But it wasn't a bad old week for Derbyshire supporters. Blair Tickner celebrated his Derbyshire signing with figures of 4-34 for Central Stags in New Zealand, cementing Ben Smith's side at the top of the table. Tom Bruce has been in fine batting fettle for them, playing some powerful innings in the middle order to take totals out of sight or chase down targets professionally. They seem a decent side, based on what I have seen in reports and scores.
Meanwhile Caleb Jewell returned to form in the Big Bash for Hobart, his 76 from 49 deliveries the top score as they chased down over 200. He was unlucky in the next game, departing to an exceptional catch by Marcus Stonis, but hopefully he can build on his success now.
I have enjoyed watching Mitch Owen, his opening partner, who is not especially graceful but hits a ball a country mile. It was an experiment to move him up the order, but it has proved very successful and I am sure his performances will have created interest around the globe. Who wouldn't like an opening bat who scores at a rate in excess of 200 and bowls handy, accurate medium pace?
Work has prevented me from seeing too much of the South African T20, but it will soon be time for the Pakistan equivalent, which is usually good fun. I don't bother with the IPL these days, as the surfaces are too heavily weighted in favour of batters and I have no interest in watching bowlers anihilated all the time. At least the Big Bash is a fair battle between bat and ball, which is how it should be.
Anyway, I hope you're all getting through the winter well. Another ten days or so and we will be into February. We can then look forward to the cricket 'next month'.
Regardless of performances, that has to be good news, right?
Very pleased to see Jewell with what will hopefully be a confidence invigorating knock.
ReplyDelete40 off 41 balls today which would have been a poor knock had they lost but given they won can be considered the foundation of the innings. Someone who watched may be able to give a better idea of whether it was really a scratchy and laboured innings or the right way to play given others were hitting out around him.
Owen scored quickly again. Part of me wonders whether we could use Chappell in that sort of pinch hitting role. He has real talent with the bat and hits a long ball. Wouldn't expect him to come off every game but he might provide rapid starts when the field is in. Chappell is always in the side for his bowling anyway so nothing to lose in my opinion.
I think the "pinch hitter" role next season in T20 will be Martin Andersson, seeing as though he did it for Middlesex last year, with some success. Kris
ReplyDeleteI think so too, Kris. And of course there is Donald, Madsen Whiteley, Patel. Maybe Jewell plays a Buck Rogers knock, anchoring it, rotating the strike. If one batter gets through at a decent rate, generally good totals are posted.
ReplyDeleteIf we can pick up an overseas all rounder, so much the better !
Some good news at last. Pat Brown took 5 wickets for England Lions today (including a hat trick of top order batsmen) Well done Pat !!
ReplyDeleteCaleb Jewell's experience in playing in the BBL should be invaluable, not least in fielding, where the standards are extraordinarily high and captains demanding. I just hope he finds something of that kind in the Derbyshire side next season.
ReplyDeleteI get what you're saying, but I did see him drop a sitter at slip in one of his earlier games, so he should fit right in at Derbyshire!! I just hope Tickner wasn't watching 🫣
DeleteTo be honest, Jasper we all dropped them at times. I saw Phil Sharpe do it and Bob Taylor, both superb. But hopefully he will bring his catching and batting hands with him!
Deletejasper
DeleteYes, I know that only too well! Sir Bob though?! 😲
DeleteIt's just that with Jewell, almost the first thing I saw him do was drop a catch....at slip. Imagine my surprise!!
Bob put one down at Lord's against Kent in 1978 and told me he dropped three in three off Ian Buxton at Ilkeston one afternoon...
DeleteMind you, when 'Bucket' got them swinging it could be a tough gig!
I'd guess at the t20 lineup being something like:
ReplyDeleteJewell
Donald
Anderssen
Madsen
Lloyd
Reece
Patel
Guest (wk)
Chappell
Brown
Morley (or Thomson)
2 spinners, 4 pace options (+ Lloyd) and still opportunity for an overseas upgrade somewhere.
Whiteley was very poor last season so for me should not be in the side.
Donald and Anderssen both had the best t20 seasons of their careers so far in 2024 so hopefully they continue at that level because there isn't anyone else to rotate in other than Came really.
Staring with incredulity at the fixture list that landed this morning. Assuming the Kent game in 23 May runs its course, we then have a total of 4 days’ red ball cricket at the county ground until 15 September .
ReplyDeleteWhich is 112 days with a mere four days planned.
So, as someone whose job involves working Friday nights, why on earth should I buy a membership?
Not Derbyshire’s fault I would add but TPTB worshipping at the altar of the 100. Shame on them.