Derbyshire 377 and 185-5 (Reece 61*, Guest 60*)
Northamptonshire 550-9d
Match drawn
Here Northamptonshire, who had been quite slow on the first day, especially in the afternoon, hurried through their overs as if their jock straps were coated with Fiery Jack. Every time the ball hit a pad there were strident appeals, remarkably from midwicket and third man on some replays. Not the vantage point one would choose from which to take guard, I suspect, so hardly best-placed to give an informed decision.
Yet after the early dismissal of Hawkins, Luis Reece and Brooke Guest stood firm. Reece was hampered by what seemed to be a recurrence of a hamstring strain, while Guest was adjudged caught at short mid-wicket by Northamptonshire, but not by the two umpires. He rightly stood his ground and batted on, sharing in a crucial, unbroken sixth wicket stand of 131 runs in which both batted admirably.
It was a fine effort by Derbyshire to escape with the draw, admittedly aided by the weather today. They played a lot of good cricket in this match and the discipline of yesterday's long bowling effort - only sixteen extras, seven of them leg byes, in 156 overs compared favourably to the home side, who gave away 61 across two innings.
The attack needs an injection of fresh blood, without doubt. But I don't see the point in bringing in another overseas at this stage to replace Blair Tickner. Glamorgan are 24 points clear in second place after a terrific run of form and I don't see us making that up. Nor do I see the merit in an overseas player for the one day cup. Save the money, or use it on opportunity for another young player if needed, unless someone who is coming next year can leave early to bolster the ranks.
With Tickner going home, Brown at the Hundred, Reece potentially injured again and Chappell possibly ruled out on personal grounds, we are running out of seam bowling options. There's also Dal out until the end of the Hundred and Andersson limited by back spasms... it looks like Aitchison and Haydon will need to be wrapped in cotton wool for the weekend.
Will it bring further opportunity for someone on the Pathway?
We will need to wait and see.
It looked like a clean catch to me. Pretty fortunate to get away with that one. I think I prefer it when players take the word of the opposition in these cases but perhaps I'm not a realist!
ReplyDeleteI think Proctor getting away with edging one to slip early in his innings, not walking, and the umpire judging it a 'bump ball" had a significant influence on the outcome of their first innings. It looked very much out on the replay.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, Guest standing his ground for a 'catch' which looked inconclusive on the replay, is fine by me.
I didn't see that. In that case, I have no sympathy for them 😂
DeleteYes, Proctor looked very much out, so no issues with Guest standing his ground. Is there any reason why we aren't in the loan market this year, like most other clubs? We clearly have a have a small squad, firing on fumes. I admire having a look at younger players, but that probably won't win us many games, in the short term at least. Kris
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of counties are more affected by the other competition than ourselves. With injuries, they are loathe to loan when they may end up short of options themselves.
DeleteI do think we could take a leaf from Leicestershire's book, however and utilise the loan market next summer, if required
Who are the most likely seam options in the pathway to get called upon if required? Have any been performing particularly well as of late?
ReplyDeleteDave
There are three who are possibly in contention..Ayman Karim, Matt Stewart and Jake Green, Dave.
DeleteThe under 18 semi final at Derby on Sunday could be seen as an 'audition' for all of them. Maybe none of them are quite ready, but it should make for a good watch!
I disagree with your thoughts on bringing in an overseas for the last 3 games .If not an overseas ,a good loan option ,we desperately need to strengthen the seam attack. Although Glamorgan are going very well ,we play them at home and should plan to win our last 3 games and have one of our best finishes in red ball for quite some time otherwise what’s the point .
ReplyDeleteIn the 50 over we should give our developing players and new signings an opportunity to play .
The season is at risk of fading rather quickly and the Leadership team need to galvanise the squad on the back of a poor T20 campaign and recent red ball form .
A loan option is different, ideally someone who might come permanently next year. But the money to fly someone in, provide accommodation and car, plus salary could be better spent on rebuilding for next season, in my opinion.
DeleteUnless there is a good league professional who is already here, that's a different matter
Is Potts fit?
ReplyDeleteAitchison, Haydon, Potts, Stewart and Green. Basra bowls a bit too.
Honestly don't know, Hamez. He has had too many injuries for the good of his career. I hope so, because he takes wickets, admittedly at cost. He is the most experienced alternative, which tells a story, really!
DeleteSwarky will be hoping he's fit. He is in their first team for today.
DeleteNot sure if potts is fit but with him being fairly injury prone, we need to protect him as much as we can.
DeleteMicky needs to rotate the seamers of Aitchison, Haydon, Potts, Stewart and green throughout the one day cup to balance experience with youth while not overloading the pacers and risking injury for our very important finish to the red ball season.
Will be a great opportunity for Haydon, Stewart and Green to develop and get a taste of professional Cricket with less pressure on needing to win games.
Hawkins looks a talent and I would like to see him play as many games as possible this season, which is likely with the current injuries.
Stewart and Green might not be quite ready but giving them early exposure can only help them develop, as long as they have the backing from the coaching team and the senior players. Dave
He'd better not do himself any damage for Swarky, Jasper! Might be recalling Alex Hughes at this rate...
Delete🤣 could do worse, but don't tell A&B. Seriously though, we've never replaced him, especially in T20.
Delete