his relationship with four very different clients are fascinating.

There are cricketers James Taylor and Jimmy Anderson, Olympic gymnast and social media star Nile Wilson and Olympic hockey gold medallist and now multi-faceted personality Samantha Quek, all profiled in detail alongside others, who flit in and out of the pages.

Each has enjoyed their time in the limelight but have faced challenges away from it. Taylor's heart condition that caused his premature retirement is well-documented, but hearing it from a man who first helped support him and then find a new career is fascinating. Equally so that of Wilson, who had it all yet could quite easily have lost it, but for support from his family and an agent who had 'been there' himself. Meanwhile Quek emerges as a shrewd and talented young woman, savvy enough to reject lucrative modelling offers so as not to distract from what she was really about, an articulate, personable and knowledgeable commentator on a range of sports, who was helped by an honest agent to escape the restrictive 'bubble' of hockey.

Luke's honesty and support will have been appreciated by all of them. It is not about signing lucrative deal after deal, it is being there for them in the bad times, advising them correctly on the many offers that come their way, being organised, understanding the media and working with them. Indeed, what impressed me was how his clients were encouraged to develop their interactions and profiles on social media and use it properly. 

'The highs are beautiful, but the lows can be very dark' he writes. By the end of the book I was left with the feeling that were I sufficiently famous I could work with someone like Luke. Friendly, accessible, supportive and seemingly calm under pressure, he has established a strong roster of clients and understandably so. 

The book is a must read for anyone thinking of such a career, but also for those who enjoy a different angle on sports, celebrity and the challenges faced by those perceived to have it all. 

Cricket fans will find much to enjoy, as the likes of Peter Moores, Haseeb Hamid, Tom Moores and plenty of others flit through the pages. Yet the real fascination for me was in seeing how Quek and Wilson, successful in niche sports, were helped to become broader and successful personalities outside of the sports that made their name. 

It deserves to do well and I would heartily recommend it to be added to your festive wish list. 

The Life Of A Sports Agent: The Middleman is written by Luke Sutton and published by White Owl, priced £12.99.

Available from all good book shops. 

Saturday 24 October 2020

Young trio sign new deals

There was good news for three young Derbyshire players yesterday, as Tom Wood, Nils Priestley and Mattie McKiernan were all awarded contracts for 2021.

For McKiernan it is a chance to show himself as more than a talented bit part player, an opportunity to stake a claim as a regular. We know he can bat a bit, bowl some useful leg spin and field brilliantly anywhere, but those disciplines need to kick on now, in much the same way showed by Anuj Dal in 2020.

For Priestley, it is a proper chance to show what he can do. A powerful batsman and developing spinner, he is made for the short forms of the game, but had little opportunity this year to enhance his claims in league and second eleven cricket. A winter of hard work around his studies could see him make the next step in 2021.

As for Wood, it is well deserved and some may say overdue. It is also reward for consistency at all levels below the first - class game over several years. His challenge, if you like, is to show that someone who doesn't look a natural athlete can still score heavily at County level. I am not saying he is fat, as he is some way from that, but he is a powerfully built lad and in an era where whippets are expected, he doesn't conform. Having said that, he has a good pair of hands and showed in two innings at Headingley this year that he is not fazed by status or reputation. He is, in short, a very good batsman. 

Tom, Alex Hughes, Nils, Brooke Guest and Harvey Hosein can all stake a claim for a place in the county top six, especially in the four-day game. Then again, with continued development so can Anuj Dal. With such healthy competition Derbyshire can continue to develop as a club. I think we are a couple of seam bowlers light, at present, but that recruitment likely lies ahead over the winter.

I just wondered if there might be interest in Graeme Wagg, who has rejected an offer from Glamorgan to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. While he is of comparable age to Tony Palladino and Ravi Rampaul, he is an experienced all round cricketer who remains in good form, based on last summer. He likely has two or three good years in him in all formats, or could do a Darren Stevens and go on still further. 

While not in favour of signing cricketers for one last pay day, as was once our raison d'etre, a return to the club where he made his name might make sense for player and club, if the money was right. We don't have experience among the seamers and an old head with plenty to offer them, as well as lengthening the batting, holds appeal. 

We'll see, but as the rain lashes down on our windows, next summer cannot come quickly enough. 

Saturday 17 October 2020

Next year's format announced

All things being equal, Derbyshire will have fourteen four-day fixtures next summer.

All we need now is a green light in the intervening period for supporters to attend, together with ECB scheduling that sees them played across weekends and there is much to like for the fan of traditional cricket. 

Groups have been worked out based on this year's performances, thus Derbyshire are in a group with Essex, the reigning champions, Durham, Nottinghamshire (of course), Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Each will be played home and away, with the top two going into the first division of the next stage, the next two the second, etc.

The final groups will see each team play four matches, with their average points against the team they played in the first group carried through. The final positions will decide prize money and if the same format is then retained for 2022, it will decide the seedings.

I am OK with it, even though it is yet another group with our dear neighbours, who seem to follow us around. Essex will be a challenging but nice change, while few would not enjoy a trip to Worcester. 

We now need to see how the next few months pan out and how the squad shapes up. By my calculation we currently have 16 on the staff, including the two overseas and two wicket keepers.

Decisions will need to be made on others in the near future, both existing staff and prospective incomers. 

Saturday 10 October 2020

Aitchison signs two-year deal

Spookily enough, within seconds of publishing my last post, news broke of a two-year deal for Ben Aitchison.

It is well-deserved. Once he had got a nervous early spell out of his system at Trent Bridge, Ben looked the business. He has a grooved action and looked in control of the ball at all times. I am sure he would have been an asset in the T20, but an ankle injury sustained in warm ups ended his season prematurely.

I have high hopes for young Mr Aitchison and expect him to take a lot of wickets in the years ahead. Under the shrewd tutelage of Steve Kirby he will only get better.

One to watch, for sure. 

Good work by Derbyshire in securing his services and it is good to hear how happy he is after his first summer with us. 

Planning begins with caution for 2021

Like other counties around the country, Derbyshire have begun planning for next season, our 150th, as early as ever but with caution.

They cannot do otherwise at present, with uncertainty on when off field income generation can resume and if spectators are likely next summer. 

One would hope that will be the case, but the lucrative concerts, the fireworks night and the festive parties will all be impossible this year. It has put a sizeable hole in finances and the club will doubtless be careful on what they do at present.

What they will almost certainly do is offer contracts to players who have impressed on short term ones. That being the case I will be massively disappointed if there is no announcement of a deal for Ben Aitchison soon. He could have done little more this summer to earn a permanent deal and I see him as a fixture in our side for the next few years. 

Likewise, if there is any justice in this world Tom Wood will get a deal. My astonishment at his lack of opportunity, especially in the T20, has yet to dissipate, but a season contract is right for both player and club. 

I still feel he has a role at either three, with Wayne Madsen dropping to five, or at five himself, where his power would be useful against a tiring attack. Of course, both Alex Hughes and Matt Critchley will have designs on that berth, but competition is seldom a bad thing. 

There are a few players being released around the country, but question marks on finances will preclude new signings for many at this stage. I think both Luke Wells and Harry Finch will get a deal elsewhere, having surprisingly been released by Sussex, while Toby Lester is too talented a left arm seamer to not get picked up after his Lancashire release.

If not signed elsewhere, he struck me as a 'Derbyshire' signing. He will be well known to Mal Loye and several members of the staff, with only a question mark over his fitness in the past. A talented bowler though, for sure.

Several Kolpaks have been released around the shires, but my understanding, as I have written before, is that both Michael Cohen and Leus du Plooy will be fine. They have European passports and can continue to work towards being England - qualified.

The case of Dustin Melton is less clear. While he qualifies on grounds of residence next year, I understand that this may be too late for him to be considered for a deal in 2021, other than as an overseas player. 

