Random observations from afar

I didn't see any of today's cricket, as I explained a couple of nights back. But I had no real expectation of Derbyshire battling for a draw and it is just frustrating that a team who competed so well against very good sides, in Worcestershire and Lancashire, totally capitulated against one who most would say were not as strong.

Mickey Arthur compared the visitors to 'a pack of starving dogs'. So why weren't we? We hadn't won a game this season, either. Did the players become collectively blase about what they needed to do? They should know, as I do, that unless everyone goes in with 100% commitment, we won't win. 

I commented about the visitors field placings, the wicket keeper standing up, fighting for everything in the field. I didn't see that from Derbyshire and that is worrying. Mickey can sign all the players he wants, but unless he gets the best out of them, it won't mean a thing. 

A question for Chris Wright to solve is this - why do we do often struggle to get through nine, ten, jack, when we have worked hard to dismiss the rest? This isn't a new phenomenon, but in the list of things that annoy you about Derbyshire cricket, it is very near the top of mine.

Those who have mentioned the 'sack' word regarding Mickey should save their breath. He is contracted until the end of 2028 and unless the county is prepared to take a sizeable financial hit (I don't think that likely) then the die is cast.

We have lost Abbas for the next three matches, Dal probably for much longer, Moore for the season and Reece can't bowl as things stand. I understand Pat Brown's recovery from shoulder surgery is taking longer than expected too, so three games in, our strength in depth isn't deep any more.  

If Bashir is called up for England, most of the first choice attack is gone. I don't know about Abbas being on £400 a wicket, they might need to incentivise Chappell and Aitchison to keep getting out of bed, as they look like playing a lot of cricket between now and September. 

Of course it offers opportunity. Rory Haydon is an obvious beneficiary and I look forward to seeing how his wicket to wicket approach goes at this level. Mitch Wagstaff is another who surely now has a chance to show what he can do. It is important that he takes it. 

As others have pointed out, there is no Academy player in the Derbyshire side. There will be, and a good few of them in the next few years, because the Pathway talent is incredibly exciting and they are doing tremendous things under Daryn Smit.  But that is a few years off and it would be great if either Wagstaff, Naeem or Potts could make the jump to this level.

I have seen calls for dropping Brooke Guest. Yes, he could do with some runs (although he batted well in the first innings at Old Trafford) but his glove work is considerably better than that of  Nye Donald. Besides, the way our season is going, the latter would keep wicket, break a finger and miss the T20. While Brooke could use runs, Nye hasn't scored close to enough at second team level to apply pressure.

The players have probably looked good in the nets, but there continues to be a worryingly soft underside. Once you have aggressive fielders, excessive appealing, people chirping in their ear and tense situations, we are found wanting. I know a lot of hard work will go into getting players prepared for this level, but a lot of poor decisions were made with the bat in the last game. That has to be down to individuals and with a few exceptions Derbyshire were found sadly wanting, just as they were at Old Trafford on the last day.

Where do they go from here? Already, the wooden spoon appears to be between ourselves, Kent and Gloucestershire. The last four days didn't suggest we would finish above the latter, so there is a lot of pressure going into the game at Canterbury, starting on Friday. 

For what it is worth, I think we go with this side: 

Jewell, Came, Montgomery, Madsen, Guest, Andersson, Wagstaff, Chappell, Aitchison, Haydon, Bashir.

I think we need to get Luis Reece's ankle right and that might be best served by missing this one, at least. Caleb Jewell needs runs, but it would do little for his confidence to drop him from the eleven. Having said that, if Luis is only playing as a batter, opening with him would be the best use of his talents, which puts either Jewell or Harry Came under pressure. 

Both would be big calls, dropping your overseas bat or the man who was skipper (and did well) in the first two games.

But Arthur needs to turn this around - and quickly. Lose to Kent and the excitement and goodwill that led us into the season will have pretty much gone.

In closing, the Gloucestershire game at least put one theory to bed.

It IS possible to take twenty wickets at Derby, even on a hybrid pitch. 

We just need to figure out why Derbyshire can't do it. 

That should keep a few people awake at night...