There will be a few of them around, though I have to say I disagreed with the first that I saw, on Twitter, which came up with the following Derbyshire starting eleven:
Billy Godleman
Harry Came
Brooke Guest (wk)
Wayne Madsen
Leus du Plooy ©
Luis Reece
Mattie McKiernan
Anuj Dal
Suranga Lakmal
Sam Conners
Nick Potts
While appreciating this was a personal choice by someone not a supporter of the county, I would be very surprised if it was one with which many Derbyshire fans would agree.
For starters, the side doesn't include Haider Ali and I find it hard to believe that our first choice side wouldn't include both overseas players. Nor do new signings, Matt Lamb and Zak Chappell feature, which would appear very unlikely.
And while Nick Potts is a young bowler of considerable potential, I suspect that he is further back in the pecking order than Ben Aitchison, for who traditional early season wickets may well have been designed.
I am unconvinced that a spinner would be essential on early season tracks, although the presence of Dal and Reece in any side means that you can go with three and would seldom need four specialist seam bowlers.
I think it is hard to come up with a definitive first choice side this year, because the quality of the squad has improved. Assuming fitness, at least a couple of good batters, spinners and seam bowlers will always miss out.
I don't envy Mickey Arthur. Assuming all are fit, Lakmal will lead the attack, but which two do you choose from Conners, Aitchison and Chappell? Then there is Scrimshaw and Potts, so there are plenty of options!
None of us see the players in the nets, so can only go on gut feeling. But a more likely eleven to start might be:
Ali
Reece
Guest
Madsen
du Plooy
Lamb
Dal
Chappell
Aitchison
Conners
Lakmal
But I could do that again in 20 minutes and come up with a different eleven!
Much prefer your XI to the other you quote. But looks like a long tail to me, which is probably unnecessary given the bowling options in Reece and Dal. But what do I know? Suspect Godleman will play too tbh.
ReplyDeleteBilly could play, and Luis drop down the order, with one of the English seamers rotated. Depends on how much bowling MA sees Luis doing this year. But we have options, which is great!
ReplyDeleteHaving previously said I expected Billy and Luis to open I had forgotten about Lamb, so I do suspect Billy may miss out to start with especially as MA has said Ali will open.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we may be going full on 'Bazball' especially with the batting points now tweaked, and less points for a draw!
I also wonder about the length of the tail of the team you have named. My preference, even early season would be to include a spinner to provide a more balanced attack, and potentially some lower order runs. 6 seamers just seems a bit much.
As you say, plenty of options and if Billy has a good pre-season then it would be difficult to leave him out.
I agree Jasper. Whatever top 7 we put out looks to be strong, but two of the bottom four need to progress their batting.
DeleteI think Chappell and Aitchison capable of doing that. As for the spinners, Watt may be the preferred option, but Thomson is the best all all rounder, McKiernan the best bat.
Whichever one has kicked on over the winter and in preseason is likely to get the nod. I think a spinner is needed for balance. The question is which one??
Yes, I think Chappell seems capable of providing some lower order runs, and Aitchinson has some ability with the bat.
DeleteMy preference would be to slot Thomson in, I rate him and think he was hampered by injury last season. Looking for him to kick on this year in all formats.
Providing our seamers stay fit, we have some real options in that department. Fingers crossed for good luck with them all staying fit.