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.
It has been a pleasure to watch Wayne over the years, his career has so far seen me from the last year at primary school through to the first 12 years of work. What an incredible servant he has been to the club and he will always be remembered as one of the greats of our county. I will look forward to continuing to watch him in the county championship and one day cup and it sounds like he’s planning on continuing in those formats for a little while yet from the way the press release was written.
ReplyDeleteRight decision from the great man, never thought 20/20 was his forte, in batting (lacked the outright power now required), however he was a very good and canny slow bowler until one of his many shoulder injuries.
ReplyDeleteWas really surprised after his world cup injury he actually made it back, but I do think that injury did have consequences for the season and he hasn't performed to his past performances (an observation not a criticism).
From watching most of the home games live he has still appeared to be the captain in all but name for fielding etc.
Maddo will be missed and I don't see how we will get anywhere near replacing him, expect we will remain the runts of 20/20 for a long time to come.
I am surprised he hasn't already announced his retirement at the end of the season as there is more to life than cricket, however that is the man for you puts the team and the club first before himself.
Very big shoes to fill, I will miss him.
Martin
I am a little older than Wayne, but it's a bit more profound when players of your own generation are fewer by the year now. He is doing it the opposite way around to most players. I wonder if it's because he's still very good at red ball and his white ball has not been quite as prolific as before. Kris
ReplyDeletePersonally, I still think Madsen is a very good batter, and I am sad to hear of his retirement.
ReplyDeleteHowever, since his injury, he has struggled to clear the boundary with his aerial shots and often ends up getting caught when his attempts fall short.
Replacing him, though, is going to be easier said than done.
Dre.