The winter blog

Thank you all for your kind comments at the end of the season. They were much appreciated.

It is only a week since we last saw cricket, but it has dragged, slightly modifying a Glasgow vernacular, like a baboon's bottom...

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to keep me busy, but the lack of cricket is definitely an issue, not just for me but for many others around the country. I have spent my time tidying the garden, going to another very good show and realising that football doesn't really hold my attention now, as much as the summer game.

After a fourteen-year hiatus, I have resumed cricket and found that the walking version is hugely enjoyable, excellent exercise, a chance to make new friends and an opportunity to once again turn my arm over and play a few shots. All this without risk of being hit by a hard ball, which would not do my hands any good at all! 

If there is a group on near you I strongly recommend it. I am the third oldest in our group, but neither age nor ability are barriers to involvement and enjoyment. 

There is no news emanating from The Central Co-op County Ground, though doubtless there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes. There are those crucial overseas roles to fill and off the field a lot of work to ensure event profits, that will plough into the cricket side of the club.

My plans for the winter are to do a weekly catch up, update on any news and maybe do a feature article, which I am currently working on from a feasibility perspective. I also plan to run a competition shortly to win a cricket book or two. This will be for blog donors, so those who have kindly donated in the past six months will be in the draw once I have got everything together. If you would like to be in it, simply click on the donate button on the blog, or contact me for bank details if you prefer.

I have been following the names released by counties. One or two have surprised me and I wouldn't be surprised if Archie Lenham and Freddie Heldreich got another county for at least a white ball deal. Both have shown in bursts that they can take wickets at this level, with Lenham especially too talented and too young - at 21 - to not be worthy of another chance. 

Everyone loves a leggie in T20, because they offer that something different. The good ones around the globe are in great demand, because they can turn it both ways and especially away from the right handers. I wrote earlier in the season that Derbyshire haven't really replaced Mattie McKiernan in twenty-over cricket and I hope that we have a specialist twirler for next year's Blast. Such a player, with Matt Montgomery, would offer something different in the middle overs and make for a varied attack that is always useful. 

That's it for me, for now. Stay well and do keep commenting as you see fit.

Together we will get through this winter! 

Alex Thomson leaves

There were times, during his four seasons or so with Derbyshire, that Alex Thomson looked a very good bowler indeed.

There was his 7-65 at Cardiff in April 2024 and his 3-26 against Yorkshire at Chesterfield later that year, when he dismissed Malan, Lyth and Masood in his first over. Even in his last Derbyshire appearance, against Leicestershire in July, he scored 55 and took 4-81. 

He could bat and he could bowl. Perhaps he didn't score quite enough runs to be seen as a genuine all-rounder, or take enough regular wickets to secure the one spinning berth in the side. He had a good pair of hands in the field and held his share of blinding catches.

He didn't have the best of luck with injuries and they held him back in the past two years. Nor do I think it was helpful that he was labelled as having England potential by Mickey Arthur, in a typically bullish comment soon after his arrival. He was never a first choice often enough for that and it perhaps put undue pressure on him. Nor did pitches at Derby help him, as more matches at Chesterfield would have done.

The signing of Jack Morley and the emergence of Joe Hawkins meant that something had to give in the spinning area. As is usually the case, the older man had to make way. I am old enough to remember when Leicester City had both Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton on their books and decided to sell the then England legend. The writing has been on the wall for some time and with the squad being tweaked for 2026, a departure seemed inevitable.

Alex was never an international star but he always gave of his best and was an engaging, affable and approachable member of the squad, popular among supporters for that alone. He likes his dogs too, which made him more than all right in my book, while his changing hair styles were often worthy of note.

I am sure that he will make a success of his career wherever it takes him. Equally so that many of you will join me in wishing him well. 

Many thanks and best wishes for the future, Alex 

Season review - white ball

In several interviews this summer, Mickey Arthur said that Derbyshire focused their attention on red ball skills in the winter, because they thought the white ball would take care of itself. 

It didn't. In both 20 and 50 over formats, the county showed that it had the individual talent to win games, but they rarely pulled together as a team. The T20 wins over Yorkshire were brilliant, so too the win at Trent Bridge in the same format and against Leicestershire at Edgbaston. They bowled tidily, batted with aggression and reaped the rewards. 

Yet too often the bowling was profligate and the fielding too erratic for sustained performance and results. The defeat against Birmingham at Edgbaston was awful, the performances against Lancashire hugely disappointing, the bowling against Surrey 2nds/3rds in the Metro Bank Cup appalling. 

In T20 they were overly reliant on Aneurin Donald, who produced some innings of stunning brilliance. Yet when he failed, it was seen as a portent of doom and often so transpired. Jewell did pretty well, yet without the consistency we might have hoped for in this format. Madsen was less prolific than years gone by and part of the issue was that supporters were never given the feeling that there was a plan, cunning or otherwise. The batting order changed with the wind and usually to the detriment of both personal form and, as a consequence, results.

Samit Patel bowled accurately, but only at Trent Bridge did he suggest the form of yesteryear. A couple of powerful innings didn't convince your correspondent that his known fallibility against the short ball wasn't going to prove costly, given his unwillingness to drop down the order. It was no real surprise when his departure was announced and I cannot be alone in never really seeing him as a 'Derbyshire' player.

Ross Whiteley did better than most, his ground fielding a constant joy and his batting a more frequent threat. Perhaps he could have been used better, but elevations didn't always bring the desired results and maybe his best usage is as a late innings 'clubber'.

The bowling was the problem. Many references were made to the absence of Harry Moore affecting the balance of the side, but should anyone really expect an 18-year-old with negligible experience to have made such a difference? Zak Chappell and Pat Brown both struggled to recapture the form and figures of previous seasons and while Patel was usually economical, he rarely threatened to take wickets and was hardly an asset in the field.

The fifth bowler proved problematic, although Martin Andersson seemed as under-utilised with the ball as he was with the bat. Mohammad Ghazanfar was excellent and usually hard to get away, but an unwillingness to provide turning pitches at home, with such an asset was odd. He will undoubtedly enjoy a long and successful career, but will need to improve his fielding, which veered between laughable and appalling at times.

The belated arrival of Ben Aitchison provided greater control and his five-wicket haul at Headingley confirmed him as a quick learner of white ball skills. Rory Haydon may also feature more next season, while the return of Moore should give options, as should the miserly bowling of Matt Montgomery, signed from Nottinghamshire.

A quality spinner would make a difference again, but I cannot see a return for Ghazanfar in the pipeline. Someone who can offer more with the bat would be an asset and ideally turning the ball away from right handers as a preference. 

At the end of it all, the white ball season was a major disappointment and they are very much back to the drawing board for 2026. As the Head of Cricket pointed out, we were slow and cumbersome in the field and improving that, alone, will offer grounds for improvement next year.

We have to do better and as with the red ball game, the overseas recruit needs to be the catalyst for improvement

We will see who that is in the coming months. We need a more agile, lithe fielding side, but surely a top six of Jewell, Donald, Montgomery, Madsen, Basra and Whiteley will be worth watching? 

Getting a bowling combination that works will, however, dictate whether results improve.

Season review - red ball

It is easy to forget, when preparing an end of season review for 2025, that until the Vitality Blast began, everything in the garden was rosy.

Derbyshire were unbeaten and had shown considerable adhesive qualities in holding out for draws in difficult situations. Perhaps this masked inadequacies and the advent of the white ball game saw different fortunes and a team with obvious flaws.

That being the case, any review of the summer should be in two parts, so this one looks at the red ball summer.

Derbyshire finished third, a reward for some good cricket played, yet also recognition that the bowling lacked a certain something to force results. 

The batting was largely fine, apart from a couple of failed run chases and it was once again led by the incomparable Wayne Madsen. As well as skippering the side with flair, Madsen passed his thousand runs and averaged 58 in a season in which he made his 500th appearance for the county. How much longer he can continue is anyone's guess, but there was no evidence of a diminution of his powers and while next season is the last of his present deal, it would be wrong to think it definitely his last. His is still the most valued wicket in the side, which tells its own story.

Caleb Jewell did a fine job after arriving from Tasmania, passing a thousand red ball runs at the first attempt. An average of just under 50 speaks of his consistency, but next year he will want to convert more of his fifties into centuries, to go with the imperious but solitary double ton that he made this year. In full flight he is a joy to watch, but to force his way into the thoughts of Australian selectors he needs to convert more of those starts.

Harry Came had a solid summer too and at times looked a very good player. There are times when he struggles to get his feet going and the scoring rate dries up, but when he is 'in' the strokes are crisp and the aesthetics at a high level. His on drive is a trademark shot and indicative of his game at its best. He will be a big player next year.

Conversely, David Lloyd again struggled to convert many starts into scores of substance. I always enjoyed watching him, as he was usually assertive from the outset, but I feel we never saw the best of him in Derbyshire colours. It was no real surprise when his retirement was announced at the end of the summer, a year before the end of his contract. 

Martin Andersson arrived from Middlesex and exceeded all expectations with three centuries. He looked a very good bat at times, though his bowling was limited by a longstanding injury. A safe pair of hands anywhere, he will feel he has made a point this year and can grow still further in 2026.

