Thoughts on The Blast and a way forward for Derbyshire

It has been another disappointing T20 summer for Derbyshire. 

Few among the support will have gone into the Vitality Blast with high expectations. Yet it has still been frustrating that the same failings have come back to haunt us. There were close finishes, but the big moments went the other way too often for comfort. Inexperience in some quarters, or a lack of mental toughness? There will be different opinions on that.

I know my own lack of confidence in the batting unit to chase and the bowling unit to contain has seeped into my reports and comments. Even the experience of sixty years of watching struggles to keep the sunny side up all the time.

The batting was too heavily dependent on Martin Andersson and Nye Donald. Once they had gone, the run rate usually dropped. If they failed, the shockwave impacted adversely on the rest. 

Donald remains an astonishing talent, an entertainer par excellence, but my concern remains how many matches he has won, at least until yesterday. How many times have his innings crossed the line from 'highly entertaining' to 'match winning'? Perhaps they might be considered so if those further down lent greater support, but he could be one of the biggest players in the world IF his knocks frequently continued outwith the Powerplay.

That said, he averaged over 40 in the competition this year, which is extraordinary given how he plays. The game changes all the time, but fifty years from now there will be youngsters watching him today who will regale their own children and grandchildren with tales of watching him bat. I know I haven't seen anyone quite like him and I saw Wilkins and Kuiper at their best. I would love to see him succeed in the four-day game, but suspect that in this form, franchises and a T20 deal is the most that we will see him.

I was not convinced by his glovework, which sometimes highlighted how infrequently he does it, while his captaincy was only adequate. Too often a bowler was given a second, even third successive over with an inevitable detrimental  consequence and there appeared no real game plan in the field, no match ups. It all seemed pre-determined, rarely the way to success in an unforgiving format, where you need to think on your feet.

Losing one of these responsibilities might be a way forward, the restoration of Brooke Guest behind the stumps the most likely and welcome move.

Nye will always be the first name on my T20 team sheet. But I don't think he will change his game, so to maximise his input the rest of the side needs to be looked at over the winter.

Andersson has been a superb signing. His medium pace can develop further and his variations with it. But a player who can bat in the top three with success AND offer some handy overs is a prize indeed. 

The crucial number three berth was never successfully filled this year, while the decline in Wayne Madsen's returns was a further issue. We will likely see the county legend in 2027, but now know that it will be in red ball and 50-over cricket only. How he is replaced will be key to any upturn in T20 fortunes next summer. Matthew Montgomery could come in higher, where he wouldn't have to hit from the get go and he may be the best bet for the Madsen role at four. The similarity in style, if not yet weight of runs, should make the parting easier to bear.

You don't easily replace those runs with one man. The team has to be reshaped and there has to be a greater collective approach to setting and chasing totals.

Ross Whiteley scored steadily, but had a highest score of 46. There will be consideration over a new deal and it will depend on if there is anyone better for that role. Of the other all rounders on the staff, Anuj Dal hasn't been seen as a T20 player and Luis Reece has had a lot of injuries. More on that later.

Neither Yusuf bin Naeem nor Amrit Basra made the best of opportunities, but it was telling that when Harry Came was brought in against Somerset he batted three, which was the logical slot for Basra to play. The jury is still out on his ability at this level, but to judge him on batting in the last three overs of an innings is unfair. Naeem clearly has talent and plenty of time on his side, so hopefully his time will come again. Came did pretty well, but I don't yet see him as a T20 regular. I would love to be proved wrong and more knocks like the one yesterday would do that.

The side always seemed both a batter AND bowler short. The absence of Chappell, Moore and Brown cannot be ignored, but nor can their respective inexperience and more recent poor returns in the format. Chappell was the most missed, not least for his lengthening of the batting line up and ability to hit long at the end of an innings.

The bowling was the curate's egg. Those injuries gave opportunity to Nick Potts and he did pretty well. Another winter working with Chris Wright should see him improve still further and if he can hit his yorkers more often he could be a real talent, his changes of pace being good to see. Ben Aitchison started well, but I don't see white ball as his stronger suit at this stage.  He is an outstanding red ball bowler and perhaps could  earn a deserved breather for T20 another year, like Rory Haydon.

That would depend on overseas and domestic recruitment. I thought Akif Javed got better as the tournament progressed and he became more accustomed to the pitches. An early reluctance to bowl yorkers was odd and his tendency to drop short and also overstep was costly on occasions. I wouldn't be averse to his return, when he would have this experience to draw on, but even if the international fixtures allowed it, I don't think we should sign both he AND Sufyan Moqim. Neither are natural fielders and offer nothing with the bat. One of the overseas has to do that in this side, for sake of balance. Nor is it ideal to have two players in the side whose language challenges make contribution to the group dynamic problematic.

Moqim was excellent, although a return for either depends on the pitch strategy for 2027 and I suspect Javed may be more readily available. Having said that, the other domestic bowling success was Jack Morley and unless we produce dry slow pitches (like Old Trafford) then two non-batting spinners doesn't make a lot of sense. As a friend wrote in an email to me last week, when we have a stronger spin than seam attack,why didn't we play to that strength? Aside from the fact that none of the spinners have any batting credentials, of course, but it is a moot point

So how can recruitment help? Domestically, we could do worse than look at Sol Budinger, who seemed more peripheral at Leicester, even before his injury and could give the innings a super-fast start with Donald, as well as affording an important left/right combination. He is a mercurial talent but maybe needs the right environment in which to thrive. At his best he is a southpaw Donald and extremely dangerous. Andersson could then drop to three, with the ability (and instruction) to try to bat through the rest of the innings. Any successful T20 side needs such a player.

Another player I like, again lacking opportunity is Will Rhodes at Durham. A gritty competitor, he could be a handy all rounder in this format, as well as an opener in the red ball game. If they could pick up these two - and finances are likely to be a challenge - they could consider just one overseas player. Perhaps someone in the vein of Romario Shepherd, Shadab Khan or Sikander Raza, although Worcestershire would surely want him back. One would hope that Mickey Arthur's Big Book of Contacts could find an all rounder of sorts, ideally one who offers a different angle, or perhaps unorthodox spin? Hayden Kerr was a decent asset in 2022, to give but one example in the recent past. The team's balance would look far better if the overseas player had another skill set.

Wouldn't this side, on paper at least, offer greater potential?

Donald, Budinger, Andersson, Montgomery, Naeem/Basra, Rhodes, Shepherd/Raza/Kerr, Guest, Chappell, Potts/Moore/Stewart, Morley

If there was sufficient budget for a second overseas, bring back either Moqim or Javed. Better still, perhaps another with multi-discipline skills. As I have written before, Brandon McMullen of Scotland is a serious talent and the success of George Munsey at Nottinghamshire highlights how experience of UK pitches is very much an asset. Indeed, I would consider him for that first role,  a dynamic bat, more than useful bowler and brilliant fielder.

So an alternate eleven might read:

Donald, Budinger, Andersson, Montgomery, Naeem/Basra, McMullen, Rhodes, Guest, Chappell, Moore/Potts/Stewart, Morley/second overseas

 I would expect Matt Stewart to be on the staff next year and he might push Potts for a place in the white ball eleven, at his current rate of progress. So too could Harry Moore and perhaps T20 and four overs at a time eases him back into the first-class game?

How do they afford this? Tough decisions have to be made, but I would sadly release Caleb Jewell, Anuj Dal, Pat Brown and Ross Whiteley. I don't think Mitch Wagstaff has convinced enough to remain either. He will be 23 in September, has not yet broken through and at this level patience will be limited. He needed weight of runs in league and Second XI and that hasn't happened.

It hasn't worked out for Caleb this year, while the returns of Nuj have been in decline for a few summers now. Pat is another single-format player, which is tough to justify and Ross...well, he is the finisher, but isn't finishing. A wonderful fielder, but he should be getting us over the line in tight situations and isn't. The game on Friday night was a clear example of this.

All of these are players whose best cricket I have enjoyed immensely, but progress requires change and that necessitates tough decisions being made. There can be no room for sentiment in professional sport.

At the very least, the team I listed above would offer seven/eight bowling options and bats deep, as well as having a specialist wicket-keeper.

What do you think? I am especially interested in your overseas batting/bowling/genuine all rounder suggestions. Even if the complexity of the international calendar means the county may get down to their tenth choice before striking gold...

At a members forum earlier in the year, Mickey Arthur said that the thrust of recruitment this winter would be on white ball cricket and it is clearly the area of greater need. We *should* remain competitive in the red ball game, but the right signings could see that extend to white ball too.

Postscript: I am aware that Budinger and Rhodes are under contract until the end of 2027. I am equally aware that modern contracts are barely worth the paper they are written on and seem heavily weighted in favour of players. If they are offered greater opportunity elsewhere, in a short career they will generally seek their release and take it.

Whether they interest Mickey Arthur only he knows, but both are players I feel could enhance the Derbyshire squad. 

As for overseas players - well, he knows a lot more players than I, but Derbyshire prospects would improve if they offered balance to the team and better complemented its existing personnel.

Besides fitting into the available budget, of course...