I like him a lot and rate him, but think that is unlikely at this stage, so we may need to wait to see him in county colours again-- if there is still interest, of course.

With Palladino and Rampaul both presumably gone and McKiernan and Priestley at the end of deals, we look to be low on numbers at this stage.

Expect things to happen,  but apart from those already on the staff, perhaps not yet. 

Saturday 26 September 2020

Bert Richardson

With the passing of Bert Richardson, Derbyshire cricket has lost one of its few remaining 1950s players.

Indeed, from the fine team that started that decade, only Edwin Smith remains, thankfully still in good health as a conversation this week confirmed. Harold Rhodes is still with us too, as are Keith Mohan and Peter Eyre, but many of those heroes are long gone, but not forgotten.

Bert Richardson was not a regular in the Derbyshire side, but he played 27 first-class matches between 1950 and 1953, with a best score of 29. He was an orthodox slow left arm bowler and took 33 wickets, with a best of 4-39 against Hampshire. The advent of Edwin Smith in 1951 saw his opportunities dwindle and he drifted from the county game two years later.

He was a regular at former players events for many years, but had been in poor health for some time. I had hoped to interview him for my second book, but it proved to be impossible. 

He was the earliest surviving county debutant, a mantle that now passes to Edwin Smith.

Rest In Peace, Bert. 

Friday 25 September 2020

Tony Palladino: an appreciation


 It will be a very different Derbyshire next season, with no Tony Palladino running in from the Media Centre end after ten years of service. With Ravi Rampaul also unlikely to return, unless as an overseas player, there will be little experience in the seam attack.

At 37, Tony was unlikely to be the bowler that he has been and any deal was only likely to be for one year anyway. From the club's perspective, he will be one of the bigger earners but generally only plays one format, so I do appreciate the rationale.

It is also hard to be overly critical of the decision without knowing the plans that Dave Houghton has and who is (presumably) going to come in. The one sure thing in sport is that however good or loyal you have been, the end comes for everyone and it is rarely on their terms.

That there is an abundance of talent in the young seamers who played this year is undeniable. Ben Aitchison, Michael Cohen, Sam Conners and perhaps Dustin Melton will be the ones for next summer, with support from the all rounders and, one assumes, an overseas player. That the county, like others around the country, has to balance the books post-Covid 19 is also undeniable. I don't know the true picture, but without a lot of off-field income the playing budget must have taken a hit and the only way to try and sort that is in players at the end of contracts. From the club's perspective again, the savings from Tony and Ravi may enable recruitment in key areas and/or allow us to stay within view of a break even, or at least minimise the loss.

But it hurts. It will be hurting Tony right now and anyone who has been in similar positions will empathise. He has been an outstanding cricketer for the club, since his arrival from Essex. You always knew that he would test techniques, take wickets and at the very least keep things quiet on the shirt fronts. He ran in as hard at the end of the day as he did at the start and over the course of those ten seasons was a reliable bowler, the club's highest wicket-taker of the 21st century.

He could bat too. There was that memorable century against Australia A, plenty of key contributions when others had failed and some uncomplicated hitting that enlivened many an innings. I always got the impression of a good team man, another reason why, in ideal circumstances, he would have been useful for one more year to advise the young bowlers, take a spell when the going got tough.

But it is not to be. I feel for supporters too, as many would have loved the opportunity to say goodbye and wish him well in person. I have got to know Tony over the past decade and always enjoyed the experience. We had a long chat in the bar in the aftermath of the title win in 2012, plenty of others when I was able to visit the County Ground at other times. He was no different to me than to plenty of others, friendly, courteous and thoroughly professional, always with a regular smile. 

At the end of the day 'professional' is the most apposite word for Tony. I have recorded his career with us in interview last winter, which you can find if new to the blog. I wish him the very best for his future and suspect that someone will end up with a very good coach when he gets the opportunity. They will get a top bloke, for sure.

It has been my pleasure to watch him and to get to know him. The club will continue, of course and although he will be hurting right now, I am sure that his next role is just around the corner.

For all the young bowlers at the club, Tony Palladino has set the benchmark for you. If you can reach his standards on the field and be as well-regarded off it, you will do all right.

Go well, TP. You will be sorely missed and thank you for the memories.

Thursday 24 September 2020

Dean Jones

The desperately sad news today of the death of former Derbyshire overseas player and captain, Dean Jones, has cast a shadow over the world of cricket. 

'The Professor' was a thinker, analyst and commentator on the game which he graced for many years. He was one of the finest Australian middle-order batsmen and even now would likely get into an all-time one-day side from that country. 

His time at Derbyshire was short, but memorable. 

The dressing room of the mid-1990s was full of talent, yet a strong-willed and disparate bunch of players often seemed to lack direction. The atmosphere could change as frequently as the wind direction, but one had the feeling that if someone could galvanise this group of players they could do something special.

There had been a number of blunt-speaking players in our legendary team of the 1930s, of course, but Arthur Richardson had overcome any personal shortcomings as a player to lead the side with considerable skill to top three positions in 1934 and 1935 before taking the title in 1936. Something similar looked feasible in 1995, but a dressing room that was all too easily fragmented needed a strong leader.

Enter Dean Jones for the 1996 season, as close to the stereotypical Australian as you could wish for. Hard as nails, blunt and with a never-say-die attitude that was just what the doctor ordered. With the benefit of hindsight it was never going to last, but it was, without doubt, magnificent while it did.

Jones was a fixture in a fine Australian side and came with the reputation as being perhaps the best one-day batsman in the world, a title for which only Michael Bevan could challenge him. By the end of the 1996 season, 'Deano' had confirmed himself as an outstanding player, but proven it across all formats. He had also, despite a brusque, often confrontational persona, managed to turn a side of talented individuals into a team that came tantalisingly close to championship success.

Jones scored 1502 championship runs at 52 that summer, but he inspired Chris Adams to over 1700 runs, while Kim Barnett contributed 1400. Adrian Rollins passed a thousand too, while Karl Krikken averaged 40 from almost 900 runs down the order. Individually and collectively, there have been few seasons when Derbyshire have batted better. Jones added a further 1151 runs at 68 in the one-day games. 2653 runs in a summer led firmly by example, which was the Deano way. 

Having addressed Derbyshire's perennial weaker suit, an attack featuring Devon Malcolm, Dominic Cork and Phil de Freitas was always likely to win games. Jones set bold fields, encouraged and cajoled his charges and finished the season with a side that managed second place behind Leicestershire. With his friend and coach from Victoria, Les Stillman, Jones became an instant hero. Younger players loved him, older ones, for a season at least, tolerated and responded to his way of working. 

As a batsman he had all the shots, strong on anything short, unforgiving on the overpitched ball. His footwork was quick and precise, with perhaps his strongest area between mid-wicket and mid-on. A strong bottom hand, like MS Dhoni today, often saw any bowling shortcomings treated savagely in that area. 

 Yet it was his running between the wickets that seemed an even stronger suit and so impressed me. When he was batting, ones became twos, twos became threes... Derbyshire looked professional, challenging....good. We took quick singles, where previously batsmen might have held the pose of a correct defensive stroke. It was magnificent to watch.

Like Peter Kirsten before him, Jones played himself in and worked the ball around before unveiling a wide array of shots. He was not a stylist, like Mohammad Azharuddin, but generally looked to be balanced, composed and in control at the crease. In over forty years of cricket watching, he remains the best pacer of a run chase I have seen, never seeming to panic if the run rate mounted. He worked the ball around, timed his shots so there were two to a boundary fielder, chipped over the infield and clubbed it to and over the boundary . He would have made a fortune in the IPL, so it is ironic that his death, from a heart attack, came while employed as a commentator on that competition. 

