I am struggling to do so this year, for the Vitality Blast.
Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt for a moment that there is talent within this Derbyshire squad and plenty of it. But as I write this piece, I have concerns over the batting, bowling and fielding that make it impossible for me to suggest, with any degree of confidence, that we will get anywhere near the knockout stages.
The batting first of all: there is the ability in this side for Derbyshire to post 200 against some attacks. Yet the frustration is that we could just as easily be bowled out, too often, for under 140. The consistency isn't there and while the hope is that there is a collective finding of form, nothing so far this season has given me hope that will happen. Having said that, new format, new captain, new attitude and different results? Maybe..
Aneurin Donald, Ross Whiteley and Samit Patel bring nous for the format, together with an ability to hit long, but they will need to be at their best for Derbyshire to both set and chase targets on a regular basis. Madsen will need again to be the bedrock, but can we expect that at 40?
The bowling? I don't see a Zaman Khan in the ranks and I fear our attack could be too one-dimensional to unduly concern opponents. I'm not sure that either overseas could be regarded as a format specialist and neither of them having any pretentions to batting could come back to bite us. The records of Tickner and Dupavillon in this format do not suggest they are new models of Rampaul, Langeveldt, Ferguson or Zaman, but I am willing to be convinced.
Patel will doubtless remain parsimonious, but I struggle to see what would be our best side. Pat Brown has been recruited as a one-day specialist, Zak Chappell took a lot of wickets last year, but playing both alongside the two overseas leaves a long tail, regardless of the latter's occasional big hitting.
The bottom five below is the attack, but if one/two from Lloyd/Reece/Whiteley/Madsen could become the fifth bowler, an extra batter - Lamb or Came perhaps - could be played. Or perhaps Mitch Wagstaff? Leg spin is often an asset in T20 and with his batting and fielding ability, the youngster could slot into the side quite nicely. Maybe Alex Thomson will have opportunity too and the twin spin of McKiernan and Watt in recent years proved effective.
The fielding? This is not a young squad and the likely side doesn't contain many 'whippets'. There are some excellent fielders and safe pairs of hands, but getting to the ball could be a problem.
If Samit Patel can use his vast experience to pull the side together and if they respond to the unknown quantity of his leadership, then maybe they might surprise me.
But at this stage I wouldn't put the weekly housekeeping money on getting to the knockout stage. Based on the season so far, how could you?
Yet I would love it if they proved me wrong and no one would be happier if they did so.
Likely side:
Reece
Donald
Madsen
Lloyd
Guest
Whiteley
Patel
Chappell
Tickner
Brown
Dupavillon
I would be inclined to rotate Chappell and Brown, perhaps including Wagstaff for his all round game or Thomson if the wicket looks conducive to spin.
Thoughts?
I think the batting just doesn’t look strong enough. We had players like Ali, Du plooy, Critchley and Masood in the past. If you look at the team it’s totally unbalanced. This team won’t have consistency they will show glimpses as not played consistent all season. While I’m a Mickey Arthur fan he has left me feeling very underwhelmed this season by his planning. I get it’s difficult to recruit. We have 2 issues can we consistently get the runs? We have drop player out 4 bowlers due to squad balance? It’s frustrating as supporter as we gave got strong number 4 who can also offer overs. While I like Lloyd he didn’t play at all last season in blast. Love to be wrong about this. I share your concerns peak fan.
ReplyDeleteLike you, Steve, I'm not as optimistic about our chances in the T20 as I was at the start of the season. On CC performances up to now, I have seen little that suggests we will do well.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the likely XI, I think we can only afford to play two of our number elevens. If we play three, we are likely to struggle in putting runs on the board when we need to. I'd leave out Ticker or Dupavillon and play Came or Lamb. Chappell is an automatic choice for me in the bowling attack. He did well last season, importantly, he is capable of smashing the ball around. Lamb's confidence must be extremely high at the moment, after hitting his first ever double century. I'm all for giving the youngsters a chance, but I fear that Wagstaff's lack of experience in T20 might be exposed. I see him having a role in the one-day cup, though.
If we win the first couple of games, I will feel more optimistic.
I am clinging on to the hope that we will announce another overseas for the T20, maybe a batting spinner, that will allow the other two to rotate and let Tickner spend more time with his wife.
DeleteIt would better balance the side and give me greater grounds for optimism.
Now the T20 squads have been announced for the World Cup, there has to be some availability
Well I'm sorry Steve, but if your prediction is correct and we don't make a good fist of the T20 then Mickey Arthur's position would then become untenable. He's had time now, had a decent budget this winter to improve the squad so there should be no more excuses for failure. We simply have to hit the ground running in this format.
ReplyDeletePJS
ReplyDeleteI had too much time on my hands ...
The season has been very disappointing and I remain unconvinced by the leadership [coach & captain]. Still, the T20 might offer some relief.
The key is getting a big score and putting opponents under pressure. So aim to bat first and vital to have the extra batsman [yea, old school 'til i die on this one!] Patel comes in at 8 to accommodate this approach. Every option at 9 play according to conditions and can hit the ball long if required. Rotating the main attack with four very much recognised bowlers and enough 'all rounders' at the top of the order with variation ... it's not that hard, surely :)
Came/Wagstaff
Reece
Guest [wk]
Madsen
Donald
Lamb
Whiteley/Lloyd
Patel [c]
Chappell /Thompson/Dal/Moore
Dupavillon/Tickner
Brown/Connors
Yep, there will be plenty of preferred teams out there. I think one of the openers has to have carte blanche to really tonk it and Reece/Came both played similarly last year. Perhaps Donald is the one to take advantage of that Powerplay? If you end it over 60, you are flying! Real left field, Chappell as a pinch hitter?
