Middlesex 433 and 302 (Higgins 68, Robson 67, du Plooy 59, Holden 45, Thomson 4-115
Derbyshire 339 (Reece 125, Donald 54, Madsen 49, Roland-Jones 5-81, Higgins 3-60
Derbyshire need 397 to win
It isn't easy being a Derbyshire supporter, is it?
From the promise of last night, when we were 308-4, we slid anaemically to 339 all out this morning. Yes, there was a new ball and I accept that the home attack is a good one, but there was little in the way of fight and that was hugely disappointing.
Middlesex went in again and pretty much had things their own way after Zak Chappell took a wicket with the first ball. Robson, Holden and du Plooy played well and Higgins did what Higgins does - he is a very fine cricketer.
I thought that Derbyshire stuck to it well in the field and Dal took two excellent catches, one of them in the 'screamer' category. His ground fielding was of a very high standard too and it was a good effort in that heat.
Again, there were puzzling features in the Derbyshire bowling. I found it odd the first time around when our overseas quick bowler didn't take the new ball, yet today Sam Conners didn't either and it went to Anuj Dal. Then, on a very hot day, Luis Reece ends up bowling more overs than any of the seamers, even though he was potentially going to have to go in again tonight and had spent the last two days on the field.
It is all a mess and I am far from optimistic of our getting anything from this game. Having said that, I was surprised the home side didn't put us in for a few overs tonight. Even allowing for a very short boundary on one side, the likelihood of our successfully chasing the required target is slim, as we are in nosebleed territory for successful run chases.
Finally tonight, I am disappointed to say that for only the second time in the history of the blog, I am on the verge of blocking a contributor.
I have never had to edit or decline to publish so many posts as I have in the past week. It is simply not appropriate to put some things into print, especially when it is my name and face on the blog, no one else.
I have no issue with people expressing concern, disappointment and frustration. It goes with the territory as a Derbyshire supporter. But I will draw the line when comments become personal and reflect on people's livelihoods. The person concerned should realise that the name attributed to the comment may change, but the IP address does not. You would not say these things to the face of a player and they will not appear in print associated with my name.
This should be taken as a final warning and any further occurrence will see that address being permanently blocked. I made an earlier mistake in unblocking it after a few days, but I will not accept any comments that contravene the usual excellent standard and that will not happen again.
I am sorry if that comes over as overly draconian, but 99% of people who get involved are brilliant. l am at a stage in my life, however, where my tolerance of nonsense is very low.
Quite honestly, I would sooner pull the plug on it than bother with the additional work.
It's very tempting for supporters to succumb to defeatism following year after year of under-performance. And there's more than a touch of defeatism about the way the team plays when the pressure is on in any form of cricket. But just as Leicestershire have managed to turn things around after a shocking few years, Derbyshire could do too - if there was a proper assessment of what is going wrong and a sensible approach to putting it right. Many of the current players are capable county pros who would (like some of those who have left) perform better in a better team. I don't think the answer lies - though I understand the temptation - in trawling through the second team's results for signs of hope or dreaming that youngsters will transform the situation. Even if good young players emerge, they will soon leave (or freeze under pressure) if the overall mindset of the club remains as it is. No, what this squad needs is the injection of two quality overseas players who can change the course of games and, above all, a coaching staff capable of instilling a real will to win consistently. The best coaches can not only create a winning mentality but improve the players who are recruited and help them to maintain performance levels when the pressure kicks in. Yes, this is easier said than done, and of course resources are a constraint, but the club needs to shun an excuse culture. Success is not quite as difficult to achieve as Derbyshire have made it look for so many years. Until we manage to implement this strategy, we'll continue to fail. But failure isn't inevitable. Like defeatism, it's a choice.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally, Martin. I firmly believe our fortunes don't require a megabucks coach of international reputation. There are plenty around with good experience of cricket and it needs someone with the ability to handle people.
DeleteAugment that with two good overseas players and your standards improve. Standards can be more easily upgraded by someone on the pitch than off it. Getting the right people is key, but I don't think we have gone about this the right way as a club.
Casing point: Eddie Barlow the cricketer was far more influential than as a coach. There are plenty of other examples, but he is a very pertinent one, I think!
Case in point : must proof read next time!
DeleteAbsolutely. And another good example is Kim Barnett, a great leader-by-example on the pitch, not so effective or hands-on when he took charge a few years ago.
DeleteSorry to hear that you're having problems from readers. This blog is the only reliable source of any but the most cursory bits of DCCC information, and I appreciate it hugely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. Just the one, but not for much longer if there is any more nonsense..
DeleteIt will need a serious batting effort tomorrow and will be a true test of character to come through a days play unscathed .
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the blog ,if people can’t adhere to the simple values of respectful dialogue whilst making their point then unfortunately they can’t continue .. Keep up the good work Steve and gain satisfaction from the wider group who contribute to an excellent Forum on an ongoing basis .. Paul
Thanks Paul, appreciate that!
