Northamptonshire 219 and 211 (Andersson 3-23)
Derbyshire 165 and 132 (Madsen 48*, Keogh 5-44, Chahal 4-54)
Northamptonshire won by 133 runs
So it transpired. Rob Keogh often looks like Jim Laker against us and between them he and Yuzi Chahal took nine of the ten wickets today. Following up on last night, our spinners in the second innings took 4-134 in 34 overs, theirs took 9-98 in 33. It is, of course, much easier to bowl when you have a world-class operator at the other end..
It is a defeat that seems likely to consign Derbyshire to the wooden spoon in red ball cricket and the statistics don't lie. We just haven't been good enough in that format, we recruited poorly and too many people have had sub-standard seasons. Only Madsen and Guest average over thirty from regular players, which won't win you many matches in its own right.
Reasons to be cheerful? Well, Martin Andersson looked again to be a solid signing for next year, taking three cheap wickets in the second innings and bowling with considerable common sense. Harry Moore continues to look a special talent and he can reflect on his debut with pride in a job well done.
Then there is Wayne Madsen. Earlier in the season I suggested that next year may be his last, but 848 runs at 47 in red ball cricket suggest there is still plenty of life in the old dog. Today, once again, he looked to be on a different level to everyone else, finishing with an unbeaten 48, to go with his first innings of 47. He alone seemed to be able to pick Chahal and he still looks as fit as anyone in the side.
Life without Madsen is tough to contemplate, but I see no reason why he couldn't yet go on for a couple of seasons.
Finally today, it is worthy of note that Ajay Khunti has been playing out of his skin for our second team while on trial. He had a few games for Northamptonshire earlier in the summer, when he took a few wickets with his leg spin.
Since joining our second team he has reeled off scores of 173, 15*, 63 and today 109* against Worcestershire, who featured two bowlers who played against our first team in the one-day cup.
I don't know the lad from Adam, but if the purpose of second team cricket is to impress, I don't think anyone could fail to be by his efforts in three matches. I would love to think he might be given greater opportunity another year, because the batting lineup definitely needs a rethink in 2025.
The helpful conditions notwithstanding, there were some poor shots from players who should know better. Unfortunately our two Welshman aren't going to average enough and the problem is that one is the captain. There might need to be tough decision made.
ReplyDeleteSorry but i find that totally unacceptable by Derbyshire today. Heads went down and we gave up, bar super Wayne of course who will always give his all no matter the situation. I'm just so disappointed that we have MA in charge for another season because it has been utter garbage bar a few good displays in the T20, enough for MA to think that constitutes a successful season probably. Garbage again Derbyshire, nothing else to say!
ReplyDeleteThis is the second season in succession that we have been - unquestionably - the worst county cricket team in the country. The occasional good team or individual performance doesn't disguise the truth that the team's efforts are now on a par with those in the disastrous Houghton era. It would be good to hear a credible analysis of the failures coupled with an acceptance of responsibility and a meaningful apology to the fans from those in charge. The interviews that I've seen with the head of cricket are as self-critical as Liz Truss's reflections on what went wrong with her premiership.
ReplyDeleteTake Wayne Madsen's runs out of this game and the defeat would look even worse. Lets hope he stays fit for at least another couple of seasons. That level of consistency from other batters is sadly lacking.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be said, very few of Arthur's signings for 2024 have really been succesful in either red or white ball cricket.
An inevitable end to the County Championship season with Derbyshire rooted at the bottom of the table. So very disappointing.
Ian. S.Africa.
Chahal and Shaw, both well established internationals at Northants. DuPavillon at Derbyshire languishing in the seconds. Well established coach Mickey Arthur at Derbyshire, no coach and a alleged dysfunctional club at Northants. Funny old game ain't it!
ReplyDeleteSadly, as expected. Life without Wayne Madsen looks bleak indeed. It's a good job the off field team are good at creating and managing events because, right now, that's the best part of the club.
ReplyDeleteAndy
Totally outplayed by a team who hadn't won in a year. In his 3 seasons in charge MA has taken us from 15th to 16th to 18th position in the County Championship. Absolutely woeful !!