Book Review: The Englishman by Tim Brooks

My first reaction on receiving this book was one of surprise. Pitch Publishing, long-established as publishers of excellent sports nonfiction, moving into the realms of fiction, albeit with a sporting theme? Yes and to very good effect.

Tim Brooks follows the journey of an Edwardian cricketing prodigy with the world at his feet, who leaves university to defend all he holds dear – only to find himself in the ranks of the lost generation in the war to end all wars.

The author has written three previous books, all of them well received , including the excellent Bat Maker of Copenhagen, based on the true story of a World War Two cricketing hero.

In this one, the theme bears similarities to The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, with the central character badly wounded and with no recollection of his life before the war or how he came to be on the island of Corfu.

Yet it is in the sketching of that previous life that the book finds its strength. Real life cricketers flit across the pages, such as Phil Mead, CB Fry and Jack Hearne, brought vividly to life by a writer who clearly knows his cricket from the passages of play described herein.

So too in the descriptions of Edwardian life, Oxford gentility and the idyllic setting of Corfu and its long history of cricket. It can and will be enjoyed by those who want a hugely entertaining story, as well as those who come across it for the cricket content.

As I reached the final pages, I was certain that this book could easily translate to a mini series, or to a film itself. To replicate the quality of the prose here would be a challenge, while the in game footage would need to be realistic enough to convince cricket fans of its authenticity. But as myriad successful books and films have shown, there is great interest in the Edwardian era and the privileged lives of society's higher echelons.

This is a hugely enjoyable read that I rattled through in just a couple of days. Then wanted to start again. When that happens, you know you have just read something special.

Well done Tim Brooks and well done Pitch Publishing. This is a beautiful story, expertly told and if there is any justice it will sell in large quantities.

The Englishman is written by Tim Brooks and published by Pitch Publishing.

Derbyshire v Leicestershire Vitality Blast

Leicestershire 171-8 (Turner 79, Green 34, Javed 4-23, Montgomery 3-26)

Derbyshire 172-3 (Donald 91, Came 45*, Ahmed 2-46)

Derbyshire won by 7 wickets

I cannot have been the only one with a tear in my eye as Wayne Madsen walked down the pavilion steps with his wife and daughters this afternoon, en route to his final T20 innings for Derbyshire.

The innings didn't follow the script, as he was bowled by Rehan Ahmed for two, but we can perhaps attribute it to the Bradman-style guard of honour, sportingly offered by the Leicestershire players as he reached the middle. It was a mark of the respect in which he is held in the game and he will have been pleased to sign off his final T20 appearance with a comfortable and professional team win, perhaps with a tear like the rest of us.

Earlier, the Leicestershire innings was a bit of a mess until Ashton Turner went into overdrive. Thankfully, no one afterwards was able to say 'you ain't seen nothing yet' and the final total was a seemingly adequate, but no more, 171-8

Turner is a good player but has had a mixed time with Leicestershire, including three ducks. Here he opened up in fine style after reaching his half century, striking Moqim for three sixes in his final over. The visiting innings would have been in a sorry state without his innings of 79, as only Green and Evison otherwise contributed.  

The Derbyshire spinners did well, keeping their discipline and the ball away from the short boundary side of the pitch. Yet the star turn was Akif Javed, who has improved as the tournament has progressed. He bowled with pace and aggression to take a splendid 4-23, while Matt Montgomery was very tidy with 3-26.

The home reply was typical of the season, as Donald and Andersson passed fifty in the fourth over before the latter was caught. It brought in Harry Came, who batted in stylish manner to the end, sensibly willing to play second fiddle to his captain as Nye Donald went on to his highest T20 score. He batted just 38 balls for his 91, 7 fours and 7 sixes among his shots, yet there was greater restraint too, which was pleasing to see. This time he saw his team close to the line before holing out on the boundary edge, leaving Came and Matthew Montgomery to ease Derbyshire home.

It was a good win but I won't get unduly carried away, as Leicestershire have looked very ordinary  this summer and the result merely decided bottom and second bottom in the group.  I have no idea why they don't open with Patel and they miss the dynamic Sol Budinger, currently injured.

Still a win is a win and on Wayne's Big Day that is what we all hoped for.

On to the One Day Cup now, but first a mid-season break, until July 21.

Madsen to retire from domestic T20 cricket

Wayne Madsen's appearance for Derbyshire against Leicestershire at Derby tomorrow will be his last in T20 cricket for the county, it has been announced.

He will continue to play red ball and 50-over cricket for the remainder of this season and, from the wording of the press release today, one assumes he will be available in these formats in 2027. 

He retires from the domestic short form game as the fourth highest scorer in T20 history in this country and we can consider ourselves fortunate to have seen one of the genuine all-time county greats in Derbyshire colours. 

His improvisation, range of strokes and power hitting made him nigh-impossible to bowl at, when he was at his best.

For what it is worth, I feel that he has made the right decision. This will enable him to see more of his family, who are now based in South Africa, while still able to contribute in the longer forms of the game. 

There has been a falling off in his output in the Blast this summer and it is unforgiving for senior players in the field. Wayne will continue to be an outstanding captain, batter and role model in the longer forms of the game and this decision may even prolong his career in those formats. 

He currently tops the county batting averages in red ball cricket and I expect a strong finish to the season from him. 

It is too early for goodbye, which will be an emotional time for all supporters. Yet for now it is appropriate to thank him for the wonderful service that he has given, as well as the entertainment that he has provided in T20 cricket over so many seasons. 

I hope supporters will give him the standing ovation that he deserves at tomorrow's game against Leicestershire and that that he marks his final appearance in the Blast with a good innings and a win.

How they replace him in T20 cricket is anyone's guess, but you can read my thoughts on a possible way forward for the county in short form cricket on Monday morning.

For now, Wayne - it has been a pleasure and I hope it continues to be in red ball cricket for a little while longer.

Thank you for those white ball memories.

Durham v Derbyshire Vitality Blast

Durham 165-7 (Ackerman 69*, McKinney 31, Akif 3-30, Potts 2-27

Derbyshire 160-6 (Andersson 44, Came 35*, Carse 2-28)

Durham won by 5 runs

Derbyshire's bowlers did a good job at Chester le Street tonight, albeit in conditions that were helpful to them.

Again both overseas players bowled well, but so did everyone else. Matthew Montgomery was left on an over too long and his second was punished by Ben McKinney after a good first (and a first ball wicket) but as a collective effort I thought it was excellent. Jack Morley again bowled an intelligent spell and Nick Potts was back to his best after punishment on Wednesday night. Martin Andersson also mixed up his pace well and proved hard to get away.

No complaints about that at all and the fielding was equally good. Special mention needs to be made of Ross Whiteley, who saved a lot of runs at long on with some excellent (and very brave at times) stops.

The home innings was kept afloat by Colin Ackermann, who although not as fluent as usual played a doughty knock for his side.

Derbyshire needed 166 to win as a consequence and quickly lost Donald and Naeem, both playing with undue haste in the circumstances. In their defence, it was clear that second use of a pitch that was far from true was going to be a challenge.

Andersson, as he has done so well this season, mounted a recovery with Madsen at the other end. Neither found the boundary regularly, but adopted a similar method to Ackermann and Derbyshire reached halfway at 71-2, needing 95 to win.

A slog sweep six from Madsen on the resumption signalled intent, but he hit Sowter to mid off later in the over and the rebuild had to start again. Sadly Andersson followed in the next over after a good knock and Derbyshire's hopes were dwindling.

Montgomery hit a couple of sixes before going the same way as Madsen but Derbyshire reached the last three needing 39, with Came and Whiteley at the crease.

They came close but in the end the collective nous of Raine and Potts was too much and Derbyshire slipped to another defeat by five runs

Close but not close enough. Perhaps the story of the competition this season.

Book Review: A Fine Line - How The Spireites (Almost) Reached The FA Cup Final by Matthew Rhodes

A little bit of a departure for me, with this one. I haven't reviewed a football book on the blog before, but knowing many of you, like me, follow the sport in the winter, I thought that you would be interested in this stirring local tale.

it is Matthew Rhodes' first book and if the name seems familiar, he is the former Senior Sports Editor for North Derbyshire Radio, who interviewed me regularly over the last couple of seasons about Derbyshires fortunes.

Now a freelance sports journalist, he provides live audio commentaries and written match reports for Flash Score, but has returned to his first love, Chesterfield FC, for his first book.

I hope there are many more, because he tells this tale in engaging fashion, helped by eye witness reports and comments from fans, writers, players and administrators alike.

And what a tale it is. Although not a Chesterfield fan as such, I follow their results and those of Burton Albion because of the local connection and clearly recall the astonished reaction, as the 'Derbyshire minnows' made the semi-final of the FA Cup. And oh so nearly got to Wembley.

It is hard to believe that this is now thirty years ago, but Matt's account makes it as fresh as if it happened last season. Managed by former Tottenham and Derby star John Duncan and with a young, soon to be star in Kevin Davies, who later played once for England, the side also featured Sean Dyche, who has since become a highly-respected manager, heavily influenced, as he says, by Duncan.

