Questions on the Head of Cricket role

I have had a few people drop me emails with regard to the Head of Cricket role and I thought I would respond to those questions on the blog, as they have recurred.

Do I think anyone internally will apply and do I think they might be options?

They are always options, but in an ideal world where we get interest of good standard from outside the club, my preference would be for a new broom. The squad needs a dispassionate look from outside, at players, performance and salaries. Are we getting the maximum bang for our buck from senior players on major salaries? 

In setting up the Academy and Pathway, Dave Houghton did a good job. We look to have some talented players coming through the age groups and I think they have the right man in charge with Daryn Smit. Especially since he will be focusing his weekends now on watching them and/or playing locally, which I would have thought a key element of the role.

There he can see the young talent in match situations and hopefully help them progress with sage advice.

I don't think this is the time for him to get the top job, but don't think Mal Loye or Ajmal Shahzad are either. The former was overlooked when Houghton got the job and I am not convinced he is the right 'fit' for that role. I also think Shahzad is doing a good job with the young bowlers and might be an option down the line, but not just yet.

Ian Bell is understood to be looking for a coaching role. Is he a possibility? 

Yes, though I have no idea what his abilities as a coach may be. Is he a motivator? His name would create interest, for sure, but that isn't the same as turning around our fortunes. He will know a lot of players, has very recent experience and MIGHT prove a decent wildcard pick. 

Do you seriously think Grant Bradburn would leave a role in Pakistan for Derbyshire? 

Why not? Did anyone really think Eddie Barlow would come here, or Dean Jones? I know people in Scotland were surprised when he took that role but he led them to memorable wins and heightened standards. 

Pakistan and its cricket is always in a state of flux and he strikes me as a man who likes a challenge. Were I on the board, I would take the initiative and approach him. 

What about Wayne Madsen as an option? 

Possibly, at some point. Though our greater need for now is his batting. It is not sustainable to be player/coach and only Mark Alleyne ever managed that with success. I think Wayne is too young to pack in as a player and has a couple more good years in him with the right man at the helm. 

Why are you against Chris Adams? 

I never said I was! I just don't think the Derbyshire way of appointing our former players is the right way. Chris is a strong man and good coach, but my impression of his methods is that they are similar to John Morris and Kim Barnett, neither of which ended well (sadly). 

When will this be sorted? 

Closing date is October 1 and I expect them to want to interview soon afterwards. There are contracts to renew or otherwise, overseas players to sign and memberships /sponsorships to sell. 

The sooner we have someone in place the better, for all concerned. 

Season review

With due respect to all involved, I have never been so disillusioned as I was this year in watching Derbyshire. While there were green shoots of promise and it ended with a win, for the most part it was depressing fare. The early 1970s were bad, but we still had Lawrence Rowe, Venkat, Ward, Hendrick and Taylor, even when results weren't there. 

The main problem was a batting line up that struggled all summer. I am discounting the run fest down at Hove in the final match, as the opposition bowling was inexperienced to a man, but too many times the batting collapsed like a pack of cards, leaving our own young attack little to work with.

Billy Godleman looked jaded for much of the summer, endured an awful Blast which did no favours for the coach who kept picking him and returned to an approximation of his best only in the season's closing weeks. I would see him as a wily senior pro next year and hope that a change of captaincy will allow him to focus on his batting in four-day and 50-over cricket. 

Luis Reece struggled manfully with injuries to his shoulder and knee, both requiring winter surgery, but his game was badly affected. Only in the Vitality Blast did he show his real class and we must hope that he returns to his best form next year. I would love to see the new Head of Cricket be fair with a move down the order in four-day cricket, as the current work load is colossal and may shorten his career. 

Leus du Plooy was another who kept his best for the Vitality Blast. He plays on a different level to most at his peak, but too often this summer lapsed to a level of mediocrity that was hard to fathom. Capable of destroying the best of attacks, his hesitant starts in the longer form were painful to watch and eight ducks show where he needs to improve. 

Wayne Madsen missed too much of the season for comfort, after tearing his hamstring at the start of the Blast. His absence stymied any chance of our success in that competition, as even in the later years of his career he remains the side's best player, the wicket most wanted by opponents. He remained a safe slip, though his bowling was rarely seen. Again, we must hope he returns to something closer to his best under a new coach, as the thought of Derbyshire sans Madsen is hard to think about. 

Matt Critchley had a terrific season. He started the summer in sparkling form, tailed off mid-season but came back to form to reach his thousand runs in the last match. His bowling, in the time honoured method of leg spin, could be devastating or expensive, but his potential loss this winter would be a huge blow. The appointment of a good coach could yet kick him on to another level, but Critch may see his future elsewhere. I hope not, as his languid style and infectious enthusiasm are a joy to watch. 

Tom Wood at last had his chance after years in the wings. A brilliant century against Nottinghamshire in the RLODC showed what he could do, while his belated introduction to the Blast side saw him finish top of the averages. Yet in the longer form he looked ponderous in footwork and loose in defence. Worth a one-day contract, perhaps, but that may not be enough for him and the jury remains out on his four-day future. An average under ten isn't a strong argument. 

Harry Came was signed after a couple of second team innings and can certainly hit a ball. The question is whether  his propensity to play across his front pad and away from his body will allow him to do it for long enough against good bowlers and red balls. He has two years to show what he can do and if he can temper his aggression with a little more nous might prove a handy player. 

Alex Hughes had a tough year, missing matches with injury and seemingly deemed a bloke to run around the outfield at other times. I don't think his being used as a night watchman at Chelmsford did him any favours and was an insult to a player who has batted his best at number three. He remains an early pick in my one - day side and should have been skipper before now. Will there be a new contract? I hope so, but sadly the figures don't stack up this year for a committed and gutsy cricketer. 

Anuj Dal was written off by many by the time August arrived, myself included. It is to his great credit that he was the side's most reliable player in the closing weeks, suddenly realising he could both score runs and take wickets at this level. We all know he is a wonderful fielder but if he can carry that form through, we may just have found a good all-rounder in a time of adversity. He is a joy to watch, has a ready smile and an obvious enjoyment of what he does. A new contract seems  certain and deservedly so. 

Brooke Guest made a positive impression on most. While the weight of runs to fully  back the claim wasn't there, he looked an organised player with plenty of time. His century against Leicestershire will do him good, while his wicket keeping was generally tidy and improved with a guaranteed slot. He looks a good bet for a long county career. 

Harvey Hosein batted very well in early season and seemed to have sorted his early innings foot movement issue, one that used to see him a prime candidate for lbw. I would prefer to see him up the order a little, as he isn't a player who can cut loose when batting with the tail. I just hope two late season concussions haven't impaired his confidence. Steady, if not spectacular with the gloves, the battle for the wicket - keeper role will be fascinating. 

Ben Aitchison finished top of the bowling averages, took the most wickets and deservedly so. He looks set for a long county career, though is a greater force in four-day cricket at this stage. A good work horse, he forms a nice pairing with Sam Conners and they offer considerable potential to the new HOC. He bowls with good rhythm and is also a safe slip fielder, while I suspect the batting could develop too. 