ReplyDeleteNorthants and Kent have released their coaches based on performance but we seem to muddle through . Our overseas recruitment has been dire and other signings underwhelming to be honest . Reasons to be cheerful Madsen ,Chappell ,Moore and Guest …drop the mic !!
ReplyDeleteCould be an interesting Fans Forum on Sep 18 ..
Wayne Madsen has been our star batsman for so long now that he must get tired of propping up the rest. Another dismal performance by most of the team, with the inadequacy of our 2 spinners on a very helpful pitch suggesting that neither should be in our team much longer. We must sign Ajay Kunti immediately from what you say Steve. Then play him against Middlesex next week together with Mitch Wagstaffe and omit our regularly underperformimg skipper, giving the captaincy to Dal if he is fit or Reece if not. It's time for desperate measures if we are to end the season not looking absolutely hopeless.
ReplyDeleteIt's mystifying why all too often our performances are so mediocre. Mickey keeps saying that when he looks around the dressing room, he sees players with incredible talent. He might be right. But that talent needs to get out of the dressing room and on to the pitch.
ReplyDeleteThere is promise in the bowling attack with the addition of Moore and Andersson to Chappell but the batting lineup certainly does need a rethink.
ReplyDeleteI’ll start with Guest, only Worcestershire’s Gareth Roderick also bats in the top 3 out of wicketkeepers in the county game at the moment, the rest bat between 5 and 7. Then add some proven quality at the top and hope good starts can trickle down to the rest like they did with Shan Masood.
As for the last two games, it has to be time to give Bin Naeem and Khunti a go. Its not like it can be any worse than the last 2 games.
Had a quick look at the data for Division 2 , we are comfortably the worst county for players averaging >30 and >500 runs ( 4 , 3 ) showing individual and collective issues with the batting lineup .. we are crying out for an overseas that can support Madsen in holding it all together !!
DeleteAnother frustrating performance after day one. We seem incapable of performing well for more than one day or a couple of sessions.
ReplyDeleteThe batting once again showed its limitations and without Madsen’s contribution the defeat would have been more painful. Donald can be an exciting watch but a quick twenty in both innings is just not enough in the four day game. We at least need players who can stay out in the middle for more than a few overs, come back Alan Hill.
At least the bowling showed some spark and hope for next season with Zak Chappell, Harry Moore and Martin Andersson producing good spells in both innings.
Overseas recruitment has obviously has been a major disappointment and going into matches without even one recruit is ridiculous. They are match winners and it’s surprising, to say the least, that Mickey Arthur with his international experience couldn’t even unearth one.
Nudger
If Bin Naeem had got the runs for the twos that this fella Khunti has, it'd be all over the website. As Adam says, let's give them both a go.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Derbyshire are a terrible team, but they certainly need some work. The very first thing to do is to sign a proper overseas player, one who is able to play in most of the matches next season. Amir withdrawing before a ball was bowled was such a kick in the stomach and it feels as though morale never really recovered. I have no idea who might be available, or the budget for recruitment, but I do have an idea of the type of player I would like to see - a solid batter like Simon Katich or Ashwell Prince, an experienced team man who might get excited about working with Came, Guest and Donald, as well as Khunti and Bin Naeem. We are also a much better unit when Anuj is in the line-up. Fingers crossed he, and others, can stay fit next season. Finally, we must all temper our expectations of a club operating a small budget.
ReplyDeleteHow embarrassing is it that you could write on the back of a postage stamp Derbyshire's Championship victories under MA's tenure. Simply pathetic!
ReplyDeleteAnyone think it’s worth bringing in an overseas batsman for the last two games?
ReplyDeleteSmacks of desperation but might be enough to keep us off the bottom!
Not me, PB. Sooner we played Naeem, quite honestly. Bottom or next to bottom, we have been poor at red ball cricket this year and need to address this over the winter with better recruitment
DeleteWe've been absolutely woeful this season.
ReplyDeleteThe unforgivable straw that breaks the camel's back for me is Arthur's refusal to play our young players when we have nothing left to play for. He did this last season as well when Wagstaff came into the side, scored 2 impressive 50s and then was dropped for the last few games.
Fair enough Moore made a successful debut this season but why are Wagstaff, bin Naeem and Potts not playing when most of the side look terribly out of form and we've nothing to lose.