Monday 22 August 2022

Northamptonshire v Derbyshire RLODC preview

Mickey Arthur has announced an unchanged squad for the final fixture of a somewhat disappointing Royal London Cup campaign,  against Northamptonshire tomorrow.

The question is whether either Mitch Wagstaff or Archie Harrison come in for the experience.  I couldn't call that one,  but in the interview on the club site today,  the Head of Cricket enthuses about the progress of Nick Potts,  who has been given opportunity and done well. So maybe one of them will get the chance tomorrow. 

With Suranga Lakmal and Zak Chappell in next year,  to join Conners,  Aitchison,  Scrimshaw and Potts,  he refers to our having a 'bouquet'  of quick bowlers to pluck from and use according to conditions.  Add in Reece and Dal and we seem well-equipped in that area.

He also discusses the search for a replacement for Shan Masood,  and whether to go for one player to cover everything or 'bringing in a rock star'  for the Vitality Blast.

I don't get the impression that the winter will be one of massive change,  but Arthur refers to thirteen players coming off contract at the end of 2023, so he can tailor the squad to his needs for 2024.

Which sounds very much like most of the squad will be playing for their county futures next season,  with every incentive to continue their progression, or return to their glory days in some cases.

Going back to tomorrow, our hosts have an exciting batting lineup that posted 370+ against Lancashire in their last match,  yet still lost. It is a dead rubber,  but a win,  ahead of the crucial last three County Championship games where we could still be promoted,  would be good for morale.

Likely home side:

Vasconcelos,  Gay,  Young,  Zaib, McManus,  Miller,  Sales,  Buck, White,  Russell,  Heldreich. 

The season end is fast-approaching, a summer that regardless of this competition has exceeded the expectations of most. 

Only thirteen days of our first-class season remain,  so we must make the most of them. 

5 comments:

  1. I”d give the youngsters a game and rest any players with a niggle . The Hundred Boys should be raring to go as they’ve hardly played . So far Du Plooy no games , Scrimshaw 2 and Madsen now deployed as a number 7 .. Need our strongest team ready for the very realistic chance of pushing for a top 3 finish .Also Derby HQ wicket needs to offer a little more assistance to the bowlers .

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  2. Village green captaincy at best. Dal and Mckiernan well underused. Connors overused. Words fail me

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  3. If Mickey is as genuine as he claims regarding wanting to finish the season in the championship as strongly as possible why didn't he replace Hayden Kerr for the remainder of the season? also will the mercenaries be back for the last three fixtures?

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    1. Diabolical comment to call them mercenaries. These guys need to earn a living. Whatever one’s views on the Hundred it’s appalling to call a Derbyshire legend like Wayne Madsen a mercenary especially given the amount of times he’s turned down other counties. Poor comment

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    2. Sorry
      Forgot my name .
      Paul

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