Kent v Derbyshire preview

This is my final match preview of 2025 and thanks to all of you for sticking with me throughout another long and sometimes challenging summer. 

Derbyshire travel to Canterbury for the final match and play Kent, who are bottom of the table. Mickey Arthur has announced a squad of thirteen, which includes Yusaf bin Naeem and Nick Potts, although having said he intends to play his strongest side, it seems likely that they will be sharing twelfth man duties on this occasion.

The likely Derbyshire side:

Reece, Donald, Came, Madsen, Guest, Basra, Dal, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley

Wayne Madsen is forty short of a thousand for the summer, while Luis Reece is currently top wicket-taker in division two. Rory Haydon is missing with a side strain.

That is very different from the preview of the Derbyshire side on the Kent website, which I can only assume was written weeks ago, as there are so many inaccuracies. You may want to have a look yourselves here

As for Kent, they are skippered by Harry Finch, who had a few games for the Derbyshire second eleven  a few summers ago. Mikey Cohen is also in the squad, as is Joey Evison, so there is a strong East Midlands flavour to their squad of thirteen, which reads:

Finch, Cohen, Compton, Curtiss, Dawkins, Jaydn Denly, Evison, Flintoff, Garrett, Parkinson, Rizvi, Singh, Stewart

The forecast looks good and there should be four days of cricket. If that is the case, I would like to think that Derbyshire have enough in the squad to overcome a young home side. 

It would be nice to finish on a win and in third place, but we will take nothing for granted..

What do you think?

Random thoughts

Sad news to start, as 'Dickie' Bird passed away earlier today. 

While he was a Yorkshire man through and through, he was also often seen at former player days at Derbyshire. I met him at Chesterfield last year and enjoyed a fairly lengthy conversation with him. He was as engaging as I hoped he would be and the game has lost one of its great characters, as well as one of its greatest umpires. 

My condolences go to his family and close friends. May he rest in peace, as one of those people who transcend the game of cricket.

Elsewhere, there is a terrific interview - as always, since he is very articulate - with Daryn Smit on the club site, which you can see here

Daryn and his coaching team have had a stellar season and you can sense his pride in the efforts of the youngsters coming through. It is well worth a watch.

Finally, I am delighted that Worcestershire won the Metro Bank One Day Cup, albeit in a rain-shortened match against Hampshire. They have played some terrific cricket and fully deserved their success.

Yet for me it is important to realise that there is little between them and Derbyshire. Both the white ball games between the two teams were close this year. 

If Worcestershire can win a trophy, why not Derbyshire? 

Radio interview

Not much cricket to talk of today, but last night I had another interview with Matt Rhodes of North Derbyshire Radio, where we covered a range of topics over 15 minutes or so.

You can listen to it here

I am on at just over the 27 minute mark.

David Lloyd retires

The news that David Lloyd has retired from first class cricket comes as no real surprise to me. 

I had a feeling that David was not the sort of man who would continue playing while not being able to offer his best form in return. He has always struck me as an honorable man and this is further confirmation of that assessment. 

The frustration is that I always enjoyed watching him. So many times in Derbyshire colours he has looked a million dollars, timing the ball beautifully and seeing it race away to the boundary. Conversely, he found any number of ways to be dismissed and his average has declined to what he probably felt was an unacceptable level.

His battle with mental health is well documented and stepping away from the first class game is the best way to start a full recovery. Nothing matters as much as your own health and well-being and David will have the support of a close family unit to get him back on an even keel. 

There will be plenty of opportunities for an intelligent, articulate man outside of the game and, like all of you, I wish him the very best in his endeavours, while thanking him for his efforts for the county.

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day four

More overnight rain on an already soaked outfield made the final day of the domestic home season an anticlimax.

Attention now switches to Canterbury and the final game of the summer next week. In his post match interview, Mickey Arthur said that he will be fielding the strongest side possible and I agree with that. 

As I mentioned in a reply to a comment earlier, there would be plenty waiting to be critical if Derbyshire slipped from the impressive third place that they currently hold to bottom three, simply because they lost their final game. While it is laudable as an idea to give experience to some of our youngsters, our position is considerably different to Kent, who genuinely have nothing to lose in bottom place.

Arthur also confirmed that we would have 'an overseas fast bowler' next year. I would hope that this is sign, sealed and delivered before too long so that plans can then be hatched well ahead of 2026. 

Arthur also confirmed that both Pat Brown and Luis Reece have been carrying injuries for much of the season, which explains challenges faced by the former, while the latter deserves every credit for his level of performance while in constant pain. 

Finally tonight, an acknowledgement of a job well done by our neighbours, Nottinghamshire. They beat reigning champions Surrey in a thriller today and now have one hand on the County Championship trophy.

I am no fan of our friends across Brian Clough Way, but they have played some very good cricket this year and would be worthy winners. More importantly, a win for them prevents a monopoly developing in the county game as we see so often in modern football. 

It is not healthy for any sport if one side continually wins all of the trophies. I wouldn't go as far as to say a Nottinghamshire win would be one for the underdog, but it would break a southern sequence and that does me just fine...

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day three

The third day of Derbyshire's final home game of the season was, pretty much as expected, washed out today. 

Heavy overnight rain, followed by intermittent rain and drizzle today, meant that no play was possible. It renders the final day - assuming that they get on - somewhat academic, with only bonus points to gather. I think it very unlikely that Glamorgan would be interested in setting up a 'match' and I certainly wouldn't be, in their position.

It has made for a disappointing end to the home season, but no one can control the weather.

It's a good job that the club didn't bother signing an overseas player  for these closing matches... it would have been a long way and a lot of money to sit in the pavilion...

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day two

Glamorgan 259 (Carlson 94, Van Der Gugten 37, Harris 31, Reece 4-67, Dal 3-29, Aitchison 2-51)

Derbyshire 17-0

Derbyshire trail by 242 runs

Before I give my thoughts on today's play, I thought I should comment on yesterday's non-start, not just at Derby but around most of the country. 

In this health and safety/litigation crazy world we now live in, you cannot take risks with employees. It is all well and good to suggest supporters, ground staff and players could have got the covers off, but what happens if something goes wrong? Add in an outfield that is very wet and people who are playing cricket for their livelihood, not a laugh, the potential for an issue was considerable. 

A decision was made - not just at Derby, but pretty much everywhere - that the risk was too great. While acknowledging it is an important game for Derbyshire, common sense has to apply and I have no issue with play being abandoned for the day. It was a decision made by the umpires and that has to be respected.

Today, a Derbyshire charge was held up by the diligent Kiran Carlson and Timm Van Der Gugten. They batted with complete focus and common sense in repelling the Derbyshire attack for 28 overs when their side had slipped to 99-6 on a more lively pitch than usual, after being under covers for 24 hours. The home seamers bowled well, the ground fielding was excellent and the catching good. Ben Aitchison held a Daryn Smit-style screamer to eventually dismiss Carlson, but the damage had been done by that point. 

Both those batters are admirable players and have been fine servants to Glamorgan. It was fitting that they should team up to steer their team to calmer waters, having done so many times over the years since they both made their debuts in 2016. They are part of an ageing side, but one in which the key players have stayed fit this summer and six batters average over 40. 

There just isn't enough time left in this game for Derbyshire to force a win. They could go in and hammer 400 in 75 overs tomorrow (unlikely, on a surface offering help to the bowlers) but it looks like being a truncated day and the visitors have no obligation to offer anything, when they are in such a positive position in the league.

If this was day one of a four-day game, Derbyshire would be dreaming, but it isn't, so they must battle to get the best points they can from the fixture.

Luis Reece and Anuj Dal bowled splendidly today on a pitch that suited them, but everyone pitched in. Ben Aitchison again offered both quality and control, his return being one of the major plusses of the summer. It was a solid team effort, epitomising our red ball game this year, but as I said at the outset, to do something special you need your fair share of luck. 

Yesterday, we didn't get it. But in that, we were the same as everyone else. 

Sadly, as the saying goes, them's the breaks.

Late in the day, a shoulder injury sustained by Luis Reece in the field was worrying, but he thankfully reappeared soon afterwards and was able to take the second new ball. The pitch appeared easier by that stage and the visiting tail dug in, as the intensity of both the attack and fielding dropped. Gorvin and Harris took time out of the match and did a fine job for their side in an important half century ninth wicket stand.

It was eventually broken by Reece, courtesy of a fine low catch by Guest, but Glamorgan had an unlikely batting bonus point by that stage. Gorvin's eventual dismissal after facing 66 deliveries gave Derbyshire an awkward five overs to face.

Reece and Donald took 17 runs from them and will hope to add many more - and quickly - tomorrow.

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day one

Doesn't look like I missed much...

Derbyshire v Glamorgan preview

It is the last four home days of cricket 2025 at the Central Co-op County Ground, starting tomorrow. 

