So it is with Derbyshire tomorrow, as we open our Vitality Blast campaign with a visit from the Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire, for those of us in the know..)
Luis Reece is fit, so too Anuj Dal, so quite who takes the field in the final eleven will be dictated by the pitch. I fully expect the batting lineup to go left/right as far as possible, leaving the bowlers having to constantly adjust their lines.
I suspect that there is a straight choice between Sam Conners and Mikey Cohen, but then it comes down to whether we need one spinner or two. It would be very hard to leave out Alex Hughes, for so long a certainty in this format, but competition is fierce.
My best guess?
Masood
Came
Reece
Madsen
Du Plooy
Guest
Dal
Kerr
Watt
Scrimshaw
Conners
I could make a strong case for Cohen, Hughes and McKiernan playing and none would weaken the side.
For what it is worth, I think the signing of Hayden Kerr strengthens the side, with no disrespect to Suranga Lakmal, a veery fine bowler. But Kerr is a very good fielder, obviously a fine bowler and a batsman capable of late order impetus. Mark Watt can also biff it, so there is deep batting, as well as six or seven bowling options.
Birmingham play Northamptonshire tonight so their team will likely be similar to that. Captained by West Indian Carlos Braithwaite, Ireland opener Paul Stirling is their other overseas and they have some fine players in this squad, named for tonight:
Braithwaite, Hain, Stirling, Davies, Benjamin, Bethell, Briggs, Brookes, Brookes, Hannon-Dalby, Hose, Lintott, Miles
Former Lancashire keeper Alex Davies is a danger man, so too Sam Hain. But I don't fear them and think that we can acquit ourselves really well in this competition. We should also have useful inside knowledge on them from Ian Bell.
We will know soon enough and I hope that those filling the ground and the many who will enjoy the live stream will enjoy what is on offer.
Shan Masood's Derbyshire Army are ready to roll.
Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride!
I wouldn't argue with that team, Steve. Came deserves a chance, as he's scored runs, and rapidly, in the T20 for the seconds this season. Cohen's been expensive, so Connors is a better choice. An intriguing question is where Kerr will bat. In his interview on the DCCC web site, he said he started out in cricket as an opener. The 98 not out he scored for for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL this year showed he can be aggressive. Part of me says put him in ahead of Dal and Guest. On the other hand, neither Dal or Guest are renowned as big hitters. So perhaps having Kerr at number 8 might be more sensible. He could come in and smash it around. Anyway, it's great that Mickey has options.
ReplyDeleteI think I would be having the same team apart from Hughes for Dal. The reason for that is Alex is actually our 2nd all time wicket taker with 54 and strike rate of 120 would make him great 6/7. The only thing we not seen is Dal bowl in 20/20 and think he got potential to be very useful. I do believe 1st match Hughes should get the nod. Great to be debating who should play and not. The other question is what number does Reece bat at as personally like to see him open in this format. Think with with Came average at moment 18 needs to be more higher like Reece at 25. I expect Harry to get nod as performance against Notts with certainty add lot weight to being selected
ReplyDeleteDal is massive in the field, besides anything else. I would love Hughes in there, but struggle to see where at present.
DeleteWow, impressive stuff from the Bears tonight. Could be the side to beat this season, so we have to be really on it to get anything tomorrow
ReplyDeleteWe do, but much rested on Stirling and his knock. He doesn't always do that. They are a good side, but most are and I think we can match and beat them, playing to potential
DeleteMcKiernan for Came for me, partly because Reece should be opening over, partly becasuse the side needs an extra bowling option it's always useful to have a wrist spinner.
ReplyDeleteIt's an option, Stuart. Came would be very unlucky, but that is how it would be for all those who miss out. Two front line spinners will be the way to go on some tracks, Old Trafford for one
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