The 'season of Deano' was magnificent yet, like all good things, it could not last. He returned for 1997 but went home in June, the dressing room once again split into factions. Senior members of the side found his abrasive style of leadership hard to deal with and a player with a track record of fall-outs back home decided he simply didn't need the hassle. His departure set off a chain of events that arguably took fifteen years from which to recover, ensuing winters seeing the gradual departure of key members of a very good side.

Whatever his personal foibles - and we all have them - cricket history will see Dean Jones as an outstanding player. His many fine Test innings, including the legendary one at Madras where he ended up on a saline drip after eight hours in the intense heat, confirm he was much more than a one-day scamperer. While he was batting, irrespective of the match situation, you always felt there was a chance of salvaging something. That is a rare and special gift for any player.

His commentary career was not without controversy but he came through it and was respected as an honest and analyst and commentator on the game that he graced for many years. 

Rest in Peace, Deano. 

You will always be a legend in Derbyshire. 

Tuesday 22 September 2020

End of season T20 Blast review

Writing a review of the T20 season this summer is quite different from last year, and indeed from writing the Bob Willis Trophy review a few short weeks ago.

We never got going this year in the short format and frankly didn't look an especially good team.

There were mitigating circumstances, of course. We played all our matches elsewhere, there were no overseas players and we badly missed Ravi Rampaul, not just for the wickets he took or the tight spells he bowled, but also for the effect on the opposition. They had to take greater risks against the others when Ravi was at one end and in much the same way that others profited when Jackson and Gladwin were bowling in their usual parsimony, wickets often fell as a consequence. Fynn Hudson-Prentice was also missed, a thigh injury wrecking his season and robbing us of not just a fine bowler but a dangerous batsman. Nor was Ben Aitchison available, likely the most accurate of the youngsters who debuted in the summer.

Yet selection was odd. At one point Alex Hughes was omitted, which seemed strange for a player who would be first on many team sheets for this format. He responded as most would expect, but the decision to drop him was puzzling. Even more so the omission, until the last game, of Tom Wood. 

His game is naturally aggressive and you can look around the counties and see the successful sides all have a top order dasher. There was no real surprise in that he scored a 31-ball half century against a decent home attack, more so in that Dominic Cork opted not to include him until then, when the top four was misfiring like an old car. The non-utilisation of a lad who has been the most prolific home-grown batsman in at least a decade at lower levels remains a mystery. If there is any justice, an opportunity to break into the top five next year should be forthcoming, because in common with many of you I don't think he got that this year. For the life of me, I can't rationalise that one.

Last year the success of the side was in a top four who chased down any target or set one beyond the compass of most opponents. It was clear, when we lost however, that it was to sides who generally opened the bowling with slow bowlers. Both Luis Reece and Billy Godleman are fine players, but more destructive against seam than spin. We rarely got a start and were quickly two down, too quickly, too often for comfort. The change should have been made earlier, proactive rather than reactive, because we had been 'sussed'.

For all his success last year, I am not sure Billy is a right 'fit' for T20 and until we score at more than six an over in the powerplay, we won't win many matches. Maybe next year a T20 specialist skipper is needed, letting Billy concentrate on the formats where he is undoubtedly excellent and letting him have the breather which all players need. He averaged 'only' a run a ball in the competition, which really isn't enough.

While perhaps not the force of his younger years, Wayne Madsen remained the key wicket and, as the best player of spin in the club, would be an obvious choice at the top of the order another year. He and Du Plooy scored the only other fifties in the ten matches, which was the crux of the problem. Any of the top four were likely to be sought after for the Hundred after last year's exploits, but Madsen's top average of 24 told a story. Luis Reece played only one innings of note and looked jaded after a lot of work in the four-day game, while Du Plooy for the first time slipped from a lofty pedestal. Both will surely return to erstwhile glories next year, when normality hopefully resumes

Matt Critchley and Alex Hughes played some handy cameos and largely reproduced their 2019 form with the ball, but there were insufficient runs to play with and neither was able to play a game-changing innings when required. This was mainly because they had to press the accelerator from the start - such cameos would have been fine in a better performing batting side.

Of the seamers, Dustin Melton looked the best, perhaps that latter-day incarnation of Ole Mortensen in his intensity, though with some way still to go in the sustained accuracy to match the aggression. Michael Cohen troubled with his pace and, with a better radar could be a serious talent, as could be said for Sam Conners in this format.

Mattie McKiernan finished top in the economy averages, and is a solid, if not spectacular player. The same could be said of Anuj Dal, whose bowling might have been better utilised and whose fleet-footed running was an asset in the field, as well as the closing overs if he got in. Meanwhile the two wicket-keepers shared duties, although Brooke Guest looked better suited to the style of batting required than Harvey Hosein. They are equally good behind the stumps and it will be interesting to see if either forces their way ahead in 2021. However, in a limited staff there is likely to be discussion on whether another keeper is the right way forward for next year, when Ben McDermott is pencilled in to play. Mind you, McDermott and Wood might be an opening pair to savour...

As for the coach, it may be that we go a different way in 2021. Dominic Cork is shrewd and intelligent, so will know a coach is only as good as his team statistics in the season just finished. Despite last year's success and the mitigating circumstances, one win in ten games and the worst record in the country confirms a disappointing campaign. Most noticeable was a drop in fielding standards, which reached its nadir on that awful night at The Riverside.

With four coaches already on the staff, perhaps the additional cost could go to the playing budget next year, with Mal Loye a likely candidate for the T20 role. 

As always, I welcome your thoughts on any or all of the above, just as I appreciate your support through the last few hectic months.

Sunday 20 September 2020

Derbyshire v Yorkshire

Still away at present, folks and won't see the game today.

Please put your comments in below and I will again make them live as soon as I  able.

Fingers crossed we finish with a win! 

Thursday 17 September 2020

Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire T20

As I said the other night, I am away with family this weekend.

Please comment on tonight's game below and I will publish as soon as I am able!

Fingers crossed... 

Wednesday 16 September 2020

Thoughts on the Blast

Family Peakfan are going away for a few days this weekend, so last night's win against Leicestershire was the last I will see this summer.

On the face of it, we were substantially worse than last year, but the table doesn't tell the full picture. I would have expected us to beat Leicestershire in the rained off fixture, much as I thought we would Durham. The frankly awful bowling and fielding effort at The Riverside was an aberration and the subsequent introduction of Dustin Melton has been a positive. So too the improvement in Michael Cohen, who looked to have learned quickly where he was going wrong.

These two, were Melton able to stay, would be an asset another year, as would Ben Aitchison, of course. We badly missed Ravi Rampaul, whose accuracy last summer meant additional risks had to be taken at the other end. 

Of course, we were also missing Ben McDermott and Sean Abbott, who at this stage look likely to play next season. My only concern is that McDermott, who would undoubtedly add firepower, would presumably see two wicket keepers omitted. On a small staff, that reduces the selection options and a batting all rounder, like Marcus Stoinis or Mitchell Marsh, might be better for us.

The batting order needs looked at anyway. I hope Billy Godleman is restored to his erstwhile form next year, because we can't have the two best batsmen coming in with valuable time used up. The suggestion of Madsen to open is worthy of consideration, especially if the favoured tactic of bowling spin at the start is continued against us. It also seems a little wasteful having Du Plooy not coming in until almost half the innings has gone. Perhaps Reece/Madsen/Du Plooy should be the top three, with Billy down the order to face the usual return of seam at the death?

Alex Hughes continues to be a good value player in this format. Last night he became our record wicket taker, while his ability to come in and hit from word go is always appreciated. He and Anuj Dal are huge assets in the field, too.

What we lack is serious power with the bat and a Rampaul/Langeveldt influence with the ball. If we could get that for next year, I would be confident in results coming again. 

