Matt Critchley, again batting beautifully, and Alex Hughes in a typical knock were steering us to the follow on mark when Alex was dismissed and it fell apart. Madsen had earlier batted well but for me the batting order is wrong.
Well as he batted, Critch should have controlled the last wicket partnership better. Dustin Melton faced much more of the strike than he did, but Matt was batting too low at six, for me.
The problem is that du Plooy doesn't appear to enjoy three and with the opening pair, at best, sketchy, he may as well be opening.
Leus at least battled in the second innings and looked aggrieved at being given out, presumably feeling it was a bump ball.
Again though, it was Madsen who kept us afloat, accompanied by Hughes, who I feel sorry for. By dint of six first-class centuries he should be batting above FHP, but instead he is eight and hardly bowling.
It is all a mess and I just don't follow the rationale this season at all.
We will lose tomorrow, unless a miracle happens, but I am not overly confident. In Pennington, Worcestershire have a fine young bowler, but I felt the bouncers to Aitchison and Conners by him and especially Joseph were unnecessary. Sam was visibly shaken by one he did well to avoid and such cricket leaves a bad taste in your correspondent's mouth.
Anyway, time to go. A lightning trip home tomorrow morning for family stuff so I will miss the final day, not that I will worry unduly.
In closing, I heard today from several sources the identity of our second overseas player for the T20. I won't break from protocol and will allow the club to announce it, but it is no great secret when it is around most of the Derbyshire leagues.
A familiar face, that is all I can say. One I predicted too, to one or two close friends who asked my thoughts.
No doubt all will be 'revealed' on Monday.
Our disappointing season continues. We seem to have become specialists in collapses. When it comes to our batting, it says a lot that only Matt Critchley has reached a century. Not only that, but the 648 runs he’s accumulated are more than Godleman, Reece and du Plooy combined.
ReplyDeleteI can’t see Madsen and Hughes getting enough runs today that would make Worcestershire bat again provide our bowlers with something to aim at.
I’m not sure how we can revitalise our top order batting. But least we have McDermott now, and Guest looks to have a lot of potential.
I wonder who the T20 overseas will be. Ravi?
5 weeks ago, an identical game was played at Worcester. Worcs scored 436, bowled Notts out for 276 and they were asked to follow on before tea on the third day. So far, so familiar. Notts batted for 4 sessions, made 236-0 and saved the game against virtually the same bowlers. That's just how short we fell of the standards we'd expect in a purposeful, spirited team.
ReplyDelete