He is here for a project, not in a holding capacity. He knows the club - heck, he even name checked Fred Swarbrook - and referenced Derby County and the Baseball Ground.
He is a very likeable man who hates losing and aims to give a good go at every match of all competitions.
He hates rotating bowlers, reasoning that he will know when they need a breather, but if they are taking wickets they will play. He has bowlers bowling 'rockets' in the nets and struggles to reconcile the talent on display with their returns last year.
So do I. Our top five SHOULD be a run machine on a decent track, likely with Dal and Guest to follow.
Nor will we be bringing in loans, unless injuries hit. I am pleased about that too, because we carry an albeit bijou staff for a reason.
He seems very happy with Brooke Guest as his wicket-keeper (as am I) and sees the Academy wicketkeeper as his back up if required.
It all makes sense, so much sense. That's why I really struggled last year, because Dave Houghton's decisions and utterances simply didn't.
He has brought in two good professionals to set standards and expects them to do so. There is so much to like in an experienced batsman and bowler FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER.
He also feels there are a couple of players who have the talent to be part of the England set up in the next couple of years. He wouldn't put them under pressure by naming them, but my guess would be Sam Conners and Ben Aitchison. How much can they learn from Lakmal?
Derbyshire need to do the same as England, get runs on the board and put teams under pressure. Even without an old head to guide them, a young seam attack took wickets last year.
With that expertise on hand and experience under their belt, how far could we go?
'We'll aim to win every game' said the coach who will likely not accept less. Challenge in the four-day game, aim for Finals Day in T20 and make a very strong challenge in the RLODC, when he expects to lose only three players (presumably Madsen, Du Plooy and Reece)
Exciting times. This will be a summer worth watching!
I was also impressed by Mickey's attitude to cricket and his vision for Derbyshire. I think we can expect some fireworks on the pitch this season last season, the only fireworks at the County Ground were off the pitch.
ReplyDeleteMy guess about the two players who he thinks have the potential to play for England would be Connors, Aitchison, or Big George, who Mickey said has been bowling "rockets" in training.
My guess would be he is referring to Conners and Scrimshaw, let's hope they can both stay fit. That's not to say Aitchison hasn't got plenty of ability either of course. I rate him, reminds me a bit of Mike Hendrick, though that might be wishful thinking on my part!
DeleteI've heard more from Mickey in a week than from his predecessor in his entire stint. I hope this improved communications continues
ReplyDeleteAgreed 100% on that!
DeleteI read Matt Roller's story on Mickey's press conference on Cricinfo, said all the right things did Mickey.
ReplyDeleteI thought most of his family still live here in Perth. ( Did he mention if he was bringing them over to Derby.?)
I am flying across to the UK in May to watch a bit of cricket, have already scheduled the Sussex v Derby CC match at Hove in June (Haven't been to Hove since 1997), so hoping for a good showing from the team.
Something to look forward to, Tony! I am sure his family will join him as soon as they can, education commitments notwithstanding.
DeleteI am not as convinced by the wicketkeeping situation. Guest will need to improve his four day keeping and is unlikely to remain injury free. Hosein's batting average was taken for granted and can we potentially expect an academy player to come close to that? As for the fast bowlers being bowled all year round, it's a great idea, but unlikely in practice. I admire the optimism, but I can't see 19 pros being enough, based on previous years. I think the two overseas are good signings and they would struggle to be as bad as recent overseas. Kris.
ReplyDeleteI think Guest can become the batsman Harvey was. The latter had 59 f/c games while Brooke has only had 15.
DeleteI think Brooke is a better keeper. Yes, he has put a few down, but this year will let MA see what he has. His contract is up at season end and there are plenty out there if he wants.
As for the reserve role, money is tight and better someone develops than we spend it on someone who plays limited or no cricket, for me.
I agree, Guest should be fine and rather keep the money available for someone else. Problem is, knowing our luck Guest will pick up an injury pre season!
