So does this now look to be our first choice side?
Haider Ali
Luis Reece
Wayne Madsen
Leus du Plooy
Matt Lamb
Brooke Guest
Mattie McKiernan
Zak Chappell
Mark Watt
Zaman Khan
George Scrimshaw
You could lengthen the batting by including Came or Wood, but if that top six doesn't score the required runs we are in big trouble.
Anuj Dal would be another option, but he didn't play last season in the competition so is unlikely, with his current injury concerns, to be an automatic pick this time.
As always, happy to hear your thoughts!
Bowling looks significantly stronger than last year and will hopefully prevent a repeat of the Somerset or Notts games. In the current second team game Derbyshire are using this side except with Wood and Aitchison covering for Lamb and Khan.
ReplyDeleteOn Dal I think the issue is he bowls at a speed which is fine in first class cricket but in t20 can be vulnerable to batsmen going for it.
Haider Ali looked very good this morning although against an inexperienced attack.
ReplyDeleteNot that inexperienced. Patel and Carter are fixtures in their T20 side, while Harrison has played his share of games. Pettman has also been around a year or two and I still think he would be a decent signing for us!
DeleteMy concern is the long tail. I'd be inclined to go for Came over McKiernan.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that's about our strongest T20 side. We definitely need an extra bowling option. I don't think we can always rely on Reece to give us 4 overs, and not sure Madsen is able to bowl much now (back issues?). Lamb might be an option for an over or two but surely a risk.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Dal would be an alternative at 7 but as he wasn't selected last season (strangely in my opinion) he perhaps wouldn't feature even if he was fit. Although the comment about his pace maybe valid, Alex Hughes for example was similar but very effective for us. If you have enough variations you can still do a job in T20. I would hope (and expect) that this is something Dal has been working on. Sadly, his injury means he's likely to have to wait for his chance.
I see Dal is playing in this second friendly against Notts, so hopefully, over his injury.
DeleteOf that top 6 ,only Reece has shown adequate ability and sound mentality so far this season. I cannot see the justification for not giving Wood a place in that side at the expense of Watt or McKiernan and I have to admit that I cannot see that side being feared by any side.
ReplyDeleteApart from the fact that would leave us very light in the bowling department. Barring injuries or a complete loss of form by one of the top 5, there is zero chance of Wood playing anyway, in my opinion. He will get an opportunity in the 50 over competition, and he will need to take it.
DeleteMcKiernan and Chappell look one too high with the bat for me but not sure who you replace to be honest as we need 6 bowlers really. Dal could come in for McKiernan but am guessing you’d prefer two spinners in T20. Other option is you pick Came or Wood at 7 and you cobble overs between Reece, Lamb, Madsen and Du Plooy which is not ideal.
ReplyDeleteReece
ReplyDeleteAli
du Plooy
Madsen
Came
Wood
Guest
McKiernan
Watt
Scrimshaw
Khan/Lakmal
Scrimshaw, Reece and the overseas provide pace bowling with McKiernan and Watt the spinners with Wood also an option for the odd over.
I think our bowling is OK.
Batting wise I think we lack oomph once past the top 4. I'd have Came and Wood in as both are capable of powerful knocks but I have to admit to feeling like we win or lose based on the top 4 which puts a lot of pressure on them. You could swap Dal and Lamb for Wood and Came but I don't think either is as quick scoring.
I think the bottom three, the top four and Guest of your side. Pretty much picks itself. The rest there are cases for all of them, swapping in and out.
DeleteI think Lamb a better option for this format than Came and Wood, while Chappell may be an option for McKiernan, depending on the track
I'd be surprised if McKiernan doesn't play most games. He bowled very well last season and was unlucky to take some real tap in that one innings where he went for 70. Prior to that he had great figures. Also handy enough with the bat and able to clear the ropes.
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