Brooke Guest remained a solid bat and his glovework remained at a very high standard. He will be disappointed to have not added to his tally of centuries for the county, but a move down the order offered less opportunity. His wicket keeping is rarely mentioned, merely because he has set expectations to a level from which he rarely drops.

Luis Reece was player of the season. With a red ball average of 64 with the bat, as well as fifty wickets at 19, his all round game was a huge asset to the side. All the more remarkable was that he did this despite an ankle injury that will require winter surgery. He is ideally a stabilising influence in the middle order, as the workload of opening batting and bowling is too much for any man. Yet in the final game he scored a double century and took five wickets in the second innings, doing just that. A very special player.

Anuj Dal wasn't at his best in 2025 and only registered a half century in his final innings of the summer. Injuries didn't help him and his bowling tally was down on previous years too, though still finishing second in the averages. Rumours suggest that he might take up a career outside of the game this winter, but we must await developments on that one.

Zak Chappell continued to improve his batting figures and can now be considered a genuine all-rounder. He will have wanted to take his wickets at lesser cost, however and with young seamers emerging from the Academy he will need to work hard to maintain his place in a first choice side. Yet he stayed fit all summer, which few others managed and remains a key player.

Ben Aitchison returned from around 18 months out with major back surgery and was a highlight of later season. Once he got his rhythm back and realised his body could stand up to the rigours of the game, he was the best red ball seamer after Reece. It will be interesting to see how he goes next year, with the benefit of a full winter of training and perhaps a top overseas alongside him.

Blair Tickner made a big impression on everyone with a bright and engaging personality, together with a whole-hearted approach. Sadly, the wickets didn't come in sufficient numbers for an overseas leader of the attack and the county will look elsewhere for 2026. 

Jack Morley bowled some fine spells, but at other times struggled with line and length. He is young enough to come again, but 27 wickets at 47 confirms a work in progress. With Matt Montgomery offering a potential spin option as well as top level batting next year, he will need to keep working hard.

Meanwhile Alex Thomson slipped out of the picture after an injury and appears likely to be released. With Joe Hawkins emerging from the Pathway and needing opportunity, Alex will likely prove a very handy professional in league cricket, should he choose to go down that path. Another with an engaging personality, he never let the county down and always gave of his best, although hampered by injuries.

Others flitted in and out of the side but it would be unfair to critique their limited opportunities. 

The addition of Matt Montgomery and Amrit Basra should stiffen the batting for 2026, but to improve on this year we need a quality overseas strike bowler and more result pitches at Derby. Glamorgan and Leicestershire, sides not obviously better than Derbyshire, got promoted this year because they forced positive results more often and had pitches to encourage this. While I will not be critical of the excellent ground staff, they need to be encouraged to offer more balanced pitches next year, 

Overall? Improved, undeniably. But needing that extra something to push for promotion another year. But as 'Lancashire Fan' pointed out below yesterday's post, we end the summer in far better shape than most in the division.

While not suggesting that 2025 was a vintage summer, the right overseas signing could make 2026 one that is well worth watching.

All being well, it will be my 60th as a Derbyshire supporter and my 19th writing this blog. This summer saw first five and then five and a half million views reached, a clear indication that plenty of people are interested in Derbyshire - and indeed county - cricket.

Durham's capitulation against Yorkshire today means I might even get a relatively 'local' red ball game to attend...

Anyway, thank you once again for sticking with me over the season-long journey. 

Your support and kind words are always very much appreciated.

Kent v Derbyshire day four

Derbyshire 698-6d

Kent 271 and 198 (Compton 65, Stewart 35*, Reece 5-63, Chappell 2-36, Aitchison 2-36)

Derbyshire won by an innings and 229 runs

It was pretty much a perfect final day of the summer at Canterbury today. 

The sun shone and Derbyshire won, Luis Reece finishing things off with the final wicket, to become only the 51st player in first class cricket to register a double century and five-wicket haul in the same match.

Earlier there were two wickets for Ben Aitchison, which helped him have a decent chance of making Twickenham for the start of the Women's Rugby World Cup Final, where his sister, Holly, is among the England substitutes. Also two for Zak Chappell, who has played most of the matches this summer in a remarkable feat of fitness. He deserves great credit for his labours and has certainly earned a winter rest.

Their efforts ensured that Derbyshire finished third in the table, a very good effort. They were only five points behind Glamorgan at the end and will rue the botched run chase at Cardiff earlier in the summer. At 278-5 and needing 60 off nine overs, they should have won. 

By the same token, had Ben Aitchison been fit for the full summer and Luis Reece not missed three matches at a crucial time, they may well have been enjoying champagne before today.

But third place is good. Better than Lancashire and Middlesex and there is much to be proud of. They became hard to beat, battling down the order. They missed out on a couple of wins with disappointing collapses, but avoided a couple of defeats with fighting fourth day displays. 

There is something to build on. Credit to Wayne Madsen, who took on the captaincy, then led with considerable innovation and flair while leading a team that played with smiles on their faces for the most part.

More from me in the coming days with my end of season reviews. Now to see if Derby County can do something similar and England Women can win the Rugby World Cup.

Fingers crossed! 

Kent v Derbyshire day three

Derbyshire 698-6

Kent 271 (Singh 71, Dawkins 61, Morley 5-99, Reece 2-15,  Aitchison 2-59)  and 136-5 (Compton 55*, Evison 53, Reece 4-33)

Derbyshire lead by 291 runs

Derbyshire did very well today, to first bowl out Kent In their first innings and then, enforcing the following on, reduce them to 136-5 by the close of play.

Jack Morley was the star turn in the first innings, claiming five wickets, two of them sharp caught and bowled efforts. Martin Andersson also held a screamer to dismiss the unfortunate Curtiss, and despite resistance from Singh, Dawkins and Evison, the home side were all out for 271, 427 runs behind.

It didn't get much better for them in the second innings, as Reece followed on from his first innings figures of 2-15 by taking the first four wickets in the second. After his monumental 211, it is fair to say that he has been man of the match here by some considerable margin. A fifth wicket tomorrow would put him in a very elite club, I suspect, but he has finished top of both batting and bowling averages. 

It is similar to when Les Jackson topped the national bowling averages in 1958, with 143 wickets at under eleven each, despite suffering a very bad groin strain early in the summer. Luis has been hampered by an ankle injury that will require winter surgery, but has managed to average 64 with the bat and taken 49 wickets at less than 19 with the ball. Phenomenal...

The stoic Ben Compton staved off the threat of three-day defeat in a partnership  of 90 with Joey Evison, but one sensed it was resistance as ultimately futile as that of King Canute, fighting against the tide.

Bad light towards the end of the day meant we saw the rare sight of Messrs Came and Madsen bowling their gentle off spin without success. Next year we will have Matt Montgomery in this situation, another sign of progress. 

But with reasonable luck with the weather Derbyshire should wrap up victory and seal third place in the table sometime tomorrow.

Which would be fully deserved for a display of total dominance here.

Kent v Derbyshire day two

Derbyshire 698-6 (Reece 211, Madsen 198, Andersson 85, Dal 52* Parkinson 3-188)

Kent 117-2 (Dawkins 53*, Compton 46, Morley 2-45)

Derbyshire lead by 581 runs

Luis Reece batted 123 overs for his career best 211 today, as Derbyshire racked up 698-6 at Canterbury.

Yet it is quite likely that the most tired man at the end of this game is likely to be Jack Morley. He is going to have a lot of overs across the next two days, if Derbyshire are to end the season with a win. 

Reece and Wayne Madsen added 358 runs together to set a new record for the county's third wicket. Both batted superbly and the only pity was that Wayne missed out on a double century by two runs. Martin Andersson also batted well, as did Anuj Dal, as Kent's eight bowlers laboured for 145 overs.

Therein lies my problem with four-day cricket. Derbyshire *might* make inroads tomorrow, but they could have an equally tiring day themselves. Which would leave the game three days old and with only two innings completed. There will be no complaints from batters, but such pitches - for me - make for dull cricket, regardless of who is prospering on them at a given time.

Morley removed the dangerous Compton with one that turned sharply, before Mikey Cohen displayed characteristics of brain freeze, in trying to hammer a rank full toss from the left arm spinner, only to be brilliantly caught as he dived to his right. No complaints from Derbyshire, but probably not the shot to play two balls from the end of the day, when you have been sent in as night watchman.

We will see what happens tomorrow, but expect a day of attritional cricket...

Hawkins and bin Naeem sign new deals

Excellent news this morning, as Joe Hawkins and Yousaf bin Naeem have signed one-year contracts with Derbyshire. 

These deals will allow both young men to work hard at their games and show if they have what it takes for a career in first-class cricket

Both will have the opportunity to work with the squad over the winter and hopefully, in due course, score runs and take wickets regularly in the second team. 

That would force them into first team contention  and I think we would all be pleased with that!

Good luck to both of them.