A lot of the book brought back memories for me as a child and a young man, queuing for cup tickets in the old-fashioned way and hoping they wouldn't run out before you reached the front of the line. Going to matches in conditions that were far from the sanitised stadia of today and in some ways all the better for it. 

It makes for an exciting read. History records what happened, of course, but Matt Rhodes has done a really fine job in bringing together many disparate strands and making this the definitive account of how a little local club came within a disallowed goal of Wembley. He has even included an interview with referee David Elleray, which gives a unique perspective on the thought process behind the goal that never was.

Chesterfield drew that first, enthralling game 3-3, against an opposition side that included such players as Ravanelli, Festa and Juninho. They couldn't raise themselves to such heights in the replay, but what a cup run, what a season and what memories they made. It put Chesterfield on the map and made local legends of all of those involved.

I would heartily recommend this book to all Chesterfield fans, as well as those who enjoy a good tale of underdogs mixing it with the big boys. 

Nice work, Matt. In football parlance, the boy done well! 

Durham v Derbyshire Vitality Blast preview

Both Derbyshire and Durham have announced unchanged squads for the penultimate Vitality Blast game at The Riverside tomorrow.

The only potential change to the Derbyshire side from that which lost to Somerset last night is whether Ben Aitchison replaces Jack Morley. 

The home side have the following 14 players in their squad for the game: 

Kasey Aldridge, Colin Ackermann, David Bedingham, Brydon Carse, Graham Clark, Shafiqullah Ghafari, Alex Lees, Ben McKinney, Callum Parkinson, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Luke Robinson, Ollie Robinson, Nathan Sowter.

Derbyshire do not have the best of records on this ground and I don't expect that to change tomorrow. They have only pride to play for, while the home side need to win and then beat Lancashire in their final game to potentially qualify for the quarter finals.

Brydon Carse, David Bedingham and Ben Raine are back in their squad and again, I expect them to be too strong for Derbyshire on another hot evening.

What do you think? 

Derbyshire v Somerset Vitality Blast

Somerset 214-6 (Smeed 89, T Rew 39, Kohler-Cadmore 39 Andersson 3-33, Sufyan 2-33)

Derbyshire 187-7 (Donald 65, Madsen 44, Whiteley 28, Came 28, Sams 3-29, Ball 2-35)

Somerset won by 27 runs

There was another of those innings from Aneurin Donald tonight, as Derby basked in the evening sunshine on one of those days you never want to end.

Six fours, six sixes, six overs. It was magnificent while it lasted, as it always is when his hands, eyes and feet are synchronised. I've never seen anyone in Derbyshire colours who strikes the ball so cleanly, or who gives such entertainment and frustration in equal measure.

it was, as General Bosquet might once have said magnifique, mais ce n'est pas le T20 batting. I wish Nye could learn from even someone like Will Smeed, who knocked it around when the bowling deserved it and hit it into the middle distance when it didn't. Over the years I have thrilled at Sobers, Gayle, Azharuddin, Kuiper, de Villiers and Richards. Wonderful batters all, mainly because they went through the gears as the game situation warranted. Nye gave Derbyshire a wonderful base, but you rarely win a match in six overs of batting, however magnificent. It was perfect for T10 or the other competition, but with 14 overs to go, an opportunity missed, for me. 

No one else was likely to match his power, with Derbyshire again chasing 200-plus. Both overseas players did a good job tonight and Martin Andersson put in a good shift with the ball, but Smeed and Kohler-Cadmore took a liking to Nick Potts, who had probably his only down day of the tournament. It happens, he will hopefully learn from it and come back stronger.

After Donald's dismissal, Derbyshire never threatened to keep up with the required run rate. Came and Madsen played some nice shots, but the Somerset bowling was an object lesson in closing down an innings and they ran out easy winners. Their fielding was also top drawer with some stunning catches taken, which always makes a difference.

With that, Derbyshire's interest in the knockout stages has finally gone, but that has been a pipe dream for a while now.

We move on and hope for better fortune and performance in the One Day Cup.

Derbyshire v Somerset Vitality Blast preview

Mickey Arthur has named an unchanged squad for the game at the Our Co-op County Ground tomorrow night.

I suspect the only decision he has to make is whether to restore Ben Aitchison to the side, in place of Jack Morley. The rest of the eleven I fully expect to be unchanged. 

I have no real expectations of a result tomorrow, against the side that won the Vitality Blast last season. Somerset have proven a little more fallible this year and have already lost five matches, but I suspect they will have too much firepower for Derbyshire tomorrow.

They inflicted a first defeat of the competition on Northamptonshire the other night, beating them by 105 runs. It would appear unlikely that they would change a winning side and so I expect them to field the following eleven:

Smeed, Rew, Rew, Kohler-Cadmore, Goldsworthy, Sams, Overton, Thomas, Shaw, Meredith, Ball

It would be nice to be more positive, but the results have given little cause for it in this competition. While Derbyshire are a solid red ball side, I have less confidence in our white ball side, at least in this competition.

Having said that, I would be delighted to be proven wrong. 

Lancashire v Derbyshire Vitality Blast

Derbyshire 150-9 (Andersson 49, Montgomery 26)

Lancashire 150-8 (Livingstone 31, Hurst 30, Moqim 3-15, Montgomery 2-29)

Match tied

I perhaps saw the 'future of cricket' tonight and was far from impressed with it.

For the first couple of overs you could watch the game and its many camera angles, before it switched to a fixed camera at either end, with plenty of adverts for the 'premium stream'. Which was fine, until it switched to a scorecard and commentary only - but with plenty of adverts for the 'premium stream'.

I considered paying for the 'premium stream', but considering it justification for their 'thought process' and didn't bother. Besides, I had no real desire to watch interminable crowd shots and Lanky the mascot strutting his stuff, nor filling in a lengthy form, so I didn't. If this becomes de rigeur I might find another hobby, or just watch video reruns of old games on YouTube.

It was awful.

Anyway, by then the Derbyshire innings was in terminal decline and they limped to a final score of 150-9. Andersson batted well, so too Montgomery for a while, but it was a slow pitch and the advent of the spinners strangled the Derbyshire batting. Donald hit a couple of sixes but his pinch hitting was never likely to succeed against one so wily as Jimmy Anderson.

That strangulation suggested that Derbyshire's selection of Jack Morley instead of Ben Aitchison would prove crucial. He bowled well, as did Montgomery, while Moqim was excellent. It was a pitch made for him and his 3-15 gave Derbyshire every chance.

I can't be the only one, however, to wait for defeat to be snatched from the jaws of victory. Javed bowled well, exceeding 90mph at times, but his no ball in the penultimate over cost six from the free hit and the last over looked tight for Potts. Pace or not, Javed went for ten an over and it wasn't - or shouldn't have been - that kind of pitch.

Potts started the last over well, with yorkers, then opted to bowl short and went for two boundaries. It left Lancashire needing one from the last ball, when he returned to a yorker and bowled Hurst, who had kept his side in the game. It was a good effort from the youngster, who continues to impress.

But Derbyshire again should have closed out that game. With 37 needed from 17 balls, it was another frustrating end.

Bit like the competition for us, really

Lancashire v Derbyshire Vitality Blast preview

I haven't done a preview for tonight's game before now, as life got in the way.

To be honest, I could copy and paste what I have previously written about this competition. Derbyshire have the talent to beat Lancashire at Old Trafford tonight, but whether they do is anyone's guess. The bottom line is that we never know which version of our team will turn up, on a given day. 

I watched Yorkshire easily beat Leicestershire at Headingley yesterday. It was hard going, because of their insistence on panning to the crowd at every opportunity, sometimes at the expense of the action in the middle. There's only so many mug shots and carpool karaokes a man can handle..

Yet primarily it was tough because this is a Yorkshire side that sits top of the northern group, yet for 90% of the games between the two counties, Derbyshire were comfortably on top. 

I watched AJ Tye and Hasan Ali produce text book death bowling to snuff out any chance of a visiting challenge. Fast, straight yorkers, then a couple bowled wide. Impossible to hit for six, consummately professional. When we have two bowlers who can bowl like that, as Charl Langeveldt, Zaman Khan and Lockie Ferguson used to do, I will get excited about T20 prospects once more. 

I don't see any change in the Derbyshire side tonight, although Harry Came, Shoaib Bashir and Jack Morley are also in the fourteen. It is possible that a dry, spinning pitch might see an extra spinner play, but it would again shorten the batting.

Lancashire will also likely be unchanged from the side that lost narrowly to Nottinghamshire. The challenge will again be working our way through a lengthy batting order, one that took the game away last week after a good start. 

Failure to win ends Derbyshire hopes of qualification, although for me that ended at Queen's Park. Maybe even at Headingley, if I think about it, when worrying signs of fallibility were there for all to see.

We will see later.

Weekend thoughts - overseas recruitment and an emphasis on multi-discipline players

There is one week to go in the Vitality Blast group stages, in the course of which Derbyshire will play four fixtures. 

It is still technically possible for them to qualify as one of the best-placed third place teams, but while my optimism is well known to regular readers, I hope my realism is even more so. 