Tuesday 15 September 2020

Leicestershire v Derbyshire T20

Derbyshire 147-8 (Godleman 34, Madsen 33, Hughes 25)

Leicestershire 143-4 (Dearden 36* Welch 32 Cohen 2-23)

Derbyshire won by 4 runs

A disciplined bowling and fielding performance by Derbyshire got us out of jail tonight, registering a first win in the competition for the summer.

It didn't look that way for much of our innings. Opposition sides have got wise to our tactic of last year and now open with spin, something that Godleman deals with less convincingly. Madsen was the only one in the early order to come to terms with a slow pitch, but he was run out by a poor call by the skipper. In his defence, it was his call, but so slowly was he batting that he might have been better falling on his sword at that point.

Once again it was Alex Hughes who injected much needed momentum and my comment to a friend that 140 would be a challenge was realised in the final over.

Leicestershire set off like a train, but the introduction of Cohen, who bowled very well, pegged them back. Critchley and Hughes did their stuff in the middle, mixing it up to good effect, but the game was in the balance with the home side needing 36 from 4, then ten from the last.

Massive respect to Melton, whose final over conceded only five singles with intelligent bowling to his field. Derbyshire edged it by four runs and it will be a relief to all concerned. The home side, however, will query how they lost in a narrow finish with six wickets in hand.. 

One final comment - I thought Guest kept splendidly tonight and his catch/stumping of Ackermann from a wide delivery was neatly done, perhaps a pivotal moment in the match.

I think he will push Harvey Hosein next season and that can only be good news. 

Sunday 13 September 2020

Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire T20

Nottinghamshire 198-6 (Clarke 57, Hales 49, Melton 2-37, Hughes 2-34)

Derbyshire 185-6 (Madsen 68, Critchley 44, Hughes 36*)

Nottinghamshire won by 13 runs

It was another defeat for Derbyshire at Nottingham today, but this time there was no disgrace.

They ran a Nottinghamshire side with a near international attack pretty close, eventually losing by 13 runs. This after a spirited run chase that was always just behind the required rate, after the early loss of both openers for ducks.

Madsen made a sparkling 68 from 46 balls, Critchley an excellent 44 from 28, while Alex Hughes improvised to great effect for his unbeaten 36 from 20 balls.

It ultimately wasn't enough against a side with two overseas stars and an England man who plays only one-day cricket, but it was a fine effort.

I didn't see the home side's innings with a family commitment, but the figures are far more respectable than the other night. I will let you all comment on it and any missed opportunities, but Dustin Melton's figures look impressive and he held two catches too, while Alex Hughes confirmed a fine all round game with two wickets. Matt Critchley too can be proud of a good  effort in the game.

I look forward to your comments, but for me, a thirteen run deficit is the kind you would expect to be made up, with bat or ball, by your overseas stars. 

No disgrace, no major disappointment. 

On to the next  - and something similar may bring a long - awaited win. 

Friday 11 September 2020

Durham v Derbyshire T20

Durham 223-2 (Lees 77*, Raine 71)

Derbyshire 168-5 (Reece 42, Du Plooy 53*)

Durham won by 55 runs

While giving due credit to the home side's powerful batting, I can only say that was one of the worst bowling and fielding displays I have seen by a Derbyshire side tonight.

With the exception of Wayne Madsen, no one seemed to be able to bowl anything close to the requisite line and length. There was poor handling in the field, fudged catches, dives over the top of the ball.. genuinely I cannot write about how poor that was.

There was never a chance of a win after such a display. Luis Reece batted nicely, as did Du Plooy, but we were never close to the rate. Even Durham fielding that was equally bad failed to make a difference. 

I will leave it there. From a fan's perspective, that was woeful.

Let's just say I am not hopeful, ahead of Trent Bridge on Sunday. 

Thursday 10 September 2020

Season review - the Bob Willis Trophy

 At the end of a season that was far shorter than anyone wanted, Derbyshire ended up a second in their group, pipped at the post by Yorkshire. They were the fifth best performing team in the country, with the best record of any side ostensibly in division two of the County Championship. They were ahead of Lancashire, Surrey, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire, all done with an attack in which their two most experienced bowlers never played. Had the weather stayed out of the game at Durham, they may have done better still.

Even more impressive is that the side is some way from its peak. An attack largely made up of youngsters making their formative steps in the county game was able to somehow bowl sides out. A batting line up in which no one really excelled was able to cobble together the runs with contributions down the order. In this regard, it matched the best county sides of the past, where they always managed to get the runs together for the bowlers to work with.

In a side packed with all round talent, two stood out. Luis Reece averaged 46 with the bat and took thirteen wickets at 26, often opening the batting and bowling. Such herculean efforts confirm his value to the side, as well as his unique standing in the game, as no one does that, or to my knowledge ever has over a sustained period. He bowled more overs than anyone and was second top scorer, as well as remaining a man who appears to enjoy every single minute he is on the field. We are lucky to have him, but in Derbyshire he has found his home.

Matt Critchley also blossomed, with seventeen wickets at 26 and a batting average of 39. In both departments he improved his game and if such progress continues he will play international cricket. His batting was straighter and he looked a fine player, even if he was unduly creative in his dismissals. His bowling was more accurate and the variations in flight and spin caused problems for more than a few. He is one to watch and the new contract signed pre-season means Derbyshire supporters can enjoy that for the immediate future.

The rest of the top four each played one good innings without discovering their sustained best form. They will all come again and likely threaten the thousand run mark in a normal summer. Leus du Plooy played an innings of genius at Trent Bridge to keep his side in the game, before second innings heroics down the order saw an extraordinary win. Billy Godleman sometimes looked to impose himself too quickly, while Wayne Madsen looked more vulnerable to the moving ball than in the past. Both will come again, though there may be merit in Wayne moving down one in the order, better to take toll of the bowlers with the shine gone from the ball. 

Fynn Hudson-Prentice was rarely fully fit and his bowling was missed. His batting won the game at Nottingham and his value to the side for the future is clear. Anuj Dal chipped in with bat and ball, as did Mattie McKiernan and the challenge to each is to confirm their undoubted ability and cement a place in a first choice eleven. As the two best fielders in a decent fielding side they give themselves a good chance, but competition for places, even in a small squad that favours rotation of players, is hotting up. Alex Hughes is another who found himself on the periphery and will be looking for a better summer in 2021.

Harvey Hosein kept better than I have seen him before and did a good job, both standing back and up to the stumps. He batted well in the first innings at Liverpool and remains an organised player , even if not one who can lead a counter-attacking rearguard action. He will remain the first choice for now, though new arrival Brooke Guest will hopefully push him to show his best form through a long, normal season.

As for the bowlers, Sam Conners showed good progress and produced some excellent spells, even if his line needs a little work at times. That issue is there for others too, with Michael Cohen showing rare pace but an inability to sustain the lines to cause a constant threat. His potential is clear, however and another winter under Steve Kirby could see the emergence of a serious bowler. Both showed they could handle a bat, too, which was heartening to see.

Dustin Melton was much improved and bowled very well at Leicester and Liverpool, though a reversion to previous erratic lines in the second innings of that final game was frustrating. He may return, depending on the final decision on Kolpak deals, as my understanding is that he becomes qualified by residence next summer. 

The best of the young seamers, for me, was Ben Aitchison. Before an ankle injury curtailed his summer, he bowled accurately and intelligently throughout. After looking to bowl too quickly on his first appearance at Trent Bridge, he got into a lovely rhythm with his well grooved action and troubled good batsmen on a regular basis. His final figures don't fully reflect his contribution and I have no doubt that his season trial will be extended to a longer deal in the coming weeks.

Which leaves another on a short-term deal, Tom Wood. His only opportunity was in the one innings at Headingley, when he let no one down, even if his dismissal was unusual. I had hoped that his contract might afford greater opportunity and if Madsen were to drop down to four he would be an obvious option at three for another year.