Kent v Derbyshire day one

Derbyshire 389-2 (Madsen 147*, Reece 123*, Donald 55, Came 35) 

v Kent

Wayne Madsen won the toss at Canterbury this morning and elected to bat. 

Little in the surface subsequently suggested that it was anything other than an excellent toss to win, as the Derbyshire batters progressed serenely to 389-2 by the close of play.

Nye Donald set off in something approximating T20 mode, setting the tone for the day. His half century was full of the crisp stroke play to which we have become accustomed, but he will have been disappointed to get out to Mikey Cohen, when the job was only half done. He was on course for a century before lunch, but such is the way with the mercurial Welshman. Enjoy it while it lasts, but don't anticipate him being there all day..

Harry Came also batted stylishly, before being beaten by the flight and turn of Matt Parkinson. I am sure the visiting dressing room will not have been disappointed by that turn on day one and Jack Morley must be getting his fingers flexed in the pavilion.

Then came the skipper, needing forty runs to reach his thousand for the season. It never seemed in doubt that he would get there and he batted almost without blemish and in his usual fluid, imperious style. Only Grant Stewart was able to induce a false shot or two, wry smiles being exchanged between the two Italian internationals. After reaching what always appeared an inevitable century, he cut loose against Corey Flintoff, in a manner similar to the bowler's father in his prime.

Throughout it all, Luis Reece played a proper opening bat's innings. Solid till lunch, more expansive in the afternoon and reaching a well-deserved century after tea. He really is a very fine player and has enjoyed another excellent summer. Hopefully he has a few more in him yet, after he gets his longstanding ankle injury sorted in the winter.

The Kent bowlers ran in hard but they looked dispirited by late afternoon as the score continued to mount. You could see why they are bottom of the table, even if they are missing their share of regulars and the end of season probably cannot come soon enough. Stewart and Evison were the pick of the bowlers, but they had a hard slog today, as it has been for much of the summer. That a few deliveries kept low in the final session, with 300 on the board, probably didn't enhance their mood..

The day ended with Derbyshire in total control, two men past the century mark and with power to add tomorrow on a stand currently worth 231. Days don't get much better than that.

Finally, the stream...not the best, was it? I will always preface these comments with gratitude at being able to see something, but surely a county headquarters in 2025 can do better than a fixed camera - and a shaky one at that?

Postscript - it was good to see Derbyshire today confirming their stance on the proposed changes to the schedule next year. This had already been communicated to the members, but I was unaware of it going further before now.

Thankfully, common sense has prevailed and the feeling from the club is that the amount of cricket is fine, so long as the schedule is better arranged. 

There will be twelve, instead of fourteen Blast matches next year, but there will again be fourteen red ball fixtures. In a season that runs between March and the end of September, it should be perfectly possible to play the current quantity of fixtures and still allow downtime for players. The Blast will also be played in a block, so overseas players can hopefully participate in the knockouts and Finals Day, if required.

The amount of discussion, the uncertainty caused and the unnecessary disruption and hostility that hours of work have created has been a disgrace. We have the greatest of games seemingly run by people who would be flattered at being labelled amateur. 

There should be no further discussion on the structure of the game for at least five years. To have member clubs playing for a following season, the structure of which had not been clarified, was a disgrace.

It must never happen again.

Kent v Derbyshire preview

This is my final match preview of 2025 and thanks to all of you for sticking with me throughout another long and sometimes challenging summer. 

Derbyshire travel to Canterbury for the final match and play Kent, who are bottom of the table. Mickey Arthur has announced a squad of thirteen, which includes Yusaf bin Naeem and Nick Potts, although having said he intends to play his strongest side, it seems likely that they will be sharing twelfth man duties on this occasion.

The likely Derbyshire side:

Reece, Donald, Came, Madsen, Guest, Basra, Dal, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley

Wayne Madsen is forty short of a thousand for the summer, while Luis Reece is currently top wicket-taker in division two. Rory Haydon is missing with a side strain.

That is very different from the preview of the Derbyshire side on the Kent website, which I can only assume was written weeks ago, as there are so many inaccuracies. You may want to have a look yourselves here

As for Kent, they are skippered by Harry Finch, who had a few games for the Derbyshire second eleven  a few summers ago. Mikey Cohen is also in the squad, as is Joey Evison, so there is a strong East Midlands flavour to their squad of thirteen, which reads:

Finch, Cohen, Compton, Curtiss, Dawkins, Jaydn Denly, Evison, Flintoff, Garrett, Parkinson, Rizvi, Singh, Stewart

The forecast looks good and there should be four days of cricket. If that is the case, I would like to think that Derbyshire have enough in the squad to overcome a young home side. 

It would be nice to finish on a win and in third place, but we will take nothing for granted..

What do you think?

Random thoughts

Sad news to start, as 'Dickie' Bird passed away earlier today. 

While he was a Yorkshire man through and through, he was also often seen at former player days at Derbyshire. I met him at Chesterfield last year and enjoyed a fairly lengthy conversation with him. He was as engaging as I hoped he would be and the game has lost one of its great characters, as well as one of its greatest umpires. 

My condolences go to his family and close friends. May he rest in peace, as one of those people who transcend the game of cricket.

Elsewhere, there is a terrific interview - as always, since he is very articulate - with Daryn Smit on the club site, which you can see here

Daryn and his coaching team have had a stellar season and you can sense his pride in the efforts of the youngsters coming through. It is well worth a watch.

Finally, I am delighted that Worcestershire won the Metro Bank One Day Cup, albeit in a rain-shortened match against Hampshire. They have played some terrific cricket and fully deserved their success.

Yet for me it is important to realise that there is little between them and Derbyshire. Both the white ball games between the two teams were close this year. 

If Worcestershire can win a trophy, why not Derbyshire? 

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.

You can listen to it here

I am on at just over the 27 minute mark.

David Lloyd retires

The news that David Lloyd has retired from first class cricket comes as no real surprise to me. 

I had a feeling that David was not the sort of man who would continue playing while not being able to offer his best form in return. He has always struck me as an honorable man and this is further confirmation of that assessment. 

The frustration is that I always enjoyed watching him. So many times in Derbyshire colours he has looked a million dollars, timing the ball beautifully and seeing it race away to the boundary. Conversely, he found any number of ways to be dismissed and his average has declined to what he probably felt was an unacceptable level.

His battle with mental health is well documented and stepping away from the first class game is the best way to start a full recovery. Nothing matters as much as your own health and well-being and David will have the support of a close family unit to get him back on an even keel. 

There will be plenty of opportunities for an intelligent, articulate man outside of the game and, like all of you, I wish him the very best in his endeavours, while thanking him for his efforts for the county.

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day four

More overnight rain on an already soaked outfield made the final day of the domestic home season an anticlimax.

Attention now switches to Canterbury and the final game of the summer next week. In his post match interview, Mickey Arthur said that he will be fielding the strongest side possible and I agree with that. 

As I mentioned in a reply to a comment earlier, there would be plenty waiting to be critical if Derbyshire slipped from the impressive third place that they currently hold to bottom three, simply because they lost their final game. While it is laudable as an idea to give experience to some of our youngsters, our position is considerably different to Kent, who genuinely have nothing to lose in bottom place.

Arthur also confirmed that we would have 'an overseas fast bowler' next year. I would hope that this is sign, sealed and delivered before too long so that plans can then be hatched well ahead of 2026. 

Arthur also confirmed that both Pat Brown and Luis Reece have been carrying injuries for much of the season, which explains challenges faced by the former, while the latter deserves every credit for his level of performance while in constant pain. 

Finally tonight, an acknowledgement of a job well done by our neighbours, Nottinghamshire. They beat reigning champions Surrey in a thriller today and now have one hand on the County Championship trophy.

I am no fan of our friends across Brian Clough Way, but they have played some very good cricket this year and would be worthy winners. More importantly, a win for them prevents a monopoly developing in the county game as we see so often in modern football. 

It is not healthy for any sport if one side continually wins all of the trophies. I wouldn't go as far as to say a Nottinghamshire win would be one for the underdog, but it would break a southern sequence and that does me just fine...

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day three

The third day of Derbyshire's final home game of the season was, pretty much as expected, washed out today. 

Heavy overnight rain, followed by intermittent rain and drizzle today, meant that no play was possible. It renders the final day - assuming that they get on - somewhat academic, with only bonus points to gather. I think it very unlikely that Glamorgan would be interested in setting up a 'match' and I certainly wouldn't be, in their position.

It has made for a disappointing end to the home season, but no one can control the weather.

It's a good job that the club didn't bother signing an overseas player  for these closing matches... it would have been a long way and a lot of money to sit in the pavilion...

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day two

Glamorgan 259 (Carlson 94, Van Der Gugten 37, Harris 31, Reece 4-67, Dal 3-29, Aitchison 2-51)

Derbyshire 17-0

Derbyshire trail by 242 runs

Before I give my thoughts on today's play, I thought I should comment on yesterday's non-start, not just at Derby but around most of the country. 