Sam Conners is always a threat with a new ball but needs to build himself up so he can stay fit throughout the season. I had the feeling that he was less of a threat in his later spells and will need to prove he can bowl three or four spells a day of equal menace. If he can, he will be a fine bowler, as the basics are all in place. He and Aitchison could be very special together. 

Mikey Cohen was also improved, before the latest back injury of his career ended his season early. He might need to modify his action, as he seems to come down hard on his right side, which is likely where he has the problem. If that doesn't make him less effective he is another with long-term potential, because he has genuine pace which was better directed than before. 

Dusty Melton was badly affected by injury and will need a big, fit season next year to convince the new HOC of his long term merit. When he does play, his pace and aggression are great to see, but that will need to be seen more often than we have so far. Filling one of the crucial overseas berths, he has to step up on a regular basis. The talent and pace are there to do so. 

I like Mattie McKiernan as a player, but I am not convinced he is more than a bits and pieces man at this level. Tidy with bat and ball, excellent in the field, but is that enough? He lacked opportunity, but didn't really grasp the limited ones that he got. 

Alex Thomson arrived mid-season and is similar to McKiernan. I am not currently sure if he has what it takes to bowl sides out, while his batting looks useful, but no more than that. He has two years to prove me wrong and I hope he does, because we have long needed a decent off spinner. I am just not sure how much cricket he will get, to be honest and like Harry Came, two years to show what he could do seemed excessive to many supporters. 

I don't expect to see George Scrimshaw again in our colours. He had some good Vitality Blast matches, but turned down a deal in favour of one elsewhere. Good luck to him, but Derbyshire gave him a chance to  get back into county cricket and one would hope that counted for something. 

Fynn Hudson-Prentice will be missed and made a big impression on supporters. Very much an impact player and capable of impressing with bat and ball, he was the sort of player we really need to retain to progress. I wish a whole-hearted player and lovely lad the very best. 

Overseas players? I might as well put them together as they barely featured. Billy Stanlake was a huge mistake, an accident waiting to happen, while Ben McDermott didn't look to have the technique for wickets that do anything. Dusty Melton barely played, while Logan van Beek took wickets but was simply too expensive in the Blast. Ravi Rampaul returned for the RLODC but looked to be past his best days. 

The failure of those selections was a major contribution to the departure of Dave Houghton. Good overseas input can mask deficiencies elsewhere, but we had next to none this year. 

The Head of Cricket made poor and questionable selections, showed limited ability to motivate and frustrated supporters with anodyne post match comments which blamed all but Uncle Tom Cobbly. 

After all, he recruited most of the players he was slating. He insulted Alex Hughes at Chelmsford and Harvey Hosein to a members forum. As Head of Cricket it was his job to know what the issue was with a batting line up that never functioned, his comments of 'I can't put my finger on it' being of no value to anyone and rather an embarrassment. 

Furthermore, he released Tony Palladino. There was one more summer at least in the loyal seamer, whose input on challenging days would have made a difference. Look around the circuit to the clubs that had that experienced bowler and the difference that it made. 

Like every other supporter, I am aware of the financial challenges at the county. That means that recruitment has to be especially canny and with a handful of exceptions, his wasn't. It also means that you work with and strive to get the best from what you have - and he didn't. 

His replacement is worth waiting for and spending money on. We previously took an easy option and appointed a man 'on the doorstep' who wouldn't cost relocation expenses and could start immediately. 

We cannot do that again. 

Whoever comes through the recruitment process this time has to come through a robust and thorough one that finds the best man for the job. I have said before that the dream appointment would be Grant Bradburn, who has made his reputation on developing players and teams where money was an issue. Mark Alleyne would be another good option, a strong strategist like Bradburn and also capable of getting the best from people. 

2022 can be better, even if we don't have much money to spend. That Dave Houghton was bizarrely allowed to recruit  for the year still puzzles me. 

There are good players at the club who the right coach could mould into a competitive team. But in my message to the board, PLEASE don't pick a guy who used to play for Derbyshire simply because you know them. 

If he turns out to be the best option, so be it, but let's be ambitious, brave and innovative in our appointment. 

2021 was a summer to forget. 

2022 can be one when the club starts to rise again. 

Sussex v Derbyshire day 3

Derbyshire 465 and 23-1

Sussex 300 and 187 (Rawlins 58, Madsen 2-8, Dal 2-17, Moulton 2-24, Melton 2-40)

Derbyshire won by nine wickets

Derbyshire ended their 2021 season and the tenure of Dave Houghton with a nine-wicket win today at Hove, while Matt Critchley went in to open and was able to score the 15 runs he needed to reach a thousand runs for the first time.

It was a good effort, even if we have to remember that the home side were well below strength. Once Ben Aitchison had removed Ben Brown early this morning, Critchley quickly ran through the tail and Billy Godleman, surprisingly in some eyes, opted to enforce the follow on. It made sense to me, when the home side's experience lay in batting and the attack was essentially young players. A last afternoon run chase would have been realistic.

It wasn't needed though. Ed Moulton's natural in swing was a problem for the left handers and he took two early wickets, Brown playing on while playing the shot he barely mishit in his first innings. Skipper Haines rather gave it away with a suicidal call for a single, and although Aitchison's throw wasn't the best, Guest gathered and removed the bails with excellent agility.

After lunch, as in the first innings, Sussex were troubled by the pace of Dusty Melton and it was clear why Dave Houghton has given him another year. There are echoes of a latter day Ole Mortensen in his sustained aggression and his excitement on getting wickets and bullish aggression at all times is good to see.

He opened the door and the innings was brought to a close with two wickets each from Anuj Dal and Wayne Madsen, whose bowling has been almost unicorn-rare this summer. A blitz from Rawlins ensured that we needed to bat again, but 23 off over a hundred overs was not likely to trouble even our fragile batting.

Critchley opened with Came, the latter soon departing, but the former had the glory of the winning run, which also brought up his thousand for the summer. It has been a terrific effort and if one adds in his 32 wickets, his value to the side is clear.

Will we see him in Derbyshire colours again? I hope so, but much will depend on the appointment of the new Head of Cricket. If it didn't affect the way he plays the game, I would consider offering the captaincy, because I feel it is time for change on the field too.

Billy Godleman has done a sterling job for the county, but a new broom would be beneficial as we start a new era. Billy can then focus on being the best he can as opening batsman and being a sage advisor to the new man.

Thanks to Dave Houghton for his efforts and to the players for at least sending us into the winter on a win. 

I will be back over the weekend with my season review. 

Sussex v Derbyshire day 2

Derbyshire 465 (Dal 49*)

Sussex 255-6 (Brown 150*, Carter 51, Aitchison 3-60, Melton 3-47)

Derbyshire lead by 210 runs

A superb century by Ben Brown proved the major obstacle to Derbyshire's hopes of ending the season with a win at Hove today.

After our first innings ended at 465, with Anuj Dal continuing his excellent end of season form with an unbeaten 49, Brown played pretty much a lone hand for the home side.