Losing Zak Chappell, Harry Moore and Pat Brown from the likely first-choice eleven is oft-cited as a reason for the poor results, but only the former was likely to play a major part. Could we really place additional weight of expectation on the shoulders of Moore, if he regains full fitness? He has played less first-class cricket than Nick Potts and will come into 2027 off the back of two seasons without stepping onto a pitch.

The same goes with Brown. He looked very good in his first summer with the county, but a serious injury severely impacted him last year and he has played no cricket in 2026. He may, or may not, be around for 2027 and might see a fresh start as better for him. Almost certainly any new contract with Derbyshire would need to reflect the uncertainty over his fitness and his underwhelming returns - albeit injury-affected - last year.

Derbyshire has missed the depth and power that Chappell adds to the batting, almost as much as his bowling. Whatever the improved batting abilities of Nick Potts and Ben Aitchison, neither of them are yet more than good number nines. Yet both have additional batting pressure because our overseas picks are clear tens and elevens. 

That is my 'beef' with Mickey Arthur's overseas selections. I don't blame him for re-signing Caleb Jewell after a very good 2025, but I wasn't then and am not now convinced that he will get better. A career average of 32, as he approaches 30, is less than, to use an example, Harry Came. I could get behind someone in their early 20s with such an average, but otherwise it suggests a technical flaw that opponents have exploited with worrying frequency. 

If finance is an issue (and it usually is) then perhaps the money on a second overseas player next year might be better spent on a solid county professional? There would be savings on air fares, accommodation and a car, before any other benefit is considered and with the ECB keen to change to one overseas player per county from 2028, perhaps it would be better to recruit someone now who might offer multi-format options and depth. 

According to The Cricketer, Hampshire are very interested in Anuj Dal, after their disappointing summer in red ball cricket. Nuj has been a good servant to Derbyshire but perhaps a fresh challenge might be what he needs, after a few disappointing seasons. He seemed to have made it in 2022, when he averaged 73 with the bat and took 34 wickets, but his batting average has declined and there have been only four fifties and one century since then. Similarly, his bowling is useful, rather than deadly and maybe the county needs to look at other options. Especially when there are doubts over the fitness of Luis Reece, while Martin Andersson still seems to be more of an occasional bowler.

One such might be Danny Lamb, likely to be released by Sussex but an all-format player of clear talent. So too Will Rhodes, who struggles for game time in a strong Durham squad but is a solid left-hand bat and handy seamer, again across formats. There are others, seasoned professionals who offer good multi-format value.

Such players could be important to Derbyshire, who cannot carry a large squad and need players who can contribute in both red and white ball cricket.

Which brings me back to overseas players. Akif Javed and Sufyan Moqim look decent, but both are bowlers only. That being the case, they need to be winning games and neither - in limited performances in Moqim's case - has looked like doing so. 

Perhaps we need to look at players who can contribute with bat, ball and in the field. Neither Javed nor Moqim could be confused with Keith Boyce in the field and they aren't batters either. A player who can give impetus with the bat and bowl some overs is the ideal and single-discipline players have to be very good at that to succeed.

Before the season started, I felt Worcestershire had recruited well with Usama Mir and the explosive Sikandar Raza, and so it has proved. A batting leggie and another who hits a long ball - what's not to like? Shadab Khan took the game away from Derbyshire on Wednesday with 58 from 22 balls, before taking three wickets. Nottinghamshire picked up George Munsey from Scotland and he has done very well for them. There are others north of the border and Michael Leask, an aggressive bat and handy spinner, as well as brilliant fielder, could have done a decent job. So too Brandon McMullen, who I have long since espoused, a player who contributes in all disciplines. There's also Harry Tector of Ireland, a fine bat and handy spinner. 

I just feel that bringing over players unknown in this country is fine, but just as English players won't know them, they will also be unaware of our pitches and players. If they are learning as they go, the risk is that the tournament is gone before they have fully adapted.

That is rather what has happened here. Javed bowled well on Wednesday, but in games where you really needed the overseas to set the standard, earlier in the competition, he was found wanting. A good overseas would have closed out at Chesterfield and Headingley, two games that will still remain frustrating ten years from now. 

It needs a rethink. I am not as qualified as Mickey Arthur, but I hope that I apply a liberal coating of common sense when I write. Our Vitality Blast side this year has looked unbalanced, oddly short of batting AND bowling. An emphasis on the recruitment of players who can offer both would be pretty sound strategy.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts.

Derbyshire v Lancashire Vitality Blast

I didn't see all of last night's game, but once again it illustrated the frailties of this side in this format. 

The batting is capable of scoring 200, but they have to, because the bowling isn't especially strong. It is hard to criticise Aitchison, who hasn't missed a game this season and must be tired, but his lines and lengths were off last night, as they were against Yorkshire. He is an outstanding red ball bowler but not yet the real deal in the white ball game.

The same goes for Andersson. The six wickets against Leicestershire seem a distant memory and the combined five overs for 84 runs were the issue last night. But it can happen at T20, to anyone and McDermott, who has struggled to buy a run, and Shadab put the game out of Derbyshire's reach with powerful, clean hitting, albeit aided by too many balls that were there to be hit.

Montgomery returned excellent figures, while Potts had a fine all round game and continues to develop. The two overseas did OK, with Atif's final over, chock full of fast yorkers, a stand out. Why it has taken until now to show these is a moot point. 

The batting? Basically it confirmed my assertion of two days ago that we don't chase well and contained several echoes of Clive Dunn's Corporal Jones character in Dad's Army, running around shouting 'DON'T PANIC!'

Did Madsen need to step away and play the shot at the end of the power play that turned a good one into something average? Did Montgomery need to go for six and hole out on the boundary edge with men back, when we were ahead of the rate and he had just come in? Did Donald, after a sparkling innings, need to go big once again, having done all the hard work and got it down to 79 off nine? Meanwhile, my frustration with Basra continues. He is clearly a fine player but appears only to have an 'on' or 'off' switch with nothing in between. 71 needed off eight overs, when he too tried to repeat a shot he had just played and also holed out. It only needed common sense from there and it appeared to have left town..

Perhaps rather than getting involved in range-hitting golf simulations, the players might benefit more from watching videos of how Dean Jones, Peter Kirsten and Mohammad Azharuddin chased down totals. A boundary an over, work the spaces in the field, run hard, limit the dot balls. In the modern game, with modern bats, you *should* make a run chase of single digits per over. Sadly, the Derbyshire mantra appears to be 'six or bust' and too often for taste it isn't six...

There will be assertions that 'we can still qualify' but supporters know these are empty promises. We don't bowl well as a unit and we don't chase totals. Opponents will play on this - I know I would - and four wins from four against Durham, Lancashire, Leicestershire and Somerset (reigning champions, no less..) isn't going to happen.

Once again, Derbyshire illustrated that there is talent a-plenty within the ranks, but until we play better AS A TEAM and manage game situations better, they won't be making space in the trophy cabinet anytime soon.

Derbyshire v Lancashire Vitality Blast preview

I don't see any change to the Derbyshire side for tomorrow's game against Lancashire at Derby.

Regardless of the result, the eleven that played against Yorkshire on Sunday represents our best chance of winning games in this competition, as things stand. 

It doesn't look like either Zak Chappell or Pat Brown will play any part in the Blast this year, which has been a blow, for sure. 

So the likely Derbyshire side will be:

Donald, Andersson, Naeem, Madsen, Montgomery, Whiteley, Basra, Potts, Aitchison, Moqim, Javed

Came, Jewell, Haydon, Morley also in the squad. There is an argument for Morley to be in the side, but that would leave a lengthy tail and would appear less likely, to me at least.

Lancashire are missing their England men, Salt, Buttler, Mahmood and Wood, but still travel with a strong fourteen:

Keaton Jennings, James Anderson, Tom Aspinwall, George Balderson, Jack Blatherwick, Paul Coughlin, Tom Hartley, Matty Hurst, Michael Jones, Liam Livingstone, Ben McDermott, Joe Moores, Shadab Khan, Harry Singh

Ben McDermott returns to the club where he had his first English experience, while Shadab Khan lends his considerable international experience with bat and ball. 

Can Derbyshire win? Of course. The batting has again done well in this competition, but the bowling has been the issue. I think they are better at setting a total than chasing one, but the issue has been restricting opponents, regardless of what total is posted.

I will follow from afar, but will leave you to comment as I am unlikely to see much/any of the game myself.

So, who is feeling hopeful? 

Brief Monday thoughts

My wife and I are away again this week to our favourite haunt of Berwick-upon-Tweed and won't be back until Friday.

Accordingly, I will create a page for your comments on the game against Lancashire, if you could append them in due course, please.

I won't write about the game, but will add a few observations when I have a chance to do so. 

Derbyshire are now bottom of the group and although their NRR remains good, thanks to the batting, the chances of the knock outs are now slim. We still have to play a Lancashire side strengthened by Buttler and Salt twice, as well as Somerset, who are rather good at this format.