In this health and safety/litigation crazy world we now live in, you cannot take risks with employees. It is all well and good to suggest supporters, ground staff and players could have got the covers off, but what happens if something goes wrong? Add in an outfield that is very wet and people who are playing cricket for their livelihood, not a laugh, the potential for an issue was considerable. 

A decision was made - not just at Derby, but pretty much everywhere - that the risk was too great. While acknowledging it is an important game for Derbyshire, common sense has to apply and I have no issue with play being abandoned for the day. It was a decision made by the umpires and that has to be respected.

Today, a Derbyshire charge was held up by the diligent Kiran Carlson and Timm Van Der Gugten. They batted with complete focus and common sense in repelling the Derbyshire attack for 28 overs when their side had slipped to 99-6 on a more lively pitch than usual, after being under covers for 24 hours. The home seamers bowled well, the ground fielding was excellent and the catching good. Ben Aitchison held a Daryn Smit-style screamer to eventually dismiss Carlson, but the damage had been done by that point. 

Both those batters are admirable players and have been fine servants to Glamorgan. It was fitting that they should team up to steer their team to calmer waters, having done so many times over the years since they both made their debuts in 2016. They are part of an ageing side, but one in which the key players have stayed fit this summer and six batters average over 40. 

There just isn't enough time left in this game for Derbyshire to force a win. They could go in and hammer 400 in 75 overs tomorrow (unlikely, on a surface offering help to the bowlers) but it looks like being a truncated day and the visitors have no obligation to offer anything, when they are in such a positive position in the league.

If this was day one of a four-day game, Derbyshire would be dreaming, but it isn't, so they must battle to get the best points they can from the fixture.

Luis Reece and Anuj Dal bowled splendidly today on a pitch that suited them, but everyone pitched in. Ben Aitchison again offered both quality and control, his return being one of the major plusses of the summer. It was a solid team effort, epitomising our red ball game this year, but as I said at the outset, to do something special you need your fair share of luck. 

Yesterday, we didn't get it. But in that, we were the same as everyone else. 

Sadly, as the saying goes, them's the breaks.

Late in the day, a shoulder injury sustained by Luis Reece in the field was worrying, but he thankfully reappeared soon afterwards and was able to take the second new ball. The pitch appeared easier by that stage and the visiting tail dug in, as the intensity of both the attack and fielding dropped. Gorvin and Harris took time out of the match and did a fine job for their side in an important half century ninth wicket stand.

It was eventually broken by Reece, courtesy of a fine low catch by Guest, but Glamorgan had an unlikely batting bonus point by that stage. Gorvin's eventual dismissal after facing 66 deliveries gave Derbyshire an awkward five overs to face.

Reece and Donald took 17 runs from them and will hope to add many more - and quickly - tomorrow.

Derbyshire v Glamorgan day one

Doesn't look like I missed much...

Derbyshire v Glamorgan preview

It is the last four home days of cricket 2025 at the Central Co-op County Ground, starting tomorrow. 

Mickey Arthur has named the predictable twelve, which is pretty much anyone left and still able to run. The decision on the final eleven looks likely to be between Nye Donald and Amrit Basra, so you can place your bets on that one. I suppose the former could be asked to open the batting, as he does successfully in white ball cricket, replacing Caleb Jewell. I would be happier with both of them away from the new ball and the wiles of Timm Van Der Gugten, to be honest. I expect Arthur to go with Donald and this to be the team:

Reece, Came, Guest, Madsen, Donald, Andersson, Dal, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon (Basra)

Glamorgan arrive with a squad of fourteen and all of their big guns apart from Ben Kellaway, who is injured. 

Northeast, Root, Carlson, Crane, Harris, Gorvin, Leonard, ul Hassan, Ingram, Cooke, Tribe, Van Der Gugten, Fernando, Byron

Much as I would love to predict a home win, the weather looks set to take time out of every day and I fully expect a draw as a consequence. Which will be greeted with euphoria in Cardiff, of course and our visitors deserve every credit for how they have gone about their cricket this year. They have managed five wins to our two, which is the reason they are 27 points ahead at this stage.

For next summer, Arthur needs to be brave enough to go with result pitches at Derby. Not to the point of point deductions, but similar to what we saw at Lord's last week and what they have had in Cardiff and at Leicester.

I am not convinced that our batting is as good nor our bowling as at times ineffectual as it has seemed, but a young attack, hopefully strengthened by a solid attack leader from overseas next year, could do with a little more encouragement on home turf.

But that's for another year. I won't see much of tomorrow's play as I am in Manchester meeting up with some friends, but I will see the rest of the game. As I do when on holiday with the family, I will create a page for you to append comments at the end of the day.

Fingers crossed! 

Weekend thoughts

Two games, or a theoretical eight days of cricket to go in the 2025 season. Derbyshire are still in third place in the table.

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.

Came signs new deal

More excellent news to take us into the weekend, as Harry Came is announced as signing a new two-year contract.

He is a fine player, still with an outside chance of making a thousand red ball runs for this summer. He needs 192 runs in his last four innings, not beyond him in his best form. An average of just under forty represents a solid season and I would like to see him open next year, building on the partnership that he had with Caleb Jewell. 

I suspect he will, with Matt Montgomery likely to bat three and this will allow Luis Reece to drop to six, where he offers reassurance to a sometimes sketchy batting order.

He had a mixed One-Day Cup but made a memorable century against Essex, when he looked a very good player indeed. He isn't currently seen as a T20 player, but that is perhaps an area to work on over the winter. Derbyshire are not short of options in that format at present, so he may need to wait for opportunity.

Yet he is only 27 and should be coming into his peak years now. That Mickey Arthur has secured his services is a sensible move.

I think everyone should be happy with this news.

Middlesex v Derbyshire day four

Derbyshire 283 and 153-4 (Guest 65*, Andersson 31*)

Middlesex 298

Match drawn

With the rain never far away, the game at Lord's ended in hard-fought draw today. 

Middlesex will have entertained hopes of a win when Derbyshire slipped to 46-3, with both Reece and Madsen adjudged leg before to decisions that could have been deemed questionable. 

Harry Came and Brooke Guest steadied the ship before the former, not moving his feet, played on to Ollie Stone, who bowled well here. So too did Ryan Higgins, an admirable player who bowled with great skill and in long spells.

Yet Guest and Martin Andersson, against his old county, stood firm. Both played some fine strokes but were watchful in defence on a pitch where the ball moved throughout and there was variable bounce. It is a pity that the rain ruined the last two days, because Derbyshire will have fancied their chances in the final innings on such a pitch. 

It was not to be, however, and both teams took a share of the points, with Derbyshire remaining in third place with two matches to go. 

For me, the big news of the day is that the upper age limit for county academies is to rise from 18 to 19 next season.

One director of cricket, who backed this change, suggested that it supports the view that the greatest transition in young players comes between the ages of 18 and 20. The success of the South Asian Cricket Academy and the importance of the MCC Young Cricketers' programme – revived this year – have supported the argument. It has long been argued that existing practices were costing the county game talented youngsters.

Until now, a county couldn't even keep on an 18-year-old who wasn't deemed ready to be signed on a casual basis, unless they paid the player to come in for sessions.

To quote Nick Friend in The Cricketer:

One academy director said that he expects the benefit of the extra year's academy coaching to lead to better players being signed and those players then to spend more time in the professional game once signed. Previously, counties would gamble on 18-year-olds, sometimes successfully but at other times with no great longevity, whereas the extra year ought to give greater confidence around talent identification.

I applaud this change and it will give young cricketers a chance to focus on their game for a year after they complete their exams. It will also allow them to decide whether a career in first class cricket is what they want.

With the Derbyshire Pathway at its strongest for many years, it is an opportunity for some of the youngsters to state their case, free of educational pressure. 

A player like Matt Stewart, for example, has now finished school and showed yesterday with his five wickets for the second team that he can possibly make the next step. A winter in Australia is likely to improve his game still further and he can come back next year with a chance to show what he can do for the summer.

With others, such as Rohan Vallabhaneni, Rubaiyat Abrar, Jake Green and Hasnain Akhtar showing real potential, not to mention Joe Hawkins, we should be better able to make an informed decision on these young men when the time comes.

The future is bright.

Middlesex v Derbyshire day 3

Derbyshire 283 and 33-1

Middlesex 298

Derbyshire lead by 18 runs

Not much to say today. The rain took the expected chunk out of the day and the only thing of note was Caleb Jewell passing a thousand red ball runs for the season before he was dismissed. 

It will be difficult to conjure a result in the remaining time, much will depend on tomorrow's weather. 

In other news, the second team lost a thrilling match to Northamptonshire by one wicket.

Set 174 to win at Denby, the visitors got there thanks to a last wicket stand of 32 runs. Matt Stewart once again underlined his credentials by taking 5-36 in ten overs.

Scorecard and video clips can be seen here

Middlesex v Derbyshire day two

Derbyshire 283 and 17-0

Middlesex 298 (du Plooy 105, de Caires 46, Cracknell 43, Aitchison 3-35, Chappell 3-69)

Derbyshire lead by two runs with ten wickets in hand

Derbyshire did well at Lord's today, bowling out Middlesex for 298, despite an excellent century by Leus du Plooy.

