Leicestershire 574-7 declared (Harris 214, Cox 69, Handscomb 68 Tickner 2-83)
Derbyshire 54-4 (Lloyd 40*)
After being hit around the ground, pretty much at will, by Leicestershire as they amassed 574-7 declared, Derbyshire slipped to 54-4 by the close, trailing by 520.
We can't blame Kookaburra balls this time, but I am not convinced, despite the late in the day collapse, that there is much in the pitch. Leicestershire bowled good lines, Came didn't move his feet, Reece got a leading edge to lob one to mid wicket and Madsen was horribly undone by a first ball yorker that left him on his knees.
It was miserable fare and I must confess to going to work in the garden for a good bit of the Leicestershire innings. I said to a friend earlier on that they would rack up 500 and not break sweat and so it transpired. Everyone made double figures, Harris a superb double century that never looked in doubt after the first half hour and the Derbyshire bowling, Tickner apart, looked pretty ordinary.
There's not a lot of fun in being tanked around for almost two days, but the body language dropped towards the end, as the inevitability of it all hit home.
Maybe tiredness played a part in the dismissals, but they need to do much better tomorrow and for the rest of this game to avoid a chastening defeat. They need only look to their captain for an example of what is possible, David Lloyd playing with good sense in the overs before the close, by which time Guest had also departed, leg before going neither forward nor back.
I maintain there is nothing in this pitch, at present, to prevent Derbyshire from saving this game.
But they need to play much better tomorrow than they did today.
And hope the promised rain on Monday comes down in Biblical proportions...
Our new skipper must be wishing he had stayed with Glamorgan.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking just that at the close of play today. Have the Leics bowlers found something in the pitch that our bowlers couldn't exploit, or have we just batted very badly..? A mammoth effort needed now to save the match. Ian. South Africa.
DeleteWell that was a chastening day. It's not so much the batting collapse that worries me (always likely after chasing leather for a day and a half). It's more that I can't see our attack taking 20 wickets to win a 4 day match. Early days but we have to improve massively to avoid another written off season.
ReplyDeleteCan the last one leaving turn out the lights please. Shambolic from Derbyshire and let's face it three games in and it's looking very bleak indeed. Mickey Arthur has to be on borrowed time if we get thrashed here, totally unacceptable this first two days
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go that far, CB. It is one bad day and only the second game of the summer. Yesterday wasn't BAD apart from the catching, but the bowling is all very similar and while we may be a good one day side this year, we won't take 20 wickets at Derby.
DeleteSo there will be no four day promotion when half the games will be draws at best
Sorry PF but the poster is correct nothing has changed from last season IMO we cannot take 20 wickets in a match which is why we did not win a game last season
ReplyDeleteMicky Arthur exudes confidence and I understand he is a brilliant coach but come on this is unacceptable we look shot already after 1 1/2 games
John
Chesterfield
John, there were plenty wanted Warne out at Derby earlier in the season. Now look! You don't sack coaches after one bad day or game. The squad strength for me is T20 and ODC when Whiteley and Patel come into it.
DeleteBut we all have bad days at work. Today was bad but not, for me, terminal by a long chalk
I said a week or so ago that everyone needs to back Mickey and the team.I stand by that comment it's to early to panic yet. The South African bowler is due shortly. The Derby bowlers tried really hard today.Had several chats with Blair Tickner who fielded just in front of me very pleasant and talkative. Straightforward bloke.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
I’m just frustrated PF that we look so toothless as a bowling attack
ReplyDeleteI’m 47 and I’ve seen some brilliant attacks over the years just want us to at least look like taking 20 wickets
Keep up the great content
John
Chesterfield
Leicestershire total of 574 was the 8th highest by the opposition in our first class history at Derby. So that puts today in perspective. But I'm still staying positive.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
Mickey has told us that he now has the squad he wants, in year three of his "project", and we would now be competing. But, going on this game, and the game against Glamorgan, we look the same as last season, the season before, and...We can't take enough wickets, we collapse, and we don't score enough runs. How is it that Leicestershire racked up 550 and we lost four for 50? I don't get it. Despite all the hype, nothing seems to have changed.
ReplyDeleteIf we somehow manage to lose this game against a weakened Leicester ,then I can't see us winning a championship game for the 2nd season running. That quite frankly would be appalling
DeleteI thought I'd wait until the morning after the day before....
ReplyDeleteWell, I would hope and expect that the majority of the players, and coaching staff are very disappointed with the performance so far in this game. I can't disagree with any of the above comments.
Are they trying? of course they are. Do they mean to drop catches? of course they don't. Does this sort of thing happen when you've chased leather ( self inflicted) for the best part of 2 days? yes it does. Are they good enough individually and collectively?....
For me, the next two days will tell us a lot, not only about this team, but also the coach. There is absolutely no reason why we should not draw this game from here, even without help from the weather. We need to bat for 2 days with 16 wickets in hand, on a reasonably flat wicket, little evidence of spin, sunny and cool conditions (no swing?) against a Leicestershire bowling attack not at full strength. I don't see any excuses. Over to you guys...
I totally agree, Jasper. We should be able to bat through today and tomorrow, which looks like being affected by rain. I hope Lloyd goes on to make a hundred today. I like his aggressive style with the bat. He's someone who believes attack is the best form of defence. I'm also hoping we might see Donald show what he can do.
ReplyDeleteIt's just oh so Derbyshire this performance!
ReplyDelete