I accept that our first choice side would likely have included Chappell, Brown and Moore. We also need to remember that Aitchison and Potts between them have only 90 overs of experience in T20 (not that Moore would improve that). Such inexperience is telling and winter recruitment, whether of overseas or domestic players, has to do something about it. Javed bowls with serious pace at times, but his own inexperience of English pitches shows in perhaps a lack of pace variation, while a yorker (or even a low full toss) might be better options at times. 

We will see. Anyway, off on the road now and I will catch you when I get the chance.

Derbyshire v Yorkshire Vitality Blast

Derbyshire 215-9 (Madsen 62, Andersson 51, Whiteley 36, Tye 3-36, Hasan Ali 3-39)

Yorkshire 215-8 (Revis 69*, Luxton 46, Ashraf 40, Aitchison 3-46, Sufyan 2-32)

Match tied

Another desperately poor display of death bowling by Derbyshire saw them squander another winning position at Chesterfield today. 

Yorkshire needed NINETY-THREE from the last six overs of the game and they got, or were allowed to get, 92 of them, as the game ended in a tie. 

It was exciting, I grant you, but when Martin Andersson bowled a 15th over full of wides and full tosses, then Javed lost his radar and went for 14 off the first three balls of the next, I messaged a friend and said 'the discipline has gone'. We were in trouble and collectively the bowlers lost it. You shouldn't lose from there and that Derbyshire has squandered two winning positions in the two matches against Yorkshire is very poor.

I take nothing away from Matthew Revis, who followed on from the example of Faheem Ashraf and hit through the ball, which too often for comfort was put into the slot by the bowlers. The fielders almost got them out of it, as some fine boundary catches were held, but holy moly, there was some bang average bowling in those closing overs.

In contrast, after a vibrant start in which they were rollicking along, Derbyshire added only 10 runs from the last 14 deliveries of their innings. Yorkshire got 43 from the last 18. The home side managed 4 sixes in their innings, while their opponents managed 15. Small margins, but I felt at half way that Derbyshire were 15-20 runs short of impregnable, on a small ground with a lightning fast outfield.

It feels like another loss tonight. Madsen, Andersson and Whiteley batted splendidly earlier, while Naeem played an innings of great promise and later held a fine boundary catch. But Yorkshire were a player down, when George Hill had to leave the field ill and they shouldn't have been allowed to get back into that game.

Revis played a fine hand, as Luxton did earlier as wickets fell around him. For Derbyshire, the jury is still out on Akif, who hasn't yet bowled a yorker to my knowledge and it cried out for it today. Oh my Zaman and my Lockie long ago..

 I thought Sufyan bowled intelligently, adjusting his length so batters had to hit to the longer square boundaries, but none of the other bowlers emerged from that game with any credit. And Sufyan followed in the tradition of our overseas spinners by not getting a hand on a catch that went high enough to allow him to start a crossword first.

Hugely disappointing again. I suspect that those will be my 'school report' words on this competition when our involvement finishes. I accept we have bowlers missing, but at the first sign of pressure, the bowlers fold.

Lancashire next, on Wednesday. 

Thank goodness we will be on holiday...

Derbyshire v Yorkshire Vitality Blast preview

There has been no squad announcement from either Derbyshire or Yorkshire ahead of tomorrow's game at Chesterfield. 

That being the case, I am making assumptions here.

I expect Derbyshire to omit Caleb Jewell and go with their two overseas bowlers. While Harry Came has made a strong case for inclusion, with two T20 centuries for the Second XI, he played for Swarkestone today and I don't think that would have happened were he in contention for this game.

I expect Mickey Arthur to go with this team:

Donald, Andersson, Naeem, Madsen, Montgomery, Whiteley, Basra, Potts, Aitchison, Javed, Moqim

Basra and Naeem could switch, depending on their form in the nets. 

I watched Yorkshire lose away to Hampshire on Friday night, a game that the home side came close to throwing away with some silly shots. The white rose county fielded Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf as overseas, as well as Sam Whiteman, who spent most of his life in Australia, and Andrew Tye. Throw in Moeen Ali and it was a side far removed from days when county borders were carefully scrutinised to check eligibility for Yorkshire colours. 

Their side was:

Bairstow, Lyth, Luxton, Whiteman, Moeen Ali, Revis, Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Tye, Chohan, Moriarty 

Derbyshire cannot afford many more slip-ups if they hope to qualify. As I have written before, they need everyone on top of their game to win, but I do think this side gives the best opportunity of doing so. 

At some point this golden run against Yorkshire has to come to an end, but we must hope it continues for at least another year. Of course, the brutal truth is that, bragging rights aside, it counts for nothing if they fail to qualify. 

For Derbyshire to do so, they need to show more nous when they are batting, especially in the Powerplay. Nye Donald has to see his job as continuing throughout the innings, not ending at the end of the sixth over, while foolhardy strokes to *maybe* get another boundary in the sixth over usually only puts teams under unnecessary pressure when there are at least three wickets down and plenty of time to bat. The odds on winning lessen dramatically at that point.

They should have beaten Yorkshire at Headingley and the win against a resurgent Nottinghamshire side was there for the taking at Trent Bridge. 

Winning those games would have seen them on top of the group right now.

Tomorrow we will see if anything has been learned in the course of those defeats.

With a capacity crowd, it should make for a great afternoon's entertainment, but because the gap is too wide between our best and worst games, I really can't call this one.

Fine win for Seconds against Lancashire

In a return to winning ways, Derbyshire's second team beat Lancashire by eight wickets at Westhoughton CC this afternoon.

Lancashire got off to a flyer, thanks to Harris and Hurst and had 60 up in five overs. Hurst top scored with 46, while Fonseka made 36 and Sutton an unbeaten 28 as they posted 190-6 in their 20 overs.

The wickets were shared around, with Ajay Khunti taking two and, encouragingly, Luis Reece bowling a full allocation of four overs and taking 1-36.

He was out early in the Derbyshire reply, but Mitch Wagstaff scored 38 and helped Harry Came take the score to 92 before he was dismissed. Then Brooke Guest came in and he, with Came, took Derbyshire to victory with an over to spare and without further loss 

He finished 36 not out from 26 balls, while Came went to a splendid century and finished unbeaten on 108 from 59 deliveries, including 3 sixes and 14 fours.

It was an excellent return to form for the side, after the defeat to Leicestershire earlier in the week and takes them to the top of the Northern Group table.

No Yusuf Bin Naeem in the side...does that mean he is lined up to play against Yorkshire on Sunday, or might Came have eased a way into the side with today's knock?

Scorecard and video clips here

Derbyshire replace Ghazanfar with Moqim

So we will not now be seeing Mohammad Ghazanfar in Derbyshire colours this summer. The Afghanistan cricket board have withdrawn the player's availability, to manage his workload. 

Mickey Arthur has moved quickly and has engaged the services of Sufyan Moqim, who was due to start the tournament for the county, until the end of the Vitality Blast group stages.

So Derbyshire will have the services Moqim, Akif Javed and Caleb Jewell to choose from and can play two of them.

Jewell had another failure for the second team today, making only eight against Leicestershire at Belper, so Arthur may be tempted to field the two bowlers against Yorkshire at Chesterfield on Sunday. That may in turn see an opening for Yusuf Bin Naeem and Derbyshire could go with this side:

Donald, Andersson, Naeem, Madsen, Montgomery, Whiteley, Basra, Potts, Aitchison, Javed, Moqim

It highlights once again the challenge of trying to put a squad together for the English county season. It is little wonder that the move to one overseas player per county in 2028 is gathering pace, because that in itself is proving the challenge. Most counties have nigh-revolving doors of players flying in for a few games, then out again. Lancashire yesterday signed Pakistan international Shadab Khan, while Surrey engaged Josh Philippe, the Australian wicket-keeper/bat, both for the remainder of The Blast

Arthur clearly rates Moqim, a young bowler on the rise in Pakistan, so we must hope he quickly comes to terms with English wickets.

Welcome to Derbyshire, Sufyan.

Seconds lose at Belper

There was a disappointing defeat for a strong  Second XI at Belper today, when they went down to Leicestershire by three wickets.

Nye Donald opted to bat but was back in the pavilion after three balls. Martin Andersson made 44 and Ross Whiteley 48, but only late impetus from Ben Aitchison (29 from 13 balls) took Derbyshire to a passable total on a small ground. 

They finished on 193-9 but Liam Trevaskis (65), Ben Mike (41) and George Maddy (38) saw the visitors to a win with two balls to spare 

Ben Aitchison took 3-32 and Matt Montgomery 2-34, but both Jack Morley (0-46) and Nick Potts (1-47) were expensive on a poor day.

Scorecard and clips here

Derbyshire v Lancashire day 3

Lancashire 161 and 226 (Harris 58, Moores 57 Aitchison 5-49, Haydon 3-71)

Derbyshire 364 and 25-1

Derbyshire won by nine wickets

Outside of family events, there is little better in life than to open the curtains in your hotel room, see the sun stream in and realise that you will soon be walking to the prettiest of cricket grounds. Even better, likely to witness a win for your team, which seemed on the cards today as I enjoyed a leisurely stroll to the ground on very quiet roads. 