It was a gritty knock by the former Derbyshire player, surviving a stoppage when he inside edged Aitchison and took a painful blow. I don't think I've seen many players suffer more injuries when batting than Leus and his low forward defensive stroke always makes him susceptible to a blow in the unmentionables. I recall one afternoon at Chester le Street when that happened several times, which must have made for an uncomfortable evening...

de Caires also batted well in the morning session, on a day when press reports confirmed he was staying with Middlesex. He has a somewhat unusual style, his exaggerated 'leaves' outside off stump often ending with him facing the wicket-keeper and slips. Which is all well and good, as long as he doesn't get it wrong...

Ben Aitchison was superb today, his analysis of 20-7-35-3 telling its own story. It probably didn't give him full value either, as he beat the bat consistently. The opening spell of Ben and Rory Haydon was in the best Derbyshire tradition, giving little away and making the batters play. It was good to watch and heartening ahead of next summer, when both will undoubtedly be key members of the seam attack.

Zak Chappell also took three wickets, while Haydon took two on debut in an encouraging display. Luis Reece was also good value for two wickets, but it probably made people question why we selected Anuj Dal AND Martin Andersson, when the former only bowled eight overs and the latter none. I accept Martin has been a batting success this summer, but the omission of Amrit Basra was an odd one, as several of you pointed out yesterday. 

The ball nipped around all day on an excellent cricket pitch and reduced the game to what is effectively a one innings shoot out. I like such pitches, where good batters can make runs but there is reward for bowlers who bend their back. I would be more than happy with similar pitches at Derby.

The home side had a lead of fifteen runs, though missing out on a second batting point by just two runs, but crucially they had nine overs at the Derbyshire batting before the close.

They survived with no major alarms, two runs ahead and Jewell three short of a thousand red ball runs for the summer.

A fascinating final two days is in store.

Who will hold their nerve? 

Postscript... The second team took a first innings lead of 40 runs against Northamptonshire at Denby. There were three wickets for Yusaf bin Naeem and two each for Matt Potts, Jake Green  and Ajay Khunti. 

On a deteriorating pitch, Derbyshire were 111-8 in their second innings, a lead of 151. Trialist Callum Gaffney, from Durham, top scored with 30, while Zak Kelly made 26.

If the weather allows it, that could be a decent finish ..

Middlesex v Derbyshire day one

Derbyshire 283 (Came 64, Jewell 56, Aitchison 36, Dal 36, Roland-Jones 6-77)

Middlesex 12-0

Derbyshire lead by 271 runs

I am not going to spend too much time on today, because I only saw the first session, before I went out with my wife and daughter for the afternoon. 

At that point Derbyshire, were progressing serenely, although the movement obtained by Higgins and Roland-Jones suggested that batting may not continue to be straightforward. 

I will leave you to fill in what happened after the excellent stand between Came and Jewell, which left Caleb four runs short of a thousand first-class runs for the summer with an innings to go.

Meanwhile at Denby, the Seconds were all out for 320, with Savin Perera, who has been around a few county second teams and plays with SACA, making an unbeaten 160 and carrying his bat in a wonderful effort. Yusaf bin Naeem made 47 and McLoughlin took 4-67 for Northamptonshire 

They were 66-2 at the close with George Bartlett unbeaten on 33 after Potts and Stewart took an early wicket each.

More from me tomorrow, when we will see if we can make early inroads at Lord's and Denby

Now, over to you!

Middlesex v Derbyshire preview

Mickey Arthur has named a squad of thirteen for tomorrow's game against Middlesex, at Lord's. 

It is anyone's guess who will be left out, but my first eleven is the most likely side, with the other two also in the squad:

Came, Jewell, Guest, Madsen, Basra, Reece, Andersson, Chappell, Aitchison, Morley, Haydon

Dal and Donald also in the squad. 

Nuj hasn't had the best of summers, averaging only 21 with the bat and with just 15 wickets. He could play in place of Aitchison or Haydon, which would lengthen the batting, but it would also be to the detriment of the attack - and we need to take twenty wickets to entertain any remaining hope of promotion. I expect Haydon to play, because otherwise signing him on for these last three games seems a little odd. Indeed, I hope that both he and Amrit Basra get the tasters of the first-class game that will prove beneficial to each next season.

This is a third (Derbyshire) v fourth battle, with the home side only three points behind, Derbyshire 24 points behind Glamorgan. 

Middlesex are missing Max Holden, as well as Steve Eskinazi, who has moved to Leicestershire on loan ahead of a permanent deal. They have signed Olly Stone on loan from Nottinghamshire for two weeks and he will make up a lively attack with Toby Roland-Jones and Henry Brookes. 

Their squad:

Leus du Plooy

Henry Brookes

Noah Cornwell

Joe Cracknell

Josh De Caires

Nathan Fernandes

Ben Geddes

Zafar Gohar

Ryan Higgins

Luke Hollman

Seb Morgan

Sam Robson

Toby Roland-Jones

Olly Stone

The first two days look likely to enjoy good weather, but a positive result for either side will be dependent on how much progress they can make before the expected interruptions on Wednesday and Thursday.

For both there may be a requirement to take risks in order to force the result they each need, but my money at this stage will be on a draw. Which will, of course, strengthen Glamorgan's foothold in the promotion places. Taking twenty wickets has been a challenge for Derbyshire all summer and that would need to change if a solid red ball summer were to become special.

What do you think? 

Haydon signs on for three summers!

I am delighted that Derbyshire have at last concluded the signing of Rory Haydon, for the rest of 2025 and for the next three seasons. 

I have been in no doubt all summer that this was a young man who had the potential to make it in first class cricket. He always seems to take wickets, especially with the new ball, while a feature of his play is that he seldom wastes it.

Rory, like Ben Aitchison, likes to make the batters play and often reaps the rewards. I will admit to a little concern, as I heard that at least one other county were very keen on his services, having seen him in action both for Staffordshire and ourselves. 

Thankfully, Rory has shown that loyalty does still have a place in the modern game and it is excellent news that we will be able to see his development over the next three summers.

There are not too many young seam bowlers of his potential on the market and I'm sure everyone is equally happy that he will be in Derbyshire colours for the foreseeable future.

It could be that he makes his red ball debut at Lord's, which would be pretty memorable.

Welcome (back) to Derbyshire, Rory! 

Seconds on top at Taunton Vale

Another good effort by the second team at Taunton Vale today has them slightly on top after two of the scheduled four days.

Derbyshire extended their first innings to 286, with Joe Hall making 40 and Jack Morley 38, this after a delayed start because of overnight rain.

Then it was the turn of the Derbyshire seamers to enjoy conditions, with both Nick Potts and Matt Stewart taking two wickets. Stewart took the prize wicket of Archie Vaughan, courtesy of a stunning catch by Joe Hall behind the stumps, while Amrit Basra chipped in with another to leave the hosts 144-5 at the close.

Scorecard and video clips can be found here

Seconds battle at Taunton Vale

Derbyshire Seconds made 239-8 on the first day of a four day game against Somerset at Taunton Vale yesterday.

A young Derbyshire side, captained by Nye Donald and including Jack Morley, all got starts but no one exceeded the 39 by Amrit Basra. Yusaf Bin Naeem made 37, Will Tarrant 34 and Joe Hall was 35 not out at the close.

Archie Vaughan took 3-27 for the home side

More from me on this match as time allows

Scorecard and videos here

Under 18s robbed by the rain

Derbyshire under 18s will feel robbed of a win today, when the Plate final against Essex was abandoned as no result. 

The rain came after Essex had been bowled out for 133. They were cruising at 66-1, which rapidly became 68-5 with the advent of Matt Stewart and Rubaiyat Abrar. Each took two wickets and the ever-impressive pair finished with 4-18 and 2-27 respectively. Captain Joe Hawkins didn't come on to bowl until the thirtieth over, but finished with 1-8 in the six overs he bowled.

I understand that the trophy is shared, but Derbyshire will at least claim a moral victory after an impressive bowling and fielding performance.

Well done lads! 

Video clips and scorecard can be seen here

Weekend thoughts

There is no cricket for Derbyshire next week, which has worked out quite nicely because my wife and I are taking the dogs with us once again to Berwick upon Tweed. The final coastal break of the summer and I am sure it will be as relaxing and enjoyable as always. 

I had another interview with Matt Rhodes of North Derbyshire Radio yesterday, during which we discussed the 50 over competition, the successes and things we need to work on. We also talked about the ECB plans for next summer. 

Honestly, I am astonished at the lack of leadership, clarity and transparency from an organisation supposedly leading the national sport. At this stage, the overhaul of the county game looks like reducing the workload by two T20 matches and possibly one four-day game, which I wouldn't expect to transform many lives. 

I don't get the issues. I appreciate there is a lot of travelling - though most of it these days is done by luxury coach - but they play less than in the old days and are paid better than they used to be for the privilege. 

I accept and frequently refer to the stresses and challenges of maintaining a standard and how it isn't as much fun as some people might expect it to be, when your form is scrutinised and a lack of it criticised. It is one thing playing cricket, but there is a different kind of stress when it is your livelihood.

