We haven't won anything yet, but to be second in the table - and unbeaten - as we enter June makes this a giddy time to be a Derbyshire supporter. The team is playing as a unit, not a group of individuals and it is so refreshing. Some of the credit has to go to Wayne Madsen, who has lead the side with flair and by setting an example, but only the real curmudgeons will dispute that Arthur has done a fine job, along with his coaching team.
He seems a changed man this year. His interviews are less bullish, less full of 'spicy' rhetoric about performance and individuals. He is letting his team do the talking and they are responding to a man. It's not 'sexy cricket', they're not 'entertainment machines', they are a squad of players working with and for one another.
Let's be honest, his recruitment has been spot on so far. Caleb Jewell, Martin Andersson, Jack Morley, Blair Tickner - they have all come in and produced fine form, enhancing the side with bat and ball. Jewell and Andersson have also taken their places in a much-improved close catching unit, all of them into double figures already.
Watching him today as the players came off the field, all of them receiving handshakes and hugs, suggested that he has a better handle on how to work with the group. Equally, it is fair to say that they better understand their roles within the team and they are delivering to a man.
It is not just the first team. The second eleven is playing some excellent cricket, players are emerging through the pathway and everyone who gets into a team at any level is making a strong case to preserve their position.
It has been a number of years since we could last enjoy a domestic summer as we have the first two months of this one. It is unrealistic to expect it to continue without a defeat or two along the way, but if they continue to show the fighting qualities that have been so evident during the first half of the red ball season, they will continue to surpass expectations.
So it is only fair to say well done to Mickey for his efforts this year. It was also right to be critical of last year especially and to my last breath I will contend that a mistake was made when he was allowed to take on the Pakistan role, which sent completely the wrong message at the time. Now, fully-focused on Derbyshire, the dividends are starting to be reaped. There is a swagger in the demeanour of the players, a willingness to fight for the win, and even greater one to battle against defeat. That Jewell, Madsen and Reece are averaging over 50 maybe isn't even as surprising as Tickner averaging 34, Chappell 22 and Morley 28 with the bat. Kudos to batting coach Ben Smith in this too, while five players already in double figures of wickets suggests Ajmal Shahzad is earning his corn, too.
The renaissance in the career of Luis Reece is a clear example of improved man management. Given a development plan and a defined role in the side as middle order bat and opening bowler, he has responded with arguably the form of his life. At the start of the summer I feared that this might be his last year, unless something special happened. With a batting average of 71 and 23 wickets at 21 he is again a key man in a side that bats long and often has seven bowling options.
I am sure Arthur is already looking at options to take the squad on again. There is the much-anticipated arrival of Allah Ghazanfar to enjoy and the knowledge that we have a vested interest in the second half of the red ball season since the last time I had hair. The signing of the young Afghan hero made the cricket world sit up. A player from the ICC white ball team of the year coming to Derbyshire? Who else knew he was available? Definitely one from the contact book, that close connection with Mahela Jayawardene bearing fruit.
Were you a betting man, the odds on Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Glamorgan being one, two, three at half way would have been long. Just as with Kent and Lancashire being two of the bottom three, but those positions are on merit and performance, or lack of it.
If we get to the end of September still in the top two, this will be a season that lives long in the memory.
If it isn't already.
Perfect assessment glad I rejoined as a member after a number of years! Well done everyone !
ReplyDeleteSpot on again with your assessment Steve. Especially the signing of new players. Morley couldn’t get a game for Lancashire. Andersson couldn’t get a game for Middlesex and Jewell was signed from Doncaster in the Yorkshire Saturday league. All 3 are superb additions and very astute signings. Players with loads to prove not just seeing out contracts at the end of a career. It’s even better that 3 teams the ecb would probably rather didn’t exit are at the top while Middlesex and Lancashire will still be playing division 2 cricket next season possibly joined by the mighty Yorkshire
ReplyDeleteToo right Peakfan.Rome wasn't built in a day!Mickeys a slow burner simmering for a bit and then exploding into life!topspinner
ReplyDeleteAn excellent assessment. These are exciting times! The season may tail off - let's hope not - but our victories this season are certainly one in the eye for those who would reduce us to minor county status. I hope this shuts them up
ReplyDeleteLuis is key. He broke NHS such balance to the team and, as you rightly say, the team is the thing here.
A fair piece, Steve, however I remain convinced he is very lucky to still be in a job after the performance of the team last year and his own comments at the members evening. He is doing well this year - and perhaps this is harsh - but ultimately it is what he promised, and a year late at that.
ReplyDeleteAll that said, it’s great to see a Derbyshire team doing so well and performing so heartily. Therefore, a Mickey does deserve a Pat on the back for the turnaround this season. Let’s be honest, We’ve seen precious little of these sort of performances over the years so long may it continue…
Chris in Shropshire
I agree wholeheartedly with Chris. Mickey was fortunate to keep his job.
DeleteClearly something is different this year. Maybe Mickey had an epiphany and changed his ways. Let's hope it all continues in this very positive manor.
Having Wayne as skipper certainly makes a difference.
Now lets see if the T20 team are equally as motivated.
Maybe it proves that patience in sport can bring change. See also Alex Ferguson at Man Utd, Clough at Derby..
DeleteAs for the comments at the members meeting, they were ill judged but not a sacking offence, for me. But that is water under the bridge. We have moved on and in the right direction!
us old uns remember FERGUSON AND CLOUGH at their low point . i think Ferguson was close to being let go, if i memory serves me correctly i think a defeat to Derby helped the speculation , and Cloughy when he joined Derby said he will guarantee Derby will finish higher in his first year , i believe they finished 1 place lower!
Deletemalbar sorry !
DeleteThat should read - ' He brings such balance....' I ought to add that Anuj is important too. I think it was Ed Smith who referred to Sam Curran as a 'swarm harmoniser', someone whose contribution to the team effort can not be measured just by their stats alone.
ReplyDeleteI think Tickner another such player. The players feel his importance is as much what he doesn't do himself but how he gees them up, puts in the graft and battles with them. While MA has rightly been criticised for his overseas recruits, he got them right this year
DeleteDespite feeling frustrated last season with performances and results, I always felt it would all come together eventually. It seems like Mickey has now found the jigsaw pieces. We are unbeaten and second in the table.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably taken him longer than expected. He was used to being in charge of international squads full of superstars, not an English county squad with no superstars.
I also agree that we shouldn't overlook the performances of the second XI this season. Three wins out of three. Impressive stuff.
We head towards the T20 campaign with lots of competition for places, which is exactly what a coach wants. I sense this could be a great campaign for us. We have a lot of fire power in our batting and "the mystery spinner" in our bowling attack.
I should also have mentioned the role Madsen's captaincy has played in our success.
ReplyDeleteI feel that a good pre season, out on the grass, helped a lot. Also, better catching, Jewell especially. The signings have been good, Andersson, Tickner, Jewell and Morley. Guest at 5, also. I do wonder if we rely too much on Reece, who has delivered close to a 10 out of 10 season. We weren't the same at Old Trafford. Kris.
ReplyDeleteI managed to get to the whole of the Kent match and was genuinely excited. Mickey is doing well. For me, Wayne as skipper is the key difference, but the new signings have also made a massive difference. We’ve got a strong team, good back up players and the chance of something special. I don’t want to get too giddy but we are competitive, the players are up for it and with a bit of luck this could end up being a good, good season!
ReplyDeleteAndy T Cleckheaton