DeleteLloyd, Reece, Guest, Madsen, Whitely, Patel and Donald all seem likely to play to me so that's the top 7.
ReplyDeleteYou need two spin options so Thomson will play.
Then you have to decide if you can get four overs from Reece, Lloyd, Whitely and Madsen. Given that this seems very reasonable and we've already got Thomson and Patel it means we only need two bowlers so I'd go Chappell and one of the overseas with the other and Brown rotating then pick an extra bat - probably Lamb given his form.
Donald
Reece
Madsen
Lloyd
Whitely
Lamb
Patel
Guest (wk)
Thomson
Chappell
Dupavillon
Dal and Came in the wings. I don't think Arthur has much concern with developing youth players so doubt we'll see Wagstaff.
The bowling looks dreadfully weak to me. We can rotate the squad all we like, however it doesn't contain a Ferguson, Zaman or Tahir. I also worry that Chappell over achieved, so to speak, with the ball last year. That leaves us needing to post 200+ to win most matches
ReplyDeletePJS, I follow your logic and share your hopes but it is likely, I'm afraid that the bowling 'attack' will be whooped around the various grounds and a similar scenario will emerge in the short forms of the game as has done in the 4 day matches. We are not good enough in any way and we have a Coach whose reputation bears little relation to his ability. He should be gone by now.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people putting Lloyd in their eleven, he's not a big hitting player in this format, totally suited to the 4 day game. My eleven would be:
ReplyDeleteReece
Donald
Madsen
Guest
Lamb
Whiteley
Patel
Dal
Chappel
Tickner
Brown
If his knee is heavily strapped as I understand he may sit it out anyway. That opens a place for someone and this week's second team T20s give an opportunity to a few people
DeleteLloyd has a decent t20 record, averages 23 at a strike rate of 132 with 10 50s. Plus he bowls.
DeleteStats are comparable to Whiteley (who is overrated in the format in my opinion) and Lloyd has more 50s.
Better than Donald, better than Guest, better than Dal, better than Lamb.
Only Madsen has a clearly superior record, Reece has very similar stats though more 50s.
For all the talk of a focus on t20 hopes remain firmly placed on Madsen's shoulders though of course Patel is accomplished in the format.
I think we should cut Mickey a bit of slack here.These aren't bad players they just need a few wins which will give them a confidence boost.Having a go at the coach isn't helping we should stick with him he will get it right.After all Fergie didn't get off to the best os starts!!Topspinner
ReplyDeleteGiven that the focus of recruitment was one day cricket, I am happy to see how this goes. But he has said that this is his team now, the onus is on him to get it to play to potential.
DeleteSo let's see how it pans out...
Can I finally kill the AF myth of 1990 that I personally have known for years. Its wrongly repeatedly stated that had he failed to win that years FA Cup he would be sacked. Low and behold just 48 hours ago the Great Peter Schmeichel said on 5 live that this was UTTER RUBBISH he had discussed more than once with AF who confirmed it was never the case.
ReplyDeleteSteve Jr.
There's a lot of gnashing of teeth on here of late, and justifiably so. However, not much that has happened so far this season should be that much of a surprise. The only way MA can now be seen to be having some sort of positive impact is if we have white ball 'success' so let's see how it goes..
ReplyDeleteLike several, I am not too optimistic but hopefully we can get off to a good start and gain some confidence.
As for team selection, what I would say is we don't want to be hoping or expecting runs in T20 from numbers 9 to 11 and if Brown doesn't play, as some are suggesting, then he may as well pack his bags now. This is someone who has played T20 internationally. However, he's now not managing to get a gig in the Hundred. Injury has obviously played a part, but we really need him to rediscover his mojo.
Talking off teeth Jasper theirs a famous Derbyshire incident back in Buxton concerning the murdered Ashley Harvey Walker. In 1975 on a particular fast bouncey Buxton wicket Ashley having observed the chin music from the safety of the Pavilion, marched out to bat on reaching the Umpire took his false teeth out rapped them in his hankerchief and said the now immortal words " save these Umpire "
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
That was the famous snow match in June 75 when snow fell on the second day and Derbyshire lost by an innings and plenty, caught on an unplayable wicket. Who was the umpire - of course it had to be Dickie Bird.
DeleteMike
Chesterfield
Interestingly enough in 21 years of the various names of the t20 cup Derbyshire have 2 players ranked in the all time top 10. They are unsurprisingly at No 8 Samit Patel and at No 9 Wayne Madsen. Indeed take Wayne for example if he's has what he's hinted to be his final 2 competitions in t20 and he scores as he usually does he may well retire No 6 in that all time list. That would be remarkable. Potential Samit can also rise to No 6. Alex Hales at No 5 can't be caught in 2 seasons and in any case is liable to play on 3 or 4 years yet.
ReplyDeleteSteve Jr.
I'll go for
ReplyDeleteReece
Came
Guest
Madsen
Donald
Patel
Whiteley
Dal
Chappel
DuPavillion/Tickner
Brown
with Thompson to come in if we need another spinner.
Think that gives 7 bowlers and not too much of a tail.
In previous years we have been short of batters to give it a whack in the last few overs, but should be a bit better now I think. Martin