Yet is it any more challenging than what is faced by other people? I worked in high profile roles for over thirty years, where I was paid for 35 hours a week, yet often ended up working far more than that. I had my travel to do, I had a family to support and bills to pay. It was stressful, but life generally tends to be. 

Fifty-six days of red ball cricket and around twenty of white ball per summer, if you play all the matches. Is that really so difficult in a 365-day year? We constantly hear about down time, about time to work on skills, but surely there is enough in the other 289 days?  At any time in my working life, if I had gone to my boss and said I would like less time doing my job and greater opportunity to do more training about it, the response would have been short and sweet. 

Pressure, as Keith Miller once famously said, 'is a Messerschmitt up your arse. Cricket is not'. Sage words from a man who experienced far more severe challenges in the Second World War. Similarly, such comments would have got short shrift from my Dad, who spent most of his working life down the pit. Pressure was ensuring you didn't do something silly and bring the pit face down on you. Stress was carrying out one of your mates, either dead or seriously injured. It gave me a sense of perspective that carried me through the tougher days of my working life. Whatever the challenges, they simply didn't compare. 

So while I understand the need to look after players, I don't think they are unduly worked these days. Talk to any old professionals, when fixture planning saw them traverse the country, even mid-match, then back to resume the main game in their own cars. There were more overs per day, more days of cricket per season. With three games to go, no Derbyshire player will get close to bowling five hundred overs, yet it was once commonplace for even the quicks to bowl a thousand. Les Jackson certainly did and in his second-last summer, in 1962, he exceeded over a thousand overs at the age of 41. Yet still saw it as better than even a surface job at the pit...

Logically, a reduction in the playing 'offer' should see a reduction in salaries and, if continued, could see a reduction in players. If you aren't playing so many matches, you don't need so many players, do you? People need to keep such things in mind. Be careful what you wish for...

So we now get to a situation where Derbyshire might gain promotion (I don't think so) but it might not matter, because the structure has changed.

It seems as if the lunatics have taken over the asylum. I'm getting old, like it or not, but to me everything seems to get unduly complicated and one is left with the impression that the left and right hands haven't a clue what the other is doing.

Eventually the dust will settle, the game will carry on and we will all silently despair at what is happening to the game that we love. 

Without doubt, it is desperately sad. 

Postscript: last night's interview can be heard here

I am on 34 minutes into the show.

Good day for under 18s

Derbyshire Under 18s produced a consistent batting effort at Queen's Park today.

In reply to Yorkshire Academy's 225, they ended the day with 353 all out on the board, despite an interruption for rain.

Joe Hall, who has had an excellent season with the bat and behind the stumps, made 67, Zak Kelly 66, Rubaiyat Abrar 52, Arjun Annamalai 39 and Freddie Clarke 32.

By the close, Yorkshire had reached 25-2 in their second innings, with Matt Stewart returning the outstanding figures of 7-4-8-2

Looks increasingly like the next one in line, if he keeps working and stays fit.

With a day of the game to go, the thinking money will still probably be on a draw, but it has been good preparation for their Plate Final against Essex on Sunday. 

That game starts at Kibworth at 10.45.

We're all rooting for you, lads! 

Under 18s do well at Chesterfield

The under 18s had a good day at Queen's Park on the first day of three against Yorkshire

They bowled the visitors out for 225, with Greenfield making 87 and Matt Stewart recording the excellent figures of 4-37 in sixteen overs.

In reply, Derbyshire were 72-1, with Sam Cliffe unbeaten on 20 and Zak Kelly on 33

If you are free today and in Chesterfield, it sounds like a good one to watch!

Derbyshire v Essex One Day Cup

Essex 366-6 (Westley 118, Benkenstein 74, Allison 64, Walter 45, Chappell 2-64, Aitchison 2-74)

Derbyshire 322 (Came 139, Montgomery 108, Critchley 3-59)

Essex won by 44 runs

There was yet another noble effort with the bat by Derbyshire today, but in the end they came up short by xx runs against Essex.

I didn't see much of the first innings, because I was having lunch with an old cricket friend. But I was back in time to see the Derbyshire reply and for a long time, during a superb partnership between Harry Came and Matt Montgomery, a surprise win looked possible.

I don't think it's possible to bat much better than those two did today in a stand of 225 for the second wicket. Came's footwork and assessment of length was superb up to the last ball that he faced and he looked a very good player today. Montgomery simply looked the player I knew we were getting.. classy, with time to spare and a full range of shots. He seldom lifts the ball and once again was a joy to watch. All he ever needed was opportunity and he will get that here.

Only when Simon Harmer started pitching wider and getting considerable turn did the game do the same. Both Montgomery and Basra were bowled by extravagant spin (the former dragging on) and the injury to Martin Andersson took on additional significance when Zak Chappell came in at six. With an already long tail, there was simply not enough batting to come. Once Guest was run out by a brilliant stop and throw from Walter, the result was a foregone conclusion. Some lusty late blows from Haydon (26) delayed the result and made the eventual margin less than looked likely.

I won't comment on the bowling today, simply because I didn't see it, but the visiting tally tells its own story. 

On the positive side, a top four next summer of Came, Jewell, Montgomery and Madsen should ensure that Derbyshire usually get runs on the board. 

That's all from me tonight, I will leave you to add your comments in the usual manner.

Derbyshire v Essex One Day Cup preview

The last day of a disappointing white ball summer  arrives tomorrow. Derbyshire finish the campaign with a home game against Essex, which will see the return of Matt Critchley to the county.

Mickey Arthur has named a squad of 15 for the game which is as follows: 

Brooke Guest
Harry Came

Joe Hawkins
Martin Andersson
Ben Aitchison
Jack Morley
Matt Montgomery
Caleb Jewell
Yousaf Bin Naeem
Nick Potts
Zak Chappell
Ross Whiteley
Amrit Basra
Anuj Dal
Rory Haydon

I wouldn't begin to second-guess the team, but I would far sooner see a young eleven take the field, with a view to experience, rather than see more mature  players in their place. There's always the likelihood that we would aim to finish on a high, but we cannot finish bottom in the section so I would sooner leave out Messrs Whiteley, Dal, Chappell and AN Other for this one and see who can produce the goods.

Essex could still qualify in third place if Gloucestershire beat Hampshire and so will be giving it their all, with Paul Walter returned to the squad. Dean Elgar is not available to play in the One Day Cup while Sam Cook, Michael Pepper and Jordan Cox are all participating in the Hundred. 

Essex squad:

Westley, Allison, Benkenstein, Bennett, Critchley, Das, Fernandes, Harmer, Jones, Porter, Snater, Thain, Walter.

Derbyshire have batted very well in this competition, but it would be hard to picture the score we would need to come out on top here. Yet if we got to the end of the game tomorrow and two or three players had produced big performances, I would count that as a positive.

As always, I'm interested in your comments and I will be back tomorrow evening with a report. 

Footnote: Caleb Jewell has now scored 1721 runs in all formats this summer - an outstanding effort in his first year over here. With a potential seven innings left, he could make 2000 all format runs

Hampshire v Derbyshire One Day Cup

Derbyshire 339-5 (Jewell 98, Guest 76, Andersson 44, Basra 34*, Came 33, Abbott 2-33)

Hampshire 341-7 (Mayes 62* Middleton 57, Brown 56, Fuller 54, Aitchison 3-47, Hawkins 2-59, Potts 2-77) 

Hampshire won by 3 wickets

No complaints from me tonight, as Derbyshire produced a very good, though ultimately losing display against Hampshire at Southampton. 

The batting today was excellent, but it has been throughout this competition. Jewell and Came led off in fine style before Came was very well  caught (allegedly, as the stream wasn't the best). Montgomery looked in good touch before playing on to the excellent Kyle Abbott (the sort of attack leader we need next season).

Jewell was again brilliant and produced the full range of the strokes we have come to love this summer. He will have been disappointed to get out before a well-deserved century, having been becalmed as he approached it, but looked a player of the highest quality today. 

Guest was also excellent, running hard and hitting exquisitely at times. Andersson joined him in an enjoyable stand of 94 in 12 overs, before Basra came in to improvise impishly and brilliantly in the closing overs. His unbeaten 34 from just 15 deliveries took the total to more than initially looked likely. 

Yet bowling displays this summer suggested that 339 might not be enough. In similar vein, I suppose, to Brian Clough, when he sarcastically asked his team mates after a 6-3 defeat in which he scored all the goals how many he should score the following week, to ensure a point.

Hampshire's strong batting line up always seems up to the task and throughout were around the required rate. Aitchison, who bowled splendidly, removed both openers after a lively opening stand and Hawkins dismissed McMullen as he was getting into his stride. There were also two good wickets for Nick Potts, who bowled some crackers today, though interspersed with half trackers that ruined his figures. 

There was greater accuracy than the debacle of Derby, though we need more who can consistently find the right length like Aitchison. He has learned very quickly this summer and will be a key player in all formats next year.