I'm not sure how much more we know about him though. Hopefully he gets a chance in the remaining T20 matches to show what he can do, because there is a good batsman in there.

In summary? T20 finalists in 2019, fifth in the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. With shrewd winter recruitment, promotion from division two next summer is a distinct possibility. The all round strength of the side means we bat long and can use seven or eight bowlers if required. That will be appreciated by Billy Godleman, who again led a contented squad well and will look forward to further success and progress in 2021.

'Little' Derbyshire? Not any more. Go down to Trent Bridge and they will put you straight on that..

Wednesday 9 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire day 4

Lancashire 219 and 356-6

Derbyshire 195 and 202 (Reece 69, McKiernan 52)

Lancashire won by 178 runs

The last day of the four-day county cricket season was a disappointing one from a Derbyshire perspective.

While there were suggestions on social media that we 'should go for these', the likelihood of repeating the heroics of Nottinghamshire on a vastly different wicket were as slim as my chances of becoming Miss World. 

I didn't understand why Lancashire felt the need to bat on this morning. I felt they had enough anyway and it seemed unnecessarily cautious. Their doing so set a notional 380 target but left only a draw to play for, yet the Derbyshire reply was a disappointment. 

Luis Reece batted well, as did Leus Du Plooy for a while, but the rest put up minimal resistance. After the cricket they have played this summer it was all rather underwhelming. There was a doughty ninth wicket stand between McKiernan and Conners, not for the first time in the match, but there was too long left in the game. 

There's not much more to say, really. Five more T20 matches, where there is only pride to play for, then that is it for another year. Time to take stock, improve the squad as finance allows and hope for a start in April of 2021. That seems so far away right now. 

In closing, I will say one thing about Mattie McKiernan. He perhaps isn't the most gifted player in the side, but he makes the most of what he has and gives his all, whatever he does. In both innings he was prepared to battle, but the question is whether his bowling is trusted enough for him at this level?

He hasn't had a long bowl all summer and the impression one gets, rightly or wrongly, is that he isn't trusted to get people out, or keep things quiet. If that is the case, the next question is if his batting is good enough for him to play as that alone, with his leg spin only an occasional option? 

With his contract up at the end of the summer, only Dave Houghton knows the answer to that one. Yet on the evidence of this game, and other cameos in the summer, he would be very unlucky to be released.

As is ever the case in professional sport, if there is someone deemed better available, then the club will go down that route. 

But Mattie has let no one down. Least of all himself. 

Tuesday 8 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire day 3

Lancashire 219 and 312-6 (Davies 86, Jennings 81, Balderson 56*  Critchley 4-126

Derbyshire 195 (Hosein 84, McKiernan 31, Lamb 4-60)

Lancashire lead by 336 runs

Don't weep for Derbyshire today. Don't be angry either.

They fought well to get within the five runs required for the crucial batting point, that from a nadir of 61-7 yesterday.

Hosein, McKiernan, Conners and Melton (career average before this 0.3) did their best, but ultimately fell short. Attach no blame to them, however, because on the first two days, as a team, we neither caught nor batted well enough.

It is hard to be overly critical. In the past two years we have reached T20 Finals Day and vied for a four-day final to almost the end. This with an attack of youngsters and a squad that was small to start with and became even more bijou without Ravi Rampaul and Tony Palladino. Fynn Hudson - Prentice has had an injury that has limited his bowling too, while we also lost the promising Ben Aitchison, so the challenges have been obvious. 

The progress from where we were even two years ago is startling and there is more to come from this squad. They will learn from this and will know that even on a tricky wicket they should have made 200, against ostensibly a second team attack.

After lunch Alex Davies and Keaton Jennings led an assault on the bowlers as attention turned to what we might chase second time around. It wasn't a great session for us, but a long spell from the admirable Critchley saw him with another four wickets, two for Luis Reece lending support, as we dragged Lancashire back a little in the final session. 

It will speak volumes for their mentality if they drag themselves up from the lunchtime disappointment today to force a win. Whatever the result, we can surely all see progress and with solid winter recruitment we should make a push for four-day promotion next year. Always assuming there are two divisions, of course - we may end up in a top seeded group based on this year's performances.

That's all for next year. Here's hoping we can make a better fist of a tricky run chase tomorrow.

Monday 7 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire day 2

Lancashire 219

Derbyshire 120-7 (Hosein 44* McKiernan 19*)

Derbyshire trail by 99 runs

After writing yesterday that the Josh Bohannon century may be match-defining, I am afraid that our first innings today confirmed my psychic ability.

We quickly polished off the home side's first innings, but then a combination of injudicious strokes, good bowling and frankly poor umpiring disposed of our batting.

It isn't a good wicket and the toss will likely prove key to the result, but we didn't help ourselves early on by 'pushing' at the moving ball, or playing across the line. Du Plooy is currently doing this early in his innings, going for square leg when previously it was mid on. On this wicket a ball keeping low ensured he didn't last long, and none of the top order batted time, but Matt Critchley got a shocker from umpire Graham Lloyd.

He presumably lost the ball but expected a beamer, ducked and was hit on the full, well outside off stump. It may also have been too high as it dipped, but the decision, one of village standard, seemed to have derailed a battling attempt at recovery, as we slipped to 61-7. Given this was effectively Lancashire's second team attack, we have to be disappointed at that. 

A crucial and gutsy partnership between Harvey Hosein and Mattie McKiernan then almost doubled the score by the close. Both showed admirable technique and fighting spirit. IF we could somehow get to 200, a batting point and go on to win the match we COULD still qualify for the final, but with the games elsewhere going the way of Essex and Somerset, that is a serious set of circumstances from where we are right now.

Even my perennial positivity struggles to see another 80 runs in the rest of our batting. If we don't make it, my understanding is that Essex will qualify, having had more wins and the rest of this game is largely academic, bar for pride.

If we do...well, there's one heck of a final day in store.

Harvey, Mattie, Sam and Dustin...you know what you have to do...

Sunday 6 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire day 1

Lancashire 206-8 (Bohannon 94, Melton 3-46, Conners 2-25 Reece 2-49)

v Derbyshire

Derbyshire did well at Liverpool today, restricting Lancashire to a total of 206-8 by the close. Indeed, their three big batting 'guns' of Jennings, Davies and Vilas made but five runs between them.

Yet Josh Bohannon rode his luck to make a dogged 94, taking them to a higher total than may have otherwise been possible, one that may be match-defining. He was dropped a time or two, one to Madsen at slip from the bowling of Melton fairly routine, but his side would have been in real trouble without his grafting. Let's hope that our batsmen can replicate that grit, on a slow wicket where stroke play is not easy. Staying in gradually got a little easier with the older ball, but it was cricket for the purists after tea. 

At one point after the interval, just nine runs came from ten overs, as Dal and Reece bowled accurately. Had there been a crowd, I suspect a few naps may have been taken in the evening sunshine, or books proved a more attractive alternative. 

While he bowled very well and showed astonishing stamina, I thought we overbowled Luis Reece today and I was surprised that Mattie McKiernan wasn't asked to bowl at all. Having earned a place in the eleven, he put down two difficult chances at slip and the selection seems odd for such a peripheral contribution. Given the uncertainty caused by Matt Critchley, I would have thought him worth an over or two, at least. Perhaps he is there for the second innings... 

Critchley bowled well, without luck, but Melton was again excellent. I suspect he is the most improved player on the staff, going from the fast but erratic bowler who faced the Australians last year, to one who bristles with aggression and commitment but now has much better control. 

We need to finish things off tomorrow then aim for a good first innings. We certainly won't want to chase big on the final day.

Whatever happens, we control our own destiny. 

Could we ask for more? 

Saturday 5 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire Bob Willis Trophy preview

Lancashire may have three debutants in the four - day game against Derbyshire that starts at Liverpool tomorrow.

