News and views on Derbyshire County Cricket Club from a supporter of 58 years standing. Follow me on X/Twitter @Peakfanblog
Saturday, 20 September 2025
Radio interview
Not much cricket to talk of today, but last night I had another interview with Matt Rhodes of North Derbyshire Radio, where we covered a range of topics over 15 minutes or so.
I agree with your comments on red ball cricket i think either 2 divisions of 9 playing 16 or 1of 18 playing 17 3 day matches if necessary, Back in the day that worked well The advantage if 3 day games teams seemed to gear themselves for a run chase ,They dont seem to do that so much in 4 days. MALBAR
Three day cricket with a minimum of 90 overs a day with one division every team playing everyone home and away over a two year cycle but it would need a better balance between bat and ball than currently, it would be quite possible to play two games in a week without the worry of sandwiching one of the games around a Sunday league match. It won’t happen of course because of the T20 and the expanding 100 and also Sky and the ECB’s obsession with wanting to copy everything Australian 4 day cricket on flat pitches
Was a return to 3 day cricket ever under discussion? I would definitely be in favour. Interesting article in The Cricketer re DCCC's ambitious attempts to sign Mohammed Abbas.
I don't think it was, Simon and for me that is an oversight. We produced great cricketers over many years of 3-day cricket. We can do again.
As for Abbas, we will not be the only team in for him, because he is a class act. It is an indicator of the club's ambition (assuming it is not just a story passed to the media by an agent to generate demand) but I will get excited if and when the club announce his or someone else's signing
3 day cricket on the current pitches at Derby would be very predictable and ultimately pointless. Win the toss, bowl and hope for a reasonable target to chase on the last day. Teams would be reluctant to set a target, bore draw ensues.
But the problem is, Jasper, that groundstaff prepare pitches to last 4 days and get hammered if they don't. Preparation for 3 days would be different and you would get more result pitches as a consequence. Derby in the 80s and 90s made for wonderful entertainment!
As I said, on the '"current" pitches! Completely agree about 3 day cricket in the 80's and 90's. Not sure how easy it would be to suddenly produce result pitches at HQ. Increased usage of Hybrid pitches, too. Can't see that helping!
Such pitches are not going to attract any bowler to the county for a summer of hard graft. That they are good is undeniable, but batters enjoy them more than bowlers. Averages reflect that!
As I remember it the reason for going to 4 day games was so that there was more incentive on being able to bowl sides out to win matches rather than setting up a run chase on the last day. 4 day games also place a bigger benefit on having bowlers who can bat as they now have time to bat whereas in a 3 day game generally it did not matter. Personally I felt from a spectators point of view 3 day games were more likely to offer better entertainment , as you nearly always got 3 full days of cricket(weather permitting) whereas 4 day cricket quite often gives little play on the fourth day. I would be surprised if they went back to 3 day games. Martin
I doubt they would either Martin, but I am surprised it didn't get consideration. 3 day games with 2 divisions, home and away, would be 48 days of red ball cricket, compared to 56 just now. They won't do it, but when Tests are done in 3/4 days, it should have been an option..
I agree with your comments on red ball cricket i think either 2 divisions of 9 playing 16 or 1of 18 playing 17 3 day matches if necessary, Back in the day that worked well The advantage if 3 day games teams seemed to gear themselves for a run chase ,They dont seem to do that so much in 4 days. MALBAR
ReplyDeleteThree day cricket with a minimum of 90 overs a day with one division every team playing everyone home and away over a two year cycle but it would need a better balance between bat and ball than currently, it would be quite possible to play two games in a week without the worry of sandwiching one of the games around a Sunday league match. It won’t happen of course because of the T20 and the expanding 100 and also Sky and the ECB’s obsession with wanting to copy everything Australian 4 day cricket on flat pitches
ReplyDeleteWas a return to 3 day cricket ever under discussion? I would definitely be in favour.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article in The Cricketer re DCCC's ambitious attempts to sign Mohammed Abbas.
I don't think it was, Simon and for me that is an oversight. We produced great cricketers over many years of 3-day cricket. We can do again.
DeleteAs for Abbas, we will not be the only team in for him, because he is a class act. It is an indicator of the club's ambition (assuming it is not just a story passed to the media by an agent to generate demand) but I will get excited if and when the club announce his or someone else's signing
Tbh agents do this ALL the time...
3 day cricket on the current pitches at
ReplyDeleteDerby would be very predictable and ultimately pointless. Win the toss, bowl and hope for a reasonable target to chase on the last day. Teams would be reluctant to set a target, bore draw ensues.
But the problem is, Jasper, that groundstaff prepare pitches to last 4 days and get hammered if they don't. Preparation for 3 days would be different and you would get more result pitches as a consequence. Derby in the 80s and 90s made for wonderful entertainment!
DeleteAs I said, on the '"current" pitches! Completely agree about 3 day cricket in the 80's and 90's. Not sure how easy it would be to suddenly produce result pitches at HQ. Increased usage of Hybrid pitches, too. Can't see that helping!
DeleteSuch pitches are not going to attract any bowler to the county for a summer of hard graft. That they are good is undeniable, but batters enjoy them more than bowlers. Averages reflect that!
DeletePitches that Mohammad Abbas wouldn't appreciate, I would have thought!
DeleteWell, yes. And if you managed to acquire such a bowler you would have to endeavour to support his talents with a little more help from the pitches..
DeleteAs I remember it the reason for going to 4 day games was so that there was more incentive on being able to bowl sides out to win matches rather than setting up a run chase on the last day.
ReplyDelete4 day games also place a bigger benefit on having bowlers who can bat as they now have time to bat whereas in a 3 day game generally it did not matter.
Personally I felt from a spectators point of view 3 day games were more likely to offer better entertainment , as you nearly always got 3 full days of cricket(weather permitting) whereas 4 day cricket quite often gives little play on the fourth day.
I would be surprised if they went back to 3 day games.
Martin
I doubt they would either Martin, but I am surprised it didn't get consideration. 3 day games with 2 divisions, home and away, would be 48 days of red ball cricket, compared to 56 just now. They won't do it, but when Tests are done in 3/4 days, it should have been an option..
Delete