Mickey Arthur has named the predictable twelve, which is pretty much anyone left and still able to run. The decision on the final eleven looks likely to be between Nye Donald and Amrit Basra, so you can place your bets on that one. I suppose the former could be asked to open the batting, as he does successfully in white ball cricket, replacing Caleb Jewell. I would be happier with both of them away from the new ball and the wiles of Timm Van Der Gugten, to be honest. I expect Arthur to go with Donald and this to be the team:

Reece, Came, Guest, Madsen, Donald, Andersson, Dal, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon (Basra)

Glamorgan arrive with a squad of fourteen and all of their big guns apart from Ben Kellaway, who is injured. 

Northeast, Root, Carlson, Crane, Harris, Gorvin, Leonard, ul Hassan, Ingram, Cooke, Tribe, Van Der Gugten, Fernando, Byron

Much as I would love to predict a home win, the weather looks set to take time out of every day and I fully expect a draw as a consequence. Which will be greeted with euphoria in Cardiff, of course and our visitors deserve every credit for how they have gone about their cricket this year. They have managed five wins to our two, which is the reason they are 27 points ahead at this stage.

For next summer, Arthur needs to be brave enough to go with result pitches at Derby. Not to the point of point deductions, but similar to what we saw at Lord's last week and what they have had in Cardiff and at Leicester.

I am not convinced that our batting is as good nor our bowling as at times ineffectual as it has seemed, but a young attack, hopefully strengthened by a solid attack leader from overseas next year, could do with a little more encouragement on home turf.

But that's for another year. I won't see much of tomorrow's play as I am in Manchester meeting up with some friends, but I will see the rest of the game. As I do when on holiday with the family, I will create a page for you to append comments at the end of the day.

Fingers crossed! 

Weekend thoughts

Two games, or a theoretical eight days of cricket to go in the 2025 season. Derbyshire are still in third place in the table.

Things are so tight that all of the hard work could yet be undone and it is possible for us to finish second bottom, even now, if results didn't go our way. 

I don't think that we will sneak into the promotion places, which isn't me being negative, just realistic. We are 27 points behind Glamorgan and with the forecast for the game being best described as 'sketchy' look like having to win in the equivalent of three days play.

I don't think the usual pitches at Derby facilitate that and the visitors come with a solid batting side and the form player in the country in Asa Tribe. For Derbyshire to win, we need to score runs quickly, two or three players need to have stellar games and we need to hold our catches throughout.

There is no Caleb Jewell, so we go into the last two matches without an overseas player. There has been a lot of discussion among supporters about bringing in an overseas player, but with all of the above taken into account, I wouldn't have done so. 

If we were level pegging with Glamorgan maybe the argument is different, but with so much cricket going on around the globe and the workload of name players being managed by different countries, availability of worthwhile additions would be limited. 

As for loan players, who is available AND match fit but not in their own team's plans? Would such a player really be better than we have? I am not convinced...

I would sooner save the money and use it towards a second and third overseas player next year. Special players, with reputations made, who can be the 'go to' members of the attack in red ball and T20 cricket. Assuming, again, that such players are available and can be persuaded to come to Derbyshire.

For now, let's make sure that players with big futures get opportunity. Let's see Rory Haydon and Ben Aitchison. Hopefully get Amrit Basra into the side and give him a taste of things ahead of next season.

For what it is worth, my side for Glamorgan would be:

Reece, Came, Guest, Madsen, Basra, Dal, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon.

Nye Donald could be an option, but that would omit Basra. Anuj Dal is a better bowler but isn't scoring the runs he has in the past, while Martin Andersson has been terrific with the bat but is doing little bowling (maybe his back injury still an issue?) Perhaps the selection of Basra, a useful seamer, could be a decent compromise.

We will find out the squads tomorrow and I will be back then.

Came signs new deal

More excellent news to take us into the weekend, as Harry Came is announced as signing a new two-year contract.

He is a fine player, still with an outside chance of making a thousand red ball runs for this summer. He needs 192 runs in his last four innings, not beyond him in his best form. An average of just under forty represents a solid season and I would like to see him open next year, building on the partnership that he had with Caleb Jewell. 

I suspect he will, with Matt Montgomery likely to bat three and this will allow Luis Reece to drop to six, where he offers reassurance to a sometimes sketchy batting order.

He had a mixed One-Day Cup but made a memorable century against Essex, when he looked a very good player indeed. He isn't currently seen as a T20 player, but that is perhaps an area to work on over the winter. Derbyshire are not short of options in that format at present, so he may need to wait for opportunity.

Yet he is only 27 and should be coming into his peak years now. That Mickey Arthur has secured his services is a sensible move.

I think everyone should be happy with this news.

Middlesex v Derbyshire day four

Derbyshire 283 and 153-4 (Guest 65*, Andersson 31*)

Middlesex 298

Match drawn

With the rain never far away, the game at Lord's ended in hard-fought draw today. 

Middlesex will have entertained hopes of a win when Derbyshire slipped to 46-3, with both Reece and Madsen adjudged leg before to decisions that could have been deemed questionable. 

Harry Came and Brooke Guest steadied the ship before the former, not moving his feet, played on to Ollie Stone, who bowled well here. So too did Ryan Higgins, an admirable player who bowled with great skill and in long spells.

Yet Guest and Martin Andersson, against his old county, stood firm. Both played some fine strokes but were watchful in defence on a pitch where the ball moved throughout and there was variable bounce. It is a pity that the rain ruined the last two days, because Derbyshire will have fancied their chances in the final innings on such a pitch. 

It was not to be, however, and both teams took a share of the points, with Derbyshire remaining in third place with two matches to go. 

For me, the big news of the day is that the upper age limit for county academies is to rise from 18 to 19 next season.

One director of cricket, who backed this change, suggested that it supports the view that the greatest transition in young players comes between the ages of 18 and 20. The success of the South Asian Cricket Academy and the importance of the MCC Young Cricketers' programme – revived this year – have supported the argument. It has long been argued that existing practices were costing the county game talented youngsters.

Until now, a county couldn't even keep on an 18-year-old who wasn't deemed ready to be signed on a casual basis, unless they paid the player to come in for sessions.

To quote Nick Friend in The Cricketer:

One academy director said that he expects the benefit of the extra year's academy coaching to lead to better players being signed and those players then to spend more time in the professional game once signed. Previously, counties would gamble on 18-year-olds, sometimes successfully but at other times with no great longevity, whereas the extra year ought to give greater confidence around talent identification.

I applaud this change and it will give young cricketers a chance to focus on their game for a year after they complete their exams. It will also allow them to decide whether a career in first class cricket is what they want.

With the Derbyshire Pathway at its strongest for many years, it is an opportunity for some of the youngsters to state their case, free of educational pressure. 

A player like Matt Stewart, for example, has now finished school and showed yesterday with his five wickets for the second team that he can possibly make the next step. A winter in Australia is likely to improve his game still further and he can come back next year with a chance to show what he can do for the summer.

With others, such as Rohan Vallabhaneni, Rubaiyat Abrar, Jake Green and Hasnain Akhtar showing real potential, not to mention Joe Hawkins, we should be better able to make an informed decision on these young men when the time comes.

The future is bright.

Middlesex v Derbyshire day 3

Derbyshire 283 and 33-1

Middlesex 298

Derbyshire lead by 18 runs

Not much to say today. The rain took the expected chunk out of the day and the only thing of note was Caleb Jewell passing a thousand red ball runs for the season before he was dismissed. 

It will be difficult to conjure a result in the remaining time, much will depend on tomorrow's weather. 

In other news, the second team lost a thrilling match to Northamptonshire by one wicket.

Set 174 to win at Denby, the visitors got there thanks to a last wicket stand of 32 runs. Matt Stewart once again underlined his credentials by taking 5-36 in ten overs.

Scorecard and video clips can be seen here

Middlesex v Derbyshire day two

Derbyshire 283 and 17-0

Middlesex 298 (du Plooy 105, de Caires 46, Cracknell 43, Aitchison 3-35, Chappell 3-69)

Derbyshire lead by two runs with ten wickets in hand

Derbyshire did well at Lord's today, bowling out Middlesex for 298, despite an excellent century by Leus du Plooy.

It was a gritty knock by the former Derbyshire player, surviving a stoppage when he inside edged Aitchison and took a painful blow. I don't think I've seen many players suffer more injuries when batting than Leus and his low forward defensive stroke always makes him susceptible to a blow in the unmentionables. I recall one afternoon at Chester le Street when that happened several times, which must have made for an uncomfortable evening...

de Caires also batted well in the morning session, on a day when press reports confirmed he was staying with Middlesex. He has a somewhat unusual style, his exaggerated 'leaves' outside off stump often ending with him facing the wicket-keeper and slips. Which is all well and good, as long as he doesn't get it wrong...

Ben Aitchison was superb today, his analysis of 20-7-35-3 telling its own story. It probably didn't give him full value either, as he beat the bat consistently. The opening spell of Ben and Rory Haydon was in the best Derbyshire tradition, giving little away and making the batters play. It was good to watch and heartening ahead of next summer, when both will undoubtedly be key members of the seam attack.

