Worcestershire 237 and 70-2
Derbyshire 578-5 (du Plooy 238*, Madsen 143, Dal 141*)
Derbyshire lead by 271 runs
I saw some of the partnership yesterday afternoon, and it was batting of the highest calibre. Had they continued I am sure that George Davidson's record innings of 274 would have been in danger, as the skipper looked in no trouble at all. Nor did Dal, who became only the third Derbyshire player to twice score a century and take five wickets in an innings in a match.
The batting of du Plooy has gone on to a new level in recent weeks and international cricket, either for South Africa or England, looks within his compass. He is very organised, busy and devastating at the crease and looks a serious player.
Meanwhile Dal returned to the form that made him such a fine player last season. One or two had written him off, but he is simply too good a cricketer for any dip in form to be more than transient. Sometimes I think people underestimate how much an injury can affect a player and the side strain that cost him cricket this summer has been a major factor in his drop in statistics.
He is back with bat and ball and adds a lot to the side in that key position at number seven.
Two stands in excess of 250 isn't that common in a first-class innings and well done to the players concerned for that feat
The weather cost Derbyshire the opportunity for further inroads into the home side's second innings, but they will be hopeful, as I am, that a full day today might allow them to take the eight wickets required to seal a first 4 day win of the season.
Fingers crossed!
I agree that du Plooy seems to have gone to a different level. He can smash the ball around the park in a T20, and he can bat long in the CC and, when necessary, grind out the runs. I hope we can hold on to him for next season.
ReplyDeleteDal's century, along with his five wickets in the first innings, is a reminder of what we have been missing for much of the season. He is a class player.
Unless the weather intervenes, we should win this one.
A fabulous day for us. What worries me however is our depleted bowling attack.
ReplyDeleteWith Aitchinson injured and apparently unable to bowl, a heavy burden will fall on the others. What I don't understand is that, with Conners and Chappell both injured and Lakmal out of contention, why is it that Scrimshaw and Zaman were not selected? If they are being saved for the T20 this makes no sense. After the Lancs defeat our chances of progressing further in the T20 are remote to say the least. If we are to avoid the Championsip wooden spoon again we need to select our strongest side which hasn't happened here. I hope I'm wrong but with a bland pitch and our depleted attack, bowling out Worcs again looks unlikely. This would be a great shame after the magnificent efforts of Madsen, du Plooy and Dal.
No, we can still qualify. If we beat both Leicestershire and Worcestershire at home, we just need Durham to also beat Worcestershire and we will qualify. The odds are perhaps not in our favour, but Yorkshire look set to be docked points and we just need to produce our best form, while hoping Durham do a job for us.
DeleteZaman hasn't played a game of first class cricket and George has played relatively little through his injury issues. I don't think the natural games of either lend themselves to a longer format.
But we will soon need to do something, because we are running out of fit options..
It's a shame about the dropped catch by Guest near the end. I'm not sure why 1st slip was so wide? Kris
ReplyDeleteI am not sure Kris, I didn't see that as we were out at the time. But catches go down and it is frustrating but inevitable at times
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to know whether three Derbyshire batsmen have ever passed 140 in the same innings.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which is more painful watching the dross served up by England's bowlers at Lord's or Derbyshire's attempt to finish Worcestershire off today
ReplyDeleteA very sad day for Derbyshire CCC. We are wooden spoon favorites again.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know why the declaration was so late in coming. My 3 year old grandson said .grandad why haven’t they declared,they haven’t got time to bowl Worcester out!he didn’t but if he understood cricket he would
ReplyDeleteSorry it was Malbar and grandson
ReplyDeleteThe grim reality is we are bottom of Division 2 and winless. The table doesn’t lie.
ReplyDeleteIt pains me to say so but my prediction was true. Our depleted attack failed to dislodge some dogged Worcs batting and a match we should have won slipped away from us. We can't let this happen again. If Scrimshaw and Zaman are considered too much of a risk to play 4 day cricket we must recruit another fast bowler from somewhere to avoid having to rely on loanees
ReplyDelete