Thursday 23 September 2021

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. 

4 comments:

  1. David exiled in Lancs23 September 2021 at 19:57

    Doesn't a victory feel nice. I'd almost forgotten that feeling. As you say the club has owed a great deal to Matt Critchley this year. To be the 5th highest run scorer in the season (and the highest scoring all rounder) is a huge achievement in a poor side. I've always considered the mark of a decent all rounder is to have a batting average that is a higher number than the bowling average and Matt has got that this season. Well done to him and here's hoping he is still with us next season.

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  2. Any coincidence that we've suddenly picked up since Dave Houghton announced he was leaving? Is a new coach in place already?

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  3. Evening Peakfan. What an excellent result and congratulations to all those involved. A proper team effort and contributions from almost every player. Well done also to Dave Houghton, I am delighted he is able to leave the club with this victory under his belt. I believe he is leaving us a team with a lot of potential and some signings which I think will come good. So well done to all. Looking forward to next season already. Clay Cross Mark

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  4. I was there today, Steve (as I live in London), and it was wonderful to see us win a game - and Critch get to a 1,000 runs for the season. Melton bowled well and and with pace, and looked threatening. And Billy bringing on Madsen was a master stroke, as he picked up two wickets.

    I agree: give Critch the captaincy. It's time to move on. He's much younger than Billy, and he's ambitious.

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