Zak Chappell also took three wickets, while Haydon took two on debut in an encouraging display. Luis Reece was also good value for two wickets, but it probably made people question why we selected Anuj Dal AND Martin Andersson, when the former only bowled eight overs and the latter none. I accept Martin has been a batting success this summer, but the omission of Amrit Basra was an odd one, as several of you pointed out yesterday. 

The ball nipped around all day on an excellent cricket pitch and reduced the game to what is effectively a one innings shoot out. I like such pitches, where good batters can make runs but there is reward for bowlers who bend their back. I would be more than happy with similar pitches at Derby.

The home side had a lead of fifteen runs, though missing out on a second batting point by just two runs, but crucially they had nine overs at the Derbyshire batting before the close.

They survived with no major alarms, two runs ahead and Jewell three short of a thousand red ball runs for the summer.

A fascinating final two days is in store.

Who will hold their nerve? 

Postscript... The second team took a first innings lead of 40 runs against Northamptonshire at Denby. There were three wickets for Yusaf bin Naeem and two each for Matt Potts, Jake Green  and Ajay Khunti. 

On a deteriorating pitch, Derbyshire were 111-8 in their second innings, a lead of 151. Trialist Callum Gaffney, from Durham, top scored with 30, while Zak Kelly made 26.

If the weather allows it, that could be a decent finish ..

Middlesex v Derbyshire day one

Derbyshire 283 (Came 64, Jewell 56, Aitchison 36, Dal 36, Roland-Jones 6-77)

Middlesex 12-0

Derbyshire lead by 271 runs

I am not going to spend too much time on today, because I only saw the first session, before I went out with my wife and daughter for the afternoon. 

At that point Derbyshire, were progressing serenely, although the movement obtained by Higgins and Roland-Jones suggested that batting may not continue to be straightforward. 

I will leave you to fill in what happened after the excellent stand between Came and Jewell, which left Caleb four runs short of a thousand first-class runs for the summer with an innings to go.

Meanwhile at Denby, the Seconds were all out for 320, with Savin Perera, who has been around a few county second teams and plays with SACA, making an unbeaten 160 and carrying his bat in a wonderful effort. Yusaf bin Naeem made 47 and McLoughlin took 4-67 for Northamptonshire 

They were 66-2 at the close with George Bartlett unbeaten on 33 after Potts and Stewart took an early wicket each.

More from me tomorrow, when we will see if we can make early inroads at Lord's and Denby

Now, over to you!

Middlesex v Derbyshire preview

Mickey Arthur has named a squad of thirteen for tomorrow's game against Middlesex, at Lord's. 

It is anyone's guess who will be left out, but my first eleven is the most likely side, with the other two also in the squad:

Came, Jewell, Guest, Madsen, Basra, Reece, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon

Dal and Donald also in the squad. 

Nuj hasn't had the best of summers, averaging only 21 with the bat and with just 15 wickets. He could play in place of Aitchison or Haydon, which would lengthen the batting, but it would also be to the detriment of the attack - and we need to take twenty wickets to entertain any remaining hope of promotion. I expect Haydon to play, because otherwise signing him on for these last three games seems a little odd. Indeed, I hope that both he and Amrit Basra get the tasters of the first-class game that will prove beneficial to each next season.

This is a third (Derbyshire) v fourth battle, with the home side only three points behind, Derbyshire 24 points behind Glamorgan. 

Middlesex are missing Max Holden, as well as Steve Eskinazi, who has moved to Leicestershire on loan ahead of a permanent deal. They have signed Olly Stone on loan from Nottinghamshire for two weeks and he will make up a lively attack with Toby Roland-Jones and Henry Brookes. 

Their squad:

Leus du Plooy

Henry Brookes

Noah Cornwell

Joe Cracknell

Josh De Caires

Nathan Fernandes

Ben Geddes

Zafar Gohar

Ryan Higgins

Luke Hollman

Seb Morgan

Sam Robson

Toby Roland-Jones

Olly Stone

The first two days look likely to enjoy good weather, but a positive result for either side will be dependent on how much progress they can make before the expected interruptions on Wednesday and Thursday.

For both there may be a requirement to take risks in order to force the result they each need, but my money at this stage will be on a draw. Which will, of course, strengthen Glamorgan's foothold in the promotion places. Taking twenty wickets has been a challenge for Derbyshire all summer and that would need to change if a solid red ball summer were to become special.

What do you think? 

Haydon signs on for three summers!

I am delighted that Derbyshire have at last concluded the signing of Rory Haydon, for the rest of 2025 and for the next three seasons. 

I have been in no doubt all summer that this was a young man who had the potential to make it in first class cricket. He always seems to take wickets, especially with the new ball, while a feature of his play is that he seldom wastes it.

Rory, like Ben Aitchison, likes to make the batters play and often reaps the rewards. I will admit to a little concern, as I heard that at least one other county were very keen on his services, having seen him in action both for Staffordshire and ourselves. 

Thankfully, Rory has shown that loyalty does still have a place in the modern game and it is excellent news that we will be able to see his development over the next three summers.

There are not too many young seam bowlers of his potential on the market and I'm sure everyone is equally happy that he will be in Derbyshire colours for the foreseeable future.

It could be that he makes his red ball debut at Lord's, which would be pretty memorable.

Welcome (back) to Derbyshire, Rory! 

Seconds on top at Taunton Vale

Another good effort by the second team at Taunton Vale today has them slightly on top after two of the scheduled four days.

Derbyshire extended their first innings to 286, with Joe Hall making 40 and Jack Morley 38, this after a delayed start because of overnight rain.

Then it was the turn of the Derbyshire seamers to enjoy conditions, with both Nick Potts and Matt Stewart taking two wickets. Stewart took the prize wicket of Archie Vaughan, courtesy of a stunning catch by Joe Hall behind the stumps, while Amrit Basra chipped in with another to leave the hosts 144-5 at the close.

Scorecard and video clips can be found here

Seconds battle at Taunton Vale

Derbyshire Seconds made 239-8 on the first day of a four day game against Somerset at Taunton Vale yesterday.

A young Derbyshire side, captained by Nye Donald and including Jack Morley, all got starts but no one exceeded the 39 by Amrit Basra. Yusaf Bin Naeem made 37, Will Tarrant 34 and Joe Hall was 35 not out at the close.

Archie Vaughan took 3-27 for the home side

More from me on this match as time allows

Scorecard and videos here

Under 18s robbed by the rain

Derbyshire under 18s will feel robbed of a win today, when the Plate final against Essex was abandoned as no result. 

The rain came after Essex had been bowled out for 133. They were cruising at 66-1, which rapidly became 68-5 with the advent of Matt Stewart and Rubaiyat Abrar. Each took two wickets and the ever-impressive pair finished with 4-18 and 2-27 respectively. Captain Joe Hawkins didn't come on to bowl until the thirtieth over, but finished with 1-8 in the six overs he bowled.

I understand that the trophy is shared, but Derbyshire will at least claim a moral victory after an impressive bowling and fielding performance.

Well done lads! 

Video clips and scorecard can be seen here

Weekend thoughts

There is no cricket for Derbyshire next week, which has worked out quite nicely because my wife and I are taking the dogs with us once again to Berwick upon Tweed. The final coastal break of the summer and I am sure it will be as relaxing and enjoyable as always. 

I had another interview with Matt Rhodes of North Derbyshire Radio yesterday, during which we discussed the 50 over competition, the successes and things we need to work on. We also talked about the ECB plans for next summer. 

Honestly, I am astonished at the lack of leadership, clarity and transparency from an organisation supposedly leading the national sport. At this stage, the overhaul of the county game looks like reducing the workload by two T20 matches and possibly one four-day game, which I wouldn't expect to transform many lives. 

I don't get the issues. I appreciate there is a lot of travelling - though most of it these days is done by luxury coach - but they play less than in the old days and are paid better than they used to be for the privilege. 

I accept and frequently refer to the stresses and challenges of maintaining a standard and how it isn't as much fun as some people might expect it to be, when your form is scrutinised and a lack of it criticised. It is one thing playing cricket, but there is a different kind of stress when it is your livelihood.

Yet is it any more challenging than what is faced by other people? I worked in high profile roles for over thirty years, where I was paid for 35 hours a week, yet often ended up working far more than that. I had my travel to do, I had a family to support and bills to pay. It was stressful, but life generally tends to be. 

Fifty-six days of red ball cricket and around twenty of white ball per summer, if you play all the matches. Is that really so difficult in a 365-day year? We constantly hear about down time, about time to work on skills, but surely there is enough in the other 289 days?  At any time in my working life, if I had gone to my boss and said I would like less time doing my job and greater opportunity to do more training about it, the response would have been short and sweet. 

Pressure, as Keith Miller once famously said, 'is a Messerschmitt up your arse. Cricket is not'. Sage words from a man who experienced far more severe challenges in the Second World War. Similarly, such comments would have got short shrift from my Dad, who spent most of his working life down the pit. Pressure was ensuring you didn't do something silly and bring the pit face down on you. Stress was carrying out one of your mates, either dead or seriously injured. It gave me a sense of perspective that carried me through the tougher days of my working life. Whatever the challenges, they simply didn't compare. 