DeleteI am still wondering how we managed to contrive to lose six wickets for 31 runs in less than an hour on a pitch that had seemed ideal for batting the previous day. I know that our lower order are not known for their run scoring abilities but for Dal, Thomson, Chappell, Connors and Dupavillon to muster just 14 runs between them is hugely disappointing. From a position of apparent strength we now have to chase 398 runs to win - obviously out of the question. We can but hope that all our batters bat with grit and determination and save the game but I am not optimistic. On the question of the blogger you have blocked, Steve, I fully support your stance. You should not have to encounter abusive statements and have to censor them. We should all remember that your excellent blog requires you to be knowledgeable and dedicated and that you give us long-suffering Derbyshire supporters the benefit of your awareness of all things Derbyshire. Thank you.
ReplyDelete.
Thank you CG. Much appreciated!
Delete..and therin lies the problem not just with the blog Steve, but society in general. At least you have the tools to block the 1% that drive the 99% mad.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading and sometimes contributing to the blog for three years now. For a middle aged man following a small county, in what is rapidly becoming a minority sport don't forget the amount of pleasure your efforts give to the many of us who dip in to see your thoughts on the day.
Did I say last night we might have reached a turning point? May have been a tadge optimistic after a good day, but still reckon we'll draw this - Middx far too negative.
Thanks Dave. The light at the end of the tunnel isn't getting bigger..
DeleteWell, after the first hour this morning, no one can say we are inconsistent. No matter what great start we get, whether in the CC or T20, we collapse.
ReplyDeleteThis is about a collective mindset. No idea why. But it seems to be the case.
Eddie Barlow transformed the team when he came in. Can we find someone else to do tje same?
I have to say, I can't see us winning tomorrow, or even securing another bore draw. I hope I'm wrong.
When MA signed Masood and Lakmal I was really hopeful. Since then the recruits, with the exception of Zaman have been fairly ordinary, while Lakmal was never fit.
DeleteIf he stays next year, Mickey has to find better, more influential overseas players.
I am really sorry to hear that this happens on a regular occasion. The blog is appreciated by lot of people. I always look forward for reading the latest articles.
ReplyDeleteThe team has been really frustrating to follow this season. You just don’t know which team will turn up. As someone that always tried to get behind MA. It gets more difficult as time goes on. I think hard questions need to be answered. As a team we can’t keep accepting this inconsistency. There some incredibly talented players in the mix. The last 2 years as a team we have under achieved.
Thanks, Gary. I totally agree, we should be doing better with this group of players.
DeleteI'm wondering if we might try and chase the target. We did in the game against Sussex at Hove last year, scoring 361 in our second innings in 57 overs, falling eight short of the target. I'd rather we lose trying to win than grinding out another draw.
ReplyDeleteFor all of his protestations to the contrary, I remain to be convinced that Mickey has an aggressive approach to 4-day cricket. There has been no evidence of this, either in pitch preparation or in the approach to matches
DeleteSupporting Derbyshire is 90% pain with a few incredible days here and there but this is our County and we love it
ReplyDeleteI’m incredibly frustrated with our lack of results but this blog has been a source of fantastic content over the years and however mad DCCC make me I would never make it personal
Have your views, have your say be passionate like we all are but don’t cross the line just no need
If we had a team as good as this blog we would have some serious silverware in the locker
Keep up the great work PF
John
Chesterfield
Thanks very much, John. I said to my wife yesterday that I would love to be able to report on a really encouraging season, where we win more than we lose and are in contention for silverware.
DeleteI might need to keep doing this for a while yet...
I was amazed Middlesex didn't declare an hour before end of play.Our boys had spent the day out in that hot sun and surely it was the right time to get us in.Now they are relying on the new ball and getting early wickets and it might pay off but a very negative aporoach in my opinion.Topspinner
ReplyDeleteLooking at the pitch today, occasional balls seem to be stopping. I think they wanted the insurance of being able to keep people around the bat. I don't see any suggestion that we will go for the runs, nor am I convinced we will escape with draw points..
DeleteIt isn't rocket science - Masood was transformative. With him and du Plooy in the team it would be very competitive.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I see the need for an "average" overseas pro unless they are a definite upgrade on what is already there?
Any way keep up the good work.
Thanks
Andrew T
Hi Andrew, I agree with you. There is little point in bringing in an overseas player who does not improve the side. While DD has been OK in T20, is OK acceptable?
DeleteWe haven't seen Nick Potts, Conners progress has been blocked and if Aitchison was fit he would have had limited opportunity. It's difficult when you sign not one but two who cover your skillset
The advantage of being a miserable old git like myself is I was lucky enough to watch a lot of Derbyshire in the seventies eighties and nineties,yes the ground has had a lot of money spent on it in recent years but the playing standards compared to that era are night and day.
DeleteThings are going from bad to worse. Poor display this morning. Another defeat looming and still rooted to foot of table. Hope things improve in Queen's Park against Yorkshire. The self-belief seems to be zero. Changes need to be made.
ReplyDeleteWell this is all pretty grim. I try to stay level-headed but this season is such a disappointment. I’d rather see the younger lads integrated in for the rest of the season than trudge along like this.
ReplyDelete