Middlesex 401 and 258-5 (Conners 3-61)
Derbyshire 304 and 255-5 (Masood 62, Madsen 54, Guest 43, Godleman 38, Dal 24* Du Plooy 23*, Helm 3-49)
Match drawn
The reality is that we lost wickets at the wrong time. With Middlesex putting out boundary sweepers quite early to counteract the sumptuous timing of Shan Masood, the fours dried up and the soft dismissal of Masood, 'strangled' down the leg side, saw the innings lose impetus.
For a long time Godleman struggled with his timing, but was just getting going when he steered an ungainly cut to slip.
Yet Madsen, in lovely touch, with Guest took the score past 180 at tea with only two wickets down. Guest was solid, straight and sensible, Madsen wristy and fluent. Had they had 45 minutes together after tea, then maybe, just maybe.
But both went in quick succession, Madsen trapped leg before and Guest playing loosely away from his body to be well held at slip. When Reece went quickly it was time to shut up shop, which Du Plooy and Dal duly did.
Middlesex were hampered by the loss of their captain, Tim Murtagh, to a hamstring injury which left them with only four bowlers. However, with Derbyshire in that situation from the first morning, it was hard to have too much sympathy.
I thought Tom Helm bowled splendidly for them throughout and he looks a bowler with a bright future. Bamber too is a willing worker, though a greater appreciation of the lbw rule would serve him well and make his regular appeals less annoying. Their attack lacked a little variety, and Shaheen Afridi should make a difference when he arrives.
As for Derbyshire we will likely be back in the loan market for a seamer, unless the injuries back home have eased. We can be pleased with the discipline and battling spirit shown here, but will be happier if one or two batsmen convert these starts into 'proper' scores.
Positive things to work on, though. Everyone made a contribution and we will gladly take that for starters
I watched all the play today on you tube and I thought that we showed great application and team spirit although we played a few loose shots leading to some dismissals. Masood looks in a different league to the rest, pure class and he reminds me in style and technique to the great John Wright. Dal looks like a real battler and is proving a great asset now that he has found his true niche in the side. I would have settled for a draw after the first day,particularly after playing with 10 men for most of the game.There was only one positive result in the whole round of games. Onwards and upwards.
ReplyDeleteMatch drawn and we stuck in there all game. Last season and before, that is a loss every time.
ReplyDeleteLots to like. Dal looked really solid, Sir Wayne looked more fluent second innings. Our new opening bat has kicked off with 40, 91 and 62 - and augers well for the rest of the season.
Already seeing some more durability and scoring better than we did last season, in a four day period that has seen some really heavy totals around the country.
15 extras in the Middlesex first innings, down to 6 in the second shows more care being taken too.
This is the first time I've made full use of the streams from the grounds, whilst concentrating on Lords and have seen some excellent play from both young guns through to more experienced and international players. I must confess to a wry smile at De Caires removing our own Shan Masood as he approached his hundred.
County cricket has more appeal than some think. You just need to be prepared to look.
Now, ECB, where exactly are your PR department?
Andy
Good comments, Andy!
DeleteIt was disappointing that after such a good start by Masood and Billy, and an excellent partnership between Madsen and Guest, we weren’t able to chase down the total. Nevertheless, it was a good result.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think we played well across the four days, despite the collapse in the first innings. Masood just oozes class. We can expect bags of runs from him. Dal’s improvement as a batsman continues, and Guest is showing early promise as the number three. I thought du Plooy played with good sense and determination today to get us the draw.
Connors picked up six wickets, which augurs well for the season. Once Lakmal gets used to English conditions, he’ll be a handful for batsmen around the country.
Mick Arthur is still finding his feet, but the first game of the season suggests we will perform much better than last season.
Agreed!
DeleteTake that after being hampered by the loss of Sidebottom on the first day. I'm sure Lakmal will improve, and Masood looks on a different level. Pleased to see Wayne looking in good touch, just when some doubts might be creeping in as to how long he can keep churning out the runs he let's us know he's not done yet!
ReplyDeleteLove to see, another 2 or 3 years of Wayne, for sure!
DeleteIt feels so much better than the last two seasons already. As Andy mentions in an earlier comment that game would have ended in defeat.
ReplyDeleteEarly days of course, but I fully expect to see peakfan back in full optimistic mood very soon. Was getting worried about you and Derbyshire at the end of last season Steve..
Dave
Wirral
We have a proper HOC now, Dave.
DeleteOnwards and upwards!
Masood looks superb and if he plays all 14 matches for us then I'd hope to see him topping 1k runs.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the batting lineup have his example to follow and Came and Wood hopefully hungry to step in for anyone who doesn't hit their stride.
Conners looks a proper bowler but we did miss Aitchison. The good news is that we're missing a bowler who is on the books and just injured! A better position to be than to be wondering where wickets will come from. Thomson also looked good and Lakmal will hopefully find his feet soon.
I agree, Hamez. Masood looks too drawer and a pleasure to watch.
DeleteConners is a very talented lad and I have a word of praise for Guest, solid at 3 and I thought very good behind the stumps, standing back and keeping to a lot of spin.
We fielded well throughout, very encouraging overall!
A promising start to the season.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the comments regarding Shan Masood who looked very classy.
If you could be critical with anything regarding the batting was that there was too many maiden overs in the first innings.
Brooke Guest looks an ideal number three though there is concern we are overburdening him similar to how we have we have with Luis Reece in recent seasons. It worked in this match as there was a good opening partnership so he had a decent rest. I would be more concerned if an early wicket fell.
I’m not a fan of loan transfers unless they are with a view to sign the player permanently. I think the system is abused in football as well. Clubs should be encouraged to develop their own players whereas clubs being able to loan players out encourages them to stock pile talent.
They did allow a substitute in ODIs a few years ago it is something that maybe could be looked at for injuries but not tactical.
But getting back to the performance an encouraging start and gives us hope for the season.
Yes, the game might have been even better had Potts been able to step in on the first morning. We allow concussion subs, why not injury subs?
DeleteIn my earlier comment, I forgot to mention what a great contribution Alex Thomson made, with both bat and ball.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, good cricketer.
DeleteI think he and Anuj Dal are going to unsung heroes who plug away. Both seem to be kicking on nicely so far!
Hughes has to come in for Sidebottom next week. The tail is far too long and will cost us eventually. Thomson and Dal come out with a lot of credit. Kris
ReplyDeleteThe only issue with that, Kris is that Dal is then assumed the 3rd seamer. Is he good enough for that?
DeleteCohen is is the best bat of the seamers and if Aitchison, Scrimshaw or Melton played it would be a similar issue. Notwithstanding Aitchison hitting Notts to all parts last year...
Conners is a better bat than he showed here. But as I think Richie Benaud once said, if 1-8 don't score enough runs, why should there be an expectation of 9-11 to do so?
Yes Dal is not a third seamer. Once Reece is able to bowl then that will help enormously. I would be more than happy to see Potts given a go in the next game, as I would have against Middlesex. Why give a bowler from another county match practice in preference to opportunity to one of our own?
DeleteI also agree that Conners can bat a bit, but anyway like Steve says the batsmen are there to score the runs...
I just worry that Ollie Robinson could run through us. With Thomson capable of bowling long and dry, I don't think having Hughes in there would hurt, currently. You can't have four number eleven batsmen. Kris.
ReplyDelete