Gloucestershire 222 and 259 (Charlesworth 110, Reece 4-45)
Derbyshire 391 and 93-1 (Jewell 51*, Came 27*)
Derbyshire won by nine wickets
It was an outstanding performance from the start and as I wrote the other night, they have now set a standard they must endeavour to match throughout the season.
Gloucestershire were always likely to fight on the last day, but the dismissal of Bracey and van Buuren in the morning session meant they were facing an uphill battle, despite a fine century by Ben Charlesworth, eventually dismissed by Luis Reece in what seemed a definitive moment in the game.
There were four more wickets in the innings for Luis Reece, giving him ten in the match, while David Lloyd took two with his offspin as the visitors were eventually bowled out for 259, leaving Derbyshire just 91 runs to win.
10-97 in the opening match was a magnificent return for Luis Reece. This was the Reece of old, running in hard and with the chance to have a breather when his turn comes to bat. Blair Tickner will have a fight for the new ball when he gets here, but that's not a bad thing!
Although Lloyd departed, caught by Ollie Price off the bowling of his brother Tom, Came lent admirable support to Caleb Jewell, who completed a second highly impressive half-century on his debut.
The Tasmanian has wonderful timing and a full range of strokes, yet he shows serious power, especially through the off side.
The only shadow on the Derbyshire performance was what looked like a serious injury sustained by Aneurin Donald, landing heavily as he prevented a boundary and seemingly damaging his shoulder or elbow. No doubt we will hear about that in due course and I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery.
There can be no complaints after this performance. It has been some time since Derbyshire delivered one of such total conviction and professionalism in red ball cricket.
Wayne Madsen led the side very well and the bowlers were supported in the field in a genuine team effort. I don't think a session was lost in the game and if we can reproduce that form moving forward, a few of the so-called experts may have egg on their faces, later in the summer.
Great job, boys. Fair to say we all enjoyed that!
Shall we stop the season there?!
Fantastic way to start the season. Getting things up an running with that early first win can make such a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe collapse from 5-8 was a concern but the top of the order looks strong…particularly if Lloyd can find some form.
The bowlers performed much better than I anticipated without Blair Tickner in the ranks. Would be great too see Reece emerge as a front line bowler again.
Having not seen much of the stream this week, how did the wicket play? Did it seem a more balanced surface than in previous seasons? Obviously the overheads were glorious and more batter friendly than can be the case early season. I suppose I’m trying to ascertain was it disciplined line and length from Reece et al? I have seen a bit of Jewell; early days but he looks like he has a solid, compact technique for the moving ball on this country.
ReplyDeleteRich
Wicket was fine, Rich. If you could bat you could score runs, but there was something for the bowlers too. The Derbyshire bowling was more consistent and a couple of the Gloucs bowlers were a little erratic
DeleteDo we know if it was a hybrid pitch? Seemed to be more in it for the bowlers.
DeleteBest Derbyshire performance for years!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference to last season. Great to see such a convincing win.
Always good to tick off that first win, I felt that hung over us at times last season. It was just a good all round performance, the batters batted, the tail wagged, and the bowlers all did their bit with Reece reaping the benefit.
ReplyDeleteOnto game 2
Totally agree!
DeleteA superb performance. The team looks bonded and everyone contributed. Even the collapse was in my view more down to good bowling (and a terrible lbw decision) than batter error. The win will surely give confidence for the games to come, especially as the opposition is likely to be stronger. Let’s hope for more games like this!
ReplyDeleteOff to a flyer! It was encouraging to see so many good individual performances and excellent fielding.
ReplyDeleteJewell looks someone who is going to score lots of runs. He's also someone who keeps the scoreboard ticking over. The headline writers will have a field day.
I was delighted to see Reece back to the form of a couple of seasons ago.
Great to see Luis back to prime time bowling standard. He is a huge asset in that form
Delete🥂 🥳
ReplyDeleteUnusual to have still have optimism two days into the season, and great to have it rewarded. The recovery after the MO collapse was key, Madsen had a fine match and Reece will be buzzing with those figures. Lovely. Thanks Peak Fan.
ReplyDeleteYes John, can't ignore the 100 runs for the 8th and 9th wicket. Chasing nearly 200 would have been additional pressure
DeleteSo, it has indeed come to be.
ReplyDeleteAgree with previous comments. Aside the injury, my main concern was the middle order collapse. In the grand scheme of things a nice main concern to have.
On to the next with interest.
Yes, an excellent showing. WM has over 10% of his 1000 for this season already! I think the successful warm up this year made a real difference, and there seems to be a quiet but resolute determination about the team. Well done to all.
ReplyDeletePleased to see there is no change in the Madsen powers, Phil. Just like Old Man River, he just keeps rolling along!
DeleteVery nice. Very nice, indeed.
ReplyDeleteWell done boys.
Chris in Shropshire.
Difficult to ask for anything more. A comprehensive victory inside 3 days. 6 bonus points. A first century of the season for the captain. 10 wickets for a batting all rounder. Overseas batsman off to a flyer. Number 3 batsman looks in great form. Good lower order runs from number 9 and 10, (probably 8 and 9 once the overseas bowler gets here). Even the coping with a middle order collapse looks like a positive. Compared to how we felt after the opening match in the last couple of seasons, this is just great.
ReplyDeletePerfectly summed up, David!
DeleteGreat start and a good team effort . We fielded very well and the running between wickets by Jewell & Came was excellent today .
ReplyDeleteA fantastic team effort with the four obvious stand out performances . The county championship for me is all about the so called small and unfashionable teams. I had one of my all to few visits from Suffolk to the county ground today and it was a privilege to be there. Mickey Arthur was spot on with his comments after the game too
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been critical of some of his post match comments in the past, but he was spot on today. Always easier after a win, of course!
DeleteWhat a great start and we've already equalled last seasons wins! A change of captaincy might be just the ticket and this fantastic allround performance will surely give the boys plenty of confidence.Topspinner
ReplyDeleteTremendous performance. It took us two and a bit days to get a win this term. Last season it took 140!
ReplyDeleteWell well well, this season is going to be better than lasts already, what a brilliant victory that was. Totally professional performance all round with Caleb Jewell looking a jewel with two good knocks, sound contributions from Maddo, Reece with the ball and Chappell bat and ball. I know it's only one game but I'm liking the balance of this side, could we be the surprise package this season, well done lads
ReplyDeleteGreat win. Hope Donald's injury isn't severe. We might need him soon to bolster the middle order after our 1st innings collapse.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how he gets in tbh. Suspect that might be him until T20 and if another batter is injured it's Bin Naeem or the loan market
DeleteMitch Wagstaff another option
DeleteDonald would have been a good option. If it stays this dry I'm not sure we need 5 seam options.
DeletePete
Yes, Mitch is another option of course. And gives another spinner, Simon! I would sooner these lads given opportunity than go hunting loans
DeleteGood to see Lloyd get some wickets as well. Despite the traumas of his first season, there is a decent all round cricketer there and I’m sure everyone wishes him all the best
ReplyDelete50% of my win target in the championship after 1 game.
ReplyDeleteWhat a start.
We saw a hint of this against Glamorgan last year.
Let's hope that what came after the Glamorgan game is not repeated.
Delighted for all involved. A grand start to the season
ReplyDeleteAndy
Remember the Masood effect on players? Maybe we'll get the Jewell effect.
ReplyDeleteChampionship decider starting at Leicester on Thursday, lol
ReplyDelete