A couple more observations from this trip. Whatever the shortcomings on the pitch at times, this is an EXCEPTIONALLY well run club. From the signposting, ticketing, warm welcome and catering onwards, it reeks of professionalism. 

So too with the players and their pre-match routine. It is structured, with plenty of different exercises and drills to warm up, as well as those to engender team spirit. It is high, so much is evident, with the laughter and enjoyment of what they do clearly evident. Diametrically opposed from that of the opposition here, where it was clear that all is not well in the Kingdom of Lancastria...

Bashir-watching was interesting over these three days. There are many players of renown whose reaction to omission from the playing eleven would not have been positive. Shoaib would have been a contender for Twelfth Man of the Year, were there such an award, going about his duties with a smile, a laugh, a hug for a team mate, a word and autograph for fans. You couldn't ask for more.

When the action started, Joe Moores reinforced the positive impression of his wicket keeping with three delightful square cuts and a sound defence. But for Lancashire to threaten a repeat of Old Trafford, Marcus Harris had to go big and he was removed after half an hour by the ubiquitous Aitchison, clean bowled. Soon afterwards Balderson was smartly held by Jewell at slip and 'Big Ben' had picked up another five-wicket haul.  Still, as a nickname it is better than 'Michelle'..

It is the third time in successive matches he has had five wickets in an innings. The last Derbyshire player to do that was Michael Holding in 1983. Pretty illustrious company to be in.. 

Moores and Coughlin held up Derbyshire with a lively ninth wicket stand before Dal, after being hit for six, then four, held one back and had the latter caught by Reece at mid off.

A big six over mid wicket by Moores ensured that Derbyshire would have to bat again and further fine strokes meant that Derbyshire needed 24 when he was eventually bowled by Montgomery. He looks quite a talent and deserved better support.

I have no idea why Harry Came played the shot he did in the Derbyshire run 'chase' of 24 in 163 overs: best filed under 'stupid and unnecessary' and redolent of the vibe of a beer match. But Reece and Montgomery took their side over the line to clinch an excellent nine-wicket win, all before lunch on the third day. It was their first win in red ball cricket against Lancashire since 1997 and the first over them at Queen's Park since 1961 (courtesy David Griffin). 

This was a polished, professional display by Derbyshire. The frustration is that we know they have such cricket in them, as does Mickey Arthur. Perhaps if the players themselves fully realised it, they can take the final step forward to consistency.

They are temporarily back to third in the table after this win. Had they won at Old Trafford and done better against Gloucestershire, promotion would have been more 'likely' than 'possible'. But if they can keep the momentum going when red ball cricket  resumes on August 20 (crazy, isn't it?) then who knows? 

Between times, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they can have a good run in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. Having only lost Nye Donald to the 'other' competition, they really should make a decent fist of it this year. 

Anyway, thank you to everyone who I spent time with over the past few days. It really was a pleasure and I travel back north tomorrow having seen two wins in two trips this summer, as well as not missing a single ball of cricket here.

Lucky mascot? I am a bit big for that, but the trip home is much easier as a consequence! 

Catch you all soon. 

One man and his blog...thanks to Andy for the photo!

Derbyshire v Lancashire day 2

Lancashire 161 and 140-6 (Harris 57* Jones 29, Aitchison 3-25, Haydon 3-38)

Derbyshire 364 (Aitchison 75, Madsen 41, Dal 41, Stanley 5-80

Derbyshire lead by 63 runs

It was another glorious day at Queen's Park. Perhaps less warm than yesterday, but with a pleasant breeze and intermittent cloud that kept things comfortable.

It was less comfortable for Lancashire, who finished the day 63 behind with only four wickets left at the close.

Of course, Derbyshire supporters will recall outplaying them at Old Trafford, only to finish on the wrong end of the result, so there will be no chicken counting going on just yet.

After an excellent first day, Derbyshire continued to dominate on the second. Resuming their innings this morning, they took their lead to 203 with some enterprising stroke play. The highlight was an aggressive 75 from Ben Aitchison, well-supported by Anuj Dal, who made 41. Both played splendidly in their differing styles, with Aitchison taking a liking to the bowling of Jimmy Anderson (something not many have said over the years).

Lancashire had a mountain to climb but started well, before Jennings was dismissed by Haydon, who again impressed here. He has a lovely, lithe run up and action, the vitality of youth personified. He was a constant threat, but it was Aitchison who removed Bohannon, well caught by Guest, standing up. When Haydon then removed Jones - another catch for Guest  - a few people might have thought the game could finish tonight. 

Harris and Singh then dug in, for a stand of 59 in 23 overs, in which the latter scored only 12 in 58 balls. It was gritty, attritional stuff, symbolic of the importance of this game to both counties. There were a few edges, showing the ball was still moving, but they held on until Singh left one from Haydon and was bowled by one that came back a long way. 

There were plenty of appeals, some more convincing than others, but no upraised finger was forthcoming, until the recalled Aitchison found the edge of Livingstone's bat and a routine catch was again pouched by Guest. The former England all-rounder looked like someone who hadn't played red ball cricket in a long time and was never convincing in his 22-ball stay.

Mitchell Stanley was sent in as night watchman, but the perennially-effective Aitchison had him palpably peg before and Lancashire were six down. 

They got through to the close with no further loss and with the admirable Harris unbeaten on 51. Their hopes of parity seem to lie on him tomorrow but Derbyshire should wrap up a win, probably sometime tomorrow morning.

Lancashire have looked a disjointed, dispirited side here, but they have a fine fast bowling prospect in Mitchell Stanley, who was hostile throughout, while 17-year old Joe Moores looks a tremendous prospect behind the stumps.

They will cling on to the Old Trafford result and feel they can still put Derbyshire under pressure in the final innings, but they really shouldn't. 

In closing, a word for Mohammad Abbas. I thought he was terrific here and 0-32 in sixteen overs in no way reflects his bowling and the effect of it on the game.

I think both Ben Aitchison and Rory Haydon are helped with the pressure that he applies and Derbyshire have looked a pretty good side here.

If they held a greater percentage of half chances that comes their way, they could be very good.

Postscript: I don't know about anyone else, but someone has to do something extraordinary in the second half of the summer to prevent Ben Aitchison being player of the year. 

Another special day in a very special season for him. He looks a serious cricketer in all facets of the game.

Derbyshire v Lancashire day 1

Lancashire 161 (Balderson 37, Dal 3-49, Abbas 3-49)

Derbyshire 197-5 (Montgomery 86, Madsen 26*)

Derbyshire lead by 36 runs

Sixty years on, the joy of entering Queen's Park at Chesterfield continues unabated.

Any trip south to see my parents included a trip to Chesterfield. 'You like the shops and market, don't you?' I would say to my wife and she would give me a look. She knew full well our lunchtime sandwiches would be consumed on a bench there, the kids would go on the miniature railway, we would feed the ducks and I would regale them with stories of feats and visits past. 

It's funny, 25-30 years on they tell these tales to me, so they must have listened. I even got 'good luck' messages from them all this morning, which perhaps had more to do with recent form, when I think about it...

It has changed so much over the years, all for the better. The marquees, children waving flags, stewards with smiles and a friendly word. My Dad used to reckon they recruited the old stewards from the remnants of the SS and they weren't known for their interpersonal skills back then.  

Derbyshire went into the match with neither spinnerand Lancashire opted for all seam, perhaps an early indicator to the expected pitch. Anuj Dal back to offer the 'stock' overs and lengthen the batting, Rory Haydon deservedly so to offer, on paper, our strongest seam attack with Mohammad Abbas and Ben Aitchison. Winning the toss offered an early opportunity to see if the cunning plan might come to fruition.

It did, in so far as they bowled out Lancashire for 161, with consistent pack-based bowling, albeit aided and hindered alike by catching of variable quality. Some good slip catches were taken, the first over one by Aitchison from the bowling of Abbas setting a tone. But some were missed and Lancashire shouldn't have cleared 150. The reassurance was at least that we wouldn't have to follow on, while aware that Lancashire have themselves a decent seam attack.

There were three wickets each for Abbas and the returning Dal, who bowled in similar style and let the pitch do the work. Aitchison and Haydon grabbed a brace apiece and the overriding feeling was satisfaction, with a job well done. If you win the toss, ask the opposition to bat and have them out well before tea you can be happy.

Came went early but Montgomery was quickly into his stride and playing strokes around the wicket. For all that there are those who prefer the bucolic styles of many you might care to mention, there remains considerable charm for yours truly in a player who leans into the ball and uses its pace to caress a boundary. His on driving was especially good today and he reached a classy and deserved fifty with over 20 overs left in the day. Derbyshire had passed their hundred shortly before and although the ball was still beating the bat, Montgomery and Jewell gradually asserted their dominance.

This was an important innings for Jewell and he played some nice shots without ever looking fully convincing. He was eventually undone by the extra pace of Stanley, who jagged one back in and bowled him. Did it keep a little low? It appeared so from the boundary edge, but his search for a score goes on, frustrating as it is for everyone. 

Madsen came in and batted in his usual authoritative way, conscious a score from him could be the deciding factor here. Montgomery looked set for a century, before falling leg before to Balderson, but Derbyshire could have done without losing Andersson to the part-time bowling of Bohannon in the following over.