Hawkins also bowled encouragingly again and took his first List A wickets, both caught and bowled. In that skill he is already better than Mohammad Ghazanfar...

In the end, on an excellent batting pitch the home side prevailed. Like Derbyshire they made runs consistently down the order and could pace their chase, which they did admirably. Seventeen-year old Ben Mayes played a very cool hand at the end and looks a terrific player. He was well supported by the bucolic James Fuller and Hampshire came out on top with five balls to spare.

Middleton and Brown earlier made fine fifties and although it was a much improved effort, I never felt Derbyshire had control. Having said that, I thought Guest used his bowlers well and to add to his excellent knock held a fine one-handed catch above his head to dismiss Middleton from the bowling of Potts.

Improvement then, but we all know the biggest issue. A defeat was expected against a very good team in the first division, but we were not disgraced today. It was another excellent advert for the county game.

In closing, the stream wasn't the best, was it? For a Test ground and with all their resources I expected much more than a glorified single camera with the odd wide angle shot.

I wouldn't swap their coverage for ours, that's for sure.

Hampshire v Derbyshire preview

A thirteen-man Derbyshire squad heads down to Southampton for tomorrow's game against Hampshire.

There's no Pat Brown or Rory Haydon and with Derbyshire now unable to qualify. I would hope that the final eleven includes players who would benefit from the experience. Of course, a win would be nice but planning for next year has to start now. 

The thirteen - with my side the first eleven:

Came, Jewell, Montgomery, Guest, Basra, Andersson, Dal, Chappell, Aitchison, Hawkins, Potts

Whiteley and Morley.

We know what Ross can do so I would rest him here, but Morley might get in the final eleven if turn is likely.

There is no news on the Hampshire side as I write, but this was their eleven against Nottinghamshire, last time out:

Orr, Gubbins, Middleton, McMullen, Prest, Mayes, Organ, Neal, Abbott, Wheal, Jack

I am interested to see how Brandon McMullen fares, having been a standout for Scotland in recent seasons. He is a fine player with bat and ball, at 25 likely featuring in a few wish lists around the counties. 

I suspect Hampshire will be too strong for Derbyshire, but it is hard to come to a different conclusion after the way we bowled in the last match. The return of Ben Aitchison should help, as it would if Matt Montgomery was fit to bowl a few overs.

There are cases to be made for a few players to be out and others to be in, but we will see how things go tomorrow.

The morning after...

A couple of things struck me this morning, when I logged onto my laptop to check the statistics for this site.

First up, usage is higher than it has ever been, which, if nothing else, reflects a major interest in Derbyshire cricket. Every post has thousands of views, which is flattering and very much appreciated. 

Secondly, the number of comments are increasing. If you regularly log in and would like to say something, please feel free to do so. Comments are approved before publishing, just to ensure that nothing unduly personal is put out there. But please feel free to say something and participate, preferably adding a name - even one you would prefer to use on the site, if not your own.

Going back to yesterday - and I would prefer not to, but needs must - it is easy to forget, after another defeat, that there are positive signs. 

Our batting is not really an issue. I think that Ben Smith has done a pretty good job and if one looks ahead to next season, there is strength in both red and white ball lineups. 

We don't yet know about Harry Came, though I would expect him to sign a new deal and probably open the batting with Caleb Jewell. With Montgomery, Madsen, Guest, Basra and Reece to follow, we shouldn't lack runs. Maybe another young batter will force his way in, which would be nice, but with Nye Donald and maybe Ross Whiteley for white ball cricket, we should usually get runs on the board.

What we REALLY need is an attack leader. An experienced overseas player who we can first of all afford and who wants to come and play in England and specifically for Derbyshire. The riches available in global franchise cricket these days almost make that a mission worthy of Tom Cruise (or Peter Graves, for those of my era, not the former Sussex player...)

Therein lies the challenge. Assuming Rory Haydon signs, with him, Ben Aitchison, Harry Moore, Nick Potts and Pat Brown we have a youthful quintet of seam bowlers who would further benefit from on-field guidance. A name, a man you could throw the ball to, as Kim Barnett once did to Michael Holding, or we once did with Tony Palladino when the going got tough. Or Mark Footitt, who for two summers was a one-man Blitzkrieg on batting lineups, thigh pads and helmets.

But just as I have praised the work of Ben Smith, at the end of the summer there has to be an evaluation of Ajmal Shahzad, as there will be of all coaches and players. While accepting that the Derby pitches are too heavily weighted in the favour of batters (in my opinion) I don't think there is a bowler who could hand on heart say they have improved this year. 

Maybe Jack Morley, but the seamers have all appeared less grooved, less effective than in 2024. The question needs to be asked why? Maybe it is the pitches, but when there is a collective deterioration, the question at least needs to be asked if they are getting the wrong advice, coaching or support. I can accept form being a cyclical thing, but everyone? There has to be a reason and Mickey Arthur has to get to the bottom of that.

Pat Brown came in for a lot of stick yesterday, both on and off the field. Yet he was starring for England Lions less than twelve months ago and has previously been very effective in white ball cricket for Derbyshire. It is painful to see a player struggling as he did yesterday, the nadir of a troublesome season for him. He can get it back, but needs help, the right help, in order to do so. 

He has been at the Hundred, sat in the dugout, lacking game time and probably confidence. The latter is a big thing in cricket and sometimes the feet aren't right, the head isn't as a consequence and the ball comes out all wrong.

Years ago I played under a very good professional who brought my game on considerably. His coaching stripped down my batting technique and in his two seasons I scored consistently and took my share of wickets. He even got me through coaching badges to better understand the process and I only wish I could have played and worked under him longer. Subsequently a 'name' Australian was professional and he hadn't remotely the same skills in coaching. When I hit the inevitable bad patch, he couldn't help and it was down to me to get out of it.

Sometimes the message can be overly complicated, sometimes it has been heard too often and a fresh approach - or voice - is needed. Mickey Arthur himself said when he came to Derbyshire that three/four years was usually the 'fresh' lifespan of a coach. 

So while I don't expect wholesale changes this winter, I do hope that this side of the club is not neglected. There is talent, we see that throughout the summer with some stirring displays. 

But the message from coaches to players has to be consistent and clear. The ability to galvanise, to motivate, is not given to all, but it is crucial that all angles are looked at. Why are almost all of our bowlers averaging over forty in red ball cricket, a couple over thirty? Why are they going at tens and elevens in T20? Are the coaching methods wrong? Are the instructions flawed? 

In any organisation I worked in, the performance of a team was the result of the managers and their ability to get the best from those underneath them. The best managers, like coaches, get to know their team, how they are most effective and how they produce their best. Then create the environment and culture to enable them to grow and develop their skillset.

Cricket is no different.

Derbyshire v Surrey One Day Cup

Surrey 388-4 (Thomas 162, Sykes 115, Barnwell 43*, Chappell 3-61)

Derbyshire 345 (Montgomery 114, Jewell 77, Guest 48, Basra 39, Majid 3-57, Karvelas 3-73, Sykes 2-58

Surrey won by 43 runs

This is my 59th summer watching Derbyshire and I cannot recall a more shambolic bowling performance than they offered today.

With the exception of Zak Chappell and Joe Hawkins, who kept a line, length and bowled to their fields, the rest was horrendous. 

Let's not forget this was against Surrey 2nds/3rds. A team with only one senior player, in Rory Burns, who was quickly back in the dressing room and able to watch as Adam Thomas and Ollie Sykes dismantled the home attack in a third wicket stand of 265 in just 34 overs. I take nothing away from the batting of both talented young men in recording their excellent maiden centuries in first-class cricket, but they will have faced better bowling in the Seconds, maybe even the Surrey Leagues.

It was an appalling, indisciplined effort  which contained eight no balls and twenty wides. Nick Potts even managed a no ball wide, which has rarity value, but the major concern has to be Pat Brown. 

Ten overs for 114 runs speaks of a massive crisis in confidence and form which has been pretty much season-long. He would appear to have totally lost his mojo and one has to question the bowling coach, Ajmal Shahzad. I cannot think of a single bowler who has improved this summer, despite the protestations of Mickey Arthur that every single member of the squad has done so. Is there a disconnect between coach and players? The evidence suggests so.

Brown is a good lad and certainly not without talent, as he has shown in the past, but maybe needs a different coach or environment. On the basis of today, they all do, because that was embarrassing to watch. Truly, undeniably awful. You can get hammered around the park at times when not bowling too badly, but that was not the case today.

I felt for Brooke Guest, because I have been there as a captain, when everyone is going around the park and no one seems able to bowl to whatever field is agreed. 

Given Derbyshire historically reach nose bleed territory chasing over 275, the Surrey total of 388-4 suggested a defeat was forthcoming.

So it transpired, despite a century of class by Matt Montgomery, who barely lifted a ball off the ground in anchoring the chase. There are similarities to Wayne Madsen in build and technique, but he looks a player of the highest calibre and it will not be his last century for the club. 

Caleb Jewell batted very well, without going on to the big innings that was needed today. So too did Brooke Guest and Amrit Basra, who in contrasting styles helped the score to mount.

