Season Review 2022

When considering the appropriate words for this end of season review, it is important to remember where we were at this time last year.

Quite frankly, the same exercise at the end of 2021 was painful. For the first time I was pleased to see the end of a cricket season and at that point could not see a way forward for the county I have supported for well over 50 years. It was patently clear that we needed a reset, a new head of cricket and a different mentality at the club.

Then came Mickey Arthur. He didn't start until the new year, but in a relatively short space of time has galvanised what was effectively the same squad into a team that competed in almost every game.

It wasn't perfect, how could it be? As he said himself before the season, first, we need to become hard to beat, then learn to win matches. The latter is still very much a work in progress, but all fans of the county would have taken, pre-season, the knockout stages in the Vitality Blast and interest in promotion, until the second last round of matches, in four-day cricket.

Overall the batting did well. Only later in the season did Luis Reece rediscover his mojo but he missed the early summer after major winter surgery on both his shoulder and knee. I have every expectation that he will return to former glories next year, when it appears he will be a batsman and occasional bowler, rather than the overworked all-rounder of recent seasons.

Billy Godleman sadly had a wretched campaign. Only a century in the final, largely academic game made his average semi respectable, but he will know as well as anyone that it simply wasn't enough for someone heading the batting and leading the side. Next year is a massive one for him, as we simply cannot accommodate a player who isn't offering what is required at this level. Can he return to former glories? I hope so, but I honestly don't know.

Shan Masood had a wonderful summer and was everything that could be wished for from an overseas player. There was palpable disappointment when he was dismissed, exceeded only by the news that he wasn't going to stay next year, instead taking up an option from Yorkshire. His stroke play, timing, placement and easy personality will be missed, but will live long in the memory. The irony that he will be back as captain of a now-relegated side next year is not lost on many.

Brooke Guest took on the massive challenge of batting at number 3 while being wicketkeeper and did an astonishing job. He reeled off four centuries and is a delightful player to watch when he gets into his stride, as well as an excellent runner between the wickets. His level of fitness is astonishing and he is to be commended for not missing a day of cricket throughout a long summer. 

His wicket keeping too maintained a very high standard and we have a high-class performer on our hands. What summed up his work ethic for me was when he came out as a runner for Ben Aitchison at Cardiff. If anyone was entitled to put his feet up, it was the genial Guest, whose smile barely left his face all summer.

Wayne Madsen enjoyed an Indian summer in his career. I don't think I was alone in thinking that the innings-builder, the run machine had gone and been replaced by a slightly inferior, yet still eminently watchable player of one-day cameos. He finished the season as the highest scorer in the country in four-day cricket, playing some magnificent innings, while his displays is in the Blast were breathtaking in their brilliance. We must enjoy him while we can, as it will be many years before we see his like again.

Leus du Plooy had a solid summer. To be honest, I think he is a better player than an average of 40 suggests and he is capable of much more. When he is in the mood, the ball flies from his bat with the minimum of contact and no bowler can keep him quiet. Yet there are also times when he looks ponderous and awkward, which can be a frustration. There is a sense of expectation when he walks out to bat, however, something given to very few. If he can step up next summer, the absence of Masood will not be so keenly felt.

Anuj Dal is my player of the year. For several seasons he has looked a player of talent, yet possibly one who might not go on to realise it. At the end of last summer, with the departure of Fynn Hudson- Prentice, the opening of an all-rounder role allowed him to find his niche in the side and how he responded! Almost 1,000 runs at an average over 70, as well as over 30 wickets was a remarkable return for an intelligent, articulate and engaging man. He has the opportunity to cement himself as a county legend and I really hope that he does so. He is another who looks like he enjoys every minute and is a firm fan favourite, quite possibly the next captain.

As Dal and Guest kicked on this summer, I think Harry Came may do in 2023. This year he played several fine innings in different styles and started to look at home at this level. His stroke play, when he gets in, is a joy. His defensive technique improved immeasurably and he may be one to watch next year. I had concerns he was just a twenty-over biffer, but he showed himself as much more than that this summer.