Thankfully Guest came in and saw it through to the close with his captain. Derbyshire 31 runs ahead and batting to come. Anything upwards of a hundred would be very handy indeed on a pitch that offered help to the bowlers, especially with the new balls.

In closing, thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello and have a chat, during the course of the day. It was a pleasure to do so and I hope to see more of you over the next two days.

I can't see this game going past that, as things stand.

Postscript: in my haste to finish this last night, together with tiredness after a long day, I omitted to mention the county caps received by Ben Aitchison, Martin Andersson and Harry Came. 

They have all had fine seasons and have grown as cricketers in their time at Derbyshire. My sincere congratulations go to all of them. 

Also worthy of note is that Wayne Madsen became the County Championship leading run-scorer for a single county in the 21st century yesterday, now with 15,707 runs for Derbyshire. 

In an age when players often change counties every two or three seasons, his loyalty and consistency makes him a genuine, undisputed county great. 

I may be wrong, but I don't think that this summer will be his last in Derbyshire colours. I can see him carrying on, at least in the red ball game. With a current average of 50, why wouldn't he? 

Even more important, why wouldn't we want him to? 

Seconds set for defeat

Lancashire seconds need 121 runs to beat Derbyshire at Liverpool tomorrow. 

The young Derbyshire side battled down the order, Bin Naeem making 41 and Basra 32, while late resistance came from under 18 skipper Niall McHale (65) and Joe Hall (50*) as they were eventually all out for 309.

Lancashire needed 145 to win and were 24-0 at the close.

Derbyshire v Lancashire preview

I'm writing this from my room in Chesterfield, after a train journey down today. 

It wasn't the best, as the air conditioning wasn't working and they had somehow managed to double book a lot of seats, which left most carriages akin to the Black Hole of Calcutta. Anyway, I lived to tell the tale and more importantly, to see the first three days of the game against Lancashire, which starts tomorrow. 

Mickey Arthur has gone with the same squad, so there is no Zak Chappell. I don't expect any major changes to the side, either, so Derbyshire may well field the side that lost pretty badly at Durham. Rory Haydon may replace Nick Potts, but the tail would then be lengthy. We will see tomorrow.

Lancashire travel with fourteen. All-rounder Paul Coughlin and fast bowler Mitch Stanley have both recovered from injury to be named in the squad while batters Rocky Flintoff and Michael Jones have been included.

Ben McDermott misses out with hamstring tightness. Jack Blatherwick and Phil Salt remain sidelined with Ajeet Singh Dale, Arav Shetty and Luke Wells still long-term absentees.

Their squad:

⁠James Anderson (c), Tom Bailey, George Balderson, Josh Bohannon, Paul Coughlin, Rocky Flintoff, Marcus Harris, Tom Hartley, Keaton Jennings, Michael Jones, Liam Livingstone, Joe Moores, Harry Singh, Mitch Stanley

Marcus Harris and Liam Livingstone make up a powerful engine room for the red rose county and Derbyshire supporters can only hope that their favourites erase memories of the game that went horribly wrong at Old Trafford. I still struggle to figure how they lost that game after dominating for three days.

Predictions? Honestly, I can't, as it is impossible to know which Derbyshire side turns up. We all know that they are eminently capable of beating anyone, on their day. Yet this season has seen defeat snatched from the jaws of victory more than once.

I hope things go the right way this time and I look forward to getting there nice and early to find out.

The forecast looks pretty good for the weekend, with high temperatures forecast, so don't forget your sunscreen and water! 

I look forward to seeing you there.

PS my report on tomorrow will be much later, possibly even the following morning, as I am meeting some old friends for dinner in the evening. 

Just to set your expectations! 

Seconds toil at Liverpool

A young second team attack was put to the sword at Liverpool today, as Lancashire racked up 447-7 by the close.

Kesh Fonseka, from England U19s made 54, including ten boundaries, while Michael Jones scored 38. Rocky Flintoff added 37, after the comparative failure of George Bell and Matty Hirst .

That was as good as it got as Tom Hartley and Ben Walkden added 179 for the seventh wicket.

Hartley finished unbeaten on 122, while Walkden was out just before the close for 90.

Yusuf Bin Naeem was the pick of the bowlers with 2-31. 

Derbyshire have trialled a few left arm seamers this year and both Will Rogers and Chinmay Mullapudi, the latter from SACA, were in today's attack. It would appear the club acknowledge a gap in their seam options, especially with Luis Reece unable to do much bowling this year. 

Whether they can find someone of his stature is a moot point.

Chesterfield-bound!

At 8.15 am tomorrow morning I will head to the local railway station, courtesy of my chauffeur, Mrs P, to catch the train to Edinburgh.

From there I can sit back and enjoy four hours on the train, until I get to Chesterfield. There will even be the added bonus of a stop at Berwick-upon-Tweed, where we will be in around ten days time. It is more civilised (and cheaper) than heading down the highways and byways in the car and should ensure that I get there refreshed, rather than the zombie that emerged from the car at Derby after a near six-hour drive.

I am really looking forward to this trip, even if it is considerably longer than the first time I went to the ground, when Dad and I travelled in his Ford Anglia from Ripley to Queen's Park.

I think the old fella would approve and I just hope that the weather is kind. I am planning to meet up with a few friends, old and new, the oldest being from my student days in Manchester, almost fifty years ago now. 

If you see me wandering around, please do say hello. It is always so nice to meet readers of the blog and usage continues to rise, which is incredibly flattering. I am always happy to sit down and have a blether and the greatest thing about doing this for nineteen summers is the many terrific people that I have met in the process.

I am also hoping to pop down to see Edwin Smith and his wife, Jean, while I am there. The county legend has had a poor spell of health but will hopefully be discharged from hospital in time for a visit and a catch up in person.

Anyway, see you at Chesterfield. If my trip produces the same result as when I was down at Derby last month, we will all be happy! 

Morley signs contract extension

I am delighted with today's news that Jack Morley has signed a new two-year deal with Derbyshire, taking him until the end of the 2028 season.

He is a good cricketer and as I have written before, there are plenty who feel that Lancashire backed the wrong horse in releasing Jack and retaining Tom Hartley. The latter obviously offers more with a bat, but when I have seen the two of them in opposition, he looks the lesser bowler. 

Jack has done little wrong since he arrived at Derbyshire. He clearly enjoys his cricket and has taken his share of wickets along the way. There have been times he has bowled less effectively, but at 25 he is some way from being the finished article. So too with Shoaib Bashir, who is three years the younger.

Few people would have had him as a starter in the T20 side this summer, yet the way that he bowled was very impressive and suggested greater maturity already. He can improve further with bat and ball, but he is a reliable fielder and another who plays the game with a smile on his face. That may mean little to some, but I like to see it. I don't doubt there is a considerable difference between playing for a living and playing for fun, but there is no reason why you can't obviously enjoy a career for which many would donate a body part.

I understand that there were several approaches for his services after those early appearances in The Blast, but Mickey Arthur acted quickly to tie the player down to a longer deal. 

Should Shoaib Bashir do well for England this summer, the likelihood is that he will be retained on a central contract in 2027, so his appearances with Derbyshire will be limited. Jack is well-placed to replace him and he appears to be a lad with the right work ethic to succeed.

I haven't always agreed with some of the bullish comments the Derbyshire Head of Cricket has made, but I cannot disagree with his assertion that he has two of the best finger spinners in the country at the club.

That is now set to continue.

Excellent news! 

Seconds bat first at Liverpool

A young Derbyshire second team was all out for 291 against Lancashire at Liverpool today. 

Yusuf Bin Naeem won the toss and opted to bat but only Mitch Wagstaff (82) and Ajay Khunti (61) got going among the top order 

Later there were useful contributions from Rohan Vallabhaneni (22), Niall McHale (31) and Joe Hall (20), with Ollie Sutton taking 5-59 for the hosts.

They will bat tomorrow, as the four-day game continues

Scorecard and video clips here

Apologies

Please accept my apologies for your recent comments failing to appear on the blog.

Having looked into it, it appears that the setting which emails me a notification of a comment for approval had switched itself off in an upgrade.

I *think* it is now working, so feel free to comment on recent posts and I will double check, to ensure that everything is working as usual.

Alan Ward (1947-2026)

It is always sad when your heroes die. 

As one gets older, it perhaps makes you more aware of your own mortality and the fact that there are more days behind you, than ahead. 

So it is that the news of the passing of Alan Ward today has saddened me considerably.

The statistics don't give the full picture of the fastest English bowler that I have seen in Derbyshire colours. Mark Footitt was fast, but when Alan burst onto the scene in 1966/67 it was akin to a meteorite hitting earth. He was seriously quick, more than the tall, slim frame suggested was possible. The smooth and rhythmic run up, the gather at the crease and then POW! Or 'Bloody hell, that was sharp', as a bloke at the side of us said on one of our early visits to Chesterfield.

