Derbyshire 406-5 and 226-5 (Andersson 67 retired, Dal 47 retired)
SACA 350 and 106-1 (Perera 56 not)
Drawn
Before looking at what we learned, I think a round of applause is due for Derbyshire. Some counties declined to have a stream for their preseason. friendlies, which seemed a little lacking in forethought. You could see as the games progressed that the quality of the edits and replays improved and it was a good warmup for the excellent team behind the stream, as well as the players.
On the pitch, it was a good game of cricket and SACA are laudably showcasing some good players. Savin Perera, the opening bat, made another fifty against us, to follow the one last season and looks a very organised player. I do think it's a shame that talented young men are discarded at 20/21 when they maybe just need a little time. Like Dhariwal yesterday, I am sure Perera could do a job for someone and at 26 probably knows his game well, better than when he was on the Middlesex staff.
You could probably name nine of the side to play Gloucestershire on Friday, as I don't think the team for this game will be far away. The batting order looked in good fettle and they look likely to bat down to nine in the order with this lineup:
Lloyd, Jewell, Came, Madsen, Guest, Reece, Dal, Andersson, Chappell...
Nye Donald is the only one who has looked to struggle pre season and today was dismissed for an unfortunate duck, playing on and dislodging a bail as he tried to knock the ball clear. He will come again, but needs to get some runs on the board to dislodge what looks a solid lineup.
Those last two places? I would assume Jack Morley will play, which means that the final place will be between Pat Brown and Nick Potts. It is too early for Ben Aitchison and Blair Tickner and I assume Harry Moore will have school. I couldn't call it, as the two available bowlers had fairly similar figures today.
Whoever gets the nod, we will go into the game with seven bowling options, including two spin bowlers and a left arm seamer. Good variety, so the trick now is to get the right men on at the right end at the right time. That's one for Wayne Madsen to handle!
Finally tonight, just an observation about the recording of scores in preseason games. In Derbyshire's first innings we were 406-5, despite only two men being dismissed. The previous day, Warwickshire used seven batters yet were 414-0 against Northamptonshire. I assume it is whether they retire 'out' or 'not out' and it doesn't really matter, at the end of the day.
If it was me, I would retire not out, thank you very much...
I will be back soon. Let me know your teams for the first game when you can!
A strong batting line up. Not so sure about the bowling. For me Brown gets the nod over Potts. When will Aitchison be match ready, any idea? Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteHopefully first team ready for end of May, early June I understand. Be like a new signing!
DeleteTotally agree about the fantastic livestream. Also the 9 you picked are I think pretty certain to play and I would also go for brown and morley as the other 2. I think if the weather stays dry for April and may jack morley will prove to be a very good signing.
ReplyDeleteI like the lad, canny young bowler. I think Harry Came will have a big summer, too. Looks very balanced and composed at the crease just now. Good player
DeleteJewell, Came, Lloyd, Madsen, Guest, Dal, Andersson, Chappell, Potts, Brown, Morley
ReplyDeleteLooks a strong line up
No Reece, CB?
DeleteNo Steve, wasn't impressed last season
DeleteI also think this could be a fantastic season for Harry Came. He came into the first XI after smashing the ball around in the seconds and finding the boundary. He's matured and has learned to restrain himself and bat for longer, but he can still go up a gear.
ReplyDeleteHe looks very good so far, albeit against lesser attacks. But the poise is there and some dazzling strokes. I look forward to watching him develop this year like you!
DeleteHopefully Harry Moore's school will be understanding and let him promise to catch up a couple of days of schoolwork!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, Friday and Monday are inset days, or if not, surely he could 'wag it' for a couple of days!
DeleteDonald must have played himself out of the starting eleven, and Came has to start. It's the 9 you name plus Morley and Potts for me, although I suspect MA may choose Brown over Potts.
ReplyDeleteReally hopeful Harry Came pushes on this year, and pleased he appears to have a spot at 3 which allows Broke Guest to drop down the order.
ReplyDeleteI would have had Aneurin Donald in the team but following the warm up games he now misses out.
Jack Morley and Pat Brown for me to round out the team at 10 and 11.
Predicted to finish 8th again by the misery guts at the Guardian hq. Maybe they'll be right but I think we'll fare a bit better
ReplyDeleteI think they might be pessimistic too. On the other hand - backing Derbyshire for success hasn't necessarily been a great strategy for aspiring pundits!
DeleteNew season, renewed optimism. It's like this every year, but it genuinely seems more positive. The good weather maybe, Wayne as captain perhaps, MA less distracted with international sides?
ReplyDeleteRegardless, here's to 2025 Derbyshire, a good looking side with no superstars - which is a good thing in a team pulling together.
Looking forward to it..
I can't help thinking that, as in recent seasons, our biggest problem will be bowling out the opposition twice in red ball cricket. Therefore, our biggest chance of success must be in white ball competitions.
ReplyDelete