ReplyDeleteI managed to catch some of the press conference, talk about infectious enthusiasm! Knows his stuff and says everything you want to hear. I've no doubt the players are enjoying working with him. I can imagine he's the sort of bloke they'll be happy to run through a brick wall for. Exciting times ahead I would think...
Well done on getting the interview with him Steve, just hope he didn't answer all your questions already!
Oh I have plenty that weren't tabled at that one!
DeleteLooks like the academy keeper this coming season is Callum Hawkins who was with Staffordshire and played a single 2nd XI game for Warks last season.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Staffs Alex Mellor is a seasoned keeper who could probably be brought in to do a job if Guest went down with a long term injury. Not saying we should sign him but in a pinch could be phoned up, scored a lot of runs in the national county championship last year.
He has a good mentor in Daryn Smit for sure.
DeleteMellor is a good option, several counties have two good ones so one could come in with injury. There's Tattersall at Yorkshire, Schadendorf at Notts, Hants have three!
Don't see it an issue with tight finances, personally.
I think we should have someone in to be honest. Now Arthur might have had a look at Hawkins and actually be happy with him as number 2 which I'd be more than chuffed to see. That's best case scenario.
ReplyDeleteHowever if that isn't the case and Guest tears his hamstring on day 1 of our first game and is out all summer then it's a big ask of Hawkins to be first choice all season in all formats and if he struggles because it's too early he'll take pelters and struggle to recover. That's not fair on him. It's also a massive workload for Guest to play evert game in all 3 formats.
We'd of course have the lottery of the loan market but that might be exactly that, a lottery. Could be the possibility of a Matt Cross or Alex Mellor on short notice too.
In situations like this I like to compare us with Leicestershire and Northants. The former have Swindells, Hill and Bates along with Kelley in the academy,Gurbaz for the Blast and Kimber as a part time keeper. Northants have Rossington, Vasconcelos and Gouldstone.
To be fair though and maybe most importantly perhaps there just isn't anyone out there that Arthur rates over Hawkins.
In the worst case scenario, can Smit fill in?
DeleteI would be surprised if Smit's fitness levels were up to 4 day cricket at this stage. T20 in an emergency, but 4 days would be a HUGE ask..
DeleteI think you would loan someone in such a circumstance. There are plety around, as an example, i've no doubt Essex would allow Pepper or Buttleman on loan for 4 day cricket (not for one day as they play most T20 and RLC) if it meant regular games. I suspect most counties have similar youngish secondary keepers who they would allow on loan. Keeper is one of the easier positions to fill to a decent standard via loan market. Batsmen and lesser extent bowlers are very often misses.
ReplyDeleteEssex Fan
Totally agree, Essex Fan.
DeleteWith money tight the money on a second keeper who Realistically won't play is better spent on a loan IF the academy lad isn't up to it.
His record looks useful at club level, though of course the step up is considerable
I think the tight budget is a bit of a red herring to be honest.
ReplyDeleteFrom last season we've seen the ramshackle combination of overseas players in Stanlake, McDermott, Rampaul and van Beek replaced by Masood and Lakmal who may be slightly more expensive but I'd wager not bank breakingly so over what we've had budgeted for the two Aussies to be with us all season.
We've then seen Critchley, FHP, Hosein and Priestley leave from the first team squad to be replaced by...nobody.
The money saved from 3 first team players salaries should be enough for us to have a backup keeper, I'm sure Hosein and Guest kept each other on their toes and the competition helped both.
Unless it's all gone on Arthur himself of course!
Still I'm feeling generally optimistic so won't worry too much and will wait to see if Mickey does bring in others.
If it's not too late though Peakfan it would be good if you can ask Arthur if he rates Hawkins high enough to keep Guest on his toes!
Also got to factor in improved contracts for players who might otherwise leave at season end.
DeleteAitchison and Dal are two of them, so too Du Plooy.
And realistically I would expect us to be paying more for top international coach Mickey Arthur than Dave Houghton...
Do you think anybody else will be coming in then Peakfan, gone very quiet on that front?
ReplyDelete