Even from the boundary edge, it was clear that some good and experienced players didn't fancy it. When the rhythm was right, when the pitch was helpful and when Alan was mentally and physically at his best, there were a few who backed away. Bear in mind that there was none of the protective equipment of today and a trip to face Derbyshire in the late 1960s might make a few consider their career choice and the validity of any injury cover they had. There was Harold Rhodes at the other end too, past his very fast peak, but still extremely lively.

Alan took 460 first-class wickets, most of them for Derbyshire before he left the county for a brief spell with Leicestershire, ahead of his first-class cricket retirement in 1978, at the age of only 31. He later emigrated to Australia and spent his later years on The Gold Coast with the sunshine on his back. Perhaps more of that and less of the strong Derby crosswinds might have lengthened his career, who knows? 

Many will sadly remember him best for being sent from the field by then captain Brian Bolus in 1973. It was poor captaincy from someone who wasn't the best in that field. Poor man management, for someone who clearly needed help, empathy and support, but got none. Perhaps had his formative years been spent under Eddie Barlow, he might have enjoyed a longer career and been more sympathetically managed. I don't know, but after 1970 he was never quite the same bowler that he once threatened to be, as recurring injuries took their toll.

I prefer to remember the Alan Ward who was my first cricket idol. I wanted to bowl like him. Not that I ever could, very few others were able to either. It didn't quite work out in England colours, though fourteen wickets in five Tests was far from a disgrace. 

Were all the injuries mechanical, or was some of the issue in his head? I don't know and I have heard contrasting opinions on that over the years. But those 460 first-class wickets cost him just 22 runs each, so in between them he must have done a lot right. When he marked out his long run and was in his pomp, newspapers were put down, trips to the toilet were postponed and your eyes were firmly fixed on the middle. Not that you could always follow the speed of the ball..

My favourite two memories both involve Sussex. The 1969 Gillette Cup semi-final, when Derbyshire only made 136, but it might as well have been 500. That day he bowled 8-5-11-2 and the roar when he destroyed the stumps of Les Lenham, worthy of a football crowd, lives with me to this day. They were all out for 49, with Ward, Rhodes, Rumsey and Eyre unplayable.

Then a year later, a John Player League game at Derby. After one lightning over (from a shortened run..) Sussex were 1-4. Mike Buss caught behind, Peter Graves leg before, Jim Parks also caught behind and then Tony Greig bowled neck and crop. Four wickets in four balls, on the way to 8-1-11-5. Derbyshire won in a canter, Chris Wilkins played a trademark innings and all was well with the world.

If you never saw him at his peak, you were unlucky. He was mercurial and there were days when you could clearly see it wasn't quite THERE, but those good days....

I never saw Warren, Bestwick, Copson, the Popes, Gladwin or Brian Jackson. I only saw Les Jackson once, long after he had retired.

But I did see Alan Ward and between 1967 and 1970 he was something special. There were good days afterwards too, but I consider myself fortunate to have seen him at his best. Fast bowling rarely got better than seeing him and Harold Rhodes at opposite ends.

May he rest in peace. Thank you for the memories, Alan.

Monday musings

Despite the defeat in the northeast, I am especially excited at making the trip down to Chesterfield this week. It will be an homage to my old Dad, who sixty years ago next month took me to Queen's Park for the first time, to see Derbyshire play Yorkshire. He started something that it is fair to say has become a passion over the intervening period.

I will arrive on Thursday afternoon and will see the first three days of the game, before travelling home on Monday. Strange but true - you can get a direct train from Edinburgh to Chesterfield. Who knew that? 

Mickey Arthur labelled the defeat at Durham as  'incredibly disappointing'. I suspect that sentiment is shared among the members and supporters. 

For all that the player skills are supposedly getting 'better and better', we have lost eight matches this summer and the evidence continues to point to a worrying lack of mental toughness. How you instill that is down to coaching ability and bringing in the right players. There aren't many Eddie Barlows out there, but the right overseas players can bring swagger, confidence and panache. 

Michael Holding had it, so too Mohammad Azharuddin and Adrian Kuiper. Meanwhile, Dean Jones, Chris Rogers, Michael di Venuto and Simon Katich gave you reassurance that they were up for a battle. When the going got tough, they rolled up their sleeves and got going.

I played with an uber-confident overseas professional (yes, an Aussie!) who carried us through a wonderful summer when he made us all feel ten feet tall. If we were chasing 200, he would look around the dressing room and say 'Guys, I am going to score a hundred, so if you can all pitch in, we will breeze this'. He usually did, he took wickets too and the team ethic was very strong. 

Mickey has had five years now and hasn't found that sort of player in his overseas picks. Shan Masood was quietly authoritative, but if he failed you sensed the warning sirens were going off. I expected more from Mickey and his 'black book', I have to admit.

Zak Chappell, Anuj Dal and Rory Haydon should all be available for the game against Lancashire,

which both teams really need to win to maintain any credibility of a promotion challenge. It gives an obvious selection headache.

For me, his biggest decision is probably the one that he will decline to make. Are his overseas choices for the summer in sufficient form to make the final eleven? 

The challenge in overseas recruitment these days is well known. I understand that there is a possibility of going back to just one overseas player for 2028 and onwards, which is partly driven by these challenges, as well as the desire to give greater opportunity to domestic players. 

While accepting that 'resting' an overseas recruit is unusual, it is not unique. Middlesex had to do it with Pieter Malan, when he struggled for form and indeed averaged only 14 in 2023. There will have been other instances when an 'injury' ruled someone out over the years.

Caleb Jewell currently averages 23 in red ball cricket, less than Ben Aitchison and Nick Potts, less than all of the other batters. He has two fifties in twelve innings and has struggled, after a winter in which he did the same in Australia. He has my sympathy, but at this stage both he and, very surprisingly, Mohammad Abbas have to go down as signings we shouldn't have made.

Abbas, who didn't lack offers when the 2025 season ended, has only eight wickets at 45 runs each. I would love to see him prove me wrong and take ten wickets at Queen's Park, but he now looks like a bowler who contains, rather than the attack leader we needed and hoped for. It is easy to be wise after the event, of course; who wasn't excited when the news broke of his signing? Not many. There have been a few dropped catches, but not enough to excuse figures which see him bottom of the averages among our regular bowlers this summer.

One could easily choose this side at Chesterfield and to some extent, rest easy in the knowledge that it contains the 'form' players of the club:

Came, Reece, Guest, Montgomery, Madsen, Andersson, Dal, Chappell/Potts, Aitchison, Haydon, Morley.

The counter argument would be that the agents of our overseas players may not be happy and it might affect future dealings with them. But shouldn't there be a point where you pick a team solely on merit, rather than because some players fill roles that are wrongly perceived as sacrosanct?

Even when I played strong league and then  Scottish county cricket, selection was keen and considered. You needed a balanced side and you looked at the opposition, the likely pitch and the form of those who were in contention. Even there, selection was not a formality and you were only as good as your most recent form, regardless of what you had done last month, or last season.

Back in my later days when I captained a village club for nine seasons, my selection process was more simple. My best friend always played, so too the guy who every week cut the grass and prepared the pitch. Oh, and the fella whose wife provided the most amazing cakes and sandwiches. It was social, friendly, fun cricket with the result less important than an enjoyable afternoon with friends. For an away game, the chap who had a people carrier for his large family was choice numero uno...

But the ante is well and truly upped at first-class level. Selection HAS to be on merit and if you are not going out there with the best eleven players at your disposal - on FORM, not reputation - you start behind the eight ball.

I have written before that for Derbyshire to compete against sides that are better resourced and in good form, we have to have eleven players battling and producing their best, or an approximation of it. 

In a sentence I didn't expect to have to write, I don't think the current best Derbyshire eleven contains either Caleb Jewell or Mohammad Abbas. That one has to come down on the shoulders of Mickey Arthur, because he recruited them and they are not producing anything like the form that was both needed and expected.

His challenge now is to get them producing it. We know Jewell can bat, he showed us that last year, but he has been in a trough for a long time now and there is no hard evidence of escaping from it. Especially with Jimmy Anderson ready to run in against him, which hasn't ended well so far.

As for Abbas, the epithet of 'outstanding' is appropriate for his form in county cricket over many years. Has time caught up with him, or is he subconsciously saving himself for the Pakistan series in England?

Derbyshire need better from their overseas players. If Mickey Arthur doesn't feel they are in the mental and physical state of mind to produce it, he has to be big enough to rest them.

They deserve that and supporters are entitled to grumble and ask questions, if they continue to be selected but don't do better.

For what it is worth, I don't now expect a red ball promotion challenge unless we beat Lancashire and can bring in someone more effective to lead the attack when Abbas joins Pakistan. If we don't beat Lancashire, it wouldn't be an effective use of money anyway. I suspect Northamptonshire will join Durham in being promoted, where Darren Lehmann is doing a terrific job across formats. Compare and contrast: his overseas picks are leading the charge, with Nathan McSweeney averaging 56 with the bat, Harry Conway having 31 wickets at 24. Envious? Moi? You bet.

Nor do I expect better in the One Day Cup, unless they can bring in someone of stature, reputation and suitability for the format, which may or may not happen.

Controversial, yes. 

But I will always be honest...and of course, I would appreciate your thoughts.