Oli Carter made a nice half century and helped to add 142 for the fifth wicket after Sussex slipped to 46-4 at one stage. Ben Aitchison took a wicket with the first ball of the innings, Orr caught behind by Guest. But after Aitchison's three - wicket salvo there was, no further joy until Melton struck twice in an over after tea, removing Carter and Rawlins.

Melton also took three wickets and bowled with good pace all day, while Dal continued to show signs of becoming a steady bowler. If he can get a little more menace in his bowling, he could prove an all rounder of talent. There wasn't much in the wicket for Critchley, while McKiernan barely bowled. Meanwhile Moulton looks a little out of his depth at this level and I would be surprised if we pursued an interest in the Lancashire seamer. 

Brown ended the day on 150 out of 255-6, a splendid and hugely enjoyable innings. Brooke Guest was convinced he had him stumped in the day's penultimate over, but the umpire deemed otherwise. Otherwise he went serenely on and kept his side in the game. 

A rush of wickets tomorrow morning may still see the follow on enforced, but I would be surprised if we did. Our best chance of a win might be the hope it turns in two days time, while Matt Critchley will want a crack at the last fifteen runs he needs for his thousand.

All still to play for then, with two days to go. 

Sussex v Derbyshire day 1

Derbyshire 371-5 (Madsen 111, Critchley 85, Godleman 52, Came 45, Guest 30*)

v Sussex

Relatively speaking, there haven't been too many days in our long history where Derbyshire have made batting look easy, but today was one of them.

It was like the Derbyshire in the time of Wright and Kirsten, or when the 'Million Dollar Quartet' of Barnett, Bowler, Morris and Adams were in their pomp. The score rattled along at four an over all day to see us to the close at a commanding 371-5.

The home side's attack stuck to it all day, but truth be told they were far from experienced nor penetrative on a wicket that was largely blameless. The odd ball moved off the surface, but I suspect our two leg spinners might get some bowling on the final day.

We mustn't forget that this was bottom v next to bottom, but you can only play the side in front of you and at least we batted well for one of the few times this summer. 

Came and Godleman set off like trains, aided and abetted by bowling that redefined erratic and accounted for 43 extras by the end of the day. I thought Came looked good and the end only came with a leg before verdict against him that looked like it might have hit an extra leg stump, but not the real one. That tendency to play across the line needs work, because he looks good when he plays straighter and there were some nice shots to enjoy. 

Sadly Leus du Plooy got his eighth duck of a disappointing summer and the manner of dismissal suggested a bloke needing a break. Is he over-thinking it? He looks a shadow of the player who arrived here and perhaps needs the new Head of Cricket to strip his game back and play in the way he has been successful.

Thereafter it was nice to see Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen bat in characteristic fashion, the former nurdles, nudges and the odd cover drive, the latter the Madsen of old. It wouldn't have been right for him to go into the winter with a highest of 76 and here he proceeded to a delightful century, packed with trademark strokes and looking a million dollars.

Billy was far from happy with being given out caught behind, soon after reaching his half century, but thereafter Critchley and  Madsen added 123, which Dave Griffin later revealed to be the first century stand against Sussex at Hove for the fourth wicket EVER. Since they started there in 1880, that is some statistic..

Both went before the close. Madsen was caught at deep square leg for 111, while Critchley, who batted imperiously, was out for 85, still fifteen more needed to reach his thousand for the summer.

By then the damage was done. Guest and Dal saw it through to the close and may yet inflict more damage on a young attack tomorrow. 

If only there were more days like this, eh? 

Sussex v Derbyshire preview

The last match preview of the summer and the last of Dave Houghton's tenure as Head of Cricket.

A brief one, too. Yours truly has done a 13 hour day and start again at 8 tomorrow, so succinct works well tonight..

We have a fourteen-man squad down at Hove, led by Billy Godleman. Will it be his last match as skipper? Time will tell and much will depend on the new man in charge.

That squad :

Godleman, Came, Wood, du Plooy, Madsen, Critchley, Guest, Dal, Hughes, Thomson, McKiernan, Aitchison, Melton, Moulton.

Come to think of it, that is pretty much those left standing.. 

Sussex have George Garton and Chris Jordan away to the IPL and Fynn Hudson-Prentice can't play by the terms of the loan agreement (and broke his hand against Leicestershire anyway). Tom Haines will skipper the side and is the country's most prolific batsman.

Their squad :

Haines, Atkins, Brown, Carson, Carter, Crowcombe, Hindley, Hunt, Ibrahim, Orr, Rawlins, Sarro, Ward.

Dave Houghton will want to sign off with a win and we really should, against a weakened side. It shouldn't and wouldn't, for me, mask a season of major disappointment.

Fingers crossed we can winter on a win, the only side this far to have no wins in the long-form game.

As an aside, Matt Critchley could reach a thousand runs if he makes a hundred between his two possible innings in this match.

I hope he does. He has come through the summer in credit and we must hope he is still in the club when we all emerge from hibernation. 

First draw for blog sponsors

Thank you to all of you who have so far kindly sponsored the blog and the writing I do for it.

That support is much appreciated and makes the difference some days between finding the time to put something 'out there' or not.

It promises to be a busy winter and I look forward to reporting on a new Head of Cricket, signings and much more.

I will also do one or two lighter pieces based on stories from my own club cricket career, ones that have proved popular on the cricket talks I do around the country.

There's the possibility of something completely new, too, but I will hold fire on that for the time being..

As promised, there will be a regular draw among those who have sponsored the blog, with the winner receiving a copy of a cricket book. 

This month the prize is a signed copy of former county favourite Luke Sutton's book 'Life of a Sports Agent'.

If you have already donated AND would like to be in the draw, please drop me an email to that effect - peakfan36@yahoo.co.uk

That way the book goes to someone who wants to read it and hasn't already got a copy. 

If you would like to be involved in this and future draws, simply click the 'Donate' button on the blog. This can only be seen if viewing on a computer.

The draw will be made in 2 weeks time on October 3.

Please note that my PayPal is linked to my main email account and emails to it or to the one above will be included  in the draw. 

Many thanks to all of you! 

Thoughts on Kent

A few spare minutes before we set off on our latest 'expedition' around Berwick upon Tweed  to give thoughts on the latest defeat for Derbyshire, against Kent.

I only saw day one, but the seasoned Derbyshire watcher will know how it went from there. For some reason this year, we have looked like we have batted on a different surface to opponents.

While injuries have played a part, as Billy Godleman explained after the match, responsibility for performance rests with the individual and the coaching staff. That's why, when I was suggesting several weeks ago - perhaps like a latter day Sam Cooke - that a change is gonna come, it needed to be done THEN.

We were never going to return to winning ways with the current coach, because it was obvious the dressing room had gone. It happens in professional sport. Dave Houghton is a nice bloke, a good man, a highly-rated one-on-one batting coach - but not a motivator or strategist. Why else has no one but Derbyshire ever given him a head of cricket role?

It was as clear then to me as it is now to the nay-sayers that new ideas were needed. More modern ideas. A man who can motivate both individuals and a strong team ethic. Had we done it then, we could have had a new man in by October, but I would still stress the importance of waiting for the RIGHT man if a notice period needs worked.