So while I understand the need to look after players, I don't think they are unduly worked these days. Talk to any old professionals, when fixture planning saw them traverse the country, even mid-match, then back to resume the main game in their own cars. There were more overs per day, more days of cricket per season. With three games to go, no Derbyshire player will get close to bowling five hundred overs, yet it was once commonplace for even the quicks to bowl a thousand. Les Jackson certainly did and in his second-last summer, in 1962, he exceeded over a thousand overs at the age of 41. Yet still saw it as better than even a surface job at the pit...

Logically, a reduction in the playing 'offer' should see a reduction in salaries and, if continued, could see a reduction in players. If you aren't playing so many matches, you don't need so many players, do you? People need to keep such things in mind. Be careful what you wish for...

So we now get to a situation where Derbyshire might gain promotion (I don't think so) but it might not matter, because the structure has changed.

It seems as if the lunatics have taken over the asylum. I'm getting old, like it or not, but to me everything seems to get unduly complicated and one is left with the impression that the left and right hands haven't a clue what the other is doing.

Eventually the dust will settle, the game will carry on and we will all silently despair at what is happening to the game that we love. 

Without doubt, it is desperately sad. 

Postscript: last night's interview can be heard here

I am on 34 minutes into the show.

Good day for under 18s

Derbyshire Under 18s produced a consistent batting effort at Queen's Park today.

In reply to Yorkshire Academy's 225, they ended the day with 353 all out on the board, despite an interruption for rain.

Joe Hall, who has had an excellent season with the bat and behind the stumps, made 67, Zak Kelly 66, Rubaiyat Abrar 52, Arjun Annamalai 39 and Freddie Clarke 32.

By the close, Yorkshire had reached 25-2 in their second innings, with Matt Stewart returning the outstanding figures of 7-4-8-2

Looks increasingly like the next one in line, if he keeps working and stays fit.

With a day of the game to go, the thinking money will still probably be on a draw, but it has been good preparation for their Plate Final against Essex on Sunday. 

That game starts at Kibworth at 10.45.

We're all rooting for you, lads! 

Under 18s do well at Chesterfield

The under 18s had a good day at Queen's Park on the first day of three against Yorkshire

They bowled the visitors out for 225, with Greenfield making 87 and Matt Stewart recording the excellent figures of 4-37 in sixteen overs.

In reply, Derbyshire were 72-1, with Sam Cliffe unbeaten on 20 and Zak Kelly on 33

If you are free today and in Chesterfield, it sounds like a good one to watch!

Derbyshire v Essex One Day Cup

Essex 366-6 (Westley 118, Benkenstein 74, Allison 64, Walter 45, Chappell 2-64, Aitchison 2-74)

Derbyshire 322 (Came 139, Montgomery 108, Critchley 3-59)

Essex won by 44 runs

There was yet another noble effort with the bat by Derbyshire today, but in the end they came up short by xx runs against Essex.

I didn't see much of the first innings, because I was having lunch with an old cricket friend. But I was back in time to see the Derbyshire reply and for a long time, during a superb partnership between Harry Came and Matt Montgomery, a surprise win looked possible.

I don't think it's possible to bat much better than those two did today in a stand of 225 for the second wicket. Came's footwork and assessment of length was superb up to the last ball that he faced and he looked a very good player today. Montgomery simply looked the player I knew we were getting.. classy, with time to spare and a full range of shots. He seldom lifts the ball and once again was a joy to watch. All he ever needed was opportunity and he will get that here.

Only when Simon Harmer started pitching wider and getting considerable turn did the game do the same. Both Montgomery and Basra were bowled by extravagant spin (the former dragging on) and the injury to Martin Andersson took on additional significance when Zak Chappell came in at six. With an already long tail, there was simply not enough batting to come. Once Guest was run out by a brilliant stop and throw from Walter, the result was a foregone conclusion. Some lusty late blows from Haydon (26) delayed the result and made the eventual margin less than looked likely.

I won't comment on the bowling today, simply because I didn't see it, but the visiting tally tells its own story. 

On the positive side, a top four next summer of Came, Jewell, Montgomery and Madsen should ensure that Derbyshire usually get runs on the board. 

That's all from me tonight, I will leave you to add your comments in the usual manner.

Derbyshire v Essex One Day Cup preview

The last day of a disappointing white ball summer  arrives tomorrow. Derbyshire finish the campaign with a home game against Essex, which will see the return of Matt Critchley to the county.

Mickey Arthur has named a squad of 15 for the game which is as follows: 

Brooke Guest
Harry Came

Joe Hawkins
Martin Andersson
Ben Aitchison
Jack Morley
Matt Montgomery
Caleb Jewell
Yousaf Bin Naeem
Nick Potts
Zak Chappell
Ross Whiteley
Amrit Basra
Anuj Dal
Rory Haydon

I wouldn't begin to second-guess the team, but I would far sooner see a young eleven take the field, with a view to experience, rather than see more mature  players in their place. There's always the likelihood that we would aim to finish on a high, but we cannot finish bottom in the section so I would sooner leave out Messrs Whiteley, Dal, Chappell and AN Other for this one and see who can produce the goods.

Essex could still qualify in third place if Gloucestershire beat Hampshire and so will be giving it their all, with Paul Walter returned to the squad. Dean Elgar is not available to play in the One Day Cup while Sam Cook, Michael Pepper and Jordan Cox are all participating in the Hundred. 

Essex squad:

Westley, Allison, Benkenstein, Bennett, Critchley, Das, Fernandes, Harmer, Jones, Porter, Snater, Thain, Walter.

Derbyshire have batted very well in this competition, but it would be hard to picture the score we would need to come out on top here. Yet if we got to the end of the game tomorrow and two or three players had produced big performances, I would count that as a positive.

As always, I'm interested in your comments and I will be back tomorrow evening with a report. 

Footnote: Caleb Jewell has now scored 1721 runs in all formats this summer - an outstanding effort in his first year over here. With a potential seven innings left, he could make 2000 all format runs

Hampshire v Derbyshire One Day Cup

Derbyshire 339-5 (Jewell 98, Guest 76, Andersson 44, Basra 34*, Came 33, Abbott 2-33)

Hampshire 341-7 (Mayes 62* Middleton 57, Brown 56, Fuller 54, Aitchison 3-47, Hawkins 2-59, Potts 2-77) 

Hampshire won by 3 wickets

No complaints from me tonight, as Derbyshire produced a very good, though ultimately losing display against Hampshire at Southampton. 

The batting today was excellent, but it has been throughout this competition. Jewell and Came led off in fine style before Came was very well  caught (allegedly, as the stream wasn't the best). Montgomery looked in good touch before playing on to the excellent Kyle Abbott (the sort of attack leader we need next season).

Jewell was again brilliant and produced the full range of the strokes we have come to love this summer. He will have been disappointed to get out before a well-deserved century, having been becalmed as he approached it, but looked a player of the highest quality today. 

Guest was also excellent, running hard and hitting exquisitely at times. Andersson joined him in an enjoyable stand of 94 in 12 overs, before Basra came in to improvise impishly and brilliantly in the closing overs. His unbeaten 34 from just 15 deliveries took the total to more than initially looked likely. 

Yet bowling displays this summer suggested that 339 might not be enough. In similar vein, I suppose, to Brian Clough, when he sarcastically asked his team mates after a 6-3 defeat in which he scored all the goals how many he should score the following week, to ensure a point.

Hampshire's strong batting line up always seems up to the task and throughout were around the required rate. Aitchison, who bowled splendidly, removed both openers after a lively opening stand and Hawkins dismissed McMullen as he was getting into his stride. There were also two good wickets for Nick Potts, who bowled some crackers today, though interspersed with half trackers that ruined his figures. 

There was greater accuracy than the debacle of Derby, though we need more who can consistently find the right length like Aitchison. He has learned very quickly this summer and will be a key player in all formats next year.

Hawkins also bowled encouragingly again and took his first List A wickets, both caught and bowled. In that skill he is already better than Mohammad Ghazanfar...

In the end, on an excellent batting pitch the home side prevailed. Like Derbyshire they made runs consistently down the order and could pace their chase, which they did admirably. Seventeen-year old Ben Mayes played a very cool hand at the end and looks a terrific player. He was well supported by the bucolic James Fuller and Hampshire came out on top with five balls to spare.

Middleton and Brown earlier made fine fifties and although it was a much improved effort, I never felt Derbyshire had control. Having said that, I thought Guest used his bowlers well and to add to his excellent knock held a fine one-handed catch above his head to dismiss Middleton from the bowling of Potts.

Improvement then, but we all know the biggest issue. A defeat was expected against a very good team in the first division, but we were not disgraced today. It was another excellent advert for the county game.

In closing, the stream wasn't the best, was it? For a Test ground and with all their resources I expected much more than a glorified single camera with the odd wide angle shot.

I wouldn't swap their coverage for ours, that's for sure.

Hampshire v Derbyshire preview

A thirteen-man Derbyshire squad heads down to Southampton for tomorrow's game against Hampshire.

