Next year is a 'squared year', the only one in most of our lifetimes. The next one will not be until 2116, so to see that one you will need to be much younger than me (and probably not reading this blog right now!)
2025 is 45 squared, while 46 squared takes us to the year above..
44 squared? That was 1936, when we won the county championship. Maybe posterity will see us as the 'squared year county', but lIke most of you I would settle for greater frequency than once in a lifetime...
Strange as it seems, I have lived and supported Derbyshire County Cricket Club through the greatest years, seeing all but one of the trophies in their history. There have been plenty of times that it hasn't seemed that way, but you can't argue with the facts.
Key to our prospects next season will be Caleb Jewell, who I watched yesterday opening the batting for the Hobart Hurricanes (Tasmania to you and me) in the Big Bash.
After a challenging winter so far for him, it didn't make for easy viewing. The pitch was flat, the ground small but Jewell looked like a player low on confidence during his innings of 22 from 20 balls. There was a lot of playing and missing, a couple of them from decidedly agricultural mows, several streaky edges and a couple that he middled going straight to fielders. He adjusted well to one wide ball to guide it through point for four, while another ungainly shot highlighted the size of the ground by sailing into the crowd over point.
Yet there was no suggestion of permanence and it was almost a relief when he was caught at extra cover from a drive. I felt sorry for the lad, because anyone who has been in poor touch will know how it is. His side went on to post 214 and win, largely thanks to Ben McDermott and Tim David, but without their power, Hobart would have struggled from that sluggish start.
I would like to think he is better than that, but I have to admit I am tempering my expectations. I would love to be proved wrong and that he comes over here to be a run machine, but I don't expect a modern version of Dean Jones, Marcus North, Michael di Venuto or Simon Katich.
Truth be told, his career averages in red and white ball cricket are pretty much the same as those of Harry Came, so I think supporters need to be realistic. I hope he comes out of his current famine sometime soon, because we really need the input of a good, solid overseas bat. But I have to say I have some way to go before being convinced that Caleb will provide what we need.
We will see. Maybe he just needs a good batting coach to get him back to basics, but Mickey Arthur, after a string of disappointing signings from foreign climes, really needs two overseas players next year who will enhance the existing offer.
If they don't, what is the point of the expense? You could likely contract someone like Ajay Khunti, who averaged 180 for the second team in 2024, for a fraction of the cost and greater long-term commitment.
Anyway, this is my final post of 2024. I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and I wish everyone the very best in 2025.
If a trophy comes about, remember mystic Peakfan called it first...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please remember to add your name. Avoid personal comment at all times. Thanks!