The club shot itself in the foot by not acting decisively and allowing recruitment to take place by someone who was, at least potentially, not going to be around. They should not make another mistake by appointing someone because he is immediately available. Good coaches are usually, though not always, in work. Should someone in that situation apply, their being unable to start immediately must not be held against them. Good things are well worth waiting for... 

Because next year will also be a challenge. At the very least the new man needs to look into the declining numbers of a talented top four and ask why so. Sorting that will be a major plus on his account, and they haven't become bad players.

Godleman has been poorly managed. He should not have played T20, should not have been kept in the side when it was clear he was struggling.  For me, a new skipper is needed and he can then concentrate on his batting for the final year of his deal. Just as a new voice was needed at the top, new ideas, from inside or outside the club, are needed on the pitch. 

Reece is asked to do too much. Why else is he needing shoulder and knee surgery? The new coach must decide if his batting or bowling are the greater need and either drop him to three or to five/six. The latter makes more sense to me, but the reduced figures make sense  when the injuries are considered. Whenever he returns we have to be fair to Luis. He is a terrific player, but has got through most of this summer on willpower and pain-killers. 

Madsen is sadly a declining force. Age catches up with everyone and while he retains his ability to play a cameo of genius in the one-day game, five centuries in five summers of four-day cricket reflect a loosening of technique. More is needed from both him and Godleman for the new coach to deem further contracts essential, at the end of next season. It hurts to say that, as both have become integral parts of the county cricketing landscape, but such experience and reputation do not come cheaply and any new coach will have to assess if, on figures alone, either should be retained from 2023.

Du Plooy? No one can doubt his talent, but he is another to go back this year. I think bowlers have spotted a lack of foot movement when he first goes in and the red ball on English tracks has proved a challenge. Like the little girl with the curl in Wadsworth's poem, when he is good he is very, very good - but when he is bad, (it) is horrid.

Two pairs confirm he isn't a great starter and a batting average of 19 doesn't lie. Then again, to play a bloke at three on English wickets, who has a high South African average on true tracks batting at five, was asking for trouble. Leus is too good not to come again, but we have to find at least a number three for next year - likely from overseas - so Madsen can bat four and du Plooy at five.

For both, if we get a run-scorer at three, there will be a world of difference coming in to bat against an older ball.

That was why I always maintained the importance of Paul Borrington in our 2012 promotion. He may not have scored massively, but he batted time and he tired the bowlers and aged the ball. Big late order runs that year owed much to that, whereas we too often this year have lunched with the top order blown away, damage limitation thereafter the only aspiration.

Guest and Dal would both benefit from that. Dal has done well in recent weeks and should now get a new deal, but he has to prove that he can make runs (and take wickets) in early season, when it REALLY matters. County cricket history is littered with men who feasted on tired, late-season bowlers and did enough to be contracted the following year. Anuj needs to show he is better than that. If he does, then a choice between du Plooy, Reece, Critchley, Guest and Dal between five and eight SHOULD offer good runs.

I will pull in other things in my end of season review, but for the first time since I started watching Derbyshire, 54 years ago, I cannot wait for the season to end. 

Never said it before and hope never to again. But this season has been awful. 

It is essential that the board do the right thing and this time appoint the right man in a thorough and proper recruitment process. 

Derbyshire v Kent day 4

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Derbyshire v Kent day 3

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Derbyshire v Kent day 2

Please comment here for day 2's play

Derbyshire v Kent day 1

Kent 285 (Leaning 82*, Bell-Drummond 69, Crawley 53, Aitchison 4-83, Dal 2-29)

Derbyshire 1-1

Derbyshire trail by 284 runs

For a good part of today, Derbyshire's decision to put Kent in looked like rebounding on them, as the visiting top order played some fine shots.

Until mid-afternoon they looked set for three hundred and plenty, but Anuj Dal took a sharp caught and bowled to remove Billings and the decline began.

Dal was the best bowler on the day, keeping a nagging line and length throughout that made the batsmen work. He is high on confidence at present, has a wide smile to evidence his enjoyment and is looking good. Fair play to the lad for all his hard work to get to this stage. 

Yet it was Aitchison who ran through the tail after getting hit a little earlier in the day. He nipped it around and just enough to keep taking the edge. Conners came back with two wickets with the second new ball, after his first one was unusually lacklustre. 

Aitchison also held a fine catch at slip, but Guest had a less effective day, putting down two chances behind the stumps before partially redeeming himself with a smart stumping off Critchley. 

It was nice to see Dustin Melton back and he bowled with decent pace, even if the line and length was off at times. The overs will do him good and I hope that next season brings better fortune for him and his fitness. The wicket of Crawley was fair reward for some sharp deliveries. 

Bell-Drummond and Crawley batted stylishly for the visitors, the former looking a player of very high class. Meanwhile Jack Leaning, a player who always seems to do well against us, made an unbeaten 82, but should have done much more as wickets started to fall. For Kent to go from 237-3 to 285 all out was disappointing from their perspective, but especially so when the batsman was happy to knock one from the first ball and watch them topple from the other end. 

That end came so quickly that there was even time for Derbyshire to face two overs before the close. Sadly, that was too much for Came, who played on to his stumps off the inside edge. A similar fate befell Cox at the start of the Kent innings and one or two others came close as the ball perhaps bounced unexpectedly. 

Something for our batsmen to watch for tomorrow, when we must hope for batting of Leicestershire late day three and four vintage, rather than what we have seen for much of the rest of the season. 

I will put up links for your comments tomorrow, but right now I am off to pack a bag for the holidays! 

Where's that bucket and spade..?! 

Derbyshire v Kent preview

It is the last game of the season at the Incora County Ground over the next four days and Dave Houghton's last in charge of cricket at the club on home soil.

I will see only tomorrow's play, then we are off on a trip to beautiful Berwick-on-Tweed for the week. I will put a new link for each day's play, to which you can append comments and I will round it all up when I can.

Dustin Melton is back in the squad tomorrow and I would think is likely to play after boeking well in the second team. Logic suggests that if the wicket is like the one for the Leicestershire game we will play two spinners, so from the named thirteen I expect Sam Conners to miss out this time, so they can have another look at Ed Moulton, then come back in for the last game at Hove. 

The other place is likely between Harry Came and Tom Wood. Might the latter get one more chance to impress, much as Anuj Dal did last week, or has that boat sailed? The problem is that Came hasn't been getting many runs either, so it may come down to gut feeling. The likely side is:

Godleman, Came/Wood, du Plooy, Madsen, Critchley, Guest, Dal, Thomson, Aitchison, Melton, Moulton/Conners

Having said all that, I am unsure where we will go with Wood, Moulton and others out of contract. Logically no one should be signed now by a Head of Cricket who won't be here next season, so for a few players in the squad, a state of limbo kicks in now.

Kent will be aiming for their third straight win, but there is no Darren Stevens in their squad, nor is there a return for Hamidullah Qadri, who hasn't had much cricket since his move south.

