Pat Brown was announced in it, despite also being skipper of the second team game at Repton. I could have understood that if he had wanted a few overs to loosen up, but having won the toss he opted to bat, meaning he is either not in the plans for the first team or it was a little pointless to be skipper of the seconds, merely to toss a coin.
The other talking point was the absence - without explanation - of Anuj Dal. I don't know the reason for that, but it seemed a little odd
Whatever, there are decisions to be made on the final eleven and I would guess we won't go with two spinners. The likeliest eleven is this one, which would ignore Nye Donald's Blast form
Jewell, Lloyd, Came, Madsen, Guest, Reece, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Tickner, Morley
Donald, Brown, Thomson also in the squad
You can make a case to omit Andersson, but he has been a standout in this format this year. The same for Chappell, but he is the accepted leader of the attack and for Aitchison, who has been taking regular wickets in the Blast. Besides, were the injury to Luis Reece to recur, we wouldn't want to be a seam bowler down. Much will depend on how fit Luis is after a lengthy lay off. A brave decision would see Donald open instead of David Lloyd, but then you lose the second spinner option and red ball/white ball opening gigs are very different games.
Decisions, decisions...
As for Leicestershire, they haven't yet announced their squad. Logan van Beek has had a fantastic summer for them and will again lead the attack, while the aggressive opening pair of Patel and Budinger, followed by the dangerous Rehan Ahmed will aim to get on the front foot quickly. With Ian Holland back from the United States, they will be strong opponents and Derbyshire will need to be at their best.
With rain, looking likely to take time out of the game, I think this will be a draw, but it should make for compelling viewing.
What do you think?
I also noticed pat brown was captain of the seconds so it seems ridiculous he is in the squad. Whilst I think having a settled side in 4 day cricket is better then always chopping and changing mickey Arthur does seem to be at the complete extreme of never changing. It must be very disheartening being a 2nd team player at Derbyshire. It seems like wagstaffe will never get a proper run of games in the first eleven and you can assume will if very lucky be snapped up for another chance by someone or drift out of the first class game pretty soon. Same too for Thomson who whilst not setting the world alight has never really done much wrong in his spell at the club
ReplyDeleteI meant to add apart from his haircuts
ReplyDeleteDerby pitches, kookaburra, some rain around, Leics having no real incentive to win as draws suit them fine(which they have earned) & Leics bat deep means a draw is very likely. I expect a game about bonus points. The lack of communication on Dal’s absence is poor by the club
ReplyDeleteMarkB