Steven Croft is injured and Tom Bailey is rested from the following 14-man squad:

Dane Vilas (c), George Balderson, Josh Bohannon, George Burrows, Alex Davies, Tom Hartley, Liam Hurt, Keaton Jennings, Rob Jones, Danny Lamb, Jack Morley, George Lavelle, Matt Parkinson, Owais Shah

As for Derbyshire, we travel with thirteen. My guess, based on the wicket for the T20 the other night, is that Mattie McKiernan will play. I am also assuming that Fynn Hudson-Prentice will, since he is in the squad, so I assume two of the seamers will miss out.

I would include Michael Cohen, for variation, but the thirteen is:

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, Du Plooy, Critchley, Hosein, Hudson-Prentice, Dal, McKiernan, Cohen, Conners, Melton, Barnes.

I would leave Barnes and either Conners or Melton out of the final eleven. We need to secure maximum bonus points and ideally win the game to get to the final, so on what may be a tricky pitch, depth of batting and variety of bowling may be crucial.

Our four-day and one-day form has been diametrically different this year. If we can quickly dispose of Jennings, Vilas and Davies we have a good chance.

Will the wicket turn as the game goes on? Probably, so whoever wins the toss will want to bat big and then bowl the other team out twice.

Billy's not had much luck with the toss of late, so here's hoping he calls correctly tomorrow.

Good luck, lads. Do us proud. 

Friday 4 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire T20

Derbyshire 98-7 (Hughes 32, McKiernan 24*)

Lancashire 102-2

Lancashire won by eight wickets. 

While I think it was a good toss to win and the wicket wasn't especially easy to bat on, Derbyshire were poor at Aigburth this afternoon.

The skipper gave it away with an ungainly heave, Luis Reece ran himself out, Wayne Madsen tickled one down the leg side and Leus Du Plooy popped one up in the air with unseemly haste. Maybe Sunday's big game was on their minds, but our much vaunted top four had been blown away, well inside the Powerplay.

Alex Hughes batted well for a while and there were late runs from Mattie McKiernan, but 98-7 reflects a poor collective batting effort. 

It is always easier on an uncertain wicket to bat second and know what you are chasing. While the home side had to take their time and didn't win until the 18th over, the game was gone at the halfway stage - for that matter at the end of that first Powerplay. 

McKiernan followed his handy innings with a tidy spell of four overs for just thirteen. As things stand, I would be surprised if he wasn't in the side on Sunday. 

The only consolation is that the wicket does not look as if it will be a run feast for that game and a positive result is likely.

We will need to up our game considerably to be on the right side of it, however. 

Thursday 3 September 2020

Lancashire v Derbyshire T20 preview

As someone once said, it is like deja vu all over again tomorrow, as Derbyshire play Lancashire at Aigburth, Liverpool. Always assuming that pretty ground has recovered from its soaking yesterday, of course.

The teams are likely to be similar as in front of the Sky cameras, though Tom Wood is a possible swap for Wayne Madsen. Although Wayne is in the squad, the greater need may be for his involvement in Sunday's four-day decider.

Having had two abandoned and two losses so far, the chances of qualification are slim, but we all know the mitigating circumstances that have made it challenging this year. We will aim to win all those remaining and see what happens. 

Lancashire may welcome back Luke Wood, but Liam Livingstone and Saqib Mahmood are still on England squad duty.

There was little between these sides on Monday, but a change of luck for Derbyshire could easily see tomorrow's result go the other way. The fielding was excellent, the bowling improved and the the mood is obviously good. 

Fingers crossed we get out there, this time. 

Durham v Derbyshire T20

And it rained. The end.

Frustrating that two games we would have had high hopes of winning (Leicestershire the other) have come to naught, but there is little we can do.

We go again, and I know the level of performance will be there again. 

It's the Derbyshire way. 

Wednesday 2 September 2020

Durham v Derbyshire preview

It is perhaps typical of Derbyshire's luck of late that they play in theory the weakest team in the group tonight, just as they have been strengthened by the addition of former South African international Farhaan Behardien.

The North East Side has looked poor in previous matches, but will be hoping that the veteran's arrival might kick start their competition.

Derbyshire take a full squad to Chester le Street and will doubtless ring the changes in the attack once more. Unless a miracle has occurred, I would be surprised to see Wayne Madsen tonight, so Tom Wood is the obvious replacement.

The home squad:

Nathan Rimmington (Capt), David Bedingham, Graham Clark, Ben Raine, Scott Steel, Farhaan Behardien,Alex Lees, Sean Dickson, Paul Coughlin, Liam Trevaskis, Stuart Poynter, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Potts, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse.

It won't be easy and a home attack featuring Ben Raine and Mark Wood will be stronger than of late, but there is enough talent in the Derbyshire squad to come out on top. The key will again be our young attack keeping the opposition within range, but similar purpose in the field to the Lancashire game will serve us well. 

I will be back later with my thoughts. 

Tuesday 1 September 2020

Horizons need adjusting for T20

Like many of you, after last year's performances in the Vitality Blast I was enthused by prospects for 2020.

We had signed Sean Abbott, a proven bowler in the format, as well as Ben McDermott, a boundary-bashing wicket keeper for Australia in T20. Add them to an already strong squad and optimism was high.

Then came Covid 19. While it ruled out overseas input for many counties, I felt that the two we had engaged covered our greatest need in an otherwise already strong group. Neither has been able to travel and we have had to manage with a small squad.

Small and reducing by the game. Ravi Rampaul has been unable to leave Trinidad and looks to have played his last game for us. Tony Palladino was granted time off for personal issues, though he rarely played T20 anyway. Ben Aitchison went over on his ankle and is out for the season, Fynn Hudson-Prentice has a thigh injury that needs careful management and now Wayne Madsen looks to have done his achilles tendon.

We are getting close to the 'you are fit, you can play' model of team selection. Our first three bowlers last night, Messrs McKiernan, Conners and Barnes, had four previous T20 matches between them at first-class level. The only fully fit players outside the eleven, Guest, Cohen, Wood and Melton, barely make double figures between them.

Of course you can win some matches with inexperience, as we have shown superbly in the Bob Willis Trophy, but sustained levels of performance generally require greater experience. There is no short cut to this, so supporters must expect some difficulties in the remainder of the Blast. 

I may be wrong and would be delighted to be proved so, but Dominic Cork will earn his money this year and I have mentally written it off as one where that crucial experience is gained. 

We can't just take people on loan either, because finances are already tight and we are better to use the time to assess what we already have, in my opinion. 

I watched the articulate Liam Rosenior at the weekend, discussing how being hammered 3-0 at Nottingham Forest last season in the Carabao Cup was a major factor in the development of the group of young talent at Derby County. It allowed them to see the pressures and challenges of playing at this level, even if it hurt at the time. Short term pain, long term gain and if they are good enough they will come through it, perhaps the better, on the other side. 

Wayne Madsen's injury should allow Tom Wood a run in the side, to show if the run machine at all lower levels can translate at county standard. I hope it does, because he looks to have the talent and such matches will allow him to go for his shots without an array of slips awaiting error.

As for the bowlers, there are contracts to be earned and reputations made. I thought Ed Barnes bowled well last night, especially in closing the innings. I am not yet sure if he has that in him on a regular basis and a few games will hopefully clarify that. The same goes for Matty McKiernan, who has bowled steadily in two matches and fielded brilliantly. Is he worth another deal? We might know by the end of the season.

Then there's Michael Cohen. We know already that he has wicket-taking deliveries in his locker, but can he bowl the lines and lengths to keep the score down? The same goes for Sam Conners and both will know that 1-26 in this format is as good as 4-87 in the four-day game.  Games ebb and flow by the ball and you can quickly go from a hero with a first ball wicket, to villain by leaking 16 runs afterwards.

