Middlesex are the visitors and Derbyshire will be in good fettle after two excellent T20 wins. The injury issues continue, however and the latest loan seamer is the 6'7 Toby Pettman, who arrives for one game from Nottinghamshire.
At 24 he is in the second of two one-year deals there but is some way down the pecking order, despite a handy first-class record of 33 wickets at 21. He should look at the next four days as a trial, because Derbyshire will surely be looking for a seamer or two in the winter. He will likely enjoy the usual bounce at Chesterfield, as long as he doesn't get carried away.
Mickey Arthur has announced a fifteen-man squad, though that includes three spinners, one of them Mark Watt. My expected side is the first eleven below, the last four not quite making it and being kept fresh for the Blast
Godleman, Masood, Guest, Madsen, du Plooy, Reece, Dal, Kerr, Thomson, Pettman, Conners (Hughes, McKiernan, Watt, Scrimshaw)
Middlesex bring thirteen but Pieter Malan, their latest overseas player in a season where the door has revolved, isn't in the squad. Their seam attack is very experienced and will need careful watching:
Stoneman, Robson, Davies, Eskinazi, Greatwood, Holden, Hollman, Roland-Jones, Murtagh, Simpson, Bamber, Walallawita, White
The weather is set fair for the four days and a good game should ensue. I could see Derbyshire go with a second spinner, but who you leave out is the question.
Hopefully the loveliest of cricket grounds gets the attendance that it deserves and with the former players event taking place tomorrow, I hope that there is a real festival atmosphere for the start of what is always a wonderful week.
Here's hoping it produces a Derbyshire win.
I think it might.
An interesting squad selection. Didn't expect to see Watt in the squad. Final 11 will depend on fitness of quick bowlers and pitch.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing one batting spot between Reece, Hughes or McKiernan and one overseas spot between Kerr and Watt. Be surprised if Scrimshaw was risked over a 4 day match.
I'm wondering if Reece is 100% fit as although he bowled in recent red ball games he didn't bowl a ball in T20 so he may be rested ahead of the T20 run in.
Yes, I think Luis is the 'expendable' one if we go with 2 spinners. I think McKiernan could play, though Watt wouldn't be overseas, as Scotland arent a Test nation. Interesting to see him in the squad, though and there may be a temptation to try him in four day cricket with a view to a full deal another year.
DeleteCan he take wickets when they aren't trying to slog him out of the ground? Only one way to find out..
You might well be on the money with your prediction, Steve. But why play Petterman when we have Nick Potts and Big George? Loan players (Petterman is our third loan bowler this season) come and go. We need to give our younger players the experience of bowling. That's how they get better.
ReplyDeleteSimple answer - Potts isn't fit, like Cohen. If we are to progress in T20 we need a fit Scrimshaw and he may not be up to maybe 25-30 overs here. So they are wrapping him in cotton wool.
DeleteWhy isn't Hayden Kerr playing? He looks so far completely out of form with the bat surly time out of there in the middle in a four day game is what he needs
DeleteHorses for courses. They also said they are managing his/Scrimshaw workload as they are key for T20. Second spinner picked too..
DeleteHe's contracted to play in all formats and his wages will reflect that bowling 12 overs in a week is hardly a heavy workload,he needs time in the middle to aclimatise with English pitches .What's the situation regarding Cohen, Melton and Aitchison are they all out for the season?
ReplyDeleteThey are all contracted for all formats, but play when the HOC feels they should.
DeleteAitchison should be fit sometime in July, I don't expect Melton to play again. I understand Cohen has a back issue again