Middlesex342-7 (Higgins 107*, du Plooy 57, Roland-Jones 51" Thomson 2-43, Chappell 2-55
v Derbyshire
They gradually worked their way through the Middlesex batting, with some good bowling on a pitch that was probably close to ideal for county cricket.
Certainly the two hours before lunch were engaging, as the ball moved around in the air and off the pitch. Perhaps we didn't take full advantage of this period, but wickets continue to fall through the afternoon, including the important one of Leus du Plooy, well taken by Guest from Alex Thomson
But just when Derbyshire could see light at the end of the tunnel, Toby Roland-Jones joined the admirable Ryan Higgins in a stand that took the home side to a position where they got the best of the first day.
Regular readers will recall I mentioned Higgins as a player I would love at Derbyshire and he showed today exactly why. He is organised, busy, correct yet powerful and the partnership of 112 runs, unbroken at the close, tipped the scales the way of the home side.
I thought Zak Chappell the pick of the Derbyshire bowlers today, but it was good to see Alex Thomson bowling steadily after recent travails. Sam Conners was unlucky, but bowling with better rhythm, while in the field Wayne Madsen held a couple of sharp catches at slip.
It was nice to see proper cricket being played in the sunshine at such an iconic ground.
Derbyshire will need to finish off the home innings early tomorrow, then bat with similar application themselves. It did seem to roll out easier as the day went on, but we have seen before when that happens until the opposition bowl on it.
It promises to be an interesting day tomorrow.
Typical Derbyshire performance today in that we can't turn a good position into a very good position Now this always has to be qualified with the comment that all teams let the opposition of the hook true, but not with the staggering regularity and consistency that Derbyshire do. I would wager that with 350 on the board, given the mental fragility of Derbyshire we will be hanging on to save this game.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr
I was at Lords from about 3 pm until 5.15 pm, and I thought we bowled fairly well and fielded well. Encouragingly, there seemed to be a good chemistry amongst the players. When I arrived home, however, I saw that Middlesex had accelerated in the last hour or so, through Higgins and Roland-Jones.
ReplyDeleteMiddlesex look like getting near 400 or above tomorrow. So, if this happens, and we are going to stand a chance of winning, we need to match them or score 500-550, to give us a decent lead.
I'm not going to predicy whether Derbyshire A or Derbyshire B turn up.
It would appear Steve that people are frustrated and maybe have had their fill of Derbyshire for this season judging by lack of interest on here. Maybe if we can win our first couple of 0mes in the One day Cup some enthusiasm may return.
ReplyDeleteUless their is drastic improvement in the County Championship run in or a semi final in the 50 over Cup, then its time for Mickey to RESIGN on October 1st.
ReplyDeleteJoe
In fairness the final judgment on Mickey does have to be left till the conclusion of the group stage or at least until it becomes clear that we won't at least make the quarters in the 50 over cup which in itself is not exactly earth shattering.But given who we are and the season overall it would be something to cling on to. But frankly I'm tired of clinging on I want real progress. It would take a SPECTACULAR turn around to make everyone on here look rather silly. Because if a miracle occurred in the t20 and 50 over cup then we could still salvage some pride with that accomplishment.Im clutching at straws but what are you supposed to do with immense disappointment. Any ideas Steve maybe just hope that Mickey gets it right in probably his 4th and final season in 2025
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
Steve jr.
We must give credit to the bowlers as Steve said.For a large part of the day we were on top taking wickets and keeping the scoreboard under control.As the day progressed the bowlers tired and the pitch flattened under the hot sun and so the later batsmen filled their boots.Topspinner
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoyed yesterday until the new ball came along and instead of cementing our good position we let it slip. If Donald hands on to the catch at slip from Higgins it could have been different. Sadly it’s an all too familiar story.
ReplyDeleteI said last night if Middlesex batted for 60 minutes this morning then we had real problems and that's exactly what's happened. 189 for 6 past 200 for the last 4 wickets Whatever the pitch this is like a broken record just so predictable.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.
What amazes me is despite all the criticism levelled at Derbyshire s bowlers the bowling coach who has been in situ since David Houghton was the head coach (Ajmal Shahzad) gets a free pass
DeleteAlong with others averages have been mentioned on and how our batsmen simply aren't high enough other than Wayne's and latterly Reece currently 35. Here are just 5 top quality ENGLISH qualified players. These are not world beaters but TOP County Pros. Libby Ave 38. 17 hundreds. Wells Ave 35 24 hundreds. Bohannon Ave 44 11 hundreds Browne Ave 36 20 hundreds Haimes Ave 37 hundreds. These are the quality with figures to match that Derbyshire just don't have enough off. Critchley often mentioned and these days more of batsmen, his average ? 32. with 8 hundreds. This SAYS IT ALL. Just look at the numbers of 5 players who haven't even played for England.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make a sobering but pertinent point. One that is at the crux of the problem Derbyshires batting quality of batsmen and solid Averages. Non of these are test players just top consistent professional County players. J Libby Ave 38 hun.17 L Wells Ave 35 hun.24 J Bohannon Ave 44 11 hun. N Browne Ave 36 hun. 20 T Haines Ave 37 hundreds 11. Take that much mentioned name and very fine player who Essex appear to want to turn into batsmen M Critchley Ave 32 hun. 8. These 5 players were found in literally a few minutes I put no throught or method into it they range between 24 & 33. Were I to look I could find another 10 at least. These lads are in another league to Donald, Lloyd, Lamb, Came, Mickey every time he unveils a new batsmen their career is MASSIVELY over exaggerated.If you want proper County quality then you have to find away of paying and convincing names like the ones above, we need at least 3 of this quality in the first 5 after Wayne has retired.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr
It is all well and good to say that Steve, but there is a fine line financially. Yes, you could pick up two or three good domestic players in theory, IF they wanted to come. But in spending the budget that would be required, you would need to cut back on the quality of overseas player.
DeleteWe cut our cloth to suit and we run a tight and successful financial operation. But there is only so far that the money will go and we need to be realistic. If we can bring on our own and pick up/polish a few gems from elsewhere, that, I think, is more feasible.
In an ideal world I agree but I don't think the structure of Cricket set up County wide is anywhere near good enough if it was we'd have been in a much better and more consistent position. Quality overseas players Steve.? What do they look like because I haven't seen one since they moved the deck chairs on the Titanic.
ReplyDeleteSteve jr.