As supporters we must all show the requisite patience. These lads are living out our dreams in front of an audience in the thousands. Very few can deliver under that pressure  and there will be times when it goes horribly wrong. 

But it is not for the want of trying, and sometimes you have to accept that someone else was better than you on the day. 

While some may fall by the wayside, I have a feeling that we may unearth a nugget or two of gold before this weird old summer is out. 

Keep the faith. Last year we made finals day in T20, this year we are a match away from a Lord's final in the four-day game. 

There are plenty who have gone decades between such experiences, not winters.

I'm one of them. 

Monday 31 August 2020

Derbyshire v Lancashire T20

Lancashire 178-5 (Davies 82)

Derbyshire 174-7 (Madsen 44, Reece 39, Critchley 32)

Lancashire won by 4 runs

It was much better from Derbyshire tonight, but the end result was the same as they slipped to narrow defeat by 4 runs.

Even worse, Wayne Madsen, who looked like he would have won it for us, sustained a nasty looking injury to his achilles tendon which is likely to render him doubtful for the weekend four-day game.

Considering the inexperience of the attack I thought we did OK with the ball. Barnes and Conners pulled it back well at the end when they looked set for 200. The fielding was sharper, with Dal and McKiernan outstanding. The latter also bowled tidily. 

I didn't get the rationale of him going in to pinch hit, however and the experiment didn't last long. Godleman was in uber frenetic mode and Reece batted well for a while, but when Madsen and du Plooy got going, a win seemed on.

Then came the injury as Madsen played his ramp shot. Thereafter he could only stand and hit to limited effect. Leus hit two fine sixes but could have showed greater nous than going for a third in the same over. Matt Critchley took us closer than looked likely, but we always looked just behind the rate. 

At this stage a repeat of last year looks unlikely. I would be surprised if we see Wayne again in the competition, but it at least offers an opportunity to Tom Wood.

We will keep fighting and there will be wins to come, but the inexperienced attack and loss of a major batsman would appear too great a handicap to overcome. 

We'll see. No complaints tonight, with better luck we might have nicked that one. 

Sunday 30 August 2020

Yorkshire v Derbyshire T20

Yorkshire 220-5 (Root 64, Lyth 61, Fraine 44* McKiernan 2-22)

Derbyshire 121-9 (Critchley 26)

Yorkshire won by 99 runs

After short consideration, I think that was the worst performance in this competition by Derbyshire in a couple of seasons.

We badly lacked the control of Rampaul, at the top and tail of the innings, but the rest did themselves no favours with bowling of erratic length and line. I wouldn't have gone for Conners and Cohen in this format, and their lack of overs confirmed the skipper might not have done either.

The only bowler who emerged with credit was Mattie McKiernan, who strangely didn't finish his allocation. The rest were summarily despatched by Lyth, Root and Fraine, who batted well but were given way too many full tosses and half volleys on which to gorge themselves. Nor was the fielding especially sharp either, with a few mishandlings and some wild throwing.

It was a good toss to win, to be fair, as it is usually better to bat first at Headingley in such matches. From Lyth's opening over of our reply, the writing appeared to be on the wall and neither Madsen or Godleman looked at ease. 

Once they and du Plooy had quickly departed, two to decent catches, it became a case of damage limitation and protecting, to some extent the net run rate. Their fielding looked far sharper than ours, Godleman's blinding catch at cover apart, but it is much easier to field when your bowlers are in the right areas, of course. 

This was our Leicestershire at the County Ground of two summers ago. A major sea change needs to take place for our T20 prospects to come close to those in the four-day game, or for us to come close to the knock out stage this year. It was diametrically opposed to our four day performances and while one eye will, naturally be on next weekend's game at Liverpool, we are much better than this. 

It was poor and I expect to see a reaction on the same ground in front of Sky cameras tomorrow. I doubt Dominic Cork will accept less.

Finally, a word about the stream. I know it was free, but it started late and later went out of focus and required refreshing several times. There is potential for such streams to raise income for counties in the long term, but it needs to be better than this one was. 

Saturday 29 August 2020

Yorkshire v Derbyshire preview

Derbyshire add Harvey Hosein and Dustin Melton to the fourteen that were due to play against Leicestershire for tomorrow's trip to Headingley.

Again, I won't try to pick a team, because without seeing the track it is pointless. 

Yorkshire welcome back England skipper Joe Root, but are without Bairstow, Rashid and Willey, as well as Gary Ballance. 

Their squad:

Lyth, Kohler-Cadmore, Brook, Coad, Fisher, Fraine, Root, Hill, Lyth, Pillans, Poysden, Revis, Shutt, Tattersall, Thompson.

There is more than enough in the Derbyshire squad to continue our recent domination over the White Rose in this format. 

While the bowling is largely inexperienced, the batting has shown itself capable of chasing down big totals and we have a good chance of opening our account in this one. 

We'll see tomorrow, but between times I welcome your thoughts! 

Friday 28 August 2020

Leicestershire v Derbyshire T20

No result

The forecast rain ensured that there was no play in this game, as it did around much of the country.

We go again on Sunday, against Yorkshire at Headingley.

But in closing, a word of congratulations to the club. The Incora County Ground has become an effective and doubtless lucrative 'bubble' this summer for various touring sides, as well as England Ladies.

The Australians are there now, following on from Pakistan and the West Indies, as well as England Ladies. 

If you book into the Travelodge at the ground in future, you could be sleeping in a room once used by a cricketing legend.. 

Meanwhile the club is bringing in much needed money and, with the function spaces set to reopen, better times seem to be around the corner. 

It is good to see. 

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Leicestershire v Derbyshire T20 preview

 I have no idea which of the fourteen players named will take the field for Derbyshire tomorrow, against Leicestershire, but I do know they will be ready to give their all.

With the exception of Harvey Hosein, who misses out as Brooke Guest is preferred this time, all the fit players on the staff are included. 

As listed by the club, the squad is:

Godleman, Reece, Wood, Madsen, Du Plooy, Hughes, Critchley, Hudson-Prentice, McKiernan, Dal, Guest, Cohen, Barnes, Conners.

As I wrote yesterday, you could play the first eleven named, bat all the way down and still have eight bowlers, such are our all-rounders. However, as someone else said (I think notoveryet) I would like to see a death bowler in there and the angle and pace of Cohen could get him the nod.

We will miss Ravi Rampaul, but a lot of counties are missing key personnel, including our opponents, who are without Mark Cosgrove. My guess is that Hudson-Prentice may be the other death bowler, allowing Reece, Hughes and Critchley to hopefully tie down the middle overs, as they did so well last year. Don't discount a key role for Mattie McKiernan in the competition either, as his leg spin variations and fine fielding could make him a key player.

Leicestershire have named a thirteen-man squad with three former Derbyshire players in it, namely:

Ackermann, Davis, Delany, Dearden, Griffiths, Hill, Klein, Lilley, Mike, Parkinson, Rhodes, Swindells. Taylor.

Colin Ackermann is the danger man and has a fine record in the competition. Although they have some good players, my money is on a Derbyshire win, to start the competition in style.

What about you?

Tuesday 25 August 2020

Durham v Derbyshire day 4

 As I write this blog, with the rain battering off the patio doors and the wind blowing the plants to and fro with gusto, there appears little likelihood of further play at Chester-le-Street, with the scene replicated there in tweets from the ground.

It is a pity, because that extra batting bonus point that would otherwise have been a formality may prove crucial by the end of the final round of matches. The pitch was way too benign for a positive result to have been forced and credit must go to the Derbyshire bowlers for managing to get through their opponents on such a track. 