There's no Pat Brown or Rory Haydon and with Derbyshire now unable to qualify. I would hope that the final eleven includes players who would benefit from the experience. Of course, a win would be nice but planning for next year has to start now. 

The thirteen - with my side the first eleven:

Came, Jewell, Montgomery, Guest, Basra, Andersson, Dal, Chappell, Aitchison, Hawkins, Potts

Whiteley and Morley.

We know what Ross can do so I would rest him here, but Morley might get in the final eleven if turn is likely.

There is no news on the Hampshire side as I write, but this was their eleven against Nottinghamshire, last time out:

Orr, Gubbins, Middleton, McMullen, Prest, Mayes, Organ, Neal, Abbott, Wheal, Jack

I am interested to see how Brandon McMullen fares, having been a standout for Scotland in recent seasons. He is a fine player with bat and ball, at 25 likely featuring in a few wish lists around the counties. 

I suspect Hampshire will be too strong for Derbyshire, but it is hard to come to a different conclusion after the way we bowled in the last match. The return of Ben Aitchison should help, as it would if Matt Montgomery was fit to bowl a few overs.

There are cases to be made for a few players to be out and others to be in, but we will see how things go tomorrow.

The morning after...

A couple of things struck me this morning, when I logged onto my laptop to check the statistics for this site.

First up, usage is higher than it has ever been, which, if nothing else, reflects a major interest in Derbyshire cricket. Every post has thousands of views, which is flattering and very much appreciated. 

Secondly, the number of comments are increasing. If you regularly log in and would like to say something, please feel free to do so. Comments are approved before publishing, just to ensure that nothing unduly personal is put out there. But please feel free to say something and participate, preferably adding a name - even one you would prefer to use on the site, if not your own.

Going back to yesterday - and I would prefer not to, but needs must - it is easy to forget, after another defeat, that there are positive signs. 

Our batting is not really an issue. I think that Ben Smith has done a pretty good job and if one looks ahead to next season, there is strength in both red and white ball lineups. 

We don't yet know about Harry Came, though I would expect him to sign a new deal and probably open the batting with Caleb Jewell. With Montgomery, Madsen, Guest, Basra and Reece to follow, we shouldn't lack runs. Maybe another young batter will force his way in, which would be nice, but with Nye Donald and maybe Ross Whiteley for white ball cricket, we should usually get runs on the board.

What we REALLY need is an attack leader. An experienced overseas player who we can first of all afford and who wants to come and play in England and specifically for Derbyshire. The riches available in global franchise cricket these days almost make that a mission worthy of Tom Cruise (or Peter Graves, for those of my era, not the former Sussex player...)

Therein lies the challenge. Assuming Rory Haydon signs, with him, Ben Aitchison, Harry Moore, Nick Potts and Pat Brown we have a youthful quintet of seam bowlers who would further benefit from on-field guidance. A name, a man you could throw the ball to, as Kim Barnett once did to Michael Holding, or we once did with Tony Palladino when the going got tough. Or Mark Footitt, who for two summers was a one-man Blitzkrieg on batting lineups, thigh pads and helmets.

But just as I have praised the work of Ben Smith, at the end of the summer there has to be an evaluation of Ajmal Shahzad, as there will be of all coaches and players. While accepting that the Derby pitches are too heavily weighted in the favour of batters (in my opinion) I don't think there is a bowler who could hand on heart say they have improved this year. 

Maybe Jack Morley, but the seamers have all appeared less grooved, less effective than in 2024. The question needs to be asked why? Maybe it is the pitches, but when there is a collective deterioration, the question at least needs to be asked if they are getting the wrong advice, coaching or support. I can accept form being a cyclical thing, but everyone? There has to be a reason and Mickey Arthur has to get to the bottom of that.

Pat Brown came in for a lot of stick yesterday, both on and off the field. Yet he was starring for England Lions less than twelve months ago and has previously been very effective in white ball cricket for Derbyshire. It is painful to see a player struggling as he did yesterday, the nadir of a troublesome season for him. He can get it back, but needs help, the right help, in order to do so. 

He has been at the Hundred, sat in the dugout, lacking game time and probably confidence. The latter is a big thing in cricket and sometimes the feet aren't right, the head isn't as a consequence and the ball comes out all wrong.

Years ago I played under a very good professional who brought my game on considerably. His coaching stripped down my batting technique and in his two seasons I scored consistently and took my share of wickets. He even got me through coaching badges to better understand the process and I only wish I could have played and worked under him longer. Subsequently a 'name' Australian was professional and he hadn't remotely the same skills in coaching. When I hit the inevitable bad patch, he couldn't help and it was down to me to get out of it.

Sometimes the message can be overly complicated, sometimes it has been heard too often and a fresh approach - or voice - is needed. Mickey Arthur himself said when he came to Derbyshire that three/four years was usually the 'fresh' lifespan of a coach. 

So while I don't expect wholesale changes this winter, I do hope that this side of the club is not neglected. There is talent, we see that throughout the summer with some stirring displays. 

But the message from coaches to players has to be consistent and clear. The ability to galvanise, to motivate, is not given to all, but it is crucial that all angles are looked at. Why are almost all of our bowlers averaging over forty in red ball cricket, a couple over thirty? Why are they going at tens and elevens in T20? Are the coaching methods wrong? Are the instructions flawed? 

In any organisation I worked in, the performance of a team was the result of the managers and their ability to get the best from those underneath them. The best managers, like coaches, get to know their team, how they are most effective and how they produce their best. Then create the environment and culture to enable them to grow and develop their skillset.

Cricket is no different.

Derbyshire v Surrey One Day Cup

Surrey 388-4 (Thomas 162, Sykes 115, Barnwell 43*, Chappell 3-61)

Derbyshire 345 (Montgomery 114, Jewell 77, Guest 48, Basra 39, Majid 3-57, Karvelas 3-73, Sykes 2-58

Surrey won by 43 runs

This is my 59th summer watching Derbyshire and I cannot recall a more shambolic bowling performance than they offered today.

With the exception of Zak Chappell and Joe Hawkins, who kept a line, length and bowled to their fields, the rest was horrendous. 

Let's not forget this was against Surrey 2nds/3rds. A team with only one senior player, in Rory Burns, who was quickly back in the dressing room and able to watch as Adam Thomas and Ollie Sykes dismantled the home attack in a third wicket stand of 265 in just 34 overs. I take nothing away from the batting of both talented young men in recording their excellent maiden centuries in first-class cricket, but they will have faced better bowling in the Seconds, maybe even the Surrey Leagues.

It was an appalling, indisciplined effort  which contained eight no balls and twenty wides. Nick Potts even managed a no ball wide, which has rarity value, but the major concern has to be Pat Brown. 

Ten overs for 114 runs speaks of a massive crisis in confidence and form which has been pretty much season-long. He would appear to have totally lost his mojo and one has to question the bowling coach, Ajmal Shahzad. I cannot think of a single bowler who has improved this summer, despite the protestations of Mickey Arthur that every single member of the squad has done so. Is there a disconnect between coach and players? The evidence suggests so.

Brown is a good lad and certainly not without talent, as he has shown in the past, but maybe needs a different coach or environment. On the basis of today, they all do, because that was embarrassing to watch. Truly, undeniably awful. You can get hammered around the park at times when not bowling too badly, but that was not the case today.

I felt for Brooke Guest, because I have been there as a captain, when everyone is going around the park and no one seems able to bowl to whatever field is agreed. 

Given Derbyshire historically reach nose bleed territory chasing over 275, the Surrey total of 388-4 suggested a defeat was forthcoming.

So it transpired, despite a century of class by Matt Montgomery, who barely lifted a ball off the ground in anchoring the chase. There are similarities to Wayne Madsen in build and technique, but he looks a player of the highest calibre and it will not be his last century for the club. 

Caleb Jewell batted very well, without going on to the big innings that was needed today. So too did Brooke Guest and Amrit Basra, who in contrasting styles helped the score to mount.

Yet Derbyshire were never really ahead of the game. How can you be, chasing such a total? The debutant left arm spinner Ralphie Albert, only seventeen, bowled an excellent spell that slowed the scoring, but the telling contribution again came from Sykes, captain for the day. 

I don't think batting is Derbyshire's biggest problem, but a discerning county could do worse than approach Surrey for a season-long loan for the 20-year old. He doesn't look like getting anywhere near their first team in the immediate future, but is clearly ready for the level and its challenges. His century earlier was brilliant (with the caveat of the bowling standard) but here his slow bowling earned respect. Adam Thomas also looked a good bat, more circumspect until reaching three figures, but then cutting loose in excellent fashion.

Montgomery eventually went for 113 to Karvelas, the loanee from Sussex. 81 were needed to win with seven overs left and the heroes of Leicester, Dal and Chappell, were at the crease.

But there was to be no reprise and Derbyshire slipped to a very poor defeat that ended their interest in another competition.

This to a club that carries a squad of around forty players, yet had to borrow a seamer, because they were short.

