Things are so tight that all of the hard work could yet be undone and it is possible for us to finish second bottom, even now, if results didn't go our way.
I don't think that we will sneak into the promotion places, which isn't me being negative, just realistic. We are 27 points behind Glamorgan and with the forecast for the game being best described as 'sketchy' look like having to win in the equivalent of three days play.
I don't think the usual pitches at Derby facilitate that and the visitors come with a solid batting side and the form player in the country in Asa Tribe. For Derbyshire to win, we need to score runs quickly, two or three players need to have stellar games and we need to hold our catches throughout.
There is no Caleb Jewell, so we go into the last two matches without an overseas player. There has been a lot of discussion among supporters about bringing in an overseas player, but with all of the above taken into account, I wouldn't have done so.
If we were level pegging with Glamorgan maybe the argument is different, but with so much cricket going on around the globe and the workload of name players being managed by different countries, availability of worthwhile additions would be limited.
As for loan players, who is available AND match fit but not in their own team's plans? Would such a player really be better than we have? I am not convinced...
I would sooner save the money and use it towards a second and third overseas player next year. Special players, with reputations made, who can be the 'go to' members of the attack in red ball and T20 cricket. Assuming, again, that such players are available and can be persuaded to come to Derbyshire.
For now, let's make sure that players with big futures get opportunity. Let's see Rory Haydon and Ben Aitchison. Hopefully get Amrit Basra into the side and give him a taste of things ahead of next season.
For what it is worth, my side for Glamorgan would be:
Reece, Came, Guest, Madsen, Basra, Dal, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon.
Nye Donald could be an option, but that would omit Basra. Anuj Dal is a better bowler but isn't scoring the runs he has in the past, while Martin Andersson has been terrific with the bat but is doing little bowling (maybe his back injury still an issue?) Perhaps the selection of Basra, a useful seamer, could be a decent compromise.
We will find out the squads tomorrow and I will be back then.
I totally agree with you about not signing a overseas player for what will probably be just 2 rain affected matches. I see Hampshire have signed Washington Sundar for the last couple. It seems completely pointless when the chances are spin will hardly play a part at the end of September and even if it did they have Liam Dawson AndrewNeale and Felix Organ who are all good players. It does seem as if too many counties get short term loan players just for the sake of it
ReplyDeleteI think its worth gambling on Donald and Basra playing and going for it with the bat. I'd leave out Dal, with the weather around if we get down to needing a sixth bowler its probably not going to happen for us anyway.
ReplyDeleteLoan players fit and available ? How about Montgomery from Notts ? 😉
ReplyDeleteYes I don't know why they didn't let him go immediately. But he is in their squad for the game against Surrey today
DeleteI think I would gamble with Donald and Basra in this game. I would make very short boundary for the game to encourage quick scoring. I don’t like brand Bazball but we need to win toss play Bazball. Advancing the game to place where we can win or lose. I can’t see this happening as not in Glamorganand interest. We can reflect on red ball season missed opportunities.
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