Indeed, the ability of a largely inexperienced attack to dismiss the opposition has been a feature of the Bob Willis Trophy campaign. Regardless of what happens elsewhere in the final round of matches, we have done extremely well with novices. Conners, Melton, Cohen and Aitchison have all done well, taking wickets at regular enough intervals for the team to get into the ascendancy, while the batting has looked every bit the force that it appeared pre-season. 

We all knew about the strength of the 'fab four' at the top of the order, of course. Yet, speaking as a non-statistician, I'd be willing to bet my house on our never having two batsmen, normally at seven and eight in the order, who average over a hundred, as Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Anuj Dal currently do. Both have looked very impressive and with Matt Critchley looking a far straighter, more correct and downright impressive batsman than in the past, I struggle to think of a batting order that has had such depth.

I do feel for Alex Hughes and Tom Wood, who have done little wrong, but it is hard to see how either can force a way in right now, with Harvey Hosein or Brooke Guest behind the stumps at six. Alex will doubtless be in the T20 side and few will fancy coming up against a side where there are genuine batsmen down to number nine in the order.

The professional performance at Durham has been overshadowed by the injury to Ben Aitchison yesterday, who injured ankle ligaments in a training drill. He seems unlikely to play again this season, but has surely done enough to earn a contract for at least two years. His well-grooved action and impressive accuracy would have made him a shoo-in for the Vitality Blast, but that will need to wait.

Our only problem seems to be running out of players. Ravi Rampaul may now not be able to get over from Trinidad and Michael Cohen's wavering lines don't suggest him as an obvious pick for the short form at present. Perhaps Tony Palladino could be our 'wild card' after several years of hardly playing the format? Or do we utilise the all-rounders and pack the side with batsmen?

With our next fixture the T20 against Leicestershire on Thursday, I'll hazard a guess at this team from the resources available:

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, du Plooy, Critchley, Wood, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Dal, Hosein, McKiernan

You could omit Wood and McKiernan for two seamers, but the eleven above has seven bowling options  anyway..

Thoughts?

Postscript: a player who has really impressed me in this shortened season has been Matt Critchley. He signed a two-year deal before the action started and looks a serious all-round talent now.

He has always looked a cricketer, but his batting looks much more straight, his defence better organised than in previous years. He gave his wicket away twice, but still averages over fifty, Meanwhile his bowling has developed a lovely loop and greater accuracy, twelve wickets at 24 runs each telling no lie as to his ability.

He has that number five spot nailed, by the look of it. We are very lucky to have such depth in all round talent in the squad, but credit to Dave Houghton and the coaching staff for identifying and improving them so well, 

As well as providing an environment in which they can thrive.

Monday 24 August 2020

Durham v Derbyshire day 3

Durham 337-9 declared

Derbyshire 355-4 (Reece 122, Madsen 52, Godleman 51, Critchley 46* du Plooy 40, Hudson-Prentice 26*)

Derbyshire lead by 18 runs

I can only describe today's action at The Riverside as one of the more unusual I have seen over the years.

In the morning and for a good part of the afternoon, Derbyshire accumulated steadily on a slow, flat wicket. Reece and Godleman batted well, before the skipper holed out to cover. 

Enter Madsen and he went on to make a fifty, before being bowled playing perhaps the ugliest shot of his long career. The ball didn't get up and it ended half sweep, half pull, some way removed from his usual aesthetic self. 

Luis Reece played some fine shots in his first century of the summer, including a straight six and a few from his one-day repertoire. 

The wicket was flat yet not quick enough for all out assault. With tomorrow's forecast largely unpleasant, the task was to get as many batting points as possible, as a positive result would need nine days on such a wicket. 

Yet Durham put on Stuart Poynter for his first ever bowl of flighted filth at one end with plenty out on the boundary, as if trying to buy a wicket. Which seemed fine, but bowled Paul Coughlin at the other. It was all rather odd. 

When normal service resumed, Reece accelerated with the century achieved, before perishing in the deep. Like his captain, the shot was played with only one hand on the bat, adding to the surreal feeling of it all. 

Du Plooy and Critchley then moved into one-day mode, before the former was bowled by a slow yorker in the gathering gloom. 

It was left to the stylish Critchley and the powerful Hudson-Prentice to get us past 350 and four batting points, as a gloomy evening ended in bright sunshine. 

It was a professional batting performance, the innings well-paced. It also keeps us top of the group, for now. 

And very much in the mix for the final. 





Sunday 23 August 2020

Durham v Derbyshire day 2

Durham 337-9 (Critchley 4-53) v Derbyshire

I think the morning session today confirmed a couple of things for Derbyshire supporters.

One is that the attack, without Michael Cohen, is too similar. For me, five right arm fast medium bowlers is at least one too many. If you are going to bowl them out on a wicket offering help, you will likely do it with three, especially when you have Luis Reece as a fourth variant to them. If you can't, then you need other options in order to do so.

Thus our need for winter recruitment would appear to be in getting that variety. With all rounders Reece and Hudson-Prentice in the eleven, I don't think we need four additional seamers in the side. Alex Hughes will always lengthen the batting and give a bowling option, while Tom Wood could have given another batsman. I would love to see us find an off-spinner who can bat for another year, as it is one angle we currently have no option and there is no genuine spin partner for Matt Critchley in an otherwise strong side.

Second, sadly, I am not convinced that Ed Barnes is of the requisite standard and would be surprised were there any interest beyond this season, assuming he is released by Yorkshire. He runs in hard and gives his all, but at this unforgiving level needs that little bit more. Ben Aitchison is a far better option and judging by their respective workloads in this innings (20 and 11 overs respectively) I don't think I am alone in that assertion. 

Precious little passed the bat in the morning, or caused any issues until Critchley bowled Coughlin as he played on, then bowled Potts with a beauty that beat an otherwise perfect defensive stroke. Two wickets in three balls, after a 150 stand - like buses, eh? 

Barnes did get the wicket of Salisbury, well caught by Madsen, before the rain came with a vengeance, but it is hard to see where a result can come from without a contrived finish along the way. The home side would appear to have scored too slowly to threaten us with the follow on and may be unwilling to risk another defeat by setting a target that we would undoubtedly chase.

That extra batsman might well have been useful...

Saturday 22 August 2020

Durham v Derbyshire day 1

Durham 219-6

v Derbyshire

I only saw the last ten overs of today's play as I was returning home, so I am happy to defer to those who saw much more.

Alex Lees, a perennial thorn in our side, held us up for a good part of the day, while Ned Eckersley, who always scored heavily against us for Leicestershire, is still there at the close.

Not a bad day, with Yorkshire getting hardly any play, but could it have been better?

In the brief passage of play that I saw on arriving back home, I was impressed by the tidy glove work of Brooke Guest, who looks a very useful asset.

So over to you.. thoughts?

Normal service from me will be resumed tomorrow! 

Friday 21 August 2020

Durham v Derbyshire preview

Derbyshire travel up north tomorrow in rude health and aiming for anothrr win that will cement their position at the top of the group table.

Brooke Guest makes his first appearance behind the stumps as Harvey Hosein is rested, while both Luis Reece and Fynn Hudson-Prentice return from injury. A final decision on the bowlers will be made tomorrow, but the 13 is:

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, Du Plooy, Hughes, Critchley, Guest, Hudson-Prentice, Dal, Aitchison, Cohen, Conners, Barnes.

Durham have had a poor tournament but have some good players and will be aware that they have something of a spell over us on this ground. 

They have also named 13, which is:

Alex Lees, Sean Dickson, Michael Jones, David Bedingham, Gareth Harte, Stuart Poynter, Ned Eckersley (c,wk), Brydon Carse, Paul Coughlin, Ben Raine, Matthew Potts, Matthew Salisbury, Chris Rushworth

I will be traveling tomorrow so won't see much of the first day's play, but if we play as we can, this game is very winnable.

With two group games to go, we control our own destiny.

You can't ask for more than that. 

Good luck lads.