They will be led by Sam Billings and have the following squad :

Billings, Bell-Drummond, Cox, Crawley, Gilchrist, Leaning, Logan, O'Riordan, Podmore, Quinn, Robinson, Singh, Stewart.

It will be a tough battle but I am going for another draw here, a moribund end of season wicket perhaps the only winner. 

We will see tomorrow. 

Further thoughts on Houghton and successor

David Griffin, the club's Heritage Officer, came up with some interesting statistics on Wednesday on Dave Houghton's two spells at Derbyshire.

From 2004-2007, in four-day cricket we played 55, won 7, lost 19, drew 29

From 2019-2021, we played 31, won 6, lost 12 and drew 13.

Neither are especially impressive records, but I would still regard his second spell as marginally better, as he has had younger players. The challenge has been in developing them and the question is how many of our players have genuinely improved over the last three years? 

I struggle to count to five, which is why he has ultimately failed. Certainly of our top five batsmen, only Matt Critchley has come on in that time, the others either having plateaued or declined from erstwhile glories. 

There is more potential and achievement in the bowlers. Both Sam Conners and Ben Aitchison have done well, while there is perhaps untapped potential in  Dustin Melton, Nick Potts and Mikey Cohen. But the need for senior support was obvious and they have been thrown in at the deep end, results suffering as a consequence. 

I will maintain to my last breath that the release of Tony Palladino was a huge mistake. He would have enjoyed some of the wickets this year, as well as offering the captain control on less favourable ones. Someone for the youngsters to look to on the pitch, where they had nowhere to go. 

The only surprise, for me, was that it took so long. The reasons for a parting of the ways were patently clear several months back. Take your pick between recruitment, especially of overseas players, selection, motivation and interviews in which he seemed to toss a coin and blame someone, not always logically. When he chose a Members Forum to publicly criticise Harvey Hosein, it was patently clear that the rudder had gone. You just don't do that. 

From a marketing perspective, selling Derbyshire to potential members, sponsors and players was going to be very tough without change. It got to the point where it was a necessity on finance alone, especially when for 2.5 days we were hammered by a very average Leicestershire side that included three of our old players, ones we thought either weren't good enough or didn't fight hard enough to keep. 

A club that props up tables is not an attraction, any more than a pub with a bad reputation. Hanging 'under new management' outside the door is something to hang your hat on, for people to get behind. If the new man has a little charisma, as the best do, it will help in ways that are not necessarily obvious. 

My suggestion of coaches we should consider last night focused on people with track records in motivational skills and tactical nous, as well as coaching ability. Whoever comes into our job will have a limited budget, so considering those whose name and reputation has been built at counties with money is questionable.

Most decent coaches can buy success. Our need is someone who can coax more from the players we have and devise playing, coaching and recruitment strategies to turn matches and improve them. 

As Mark Alleyne said in the linked article, a good player might still score runs against you, but if you can slow him down from ten an over to seven, you make a difference to perhaps win a game.

As Grant Bradburn wrote on his Twitter feed last week, 'provide an environment where everyone is valued and you will see the leaders. They are not just the captain'. Sage words indeed. 

Houghton was right yesterday, when he said that the players needed a new voice. You saw it with Dominic Cork in year one of the T20, the players responding to his gung ho style. In year two it was less effective and I have heard that his coaching has less substance once the response to 'up and at 'em boys' has gone.

Dean Jones was the same. In his first year his abrasive nature shook things up and we nearly won the title. Second time around that approach became an irritant in a strong dressing room that quickly became polarised and fragmented. He worked on the basis that everyone responded to that. They don't. Any manager worth his salt will tell you that. 

Eddie Barlow succeeded because, regardless of his own performance, he gave players clear goals on fitness and performance, he led from the front, valued his players and made them feel there was no such thing as a lost cause. Years later, those who played with him revere his memory, those who saw the side play get nostalgic over the positive attitudes he instilled around the club. 

I have spoken to many players, past and present, over the years. They all say that they played their best cricket when they felt wanted, when they knew their role and when the coach understood them and encouraged them to express themselves. Reading how Grant Bradburn got into the heads of the Scotland players is remarkable. A cursory look at his Twitter feed shows his references to having regular discussions, getting people into a good place, encouraging them to play their own game and be fearless, as well as being unafraid to have tough conversations. We need that at Derbyshire. 

Let's face it, whoever comes in may need to work notice, so recruitment for next year will be a challenge, another reason for my suggesting an earlier parting of the ways with Houghton. The new man may broadly have to work with what we already have, so maximising their potential, getting a structure in place and getting to know people and what makes them 'tick' will be the immediate challenge.

The board absolutely MUST ensure that the recruitment process is robust and thorough, as this is the biggest thing they will do for years. Get people involved like those I mentioned last night - and Adrian Rollins would be another good person to involve - to ensure we get a coach fit for modern purpose.

They mustn't go for the easy approach, the Derbyshire name, the cheap and convenient option who won't cost much for relocation. Look at the CVs of the applicants, where they had their success, HOW they got it. Talk to people around the circuit (and overseas, depending on where the applicant is from) and find out their strengths and weaknesses as a coach, as a man.

If they listened to supporters, Chris Adams will be a shoo-in. I am not against him at all, but success at Sussex came with money and a good squad, plus stellar players from overseas in Murray Goodwin and Mushtaq Ahmed. Issues at Surrey have followed him since and the reality is that he has been out of first-class cricket for some time. I suspect he is more of a 'my way or the highway' coach too, which ultimately didn't work for John Morris or Kim Barnett, as well as Dean Jones. 

I won't discount him though, because he may be a decent and best option from those applying. There weren't many applicants last time and we must hope for better this time around. Northamptonshire also have a vacancy now, so competition for the best is there. 

But whoever we appoint, he HAS to be the right man, the appointment made for the right reasons. His ability to strategise, plan, recruit, motivate and coach, proven in environments similar to our own. A man who will have a style we play and wants a certain type of wicket to support that style and the players we have. 

Not merely an appointment to placate supporters and have a fairly quiet life.

As I have said before, there is opportunity here. We need to be brave enough, ambitious and sufficiently forward - thinking to take it. 

Who next?

It is never nice to see someone lose their job, yet sport being what it is, there was an inevitability about Dave Houghton leaving Derbyshire.

In response to many questions, yes I think there has been a major shift that caused it to happen. Why else would he be allowed to plan for next season, then the departure is announced? His recent signings may or may not be part of the thoughts of a new man, but they have the next two years anyway. It makes no real sense. 

For me, one thing that the board MUST do, ahead of the new appointment, is to co-opt a couple of new, even temporary members to the board to oversee the appointment. Former players both, but with more recent, relevant experience than that of Colin Tunnicliffe. 

With respect to Colin, a man I have much time for, his cricket experience was forty summers ago now. The game has changed, as have the demands on players and coaches alike. That has happened even in the last five years, so for me the interview panel should have at least three former players advising on questions for - and sitting in on - the interviews.

People like Wes Durston, Paul Borrington, Kevin Dean, Steffan Jones and others would be good options. They know modern cricket, played it for the county and would likely be able and willing to help. They don't HAVE to have played for us, but we simply MUST have the right expertise involved. 

