Madsen and Luis Reece both batted very well, but one of them needed to continue on and bat through most of the innings. When they were dismissed in quick succession, quickly followed by Leus du Plooy and Anuj Dal, it left Nye Donald to bat with the tail, which simply couldn't score quick enough.
It was a poor effort after a scintillating stand between Reece and Madsen, which gave genuine hopes of a score north of 200. 118-1 in eleven overs became 131-4 in 14, impetus lost and never recovered. As I wrote last night, 180 is only par these days and not good enough against a team with such depth in batting.
Good bowling was essential, but Scrimshaw and Watt bowled six overs between them for 92 runs. There is no way back from such figures, though I was surprised that Luis Reece wasn't asked to bowl in the circumstances. Clarke took Derbyshire apart and batted beautifully, as later did Montgomery.
It isn't helping that Haider Ali is batting in binary at present. It is all very well being aggressive, but there is a fine line between that and reckless. Tonight's shot to get out was careless and unnecessary. Overseas player or not, supporters will rightly ask whether the needs of the team might be better served with either Harry Came or Tom Wood at the top of the innings. They cannot do worse.
Ali, Chappell and McKiernan bowled steadily, but there were simply not enough runs to play with, the others having haemorrhaged runs.
I wrote last week that we could easily play well in our first two games and lose them both. We didn't play badly against Lancashire, but tonight too many players froze on the big occasion.
Maybe some of them are simply not good enough to go to the level of our expectations.
The next few matches will shed more light on that.
Nothing much to add to that Peakfan, spot on. How we didn't score 200 plus was criminal with the start we had, heaven help us when Wayne has a bad day at the office, nobody else looks capable of chipping in with a big innings
ReplyDeleteOur bowling is bog standard, Scrimshaw has pace but very little accuracy and gets smacked around too easily, Watt and Mckiernan are just not going to get wickets, why can't we find a spin bowler who can actually spin the ball?
The way it's looking at present, I'll be amazed if we win more than a few matches in this format. We still look so short
I agree that Wood or Came must play. They both scored well in midweek practice and if Came is not named in the squad then Wood should play.Dal Donald and Chappell.are all batting at least one place too high in the order. We would have to lose one of the bowlers but on tonight's showing would it matter ? Also the experiment of Haider Ali opening the batting has failed spectacularly in both 4 day and T20 formats
ReplyDeleteIt also appears rather worryingly that the Mickey Arthur influence has rapidly disappeared
ReplyDeleteWatt's confidence was shot after his first over. Why did DuPlooy let him have another? I think DuPlooy has had enough time at the club and should move on after this season. He has flattered to deceive over the years and his captaincy hasn't gone well so far, with some strange decisions (opening with Watt against Lancs??). Scrimshaw needs to bowl slower which should hopefully improve his accuracy. Far too many wides and short balls tonight.
ReplyDeleteThe collapse last night mirrored the collapse of the seconds against Leicestershire in the week when Came and Wood put on over 100. We need to play Wood or Came on Monday to bolster the batting, which is looking fragile from five onwards. One of them should open and Ali should move to three. To win games, we have to be able to put 200 plus on the board when we bat first.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, I thought Khan and Chappell bowled well.
If we win on Monday, then we're back in business.
Must win game three games in, changes needed in this team
DeleteContext. We have played 2 of the teams likely to finish in the top 4 of this group, quite possibly the top 2.
ReplyDeleteHowever, add to these Warwickshire, who looked the strongest of the 4 teams on show last week at Egbaston and I think we have to ask, can we occupy the 4th qualifying slot?
Long way to go I know, but I expect us to gather some points against the likes of Leics, Worcs, Northants and Yorkshire but my guess even at this early stage is that Durham could well muscle in to that top 4. I can see us accumulating about 10 points, which wouldn't be enough.
I suggest it's unlikely MA will make wholesale changes just yet. Fine margins in T20, and with some 'easier' fixtures coming up it doesn't take much for an upturn in fortunes.
I do agree that Ali needs to fire in the next 2 games or Came/Wood should be given an opportunity. The experiment of bowling Watt in the powerplay hasn't worked against Lancs and Notts. Will it against 'lesser' sides? Maybe, or should Thomson be given a chance? Some food for thought for Mickey...
I was very disappointed to find I couldn’t lump on Notts in play when to an outsider we may have appeared on top. Would have paid for my night out!
ReplyDeleteGeorge Scrimshaw's strength last season was his bowling outside of powerplay overs but all of a sudden he is bowling opening overs.
ReplyDeleteIf you use a spinner in the powerplay they should bowl over 1 before they are settled not over 4 like last night.
If Anuj Dal is not fit to bowl he should be rested to get him fit to bowl as he would be a bigger asset later in the season. Tom Wood should come in at the moment.
I would consider bowling Reece in powerplay to have a left armer to vary direction. I know there is an element of risk as he can be expensive but at least batters will not settle as easy.
The club need a win just to get one on the board this season. One win could quickly bring 2 and 3 and confidence is back.
Sorry I thought I was logged in.
DeleteThe anonymous was me
Scrimshaw and Watt going for a total of 92 runs in 8 overs simply isn't good enough. MA will need to address this somehow. But I don't think we should overlook the outstanding 9batting of Wayne. He took the Notts bowling apart with good support from Reece.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'd like to see Donald at number 4. He was recruited to use his undoubted ability to wallop the ball to all parts and it makes no sense to have him batting as low as 6.
Our weakness at the moment is our batting between the top four (I believe Ali will come good) and the tail enders. The batting and strike rate stats of those who could bat here don't make great reading:
ReplyDeleteWood: 40 and 126 (only played 8 games)
Lamb: 24 and 120
Came: 17 and 126
Dal: 15 and 119
Thomson: 14 and 141
McKiernan: 13 and 143
Chappell: 11 and 121
Of course, any of these players could, in theory, produce rapid 20s or 30s in a game, but this has to be done with some consistency if we are to grab a top four spot.
When you look at the bare facts, it's hard to escape the fact that, Guest (and maybe Donald) aside, we lack quality batting outside of the top four. Compared to the likes of Notts, Yorks, Lancs etc, we're a small club with a small squad. Creating winning performances in these circumstances, in any format, is the challenge Mickey has taken on. He believes he can do it. Only time will tell.
Anon happy to publish your comment of 11.12am but need a name, if you can provide please
ReplyDeleteThis might sound harsh but the likes of Scrimshaw, Mckiernan, Watt, Dal just aren't good enough in this format. I don't think they'd get in any other county, but we're saddled with this standard unfortunately. Thank the lord we have Wayne Madsen because without him where on earth would this team be?
ReplyDeleteScrimshaw not good enough? What a ridiculous comment, clearly haven't been watching the last two seasons where he's been very good indeed. I think only two players took more wickets than his 23 in the Blast last season. He had a poor game that's all, it can happen in this format.
DeleteMcKeirnan and Watt were also very handy (pre Taunton!) last season.
The issue is whether we have batting in the middle order that can last the course and go big.