Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Derbyshire v Northamptonshire T20

Northamptonshire 186-7 (Zaib 92, Neesham 28, Scrimshaw 2-34)

Derbyshire 192-4 (Madsen 73, Masood 58, Kerr 29)

Derbyshire won by six wickets

You know, the only problem with this run that Derbyshire are on right now is that I am running out of adjectives and superlatives. Where's Dr Johnson when you need him?

That run chase tonight was amazing, very much in the mould of those I have seen Shan Masood's Multan Sultans do in the PSL. Get a boundary early in the over, taking the pressure off, then milk it around for ones and twos.

We aren't used to that professionalism around these parts, but once Masood and Madsen got going, this was a batting masterclass. While Shan played an innings of brilliance, Wayne played one of genius. 

It was again a team effort and needed to be, with Saif Zaib playing a very good hand for the visitors that enabled them to get over the early loss of both Lynn and Cobb, their real batting heavyweights. It was clearly a good batting track and I was again pleased with how we pulled the opposition back at the end. Watt and Scrimshaw again did the business and credit needs tonight to go to Hayden Kerr, for a good all round effort.

His 1-29 included the wicket of Cobb, who looked in the mood for a big score, while he then gave early impetus after the loss of Luis Reece with a quickfire 29, including two sixes.

That was but the aperitif for a sumptuous stand between Masood and Madsen that turned the game. You might live to be a hundred, but you will rarely see better batting than the 95 they added in just eight spellbinding overs.

The captain was wristy, elegant, class personified. Meanwhile, Madsen played an innings that made a mockery of his never having played for England. Reverse sweeps for six, flicks over the keeper for four (he did it twice, to show it was no fluke), booming drives. This was batting on a level beyond the compass of mere mortals and the visitors seemed about four fielders short. His runs came at two a ball and in this mood he must be impossible to bowl at. 

Both men went before the end to rousing receptions from a good crowd that knew they had witnessed something special. There was no panic, because the job was almost done and with du Plooy and Guest at the crease it would be signed off.

Leus finished it in the grand manner, a huge hit for six from the bowling of Jimmy Neesham. This was a very good win over a side themselves playing top class cricket. The smiles on the faces of the Derbyshire coaching staff told a story, one of five straight T20 wins, a new club record, six in total. 

These are such heady days. One win from three now should see us to the knockouts. Who would have considered that after last year, when essentially  the same group  was very poor in all formats? Second in the group with a very good net run rate. Wow! 

Meanwhile at Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire lost again and look very unlikely to progress from the group. Leicestershire, a side we beat twice, are also playing magnificent cricket and making a mockery of those who suggest 'smaller' counties should be dispensed with.

If that's the case, I don't know what they will do with all that land at Trent Bridge... 

If we can win there on Thursday, this may go down as the greatest June on record.

I think it is close already.

Sensational, gentlemen. You are doing us proud! 

25 comments:

  1. The team are really playing as a unit .Excellent in the field tonight. Great stuff

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  2. I run a company. It's hard work. I don't criticise ex emloyees. I think Dave Houghton gave it his best shot, but the transformation under MA is nothing short of remarkable. I watched the live feed intently tonight, and I never doubted we would win. Nor, and far more importantly, did the players. To be able to achieve that cofidence in such a short space of time is a gift I wish I possessed.
    This, to me is the most enjoyable cricket season for years, and long may it continue.
    Dave
    Wirral

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  3. The best bit for me was we didn't look flustered... ever.
    4th highest run chase a fact which the team must have been aware of, but even when Northants were batting and motoring along at 9+ an over despite losing 4 wickets, we didn't look bothered, or concerned that we needed some sort of divine intervention.
    And then Reece out early - no panic and again no sense that it was ever not going to be a walk in the park.

    To be clear, I'm quite sure we knew the magnitude of the problem we needed to solve, but Micky & Shan between seem to have just built that aura of confidence that enables everyone to just play without fear. And it's bringing real results

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  4. It was indeed a sensational win, mirroring the win against Warwickshire on Sunday. Masood and Madsen were both brilliant, and Kerr's knock of 29, including two sixes, was important in getting momentum going early on. Masood, once again, was clever in how he used the bowlers. I had been calling for Dal to replace Connors, but he's now showing why MA has persisted with him.

    Seeing Derbyshire second in the table, I had to do a double take.

    Interestingly, we've only used 12 players in the campaign. MA knows exactly what he's doing.

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  5. If someone had told me this time last year where we would be now I would never have believed them. There’s such a sense of belief within the team this season that has been instilled by Mickey Arthur. I wasn’t feeling confident at the halfway stage but that run chase was a masterclass of how it should be done. There’s now an understanding of having learned how to manage a chase. Long may these good times continue! Sarah

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    1. In many previous years we would have discounted a win at halfway, Sarah. You are right, the change is incredible!