That input is crucial to get the right man. Otherwise the danger is that we do the Derbyshire thing of making an easy appointment of old alumni. That wouldn't be right. 

There has already been and was always going to be an outcry for Chris Adams. I am not totally against the idea, but he has been out of the county game for a few years now. He knows Derbyshire, but so did John Morris and Kim Barnett. I thought John a good spotter of talent, but it ended well for neither of two good men. Chris may be quite happy where he is anyway, coaching the Netherlands side. 

Dominic Cork? He will have his supporters, but I would think his media work around the world more lucrative than taking on Derbyshire full-time. I have seen Steve Kirby mentioned, but there is a big difference between being bowling coach and Head of Cricket. Graeme Welch found that, so I would discount Ajmal Shahzad for the same reason. The job may also be too soon for Daryn Smit, doing a good job with the Academy. 

So I am going to present you with my top three, in reverse order. Obviously assuming all of them were interested in the role.

3) Karl Krikken. I still think he was wrongly dismissed after winning division two and making a decent fist of promotion with a young squad. 

I am not sure how technical he is as a coach, but people relate to him, he works especially well with young players and he has a lot of contacts. Currently Performance Manager at Lancashire, I wouldn't be averse to his return, but think it unlikely. 

2) Mark Alleyne. One of the very best cricket brains. I hope he applies because he would be a very strong option. 

An idea of his thoughts and ideology can be found here and he strikes me as a man from outside whose game awareness and thinking would be perfect for us. 

There are few better options out there than Mark, certainly within the UK, and he would be a very strong contender. 

1) Grant Bradburn. We have an opportunity now to build on what Dave Houghton has started. All season I have seen references to someone coming and 'doing an Eddie Barlow' and I think the Kiwi would be perfect. 

His track record is astonishing. He took Northern Districts to several trophies in one of his first roles, then became manager of New Zealand A. Then a short stint in Fiji, furthering his cricket education prefaced a switch to Scotland, where he galvanised their game, as can be seen in this excellent article. He also had a stint with us in the T20, where he impressed people with his knowledge and attitude. 

He is a strategist AND motivator. An excellent communicator, as anyone who follows his excellent Twitter feed will testify. 

Regardless of what he had to spend, I would back Bradburn to get 10-20% more out of the players. He stresses the need for good communication and talking with people. We need that and then some. 

He perhaps doesn't know the county game as well, but year one would be largely going with what he has and getting the best from them. I suspect his contacts for overseas players would be worthwhile, a major plus. 

Currently Head of Performance for the Pakistan Cricket Board, he has a big role. However, I understand from articles that he is there alone and his family are in New Zealand. A big family man, perhaps the chance of coming back to the UK, which his family loved, would hold appeal for him, a chance for them all to be together. 

Just as we did when we reached out to Eddie Barlow, there is a chance now to do the same for a man who could provide the strategy, dynamism, intelligence and motivational skills that we need. 

Reach out to him, give him the job for three years. Perhaps let Wayne Madsen work alongside him as player and batting coach, but let him tell you his structure and his plans. 

If by some chance he saw the advert in due course and applied, I would snatch his hand off.

Think outside the box guys. Take this opportunity. 

Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 4

Leicestershire 528

Derbyshire 340 and 203-3 (Godleman 100*, Critchley 59*, Wright 3-36)

Match drawn

In the end, Derbyshire saved a game that they looked like losing for a good part of it with considerable ease.

A first four-day century of the season for Billy Godleman made him our most prolific centurion of the year, with two. An innings not without alarms and half chances, but the skipper knuckled down and did what he had to do, reaching his fine century, at which point it was handshakes all round. 

He was aided and abetted by Matt Critchley, whose own unbeaten knock took him to 860 runs for the season and within touching distance of the thousand - run landmark for the first time, with two games and potentially four innings left. He is really the only batsman who can be proud of his season efforts and it would be good to see him get there.

It was unrealistic to expect our last two wickets to save the follow on, but Tom Wood played a poor shot to get out early, while Leus du Plooy continued his four-day struggles. He is a far better player than an average of 21 suggests, but must come back strong next year.

Madsen got a good ball and edged to slip, but he too will be disappointed with an albeit truncated season and a highest, so far, of 76.

Two games to go. Hopefully we can come up with something to go into the winter with a suggestion of promise.

The cricket played second fiddle to off-field events, however.

More on that later. 

Houghton steps down at season end

Let me be clear from the start, that I always liked Dave Houghton as a man. He was happy to chat and I had no issue with him in that regard.

It had become increasingly clear, however, that the Derbyshire dressing room was a far from happy place and the evidence has been there in the form of results, as well as the spectacular loss of form by almost the entire batting line up. Increasingly erratic statements as to not knowing what was wrong, highlighting the failings of one young player and a side that was sliding to ignominy showed that change is required. We were bottom in 50 over cricket, look set to be in four-day cricket and were only marginally better in the Vitality Blast. No coach, in any sport, can survive that. 

It is in his own interests, as well as that of the club, that he will leave. He knows cricket, he has held a lot of roles in it, but in neither spell at Derbyshire, the only county to give him the 'top job' has it really worked out.

The only surprise is that he was allowed to make plans for next season and put people on contracts who may or may not 'fit' for his successor. Similarly, the question now is what happens with those whose deals are coming to an end, of which there are many?

Professional sport is unforgiving and results-driven. Anyone involved in it knows this and accepts this as a consequence of involvement. Sometimes a coach and a club just fits and while Houghton is regarded as a good one to one batting coach, evidence suggests the top job, so dependent on communication and interpersonal skills, was a challenge too far.

As a batting coach, several people have spoken of how he helped their game and he did well in that role at Derbyshire, one he held at other counties too. 

I wish him well for the future and he will undoubtedly get plenty of work with the media, where his knowledge is appreciated.

For Derbyshire, the challenge is now to find someone who can start a revival. There is a need for someone to come in, shake things up, get the best out experienced talent and develop a crop of younger players that is not without ability. 

I have two or three people in mind and one standout candidate, were he aware of the vacancy and it was of interest.

But that is an article for later today, or tomorrow, depending on how time goes.

There is an opportunity now for Derbyshire and the club board to shape a better future..

They must think big and seize it. 

Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 3

Leicestershire 528

Derbyshire 313 - 8 (Guest 116, Dal 106)

Derbyshire trail by 215 runs

Centuries eh?

They are like buses. You wait all season for someone to score one and add to that of Matt Critchley early in the season, then two come on the same day.

Maiden tons they were too, one for Brooke Guest and another for Anuj Dal. Both batted quite beautifully and showed extraordinary fitness, as well as technique, in adding 227, a new county record for the sixth wicket. It beat the previous record set in 1932 by Stan Worthington and Garnet Lee, a fine pair of all rounders  indeed.

I will hold my hand up as someone who had been unconvinced by Dal at this level. I have watched him since he was playing lovely cameos in the second team, have wanted him to do well, but had my doubts. There have been glimpses with both bat and ball, while no one doubts his value as a fielder, but the season averages don't lie. 