Wow...there are no words.

Derbyshire v Surrey preview

Pat Brown, Yusuf Bin Naeem and Joe Hawkins are added to the thirteen that played at Leicester for tomorrow's game at the Central Co-op County Ground against a heavily depleted Surrey side.

I couldn't call a side for the fixture, but it would be good to see youth given an opportunity within the final eleven.

Ben Foakes and Rory Burns are the experienced heads in a Surrey squad that otherwise lacks it. I have watched a couple of their games and left-handed middle order bat Ollie Sykes looks a player of potential. He made a dazzling 90-odd against Gloucestershire, before being suckered out by Graeme van Buuren.

Their squad:

Foakes, Burns, Albert, Barnwell, Blake, Gorantla, Griffiths, Hunt, Karvelas, Majid, Sykes, Taylor, Thomas 

Ari Karvelas has been signed on loan from Sussex for the remainder of the competition.

It is a game that Derbyshire should win, with a good weather forecast

I will be back tomorrow. Tonight my wife and I head into Glasgow to see Cabaret at the theatre

I will publish all comments later tonight or early tomorrow.

Have a good one! 

Basra signs and thoughts on Mickey Arthur

The signing of Amrit Basra on a two-year deal is the first part of the winter rebuild of Derbyshire, one that WILL be done by Mickey Arthur.

That much came out of several chats I had today, the contents of which must remain private for the most part, but I can confirm a few things as a result of them.

But first, Basra. He fully deserves his opportunity, because he has taken advantage of his appearances in the second team, both last season and this, to deliver a consistent high level of performance. He would have liked to turn some of those scintillating innings into three figures, which is probably the next step, but sometimes it is watching a player and HOW he makes his runs that is important. 

There is a flamboyance, a panache about Amrit at the crease, just as there is a coltish enthusiasm from him in the field. Nor should we overlook his bowling, which will probably take a few wickets across the formats over the season. He will be especially valuable in the Blast but I see him slotting nicely into next summer's middle order. 

He isn't the finished article, but working on his game over the winter will give him the opportunity to hone his technique, without restricting the flair that makes him such compelling viewing.

It is hoped that a deal will follow for Rory Haydon, although I am aware of interest, via his performances for Staffordshire, from another county. I would like to think Rory will sign sooner, rather than later, but we will need to wait on that one. 

There will not be wholesale changes over the winter, because the budget is finite, but I get the impression that the future sees a more athletic, more home-reared Derbyshire that supporters can get behind, but at the same time be patient with.

It is, however, clear that regardless of the feelings of some supporters and members, including myself, Mickey Arthur is here to stay and 'remains fully invested in the club'. There will be details that will undoubtedly be revealed by the club when they are ready to do so, but regardless of what we all think from recent events, things are not so clear cut.

The ECB says there HAS to be fluidity between the county game and the Hundred and a willingness for coaches to be released on request. What was not realised at the time the press release was made in January was just how much overlap there would be between Derbyshire fixtures and those of the Northern Superchargers. The communication of the Head of Cricket's absence COULD have been better, but his strategic role doesn't see him have too much 'hands on' coaching involvement. So from that perspective, leaving Ben Smith and Ajmal Shahzad in charge was not such a leap of faith. But I understand that he has still picked teams and still spoken to players before and after matches

I also understand that around 12.5% of salary comes back to clubs for players and coaches who are recruited for the new competition, so that will be times four in our case, with three players and a coach.

We need to keep in mind, I think, that players (apparently) do want to come and play for Derbyshire AND for Mickey Arthur. Indeed, contracts can in some cases be ripped up in sport, if the coach of choice who persuaded the player to come to the club is no longer in post. Some even get it written into contracts these days..

But plans are in motion for next season and Mickey Arthur WILL be building his squad over the winter and leading the club into it. If the plans come to fruition, it will be exciting and well worth the price of admission.

If it isn't, I don't think any of the above should prevent Derbyshire from going in a different direction. We will by then have had five years and three versions of 'my team'. 

In other news, I can confirm that Josh de Caires will not be coming, nor will Sean Dickson, who has not been on the county's radar at any point, despite newspaper reports to the contrary. I suspect de Caires will stay at Middlesex, especially with an opening berth available after the departure of Steve Eskinazi to Leicestershire.

Supporters will of course look at Leicestershire and think 'Why can't we do that'? I can only suggest keeping an eye on that county, because several stories have come to me from various trusted sources of a 'boom or bust' mentality. Which is fine, if you are prepared to risk the latter, of course. I would prefer my county to live within its means, just as long as it doesn't reach the end of a financial year with multiple thousand pounds of profit. After all, it is a cricket club and the majority of expense has to be on the sport, as well as the facilities for those who come along to watch it. 

My conversations today didn't change my opinion that the transition to The Hundred was badly handled. If the club had communicated what was happening, the unrest of the past fortnight could have been avoided.

It would have been better had Ben Smith taken charge for the One Day Cup with no interference,  no frequent phone calls and messages to the middle. A press release giving him control would have made more sense, so too the Head of Cricket having faith in him and allowing him to run things. 

I can't say any more at this stage, but I am grateful for the time spent on those conversations today.

Like it or not, Mickey WILL be staying. Here's hoping his team, version three, is an enhancement..

There cannot be a version four. Whoever he attracts to the club, he has to create an environment in which they can thrive and produce their best cricket.

Can he? 

Leicestershire v Derbyshire One Day Cup

Leicestershire 312-5 (Patel 94, Hill 93)

Derbyshire 312 (Came 67, Chappell 49, Montgomery 47, Dal 45, Green 5-64)

Tie

A pulsating day's cricket at Leicester saw a fine game end in a tie, a result that was probably no use to either side in the grand scheme of things.

Leicestershire batted well, although during the second wicket stand between Patel and Hill their tally looked likely to be closer to 350. At 180-1 in the 33rd over they would have hoped for more than 312, but the pitch seemed to get slower and the Derbyshire fielding was very good in the latter stages. Ross Whiteley was especially good in the deep, although that is taken for granted these days.

The bowling was handicapped by the early loss through injury of Rory Haydon, who was only able to bowl three overs. With Amrit Basra ruled out of the game through illness, it wasn't the best of days for the short term contract players. The wickets were shared around, with Ben Aitchison the pick of the attack today.

For a while Derbyshire looked comfortable, with Jewell and Came leading off well, the latter playing some lovely strokes before being dismissed very tamely, spooning a catch to mid off. Montgomery also batted well, though clearly inconvenienced by a hand injury that he repeatedly flexed. When he was dismissed by a quick bouncer from Mike, the balance of the game began to change and boundaries began to dry up. Guest, Andersson and Whiteley were dismissed by the giant Green, who looks an excellent prospect, the latter's (also tame) dismissal seemingly ending the hopes of the visiting side.

Dal and Chappell revived Derbyshire hopes with a stand of 64, both playing some fine strokes and running hard. Fifty were needed from the last six, then 40 from 5, 34 from 4, 22 from 3, as Chappell hit Mike for a remarkable one-handed straight six. Then fifteen were needed from the last two, after Dal was run out, backing up.  

Aitchison's dismissal to an excellent catch by Trevaskis, who earlier had bowled well, gave the prolific Green his fourth wicket , quickly followed by his fifth, with Morley held at point by Budinger.  Green ended with 5-64 and looks the latest excellent prospect from a long assembly line.

A six, two and four from the first three balls of the final over left it at two from three, but Scriven held his nerve (after a wide) and Chappell was run out from the final ball to leave the game as a tie. 

It was a terrific effort from Zak, but he couldn't quite take us over the line. Again though, questions need to be asked of those higher in the order, who should have handled the situation better than they did.

Again, that was a run chase that should have been comfortable. 108 from the last fifteen overs with seven wickets in hand is an equation most sides would fancy.

Sadly, not Derbyshire. They need to win their last three matches now and keep their fingers crossed. They should beat a much-weakened Surrey, but Hampshire and Essex will be much tougher matches.

The thinking money is not in our favour, I'm afraid.

PS Mickey Arthur wasn't there again today. Presumably he is at Lord's...

Leicestershire v Derbyshire One Day Cup preview

Matt Montgomery is recovered from the injury that forced him off during the defeat to Worcestershire last week and is included in the Derbyshire thirteen for the trip to Leicester tomorrow.

Anuj Dal also returns to the squad after his half century against Zimbabwe A, as Derbyshire go with the following squad:

Jewell, Came, Montgomery, Guest, Basra, Whiteley, Dal, Andersson, Aitchison, Chappell, Haydon, Potts, Morley

There's no news on the Leicestershire side as I write - they have been too busy announcing new signings for 2026 - but will include Peter Handscomb and Shan Masood as their two overseas players. 

Last time out they went with the following eleven but were well-beaten by Essex 

Holland, Budinger, Hill, Masood, Handscomb, Cox, Scriven, Mike, Walker, Wood, Wright

A win tomorrow would keep alive Derbyshire's hopes of qualification, while defeat would pretty much end their interest in the competition. 