Yet Derbyshire were never really ahead of the game. How can you be, chasing such a total? The debutant left arm spinner Ralphie Albert, only seventeen, bowled an excellent spell that slowed the scoring, but the telling contribution again came from Sykes, captain for the day. 

I don't think batting is Derbyshire's biggest problem, but a discerning county could do worse than approach Surrey for a season-long loan for the 20-year old. He doesn't look like getting anywhere near their first team in the immediate future, but is clearly ready for the level and its challenges. His century earlier was brilliant (with the caveat of the bowling standard) but here his slow bowling earned respect. Adam Thomas also looked a good bat, more circumspect until reaching three figures, but then cutting loose in excellent fashion.

Montgomery eventually went for 113 to Karvelas, the loanee from Sussex. 81 were needed to win with seven overs left and the heroes of Leicester, Dal and Chappell, were at the crease.

But there was to be no reprise and Derbyshire slipped to a very poor defeat that ended their interest in another competition.

This to a club that carries a squad of around forty players, yet had to borrow a seamer, because they were short.

Wow...there are no words.

Derbyshire v Surrey preview

Pat Brown, Yusuf Bin Naeem and Joe Hawkins are added to the thirteen that played at Leicester for tomorrow's game at the Central Co-op County Ground against a heavily depleted Surrey side.

I couldn't call a side for the fixture, but it would be good to see youth given an opportunity within the final eleven.

Ben Foakes and Rory Burns are the experienced heads in a Surrey squad that otherwise lacks it. I have watched a couple of their games and left-handed middle order bat Ollie Sykes looks a player of potential. He made a dazzling 90-odd against Gloucestershire, before being suckered out by Graeme van Buuren.

Their squad:

Foakes, Burns, Albert, Barnwell, Blake, Gorantla, Griffiths, Hunt, Karvelas, Majid, Sykes, Taylor, Thomas 

Ari Karvelas has been signed on loan from Sussex for the remainder of the competition.

It is a game that Derbyshire should win, with a good weather forecast

I will be back tomorrow. Tonight my wife and I head into Glasgow to see Cabaret at the theatre

I will publish all comments later tonight or early tomorrow.

Have a good one! 

Basra signs and thoughts on Mickey Arthur

The signing of Amrit Basra on a two-year deal is the first part of the winter rebuild of Derbyshire, one that WILL be done by Mickey Arthur.

That much came out of several chats I had today, the contents of which must remain private for the most part, but I can confirm a few things as a result of them.

But first, Basra. He fully deserves his opportunity, because he has taken advantage of his appearances in the second team, both last season and this, to deliver a consistent high level of performance. He would have liked to turn some of those scintillating innings into three figures, which is probably the next step, but sometimes it is watching a player and HOW he makes his runs that is important. 

There is a flamboyance, a panache about Amrit at the crease, just as there is a coltish enthusiasm from him in the field. Nor should we overlook his bowling, which will probably take a few wickets across the formats over the season. He will be especially valuable in the Blast but I see him slotting nicely into next summer's middle order. 

He isn't the finished article, but working on his game over the winter will give him the opportunity to hone his technique, without restricting the flair that makes him such compelling viewing.

It is hoped that a deal will follow for Rory Haydon, although I am aware of interest, via his performances for Staffordshire, from another county. I would like to think Rory will sign sooner, rather than later, but we will need to wait on that one. 

There will not be wholesale changes over the winter, because the budget is finite, but I get the impression that the future sees a more athletic, more home-reared Derbyshire that supporters can get behind, but at the same time be patient with.

It is, however, clear that regardless of the feelings of some supporters and members, including myself, Mickey Arthur is here to stay and 'remains fully invested in the club'. There will be details that will undoubtedly be revealed by the club when they are ready to do so, but regardless of what we all think from recent events, things are not so clear cut.

The ECB says there HAS to be fluidity between the county game and the Hundred and a willingness for coaches to be released on request. What was not realised at the time the press release was made in January was just how much overlap there would be between Derbyshire fixtures and those of the Northern Superchargers. The communication of the Head of Cricket's absence COULD have been better, but his strategic role doesn't see him have too much 'hands on' coaching involvement. So from that perspective, leaving Ben Smith and Ajmal Shahzad in charge was not such a leap of faith. But I understand that he has still picked teams and still spoken to players before and after matches

I also understand that around 12.5% of salary comes back to clubs for players and coaches who are recruited for the new competition, so that will be times four in our case, with three players and a coach.

We need to keep in mind, I think, that players (apparently) do want to come and play for Derbyshire AND for Mickey Arthur. Indeed, contracts can in some cases be ripped up in sport, if the coach of choice who persuaded the player to come to the club is no longer in post. Some even get it written into contracts these days..

But plans are in motion for next season and Mickey Arthur WILL be building his squad over the winter and leading the club into it. If the plans come to fruition, it will be exciting and well worth the price of admission.

If it isn't, I don't think any of the above should prevent Derbyshire from going in a different direction. We will by then have had five years and three versions of 'my team'. 

In other news, I can confirm that Josh de Caires will not be coming, nor will Sean Dickson, who has not been on the county's radar at any point, despite newspaper reports to the contrary. I suspect de Caires will stay at Middlesex, especially with an opening berth available after the departure of Steve Eskinazi to Leicestershire.

Supporters will of course look at Leicestershire and think 'Why can't we do that'? I can only suggest keeping an eye on that county, because several stories have come to me from various trusted sources of a 'boom or bust' mentality. Which is fine, if you are prepared to risk the latter, of course. I would prefer my county to live within its means, just as long as it doesn't reach the end of a financial year with multiple thousand pounds of profit. After all, it is a cricket club and the majority of expense has to be on the sport, as well as the facilities for those who come along to watch it. 

My conversations today didn't change my opinion that the transition to The Hundred was badly handled. If the club had communicated what was happening, the unrest of the past fortnight could have been avoided.

It would have been better had Ben Smith taken charge for the One Day Cup with no interference,  no frequent phone calls and messages to the middle. A press release giving him control would have made more sense, so too the Head of Cricket having faith in him and allowing him to run things. 

I can't say any more at this stage, but I am grateful for the time spent on those conversations today.

Like it or not, Mickey WILL be staying. Here's hoping his team, version three, is an enhancement..

There cannot be a version four. Whoever he attracts to the club, he has to create an environment in which they can thrive and produce their best cricket.

Can he? 

Leicestershire v Derbyshire One Day Cup

Leicestershire 312-5 (Patel 94, Hill 93)

Derbyshire 312 (Came 67, Chappell 49, Montgomery 47, Dal 45, Green 5-64)

Tie

A pulsating day's cricket at Leicester saw a fine game end in a tie, a result that was probably no use to either side in the grand scheme of things.

Leicestershire batted well, although during the second wicket stand between Patel and Hill their tally looked likely to be closer to 350. At 180-1 in the 33rd over they would have hoped for more than 312, but the pitch seemed to get slower and the Derbyshire fielding was very good in the latter stages. Ross Whiteley was especially good in the deep, although that is taken for granted these days.

The bowling was handicapped by the early loss through injury of Rory Haydon, who was only able to bowl three overs. With Amrit Basra ruled out of the game through illness, it wasn't the best of days for the short term contract players. The wickets were shared around, with Ben Aitchison the pick of the attack today.

For a while Derbyshire looked comfortable, with Jewell and Came leading off well, the latter playing some lovely strokes before being dismissed very tamely, spooning a catch to mid off. Montgomery also batted well, though clearly inconvenienced by a hand injury that he repeatedly flexed. When he was dismissed by a quick bouncer from Mike, the balance of the game began to change and boundaries began to dry up. Guest, Andersson and Whiteley were dismissed by the giant Green, who looks an excellent prospect, the latter's (also tame) dismissal seemingly ending the hopes of the visiting side.

Dal and Chappell revived Derbyshire hopes with a stand of 64, both playing some fine strokes and running hard. Fifty were needed from the last six, then 40 from 5, 34 from 4, 22 from 3, as Chappell hit Mike for a remarkable one-handed straight six. Then fifteen were needed from the last two, after Dal was run out, backing up.  

Aitchison's dismissal to an excellent catch by Trevaskis, who earlier had bowled well, gave the prolific Green his fourth wicket , quickly followed by his fifth, with Morley held at point by Budinger.  Green ended with 5-64 and looks the latest excellent prospect from a long assembly line.

A six, two and four from the first three balls of the final over left it at two from three, but Scriven held his nerve (after a wide) and Chappell was run out from the final ball to leave the game as a tie. 

It was a terrific effort from Zak, but he couldn't quite take us over the line. Again though, questions need to be asked of those higher in the order, who should have handled the situation better than they did.

Again, that was a run chase that should have been comfortable. 108 from the last fifteen overs with seven wickets in hand is an equation most sides would fancy.

Sadly, not Derbyshire. They need to win their last three matches now and keep their fingers crossed. They should beat a much-weakened Surrey, but Hampshire and Essex will be much tougher matches.

The thinking money is not in our favour, I'm afraid.

PS Mickey Arthur wasn't there again today. Presumably he is at Lord's...