After a good game at Lord's, maybe - just maybe - Anuj is getting to grips with this level. Perhaps what he needed was a role in the side, clarification that he wasn't just making up the numbers. An all round niche is certainly there for him at number seven, after the departure of Fynn Hudson-Prentice, and if he can continue to work hard - which he will - then I won't be the only one eating (and enjoying) humble pie. A new contract will almost certainly be offered now and it would need someone more churlish than I to say that it isn't deserved, regardless of early season travails. 

Guest has looked good all summer, but the big score has previously eluded him. Last night he spoke of it being a good track and that we just needed to bat well on it, so he did just that. Technically correct, to bat nearly all day today after keeping wicket for two days was no mean feat of concentration and I suspect his century will be the first of many. He looks like being another reason for county followers to thank Karl Krikken, who recommended him to us and his eventual dismissal looked to be down to tiredness as much as anything else, on a red hot day. 

Perhaps, like Dal, getting a run and knowing his role may be the making of him. The unfortunate injury to Harvey Hosein has given him opportunity with bat and gloves and I still think Harvey might be the better option up the order, especially if the budget isn't there for an established opener or number three. 

For both of them it could be the breakthrough. They know now that they can do it at this level and while there will be better attacks and more challenging surfaces to bat on, their commitment to the cause today was exemplary and gives hope for the future.

As for the match situation, Derbyshire need to bat and keep batting. At 56-5 we were looking down a barrel,  but at 313-8 we are within 66 of avoiding the follow on. I would like to think we could get through tomorrow with 12 wickets in hand, though former Derbyshire player Callum Parkinson may have the deciding role on the last afternoon. 

If we don't get the draw, after today's heroics, then questions will again be asked of a batting line up that has been erratic to the extreme this year. 

In closing, well batted again to Brooke and Anuj. It was a pleasure to watch and I hope that for both of you this is the catalyst for your careers. 

Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 2

Leicestershire 528 (Hill 113, Evans 88, Wright 87, Swindells 76 Aitchison 3-71, Thomson 3-84, Critchley 3-144)

Derbyshire 41-3

Leicestershire lead by 487 runs

I am really at a loss for what to say tonight, as Derbyshire, after toiling in the sunshine for nearly two days, started the slide to what appears yet another defeat.

That former county paceman Will Davis took the wickets of Leus du Plooy and Wayne Madsen was a delicious irony, though the sad fact is that we have been totally outplayed for two days by a team that also contests the 'worst team in the country' moniker in the eyes of many. 

Leicestershire batted, batted and batted. It might not have been fun to watch, but it was effective, played us out of the match and looks set to have helped them to win it. 

Grim up north? Not half. 

But in the eyes of those that make the decisions, all is well. 

So that's OK... 

Derbyshire v Leicestershire day 1

Leicestershire 282-3 (Evans 88, Hill 86*, Rhodes 54)

v Derbyshire 

Leicestershire won a good toss at Derby today, opted to bat and accomplished their mission admirably, reaching 282-3 by the close.

All the top four got runs, but the highlight was a grafting, anchoring knock of 88 by Sam Evans. He played a solid 30-runs a session knock in the style we became used to at Derby from Ian Hall, Alan Hill and Steve Stubbings and others. It was the perfect innings for his side, and enabled Lewis Hill and George Rhodes to play in a more flamboyant manner.

Derbyshire didn't bowl badly. That the visitors were kept below three an over all day confirms that, but there were few real threats. Evans was dropped twice at second slip by Wayne Madsen off Anuj Dal and there was a tough run out chance that was missed, but otherwise the bowling was tidy, if not especially dangerous, on a good batting wicket. What edges were found dropped short of the slip cordon, which dwindled in number as the day went on. 

There was a first sighting of Ed Moulton, which was not too bad at all. His stock ball appears to be in to the right hand batsman and if he can cultivate one to go the other way, while maintaining tight lines and lengths, he could be useful. There's no great pace, but that isn't essential and he can be pleased with his first day, especially when late on he ended the long vigil of Evans, nicking behind to Guest. 

I have no idea why Leicestershire sent in Chris Wright as a night watchman at 266-3, but they got to the close in a position of some strength, all set to build a nigh-impregnable one tomorrow. 

Derbyshire v Leicestershire preview

Wayne Madsen is back in the Derbyshire side tomorrow, as we return to the Incora County Ground for what feels like the first time since the Boer War ended.

To call this a mish-mash of a season is a classic understatement, but for this penultimate game, Dave Houghton has reverted to the time honoured method known to club skippers across the land. Who is available?

Madsen's return is welcome and there is likely to be a county debut for Ed Moulton, who joined from Lancashire yesterday until the end of the season. He looks a decent bowler from the second team clips I have seen, but there is little resemblance to the county game in the intensity, so it will be interesting to see how he goes.

Tom Wood will open in the absence of Luis Reece, who faces a long winter of rehabilitation after scheduled surgeries to his shoulder and knee. Luis hasn't looked remotely the player we have come to love and respect this year, certainly in the long form. If one thing comes out of it, I hope it is a move down the order next year, to five or six. He can hopefully then extend his career for a few years. 

That squad:

Godleman, Wood, Guest, Madsen, du Plooy, Critchley, Hughes, Dal, Thomson, Moulton, Conners, Aitchison.

It would be harsh to drop Anuj Dal after his best game of the season at Lord's, so the wicket will likely dictate who between Alex Hughes and Alex Thomson is twelfth man.

There's no news on the Leicestershire squad as yet and this is a game that we can win, IF we have eleven players play to their potential.

The visitors have produced some good displays this season and anything less will see us in trouble again.

Hoping for better over the next four days, with good weather forecast!

Final thoughts on Middlesex

Reece 13, Godleman 25, Wood 11, du Plooy 22, Critchley 41, Hughes 10, Guest 21, Dal 12, Thomson 11, Conners 6, Aitchison 11.

Those are the season batting averages for the side that lost at Lord's. If every man in it batted to his average, we would have made 183 runs.

Yet Dave Houghton chose to pick out the bowlers for criticism after the game, saying they need to learn to keep things quiet when they aren't taking wickets. Valid criticism, were it not for his having released the senior bowler who could do that at the end of last year.

Look around the circuit at county attacks and they all have that 'go to' experienced bowler who can come on when most wanted. Murtagh yesterday a shining example, but it could be Wright at Leicestershire, or Fletcher, Stevens, Bresnan, Leach and many more.

Pre-season, Houghton said the beauty of our young attack was that 'we don't know what they are going to do'. But the thinking money might have been on them breaking down and having line and length issues at times, because that's what young bowlers do.

I think a young attack has done pretty well and taking wickets hasn't been a problem. But just as Kim Barnett, John Morris and Chris Adams came into a side of experienced batsmen who eased their way, young bowlers would get an easier gig if someone was helping and mentoring at the other end.

I saw statistics on Twitter last night that showed that over the season our bowlers were ninth in the country for balls required  per wicket, which is pretty good going for largely young players. Conversely, our batting was bottom for the balls required to get them out by some distance. 