Sadly, Tom Wood played little cricket and we didn't really get to see the player that we know is in there. Hopefully he will get back to being the run machine we know from local cricket next season, as there is strong competition for places in this Derbyshire side and there are others well ahead of him at this stage.

As for the bowling, there was a big difference between pace and spin. None of the spinners made a strong case for regular inclusion. Mattie McKiernan did well in the T20 until the quarter final, but rarely bowled in 4-day cricket. He did play some important and fine innings, but seems unlikely to force his way into this side as a batsman who bowls a bit. Alex Thomson started the season well, but faded as it went on and his averages with bat and ball are not strong enough to stake a claim for a regular place.

 Meanwhile Mark Watt, like McKiernon, was a major factor in the T20 success, but looked less of a threat in the longer form. Nor did his batting suggest him the number eight that he ended up in that format. In short, a canny bowler when the batsmen have to score quickly, less threatening when he has to wheedle them out. 

By contrast the seam attack did well, despite its relative inexperience. Sam Conners was the pick of the bunch, taking fifty first-class wickets and doing remarkably well to stay fit and play most matches in all formats. An England Lions call up was his reward and if he can tighten up a little over the winter, curbing the tendency to leak runs with the new ball, the sky is the limit for a very talented bowler.

Likewise, Ben Aitchison. He missed the first half of the season with a stress fracture, but quickly made up for lost time with a reduced run up and looked a bowler of high talent. I suspect he is the best of them all and, with increased support next year, could also be interesting the national selectors. His batting could also develop and there is a bright future ahead for the undemonstrative giant. A great asset for both of these bowlers is their commitment and skill in the field.

Because of injuries Nick Potts was thrown in perhaps before he was ready, but showed that he was capable of good spells and high class deliveries. Like Conners his effectiveness would increase with greater accuracy, but the potential is definitely there for a young man only just out of his teens.

George Scrimshaw bowled effectively in the Blast and also earned an England Lions call. He was rarely seen outwith that format and I suspect that he will become the latest England bowler to limit himself to the short form in due course. His fast, whippy style is well suited to when batsmen have to get after him, but I am unsure as to whether the variations are there to make him a wicket-taking force in the longer form.

Suranga Lakmal arrived as the second overseas player and was unlucky. Firstly, the country was blessed with the best early season wickets for several years, then he picked up a serious elbow injury which ruled him out of most of the summer. I understand that he will be back next year, restored to full health and his experience will be of great value to an otherwise young attack.

Others flitted in and out, but had little opportunity for sustained success. Alex Hughes let no one down in the T20 but played little outside it, while Hayden Kerr replaced Lakmal as overseas and did OK, without pulling up any trees. When he in turn was injured, Hylton Cartwright replaced him but failed to impress.

Toby Pettman was the best of several players who came in on loan, but none of them seem likely to move here over the winter. Ryan Sidebottom bowled some good spells, but returned to Warwickshire injured and his track record is not good from that perspective.

Nonetheless, as we go into the winter, Derbyshire fans can reflect on a summer that was far more enjoyable than many in the recent past. There was a smile on the face of the players, suggesting that they both enjoyed and bought into the ethic introduced by Mickey Arthur. It contrasted considerably with the look and body language at the end of the previous season.

If the club's perennial budgetary situation allows it, another opening batsman and a spin bowling all rounder of quality should be the winter goal. With Zak Chappell already added, the seam attack will be a dangerous proposition next season, assuming full fitness for all concerned. 

A job well done then. With five players rewarded for their efforts with county caps, but most of the existing staff coming to the end of their contracts next season, there is plenty to play for and reasons to impress.

Some will fall by the wayside, as Mikey Cohen looks like doing, having played little cricket this summer with his latest injury. But as a collective, the players did supporters proud this season. If this becomes the county standard, there will be few complaints.

What is exciting is that a number of these players are some way from their peaks and have much more to offer.

We all look forward to what the future holds.