Will Mickey Arthur be there? I understand that he wasn't at Neath or Repton, as the Northern Superchargers had fixtures on those dates. They have another one tomorrow.

So will he be at Leicester or Lord's? That might be a test of his loyalties...

I think that Derbyshire can win the game tomorrow, as long as the batting doesn't fall apart like a house of cards, as it did at Repton. 

We will see soon enough.

Seconds lose thriller at Quarndon

Thanks to John for alerting me to the fact that the second team had an excellent friendly against Zimbabwe A today at Quarndon.

Batting first in the 50 over game, Derbyshire were all out for 273. Anuj Dal made 64, Joe Hall 40, Sam Cliffe 36 and Ajay Khunti 30. 

Zimbabwe won by three wickets with an over to spare, with Matt Stewart (2-38) and Nick Potts (2-72) the best bowlers.

Sounds like a cracking game! 

Two postbag questions..

To answer here the same question that I have been asked several times in recent days, I do think that Rory Haydon, Amrit Basra and Joe Hawkins will get deals for 2026. Indeed, the likelihood is that these will be announced in one press release in the not too distant future.

All offer something that the club needs and they are the right age, with a collective desire to succeed. On what we have seen so far, there is no real gamble in the offers.

If Derbyshire overlook the very obvious claims that these fellas have staked, I would be pretty concerned, to be honest.

But for the most frequent question in my postbag in the last seven to ten days - where is Mickey Arthur? 

Back in January, on the club website, it was announced that he had been appointed Director of Cricket by the Northern Superchargers.

In the article, on the tenth of that month, it said:

Arthur, who will remain with Derbyshire during the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, will undertake the largely hands-off role alongside his duties with the club, as the Superchargers prepare for the fifth edition of The Hundred this August.

It went on:

Arthur said: “Derbyshire remains my primary focus and I’m committed to achieving our goals of bringing success to the Club. 

Fast forward seven months and, with no announcement by the club that I have seen, it appears that Derbyshire has become the 'hands off' role. There has been no sign of him at the Metro Bank matches, according to my sources, and I find that extraordinary.

You can dress it up any way that you like. There can be protestations that the other coaches are being given opportunity to lead, but the fact remains that someone who is being paid a lot of money to oversee the cricketing fortunes of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, appears to be doing so at a distance and in a part-time capacity. Presumably for full-time wages. Could you imagine a football manager being told that they didn't need to turn up on match day?

Maybe the club is getting something for this 'other job'. Possibly that role offers contact with players who *might* come to the club. Some will maintain that it is good for the club's name to be taken into a different environment. Maybe he is at our matches, but if so is either keeping an unusually low profile or is cunningly disguised. 

If he isn't, I think it is disrespectful. 

To the players and supporters of Derbyshire, to the club itself. It smacks of our being an afterthought and all parties deserve better. 

Imagine you are Amrit Basra or Rory Haydon, bursting to impress on what is effectively a trial at a first class county. Only the person who is ultimately responsible for your getting a long-term contract isn't there. Yes, he can watch a stream, but don't these young players need feedback at the end of a day, or a game? Don't you need to see how they prepare? Offer a few, sage words of wisdom?  Of course he has his coaches, but it hardly seems sensible for someone to be controlling the destiny of others from afar. 

How can you tell your players to give total commitment to their jobs when you are clearly not doing it yourself? Derbyshire might be 'the primary focus' but it is clearly NOT all of the time.

Perhaps the club is fine by this, but I doubt that members or supporters are. At the very least, a press statement should have been put out to say that he was going to be elsewhere during this competition. As it is, the assumption is that they hoped no one would notice.

The club could nip these rumours in the bud by having him front up after the game at Leicester on Wednesday, from the ground. The suggestion that he should always do a media piece after games is a valid one. This is potentially the last game of real significance this summer and Arthur should be talking about it, win or lose.

I don't think it appropriate for someone who is Head of Cricket at our club to take on another role that prevents him from doing the job he is paid for. I don't care that much if he takes on a position in the early winter, when the players are doing fitness work. But I strongly feel that he should be at the club and with the players during the season.

I'd be surprised if anyone disagreed with me. And I am happy to apologise if he has been at recent matches.

But based on the quantity of trusted people telling me otherwise, I don't think that will be necessary.

Aitchison and Potts sign new deals

Given his form since his return to the Derbyshire side, it is no surprise that Ben Aitchison has been rewarded with a new, two-year contract.

I suppose the concern is always that the more affluent counties will sniff around any player of talent - and Ben is certainly one of those. But the county has been patient with him while he recovered from surgery and there are signs that this patience will be rewarded in spades.

There is a lot to like in Ben. He isn't, as described on Cricinfo, a 'fast' bowler, but he doesn't need to be, because his bowling has other strengths. Line and length are the prime ones, together with moving it just enough to cause problems. It is all well and good to obtain extravagant movement, which looks great on replays. But the best bowlers know that you only need to move it half a bat's width and find the edge to reap the rewards. As Wilfred Rhodes once put it, the rest is for show...

At 26 and having lost two years to his back injuries, Ben will be keen to make up for lost time. He was thrust back into the Derbyshire side and had to play T20 when he was neither match fit nor experienced in the format. Even now, he has only bowled 43 overs in the short form and while he took wickets, including 5-29 at Headingley, he will be keen to get his runs per over into single figures. 

His averages in all formats are very good and are likely to improve. So too is his batting, which has always been worthy of greater respect than given in some quarters. Whether he ever becomes a genuine all-rounder is something time will tell, but he will always be an asset in the field, where he has a safe pair of hands anywhere, especially in the slip cordon, together with a good arm.

With Mickey Arthur keen to reduce the age demographic of the Derbyshire side, Ben still fits into a 'young' category, but will increasingly become a 'go to' for captains. With Harry Moore (18)  likely to return next season and Rory Haydon (22) knocking loudly on the door, the county will have young pace options, including Nick Potts (23).  He too has signed a deal until the end of next season and will need to prove that he can stay fit , first of all, then limit the bad balls that often ruin his figures.

He is capable of pace, has a good yorker and, like Ben, is excellent in the field.

We will see next year if he can make it, or if like many before him, his ceiling is that of a very good league cricketer.

Fingers crossed he makes it. 

But that is encouraging news today.

Derbyshire v Worcestershire Metro Bank Cup

Derbyshire 315 (Jewell 113, Montgomery 92, Khurram 3-49, Allison 3-51, Singh 3-58)

Worcestershire 317-6 (D'Oliveira 138, Libby 69, Lategan 42* Haydon 3-59)

Worcestershire won by 4 wickets 

A day that began so well for Derbyshire petered out in the scenic splendour of Repton School today.

Excellent knocks by centurion Caleb Jewell and a classy 92 from Matt Montgomery gave them a platform to post a minimum of 350, but poor shot selection after they were dismissed saw Derbyshire unable to even bat out their 50 overs. 

You can score quickly on small grounds, but with that comes a tendency to try and overhit, which is largely what happened in the second half of our innings. Leaving seventeen balls unused is pretty average at this level, even though Singh, Allison and Shahzad bowled well for the visitors.

Jewell was at his flamboyant best, cover driving with majesty and moving across his stumps to utilise a short legside boundary. He and Montgomery added 150 from 24 overs of classy batting after Harry Came went to an injudicious pull.

The power and timing in Jewell's shots at his best is remarkable, yet Montgomery matched him in a display that promised much. He keeps the score ticking over by opening the face of the bat and running it down to third man on a regular basis, but later he unveiled a full range of shots and would have been disappointed to miss out on a century, one that was there for the taking with eleven overs to go.

Guest was unlucky, playing on after appearing to be in fine fettle, but when Montgomery went, a healthy 267-3 became 315 all out in ten manic overs.

I am a huge fan of Amrit Basra, but with ten overs to go there was no need to play the stroke that he did to the third ball that he faced. Whiteley and Chappell went tamely and the tail surrendered to a total that on a small ground looked barely adequate. Andersson played well for a time, but supporters were left wondering what might have been. No doubt Jewell and Montgomery had similar thoughts, after the strong position that their knocks created.

I think Worcestershire put Derbyshire in, after winning the toss, because they didn't know what a good score would be on this ground. But six an over for a long batting line up seemed eminently doable, even after Aitch and H removed Mohammad and Kashif early, in good opening bursts. It brought together the vast experience of D'Oliveira and Libby, who started to milk the attack nicely. 

Their stand of 183 runs went on to define the match. The former played with his usual freedom and dished out heavy punishment, while Libby, realising his partner only needed a sound accompanist, simply played professional cricket. By the halfway stage, only common sense cricket was required, because the loose balls were frequent enough to offer regular boundaries on a small ground.

D'Oliveira went on to an excellent century, but as I messaged friends earlier, we were fifty runs short of leaving him and his team needing to take risks. 