On overall team batting average we were bottom again, on bowling average seventh bottom, giving credence to the bowlers being overly expensive, but again highlighting the team's real issue. 

You can prove any point with statistics of course, but these show clearly where our problem lies. I suspect our bowlers would have done better still had we retained Tony Palladino to help them, but the problem lies in a batting line up that, with the exception of Messrs Critchley, Madsen and Hosein, has under-performed.

I am old enough to recall Venkat coming here, a lovely bowler who took wickets regularly. But the reality was that if he took 6-97 it was too expensive, as our batting was woeful at the time. 

A feature of the best Derbyshire sides has been that they cobbled together the requisite runs to win. They grafted as a team and gave the bowlers something to work with. 

Every manager will remind his charges of what is required at times, but for me, singling out the bowlers when we have failed all season to give them something to bowl at was wrong and counter-productive. Around their injuries, Conners, Aitchison and Cohen have highlighted their potential this year, recording personal bests and having their share of good days, laudable for players of inexperience.

The batsmen are more experienced, therefore there are fewer excuses. Reece is overworked and should be at five or six, Godleman should be allowed to focus on his batting, du Plooy needs to tighten his defence but be willing to play the shots that made him a success on arrival here. They have not become bad players overnight, but the batting needs a reset.

It is as if Houghton is happier criticising young players who are less likely to answer back, or simply flips a coin to see what he will say for each post-match interview. I pine for the honesty and clarity of someone like Paul Nixon, who always fronts up and speaks candidly and clearly, whatever the result.

If supporters find the sound bites of the Head of Cricket so confusing and illogical, it doesn't suggest the players will be getting an awful lot from them either.

No wonder we struggle. 

Middlesex v Derbyshire day 4

Middlesex 282 and 256

Derbyshire 205 and 221(Godleman 70, Critchley 58, Roland - Jones 5-36)

Middlesex won by 112 runs

Despite the hard graft of Billy Godleman and Matt Critchley, Derbyshire slipped to what always appeared an inevitable defeat at Lord's today.

It was obvious Billy was not in prime form, but I will respect a bloke who gets his head down and grafts. It was his highest championship score of an arduous summer, only his second fifty, while Critchley's early season hundred looks destined to be the side's only one by the end of it.

Well as they batted, both rather gave it away, the skipper to a flick off the hip that the man seemed placed for (and held a good catch) while Critch played a lazy shot that somewhat ruined all that had gone before.

Wood went first ball and his defensive frailty suggests his county future may be only in white ball cricket, an average of eleven telling no lies. Du Plooy was in attacking vein and, while I applaud the rationale, it looked bad when he heaved across the line to be bowled. He is still 90 short of 500 runs for the summer and for all of his talent, cannot be happy with an average of just 22.

Guest also went first ball, to one that cut back a long way. He looks good at the crease, but a first-class average of 21 for a prospective number three is not enough. Nor did Hughes and Dal last long, their season averages of ten and twelve respectively being way below par.

The worrying truth is that besides Critchley only Wayne Madsen has exceeded 500 runs. His average of 34 is behind Matt and Harvey Hosein, both on 41, the latter benefitting from several unbeaten knocks but only aggregating 371 runs.

Once again, answers are needed. Why has pretty much the entire team lost batting form at the same time? Luis Reece has gone through a four-day summer averaging 13, with one fifty. It isn't enough for Dave Houghton to say 'I can't put my finger on it' and 'we need to score more runs' when his role is to coach, encourage, cajole and inspire them, as well as identifying the issues. 

This morning my wife asked if the game would be done before our daughter needed a lift home from work today.

'Easily' was my reply.

I take no pleasure in being right, but it is fearfully depressing being a Derbyshire supporter right now.

Outside of supporters and members, no one seems to care.

So get along to the forum on Sunday morning and ask those awkward questions. Why are we accepting this? How can those in senior roles retain positions, when we have broadly  played the worst cricket in around half a century? What are they going to do to ensure we do better, or are at least more competitive next year?

And how bad do things have to be before SOMEONE is accountable? 

Middlesex v Derbyshire day 3

Middlesex 282 and 256 (Robson 52, Holden 44, Thomson 3-71, Dal 2-22, Aitchison 2-37, Conners 2-53)

Derbyshire 205 and 42-1 (Godleman 21*, Wood 18*)

Derbyshire need 292 to win in 104 overs. 

I was mildly amused this afternoon when the commentators, in the brief time I had the volume up, were stressing the importance of the last wicket stand between Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones, in taking the target to over 300.

They added 58, aided and abetted by Matt Critchley dropping an easy caught and bowled, taking the lead to 333.

In the light of our four-day batting this season, they could likely have declared 250 ahead and still been safe. Unless something extraordinary happens tomorrow, a defeat is in store, to go with the others in this format this season. But before I get into the match detail, a few observations.

1) I thought Alex Thomson bowled pretty well today. It is only the second time I have felt that but there was some canny bowling in his spell. Maybe there is a decent bowler in there and I think the fact that he bowled before Matt Critchley in both innings is telling. I fully expect Matt to go at the end of the season. 

2) I also thought Anuj Dal bowled steadily again, although I won't change my previous assertion that he isn't quite good enough at one discipline to be retained. Is 'handy' enough for a first-class player? He has been around for four years now and while he might be a classic late developer, the overall signs are not positive. 

By the same token, I think the club will announce a new deal on the back of this game. You may not agree he deserves it, as I don't after what has been a very poor year, but watch this space...

3) There is potential in this side. I like the look of Conners and Aitchison, while Brooke Guest is developing into a very good cricketer. His batting has been impressive this summer, even if the numbers could have been better. Here I have been very impressed by his glovework, especially standing up. The catch he took off Matt Critchley this afternoon was excellent and he has been agile and sure behind the stumps. For me, he will start next season as first choice and deserves it.

4) Luis Reece. I would love to see him open in full on Trescothick or Barnett mode. We know he has the shots from T20 and he is much more effective when he is going for it. He might get out a time or two in doing so, but has the talent to deliver the memorable and should follow his instincts. Especially if he is still to open the bowling too. 

5) We need a change of captain. It remains painful to watch Billy Godleman's struggles and that has to have a detrimental effect on the side. He is a reactive skipper at the best of times and I feel the time is right for change, hopefully someone with greater willingness to try things and be positive. 

As for the cricket, we were briefly still in the game when the wickets tumbled this afternoon, but needed to be chasing closer to 250 than 350. I would love to be proved wrong tomorrow, but has anyone seen anything this year to suggest 334 is within our compass? Certainly the struggles when we opened our reply can have offered little encouragement for those to come, but fair play to Godleman and Wood for battling it out in murky conditions and getting through to the close. I like and respect that. 

Finally today, the news that the Members Forum is scheduled for 9.30am on September 3 seems to have annoyed a few people, judging by my mail bag today. 

The consensus is that the club want as few people there as possible to ask awkward questions, which as usual are to be submitted and vetted in advance anyway. 

Apparently 'there will be time for questions from the floor'. 

Or will there? Several people seem to have their doubts...

Anyway, where's your money tonight, folks?