Glamorgan 168 (van Der Gugten 46*, Chappell 6-47)
Derbyshire 119-2 (Came 58*, Madsen 41*)
Derbyshire trail by 49 runs
It was a good toss to win, the pitch having been covered and being very evidently green- tinged. Derbyshire opened with Chappell and Luis Reece and they bowled splendidly, the visitors being
32-6 at lunch, which came early because of rain.
Zak was as good as it is possible to be in that pre-lunch session, with very few loose balls and the batters having to play at most things coming their way. The slip cordon was kept interested at all times and to remove the prolific Northeast and Carlson with not a run between them was a surprise.
Catches were held too, none of them too difficult, but in the afternoon Glamorgan fought hard to put a total on the board. Douthwaite and van der Gugten did well, but the support bowlers did us proud and Morley finished things off when Leonard was caught on the long on boundary by Reece.
Chappell has been a standout in all formats this season and is a bowler of high quality. He is very much the focal point of the attack and a player we can build one around for next year. He took his hundredth all-format Derbyshire wicket today and I hope there are many more to come.
Van Der Gugten bowled very well in reply, as he almost always does and removed Reece with a fine ball, before Guest clipped one off his toes and was caught at square leg. Thereafter, Came - who looked in good touch after a successful One Day Cup - and the returning Wayne Madsen steered Derbyshire to relatively calm waters by the close.
It could yet go pear-shaped, of course and one can never fully legislate against a Derbyshire collapse. But we have played our way into a position where that elusive home win might actually materialise.
Before that happens, we need to bat very well tomorrow, then chip away at a good batting lineup second time around. Conditions will not be so favourable for our attack, in all likelihood, but today we put in a very good shift.
In closing, news came today that Sussex are not retaining Cheteshwar Pujara for next season, instead engaging Daniel Hughes for the whole summer. At 36, I would suggest the Indian bat has a few good summers in him yet and is exactly the sort of player we should chase for red ball and fifty-over cricket.
He averages just under 63 in red ball cricket this summer... you would, wouldn't you?
What a good day that was and , yes, I'd love to see Pujara back
ReplyDeleteAndy
Derbyshire 1 Glamorgan 0, great first days play
DeleteChappell has become some player. Not sure when his current contract runs to but get it extended.
ReplyDeleteI worried we might let it slip once Chappell was out of the attack, but the rest did enough.
Also, really pleased for Harry Came…especially as he's making me look like I know what I'm talking about after harping on that he should never have been dropped 🤣
Pujara? Yes please.
Zak signed an extension in February, keeping him at the club to the end of 2026 at this stage. Fair play to Arthur, he has got him nailed down pretty well
DeleteMaybe an unpopular opinion but I'd be hesitant to sign Pujara especially if we sign Proctor as rumoured. We're assembling an absolute dad's army here. Ages at the start of next season:
ReplyDeleteReece - 34
Patel - 40
Madsen - 41
Whitely - 36
Lloyd - 32
Pujara - 37
Proctor - 36
It reeks of Arthur's short termism, player's form can drop off a cliff when they reach their mid to late 30s and we risk being in a position where half the starting line up are all either in that position or about to retire.
We need to look for more players of Harry Came's ilk, young and hungry players who haven't quite broken through elsewhere. Leicestershire are the model for this with Patel, Kimber, Trevaskis and Scriven excellent pickups. Equally we need to trust our academy prospects. Did Potts pick up a knock today or genuinly only get 3 overs?
Still need overseas players though, Hamez. Better to sign one who guarantees runs rather than a lesser talent.
DeleteHe surprised if we sign Proctor. Would have thought it was him or Andersson but maybe not both? Take your point and it would be nice to pick up one or two younger ones but I am curious where the budget comes from when there aren't many out of contract this year
An excellent day for us. I hope we will perform to a similar high standard for the rest of the season and haul ourselves off the foot of the table.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert on bowling fitness, but Chappell certainly has more rhythm since playing week in, week out, mainly through being the main man and injuries to others. At a bigger county he'd have been rested and struggled for consistency, in my opinion. Kris
ReplyDelete