Derbyshire 130 and 343
Worcestershire 185 and 190 (Roderick 53*, Dal 5-40, Aitchison 3-55, Conners 2-54)
Derbyshire won by 98 runs
Scores of 55 and 112*, with bowling of 1-35 and today a career-best 5-40 mean it really has to be. He could retire now and remember this one in his dotage.
There was a brief spell this morning, when Roderick and Haynes scored quickly, that some might have started crossing their fingers and toes. Yet it never seemed in doubt to me, as sometimes it is just a case of finding the bowler at the right end for the conditions.
It's funny, I had a pleasant chat yesterday with Alan Hill, our former opener. In the course of it, as we (especially he) commended the batting of Nuj, I said that I fancied him to yet play a part with the ball. Alan agreed, his skiddy and accurate length perfect on this final day.
The wickets were like buses, wait for a while and then they all turn up at once. What I like is that he doesn't move it extravagantly, because as Wilfred Rhodes once said about his spin bowling, you only need it to move enough to miss the middle and find either the edge or the pad.
He took the first four today, with Sam Conners finishing it off with the wicket of Hasnain, neatly pouched by Ben Aitchison at slip after Harry Came had put a similar one down from his bowling.
But it didn't matter. While there were other good performances in this game - Aitchison and Conners bowled well, Guest was excellent behind the stumps with nine catches, the second innings of Madsen and McKiernan should not be overlooked - this was Anuj Dal's match.
It was a fine team performance. 14 for 5, then 53-7 on the first morning, before Dal and Ben Aitchison doubled the score. The significance of that stand was considerable as the match progressed.
As I finish we are temporarily third in the table, just behind Glamorgan who have a game in hand.
When four day cricket resumes, we play Glamorgan in the middle of games against Durham and Leicestershire, two of the bottom three, both of those at home.
Still very much in the mix in four-day cricket, after reaching the T20 quarter-finals.
What a season this is. Full credit to the players, staff and especially Mickey Arthur.
Now for the Royal London Cup...
Yes, Steve, this most certainly was Dal's match. Incredible stuff from him. And a great team performance after we looked dead and buried in both of our innings at one point. We are no longer dismal Derbyshire, but a team of fighters.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that Leus du Plooy needs to be given credit for the way he captained the team. This was only his second CC game at the controls.
ReplyDeleteVictory was never in doubt from day one. (maybe slightly at 14/5)
ReplyDeleteAs it was Dal's Match I thought I would praise a different player who has impressed me in the last couple of games. Harry Came. I did wonder whether he had the technique or temperament for the red ball game as an opener but I now believe he is a cricketer who will be a valuable asset in all forms for the county.
One thing George Scrimshaw could learn from Anuj Dal's bowling in the red ball game is that more balls on the stumps gives more wicket options. But this is being a bit picky as he is short of red ball matches and suspect as you said in previous postings this season he may become a white ball specialist.
Pity its over a month before the next County Championship game as I fancied us to go a run after this.
Also pleasing to see Billy get a 50 for the 2nds today. Also liked the look of how Harrison got his wickets. Don't know much about him but seemed to have decent pace.
This was a great game of cricket, and a great watch on the stream this morning. What a player we have in Anuj Dal. It seems to me that 50 over cricket would also suit him. The table would look better with another 8 points that were thrown away by not putting Sussex in to bat again. I know you don't agree with me on this Steve, but it may come home to bite us.
ReplyDeletei agree with u , tho i respect Steve! i commented at the time too .malb
DeleteWhat a win that was. I confess to being very dejected when the score was 14-5 on Monday but how wrong was I?! I should know better than to doubt the self-belief in this side now. Anuj Dal will deservedly get most of the plaudits and I’m so pleased to see him having such a wonderful season with bat and ball. I’m also thrilled for Ben Aitchison who looks to be getting back into an excellent rhythm now. It was tough for him to come back during the T20s which I doubt is an ideal format to be launched into as a bowler but it’s wonderful to see him amongst the wickets again.
ReplyDeleteSarah
An incredible win - it reminded me of when we beat Gloucestershire at Bristol in 2010 after being bowled out for 44 in our first innings. The players and management need to be applauded for the way that they have shown the resilience to cope with losing players, the defeats to Sussex and to Somerset. In previous seasons such a situation would have led to the fizzling out - but not this year.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the table now, we are fourth - 10 points behind MIddlesex and 5 behind Glamorgan (who have game in hand). The fixtures show that we have home games against Durham and Leicestershire which are winnable, Glamorgan have games at home against Worcestershire and away to Sussex either side of games away to Middlesex and against us at Cardiff, Middlesex finish their season at Leicestershire and Worcestershire after their home game with Glamorgan.