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  6. Great display, really a team this year!

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  7. Tim, Chesterfield22 June 2022 at 06:30

    A word too for the ground staff as Derby must be the best T20 wicket in the country. The outfield generally ensures mishits (other than top edges off pace) aren't rewarded with 6s and the track itself offers good pace, bounce and spin.

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  8. Fantastic effort. Falcons flying! Alan

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  9. David exiled in Lancs22 June 2022 at 08:34

    As you say, the English language doesn't have enough superlatives for how we are playing at the moment.

    Amongst all the congratulations to Shan Masood and Mickey Arthur, I wonder how much of the credit for the current batting style needs to go to Ian Bell? The calm, unflustered approach, trusting in our own abilities, seems very much like him. Anyway, whatever the reason, long may it continue.

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    1. Arthur, Shahzad, Bell, Smit.. That is a serious coaching set up at the club! I am just blown away at present...

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  10. And now to our bogey side. Played 33 won 7 tied 1 lost 25.
    Please, please, please, .........

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  11. This is some ride, isn't it? bulous. What epitomises it for me is the signing of Jason Kerr. Very difficult to pick up an overseas of quality at that late stage, but MA's contacts and perspicacity enabled a genuine quality signing there. Just one example of the unbelievable improvement in the management set-up.
    Notts will be a massive test. They will be stinging from Tuesday's performance; they're at home - and lose this one and their lifeline to qualification is gone. And Derbyshire are the opponents. They will be fired up beyond belief. It'll be fascinating to see how we approach this one, but I have every confidence in this team now. And, more importantly, so have they. I think we'll be smiling again at 9.30 on Thursday night!

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    1. How sweet would it be to end their involvement in the compy?!

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  12. Sorry, I of course meant Hayden Kerr. My apologies!

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    1. Ah we knew who you meant, Phil! He is learning the 'English length' and did very well last night

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  13. I think it's safe to say that the new additions to the coaching team have worked absolute wonders. Compared to last year, every single game we play I get the sense that we can win, even against the "bigger" teams.

    But of course that's not taking anything away from the amazing performances of Madsen who I think is going to be with us smacking balls until he's at retirement age. And Masood who I feel has come in and shown support and confidence to fellow openers all the while getting high scores. The only concern I had was I felt our bowling attack got a bit tired towards the end of the innings but going by the past 3-4 games, that concern has been squashed! The whole team play beautiful cricket together and it's such a pleasure to watch!

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    1. Thanks, Vics! Yes I had given Mickey a 'free hit' this year and it is extraordinary what has been achieved in so little time. Can't wait to see what the future holds!

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  14. Steve, one or two of us wondered, reluctantly, after his injury last season, if Wayne's powers might be waning. It's wonderful to see the proof that they are not.
    Clearly, also, the tactic is to send Hayden in if a wicket goes with plenty of powerplay left. Tonight that worked. It wasn't a bad theory last time, just didn't work out the last time.
    Under Mickey and Shan, new ideas are coming along all the time. It's wonderful to see.
    Of course Shan is a key addition but this is essentially the same team, with belief added. All very special. Colston

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    1. Yes, this is the Madsen of old, Colston. It is clear he and Shan love batting together. It must have been like this watching Compton and Edrich in '47 and already this summer will live long in memories!

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  15. Chesterfield Blue22 June 2022 at 13:12

    Just a few words, Derbyshire la la la!

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  16. The question is can this team deliver a one day trophy?29 years is along time to wait the class of 2022 IMO has more variety in its make up than the Barnett side of 1993 while full of talented batsmen was very one dimensional in the bowling department a reluctance by Kim to trust a spinner of course it shouldn't be forgotten that the 1993 B and H winners didn't have an overseas player, in a game of fantasy cricket a 50 over match between the class of 93 v the class of 22 who would win?if it was played on a good one day pitch I would go with the class of 22

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  17. A really good game last night, with Derbyshire on top but a win by no means certain until those flicks over the keeper from Madsen put our run-rate up. And it was warm, for the first time in an evening match!

    One big difference from last season is that Madsen wasn't available for most of the T20, as well as, obviously, Masood. The bowling attack is very different, but the other batsmen are the same. But this year they are coming in at 100+ rather than 25-2, which helps with the confidence that MA has instilled.

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  18. Chesterfield blue22 June 2022 at 17:00

    I think I'd still give Dal a game instead of Conners, Sam is getting a bit of punishment with his bowling but is a fine fielder. Think Anuj could surprise a few people, worth a go?

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