It is a selection that raises more questions than it answers. Did the club intend to sign another overseas player and it fell through? Or did they plan to use the tournament to give opportunities to young players? If the latter, why change at this stage, when Derbyshire realistically need to win all of their last five games handsomely to have a chance of qualification.
And why go without an overseas player when the T20 was such a letdown? It is all a little messy. I'm not pretending that Caleb will be as influential as Dean Jones or Chris Rogers, but this format is probably his best chance of success this summer and realistically (in my book) the best opportunity for the club, too.
There is still a chance in red ball cricket, but realistically promotion looks set to be two from Durham (almost assured), Kent and Northamptonshire. Derbyshire's chances would appear dependent on bringing in a quality replacement for Mohammad Abbas and him being as effective as Michael Holding...
Anyway, Jewell is added to the squad from the last two games and I assume he will replace Yusuf bin Naeem in the eleven. My confusion would be off the scale if he didn't make the final eleven...
Glamorgan 'did a Derbyshire' in their last game, losing to Durham after making 326-6 and having them 97-6. A terrific century by Will Rhodes (148*) saw Durham over the line with three balls to spare. Tomorrow's visitors have a few absentees and have named the following squad
Gorvin (captain), Hurle, O'Riordan, Nicholas, Morris, Hope-Bell, Edwards, Hassan, Smale, Horton, Franco, Wallace, Byrom, Douthwaite
Carlson, Kellaway, Tribe, Dickson and Crane are at the other tournament
Glamorgan has had a good season and despite their absentees will start slight favourites tomorrow, against a Derbyshire side that is the only one yet to win a game in this competition. The visitors have only won one in four, so the game is there to be won
If Derbyshire can deliver an approximation of their best game they can get off the mark here. They haven't done so yet, but surely a good result is possible?
We must all hope that happens in a stunning setting and with a fine weather forecast.
What do you think?
Simon
ReplyDeleteI believe we could have requested the release of Matt Montgomery for tomorrow's game as he has not been selected to play for his Hindered team so far.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange club Derbyshire are. On the website it said Jewell has expressed a desire to play. Does that mean he previously said he couldn’t be arsed. If it does come at the exclusion of a young player it does seem crazy. When you look at all the other sides there are lots of new young players being tested but oh no not us especially as we are already as good as out of contention for a top 3 spot
ReplyDeleteAre we assuming Caleb is playing for free? I'm as confused as you Steve with regards to how we've approached this competition.
ReplyDeleteThis is from the club website, 21 July 2025. It says Jewell has signed for the entire 2026 campaign. I take that to mean CC, T 20 and Metro. If that's not the case, then the club should have spelled out which games he was available for.
DeleteDownthewicket
Jewell has enjoyed a strong start to life at The Central Co-op County Ground, scoring 821 Rothesay County Championship runs, including six half-centuries, one century and a high-score of 232. He was also ever-present in the Vitality Blast side, passing 50 on three occasions, as part of a destructive opening pairing with Aneurin Donald.
The Tasmanian batter, who won the 2025 Big Bash with Hobart Hurricanes, remains available for the upcoming Metro Bank One-Day Cup and the Rothesay County Championship run-in, and he has now signed to return for the entire 2026 campaign, with the Club having acted quickly to retain a key member of the batting unit.
To answer your question Steve as to why now, My best guess is that Mickey thought this Derbyshire side with so much ‘ability’ would’ve perform well in the first 3 matches so bringing an overseas in wouldn’t be necessary.
ReplyDeleteIt’s certainly not because the club planned to use younger players in this competition otherwise we’d have seen Wagstaff, hawkins and Stewart play every game. They haven’t played any…
What’s your thoughts on what we do with the rest of the competition if the chances of qualifying are slim?
I do not think Stewart is under contract, so they would need to give him a contract first.
DeleteI can only presume that Wagstaff and Hawkins are out of form and that playing them would not be beneficial to their progress. Otherwise it makes no sense. Hawkins definitely played in the One Day cup last year.
The forward planning by MA does seem to be somewhat lacking , both in this competition and any information on an Abbas replacement for the championship run in, or maybe they are waiting to see if Chappell and Reece will be fit to play first.
We look a batter light again. Potts isn't really a number 8. Why not give some of the youngsters a go? Grant from Telford.
ReplyDeleteGlamorgan have 8 players under 26 and 4 under 20. Derbyshire have no under 20s and only three under-26. Development competition ?
ReplyDeleteAdrian, Nice