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.