I feel two wins and a draw could be enough for us to get second but I think the key game is Middlesex v Glamorgan - we don't have a game that week - as a win for either side maybe enough to claim second. A draw would be preferable.
For all the excellence of the batting this season, especially from Masood, Masden, Guest and Dal, a quick look at the league table shows that only Nottingham have more bowling bonus points than us this season to date. For a very inexperienced line up, Connors with 37 wickets, Dal with 27 and Thomson with 21 is an great return. We also shouldn't forget the early season contribution of the short term loanees, Pettman and Sidebottom with 10 between them whilst Aitchison was out of action. This line up is only going to get better. We pretty well don't even miss Lakmal any more
ReplyDeleteThere aren't many days when we can boast about being Derbyshire supporters but this is definitely one of them! A fantastic victory with some exceptional performances, none more so than Dal's. He has developed into an all- rounder of exceptional ability.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing some messages recently, my mind went back to paraphrase Monty Python
ReplyDelete"But what has Mickey Arthur done for us"
Excellent performance and result
Andy
Well, well, well..
ReplyDeleteHaving been inserted, and at 14 for 5 after eight overs, I don’t think many of us, if indeed any, were quite expecting - at any point - a Derbyshire win.
To be able to produce that kind of turn-around, especially after the defeat in the T20 campaign, exemplifies the vast improvement Mickey Arthur has imported to Derby. Self-belief, confidence, determination and resilience to name just a few of the qualities this team now possesses. The previously lesser spotted ‘Derwent spirit’ is back.
I’d like to give a shout-out to Ben Aitchison; not only for his match figures of 7 for 95 but for his contribution with the bat in the first innings.
Also, Mattie McKiernan for his splendid second innings knock of 71, which was, in effect, the match-winning partnership with the match-winner, Anuj Dal.
Hopefully, a real ‘line in the sand’ moment for both himself and the Club. Nuj typifies for me the kind of improvement that bringing an experienced, quality Head of Cricket offers to the dressing room and the performances on the field. Our Most Improved player?
Well played, lads!!
This was a really gratifying victory.
Matt
Superb win having been in the ropes. What is annoying is that we now lose momentum because of the impending baseball season
ReplyDeleteIt’s a big ask, to coin a cliche, but not losing to Glamorgan is the key-and we will probably need to beat them TB given their extra game.
The other two games in the gloaming are most definitely winnable.
Given the widespread rumours of a 12/6 split, would be great to see two of the six at risk of going into the feeder league (us and Northants) in the top division next year.
Congratulaions, Anuj. Brilliant all-round performance, and a great team effort ro back it up. This was very, very special from the county of choice!
ReplyDeleteA terrific performance and recovery, and special congratulations to Anuj Dal. This result is all the more impressive because it was achieved without a significant contribution from overseas stars.
ReplyDeleteExcellent result and shows the significance progress made by Derbyshire under Mickey Arthur, 10 of that team were playing for us last season!
ReplyDeleteI have just got back from a great few days at Worcester. What a topsy-turvy match and a fantastic result. The team spirit and camaraderie engendered by Micky Arthur is patently obvious. All the team contributed to various degrees. All the players were very friendly and Micky is a top bloke. The Worcestershire faithful were not very happy with their team. I heard on the grapevine that Masood might not back for the 50 over competition and that Alex Hughes could be out for the season. It also appears that Matty Potts has been nursing a slight injury but is fit again now. We might be struggling for numbers for the 50 over competition and have no overseas available. However we must keep the faith in King Micky and long may he reign.
ReplyDeleteHe might not be, but until he is called up for the squad (announced next week) we must work on the basis that he is available...
DeleteForgot to add my name as Captain Chessy with last post re trip to Worcester. Many apologies.
ReplyDeleteI hope that's just a rumour about Masood, Captain Chessy.
ReplyDeletePakistan have a one-day tour of Holland imminently.
DeleteThey have, but the squad isn't announced until next week and Masood may or may not be in it. They may bring in untried players and we will need to wait and see..
DeleteFingers crossed that he is not in the squad but I fear the worst. Captain Chessy.
ReplyDeleteIf he isn't, essentially they are saying the original selection was a mistake. And I doubt they will.
DeleteBut I am unsure what they learn about him against the Netherlands and Logan van Beek..