Derbyshire 251-9d and 166-5 (du Plooy 61*)
Gloucestershire 383 (Reece 3-47, Lakmal 3-77)
Match drawn
There were no demons in the wicket when the visitors continued their innings today, and only undue aggression got them into trouble. Lakmal bowled his best spell of the summer, but the bowling was largely disappointing.
Gloucestershire had a lead of 132 and it should have been a formality for Derbyshire to simply bat out time. Yet three good wickets were gone in the blink of an eye and it needed a partnership between du Plooy and Guest to get us through to tea without further mishap.
Guest gave his wicket away pulling soon afterwards, but Wagstaff stuck in, although not without alarms. At 19, he appeared a little overawed by things in this game, twice surviving big appeals by the visitors. Bracey, the Gloucestershire wicket keeper, will be very lucky to avoid being mentioned in despatches for dissent, after an appeal for a catch at short leg was turned down. It was uncalled for and unnecessary.
After that, Luis Reece came in and steered us safely to the draw in company with his captain, who batted beautifully for an unbeaten 61.
Not great, but a chance to make an impression with a change of format next.
Please remember a name with all comments - ESPECIALLY critical ones. Thank you. I have declined to publish one tonight for that reason
ReplyDeleteHate to say it but we look very ordinary and the table does not lie. Fingers crossed its the year of the short format for us. Keep the faith Gary
ReplyDeleteA few years ago Wisden commented that we had collected so many wooden spoons that our trophy cabinet resembled a kitchen cabinet. We had such high expectations before this season yet now it seems we might have another item for that kitchen cabinet.
DeleteWell, we gout of this with a draw, thanks to our captain, who played extremely well.
ReplyDeleteHowever, despite the weather, I have to say that we haven't looked anything special, so far. In fact, I find myself thinking back to Dave Houghton's reign.
Maybe the CC is out of reach now, where trophies are concerned, and we'll really sparkle in the T20 or Royal London. I don't know, but I expected better performances.
Perhaps the reality is that we carry a small squad that cannot compete across all competitions. So perhaps we have to accept we are either a one day or a 4-day side?
ReplyDeleteWell after the initial block of 4 day games, in my opinion we have only three players who are performing to the standards we know they are capable of. I'm not sure why that should be, it can't be under preparation given the fact the players reported back in November, I believe. Is it over preparation, is there something wrong with the coaching or captaincy. Or am I over analysing matters?
ReplyDeleteI'm not thrilled by our overseas players, Haider obviously has talent but no experience of English conditions so will be a work in progress. I don't think Lakmal will be anything more than steady, I can't see him running through sides like you would want your overseas fast bowler to do.
Poor management in terms of believing this squad is anything like good enough to compete meaningfully in Div 2 Championship let alone Div 1. It has to be better. No aspect on the playing side is good enough and the Coaces are responsible for most of it. Just generally woeful.
ReplyDeleteI think this coming winter will prove to be the crunch point. If I've got it right a number of contracts are up the year, and MA will have his chance to put his stamp firmly on the squad. Good players cost money, and I hope the Board will play its part here. They've done a great job with the finances over tecent years, but now is the time to invest. For me, the squad is 2-3 players light; we should not be having to dip into the loan market on the strength of 2 injuries. It will be interesting to hear MA''s take on the first phase of the season. I hope I'm wrong but I sense his Pakistan role has caused some disturbance. I fully understand his ambitions and don't doubt his determination to succeed with DCCC but it's just not a good look at the start of a season.
ReplyDeleteI have just addressed this in my latest post, Phil. The coming winter has to be one of change..
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