There was a glimmer of hope when D'Oliveira was caught on the boundary edge by Aitchison off the bowling of Morley. Realising he was going to step over the rope in completing the catch, Ben flicked the ball into the air, seemingly taking it again with both feet inside the rope. It appeared a poor decision by the umpires, who really should trust the honesty of the fielder in that situation. With cameras trained on their every move, who would seriously risk reputational damage in claiming a catch that wasn't? D'Oliveira was bowled shortly afterwards for an excellent 138, but the game was effectively won by that stage. The young South African-born Dan Lategan saw them home without any major alarms, playing some crisp strokes in the process on his debut.

It was a game lost, when the platform for a win had been expertly built in the first two hours. Rory Haydon was again impressive, after also getting a shocking decision when he batted briefly earlier, but he and Ben Aitchison were the only bowlers to exert any control. They offer potential for another year, but it was all we had to cheer in the field. Matt Montgomery was injured in the field and his bowling missed.

It was all very disappointing, but in closing a word for the marvellous pitch and environment at Repton. Groundsman Andy Butler did a fantastic job and I hope it isn't the last time we see the first team at this lovely, well-supported setting. 

Also worthy of note was the stream. It can't be easy to set one up of this standard on an outground, but apart from a couple of times when the connection went down, it was excellent today. 

Postscript: did anyone see the Head of Cricket there today? When the players and coaches lined up for the minute's silence there was no sign of him, nor was he later evident on the stream.

Surely, after saying it wouldn't conflict  with his Derbyshire role, he wasn't with the Northern Superchargers today, ahead of their game tonight? 

Call me old-fashioned, but where I come from they call that a conflict...

Fair enough, if he WAS there, but it's a question worth posing, I think.

Derbyshire v Worcestershire Metro Bank One Day Cup preview

Worcestershire look set to be without several regular players for the game against Derbyshire at Repton tomorrow.

Gareth Roderick, Rob Jones and Tom Taylor are all set to be missing for the game, where a win could keep Derbyshire firmly in the mix for knock out qualification.

The top three from each group qualify. The sides that finish top automatically qualify for a home semi final, with second from each group playing third in the other for a chance to play them. Worcestershire are unbeaten so far, so a Derbyshire victory tomorrow would boost their chances considerably 

As I write there is no news of either squad, but I don't expect too many changes  from the following visiting side that comfortably beat Essex:

Mohammad, D'Oliveira, Kashif, Libby, Brookes, Cullen, Waite, Allison, Singh, Jones, ? (Khurram played)

Likewise, Derbyshire produced an excellent team display to dispose of Nottinghamshire, so the only change I would expect is Matt Montgomery returning in place of Yousaf Bin Naeem

Likely side:

Jewell, Came, Montgomery, Guest, Basra, Andersson, Whiteley, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon.

Dal, Potts, Hawkins, Bin Naeem also in squad of 15

The forecast is excellent, the game a sell out and the setting quite splendid. I look forward to seeing this one and only wish I could have been there in person. 

For all the improvements at Derby - and they are laudable and impressive - the joy of seeing cricket at outgrounds has been one of the joys of this competition for me. York has looked delightful  this week, while there seemed to be much to enjoy at Guildford.

Long may the use of such grounds continue

And here's hoping for a strong Derbyshire performance - and a win - tomorrow.

Postscript: Worcestershire squad: Singh, Libby, Waite, Mohammad, Cullen, D'Oliveira, Gibbon, Home, Lategan, Kashif, Hinley, Shahzad, Allison, Brookes

Book Review: Something Changed by Ben Dobson

This is an interesting book, with it's central theme the rise of Ian Botham and Margaret Thatcher in 1981.

Politics aside - and as a child of mining communities, it is fair to assume that I have never been confused with a Thatcherite - the main issue with the book is that there are sizeable sections that have no real relevance to cricket. 

As a social history it is a decent read and took me back to the year which was my first summer north of the border, also a momentous one for Derbyshire, of course.

I think it could have done with a little more primary research, as the book deals with how other writers perceived the two very different  'giants' of the time. There was the opportunity, given the recency of events, to get the thoughts of contemporaries of both, which wasn't taken.

There were parallels, as the author points out, in the careers and fortunes of the two main protagonists, but I wouldn't recommend this one as a cricket book alone. The Ashes series has been covered by others many times and cricket fans would be better off with one of the many other volumes.

Yet as a social history of more recent times, it is a worthwhile read.

Something Changed: Beefy, Boadicea, Brixton, Bunting and How Cricket Helped Change The Nation is written by Ben Dobson and published by Pitch Publishing 

Under 18s lose at Southport

The under 18s lost by 173 runs against Lancashire at Southport.

Set 248 to win on a turning pitch, they were bowled out for just 75, Zak Kelly top scorer with 24.

All part of the learning process. And sometimes you learn more in losing than in winning

Scorecard and clips here

Under 18s fight back at Southport

The under-18s fought back well against Lancashire at Southport.

From an overnight 29-3, Derbyshire eventually made 232. This was largely thanks to an outstanding unbeaten 87 from Sam Cliffe, who carried his bat after an innings of nearly five hours. He shared in a stand of 88 for the ninth wicket with Awais Khan, which helped them avoid the follow on and took Derbyshire to within 47 of the home total. Khan made 42.

Batting again,  Lancashire reached 82-2, Rubaiyat Abrar taking both wickets to fall. 

They lead by 129 runs with a day to go.

Scorecard and clips here

Signing rumours

It was interesting to read today, thanks to Dean and Simon, that Derbyshire 'have led the pursuit of Josh de Caires' of Middlesex in recent weeks.

This comes from the cricket correspondent of The Mail, Richard Gibson, who also said that the club 'recently moved' for Somerset batter, Sean Dickson.

I understand and fully support the first. De Caires, the son of former Lancashire and England player Mike Atherton, has struggled for opportunity at Middlesex, although recently has been restored to opening the batting to good effect. He may be loathe to leave London, but could perhaps be persuaded by the success of his former team mate, Martin Andersson. He has been a great success since moving to what he has called a 'real family club'.

A more than useful off spinner as well, there is a lot of logic to the pursuit - and would be to the signing if it happened. At 23 he is a player with room to improve, wherever his future lies. The same article says that his father, who has never appeared to be a fan of ours, plays no part in his son's career, so we will see what happens on that one.

As for Dickson, I am a little puzzled. He has been a decent player and scored good runs for both Kent and Somerset, but at 34 next month he doesn't fit with the idea of a more youthful Derbyshire side. I had pretty much pencilled in a top six of Donald, Jewell, Montgomery, Madsen, Basra and Andersson for the Blast next year, quite possibly with Whiteley to follow. 

Having averaged 35 and scored at 150 for Somerset this year in The Blast, the main merit in Dickson would be if we were bringing in two overseas bowlers for T20 and keeping Caleb Jewell for the red ball and One-Day Cup. Which may be the grand plan, of course... 

The same article also said that Rocky Flintoff, whose manager is his mother, may need to leave Lancashire for first team opportunities. At 17 he is a real talent, but I would have thought his chances of early and regular senior cricket would come elsewhere. Lancashire like to bring in established players and there are a lot in front of him at the club. 

With Mickey Arthur and Freddie Flintoff working together at the Northern Superchargers, perhaps that sort of discussion might have taken place, who knows? The club's image has changed for the better with the arrival of a name international coach and Lancashire has been a fine source for us in recent years. 

Of course there is a balancing act. 

What we don't want is a second team full of surplus senior players who then block opportunity for the talent coming through the Pathway. I am sure that the coaching staff feel the same. It is why I am broadly against single-format contracts, because players need time in the middle, even if it is not in the red ball first eleven. 

Which has put the thought in my head that maybe the winter will see the departure of a player (or players) who perhaps have opportunities outside of the game. 

Such chances to move into other roles present themselves at different times and for some, a career that offers long-term stability might be a better option than a remaining year on a contract. With county cricket a stressful and challenging career, it would be understandable, at least to me.

No one expected Harold Rhodes to take up a career outside of the county game when he left for a career in the brewing industry at the age of just 33. Harold probably had a few hundred wickets left in him, but long-term planning made sense. Just as it did for Chris Armishaw, who looked a terrific bowling prospect but realised the lure of a long term better income in banking was strong. 

Gloucestershire recently lost Chris Dent to a career outside of the game, because of his struggles with anxiety. Life is short and no job is worth the stress of anything that makes it more challenging. While the opportunity to play cricket and be paid for it sounds wonderful, the pressure of having to perform and having your failures scrutinised cannot be easy. Especially when you are struggling to process the challenges yourself.

Nor can you ignore the possibility of someone else wanting to buy out the final year of a player's contract, as Essex did with Matt Critchley. Like it or not, such machinations are part of the game now. Personal circumstances also come into it, as we saw when Fynn Hudson-Prentice left to move back down south and be nearer his family.

It would explain our interest in various players, because the available playing budget would then be bigger. That we need additional support for the attack is clear. A hill that I will stand (but hopefully not die) on is my previous assertion that we need a seamer for early and spinner for late season from overseas, together with two overseas bowlers in the T20.

Such team improvements, including offering opportunity to the best of the Pathway, can only come about if the available budget is stretched in one of the above ways. 

The coming weeks will no doubt shed light on things.