He will be assessed by medical staff after the weekend to see when he is fit to return to action. His health, however, is far more important and he is obviously suffering from sustained effects of a blow on the head in the last second team fixture.
Tomorrow will see us play Leicestershire at Edgbaston in The Blast Off. This might have been more blast-worthy had it been the tournament opener, but coming on the third day of the competition it seems something of an oversight. Mind you, when the ECB schedule a showcase tournament at the same time as an international T20 series and concurrent with the World Cup T20, it is hardly a surprise...
As I write this, Lancashire are playing Worcestershire, having demolished Durham last night, bowling them out for just 75. Leicestershire have still to play although they open their account tonight against Yorkshire. They look a decent side to me, with two very good overseas players. They have also taken Lewis Goldsworthy on loan from Somerset for the duration of this tournament. He is a good player and will undoubtedly fit in well with an exciting group, led by Australian bat Peter Handscomb.
Both will be difficult games though I would deem them winnable. For all the disappointment of last night's game and the mistakes that were made, it was good to see a Derbyshire side battle and from a position of adversity get a defendable total on the board. The fielding was then as good as any I have seen from a Derbyshire side in this format and the bowling was generally very good.
If the batting can improve and they both stay the same, we will win matches in this competition. The form of other teams will ebb and flow just like ours and it comes down to who learns from mistakes and who rises to the challenge of the pressure points within the game.
Let's be honest, this is an experienced Derbyshire squad, with plenty of players who are used to winning and being a part of winning teams. Such experience will be invaluable and I am treating the season as having started last night. Four day cricket is a different beast and regardless of his comments to the contrary, white ball cricket has been the focus for recruitment for Mickey Arthur.
Let's see how we go over these two games. I will do a match report at the end of both of them, but please consider this the preview for both.
I may be retired, but there are still not enough hours in the day!
Fingers crossed for better weekend performances.
Yes the ECB is an odd organisation. The Vitality is of third importance to them, behind England and the Hundred, but a long way back in third. Mind you, that's still way ahead of the 50 over tournament and the County Championship.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Steve, any win would be welcome at the moment - that was a tough one last night.
Finally Mr D, you have only just fully retired. Please sir no, no, no with not enough hours in the day. I know Tempus Fugit and all that, but I've got a few years to go yet. I was so looking forward to my five minutes in the sun 🌞
🤣🤣 the difference, Dave is that the work is things that I want to do now, rather than what my employer wants me to do.
DeleteSo much better!
Leicestershire have just dispatched Yorkshire with 5 overs to spare, got to be on our game big time tomorrow
ReplyDeleteIs Dupavillion injured?
ReplyDeletePressure already on to win a game. Difficult to cope with when playing a sharp team like Leicestershire. Will have to be at it from Ball 1. I hope we can do it today to get some real belief going..
ReplyDeleteAt least we gave Northants a closer game than Snotts managed, lol
ReplyDeleteWork kills horses, just like to much Cricket kills Cricketers. Both are about work/life balance. Never listen to a Politian of any persuasion. I throught this was a cricket blog Steve ! anyway happy retirement, I bet the Wife is pleased or maybe not.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
We're a joke!
ReplyDeleteNot sure about that, CB. Two decent performances so far, with capacity to improve
DeleteWell that's a baffler CB, I'd be really interested if you could expand. I would have throught most of us would overall be happy with what we've seen over the two games with many positives.Im delighted i just want us to stay in touch with the leaders, and so far their are a lot of won / lost starts.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.