Durham 283 (Clark 64, Lees 63, Stokes 53, Aitchison 5-70)
Derbyshire 127-6 (Jewell 28, Madsen 28, Stokes 2-14, Rhodes 2-18)
Derbyshire trail by 156 runs
It was always going to be, of course. Durham has a four-man international attack and they bowled as you would expect such a lineup to do. Potts and Carse were superb with the new ball, then came Stokes and Olivier, although it was probably Rhodes who was as awkward to face as any.
Derbyshire fought hard, but this isn't an especially good batting line up and anyone hopeful of a first innings lead against such an attack and on this pitch was optimistic beyond even my capability.
It ended up being a battle to save the follow-on, which hasn't yet been achieved but hopefully shouldn't be too far away tomorrow. Having said that, with a good weather forecast for the rest of the game, the portents are not good for Derbyshire getting anything from this game.
Earlier Ben Aitchison took another five wickets in a season that has surpassed all expectations, probably including his own. He is a really special bowler and a huge asset to this side. I thought Randell did well at the other end and Dal chipped in as he so often does, but the sight of the ball zipping around as the day progressed didn't fill me with optimism that Derbyshire would end the day in a positive position.
There is a lot of work for them to do to get anything from this game.
We will find out soon enough if they are capable of doing so.
It's getting to the stage that Ben Aitchison is too good for Derbyshire. I think next season could be his last at Derbyshire, and you couldn't blame him if he left for a bigger county if he wants a chance to win something.
ReplyDeleteMichael
Wouldnt be shocked if we come to an agreement with Lancs end of this season, hes from that neck of the woods. Their fans were talking him up when we played them early season saying they should sign him
DeleteSometimes it is about more than medals, Rich. If you are well treated and enjoy the environment that's enough for some people.
DeleteTbh they had their chance to sign him and declined to do so. Dunno about Ben, but they wouldn't be a first choice for me, after that
True but if they double ur wages on say a 3 year deal it's hard to say no. Just like critchley, Wayne white and sam Conners, even if u sit on the bench
DeleteGrant you that, but all of them found the grass wasn't greener. Critch moved down to London prices and 2nd choice spinner. It didn't work out well for the other two from long term career progression perspective either
DeleteI think you are being very unfair on Sam Connors considering what I believe the reasons why he left!
DeleteI also understand personally he has settled well and is very happy in the North East.
Martin
No unfairness meant, Martin, but how does he get in this Durham side? It's a lovely part of the world and I am happy there too, but from a cricket career perspective I don't know how he moves forward. Injuries have also been a problem for him, which is a shame as hd is a lovely lad
DeleteNot quite sure how a team as good as Durham managed to get themselves relegated!We simply can't compete with them and the very likely scenario is that they will bat us out of the game and bowl us out for a second time.Ben Aitchison has been the standout for us this season and let's hope we can keep hold of him.Topspinner
ReplyDeleteAitchison turned in another great performance. Our batsmen struggled, and looked fairly ordinary against a top attack.
ReplyDeleteWhen we batted, I'm sure I wasn't the only one whose first thought was whether we could save the follow on or not.
ReplyDeleteI like Montgomery, he's going to be a real asset for us going forward, but oh my word, how bad was his dismissal? Zero footwork, not a good shot at any time, let alone when approaching close of play. Until that moment, I thought we were hanging on in there.
Well done to Ben Aitchison. A good performance in front of his dad, who was sat in front of me. Someone said that this Durham side would win division one if they had it available every week and it's hard to argue. Kris
ReplyDeleteThis is a game we cannot lose if we want to stay in the promotion hunt. It's bad luck to have to play Durham but it really is a baffling state of affairs how they're in Div2. Way too good for this level.
ReplyDeleteAgree they aren’t far off an international team looking at their line up. Find it odd we have a featherbed of a wicket all season yet when we face such a bowling line up we produce a pitch where it moves everywhere (maybe unlucky with conditions but odd choice of pitch)
ReplyDeleteA very long day at the county ground thanks to tardy over rates.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Derbyshire did little wrong but were up against a very strong Durham team . Their bowling was of a very high standard. Every ball tested the Derbyshire batters.
Madsen batted well but you could never be comfortable against that bowling.
Difficult to see how we avoid losing but no disgrace losing to a team this good.
Over by tomorrow evening this game, we can't compete against this quality. MA out!
ReplyDeleteHonestly not sure what you would expect another coach to do differently against this side, CB. Not the biggest fan of MA myself but the difference in budgets and quality made this David v Goliath. And the little guy doesn't win that often...
DeleteIt's not this game that will cost us, it's the shambolic efforts at home against Gloucs and Kent along with that dreadful defeat needing 120. At Lancs. That's when a change should have been made IMO
DeleteThe strength of Durham's attack was underlined by the problems it caused Derbyshire's batsmen, who have admittedly failed to live up to pre-season expectations but have still performed well in the last three CC matches. A couple of the dismissals, though, were from ill-judged shots and when the bowling, Aitchison apart, is so ordinary it's futile to talk of promotion.
ReplyDeleteI think if I were MA and his coaching staff, I’d look at this as a real David vs Goliath challenge. Durham’s attack is quality, and their bowling makes this incredibly difficult, so we have to be realistic about what we’re up against.
ReplyDeleteI’d avoid the follow-on, then give ourselves a chance to be positive and start swinging. If we can get to 200, with a bit of luck and some brave cricket, that would be a fantastic effort. We need plenty to go our way, but that’s exactly when you have to be fearless.
Then I’d be tempted to play Durham at their own game — aggressive fields, creating pressure, appealing for anything that hits the pad and making them work for every run. If the result is likely to go one way, there’s little difference between losing by 100 or 400. We have to give ourselves a chance of changing the game.
There’s still plenty of time in the match, so prodding and simply trying to survive probably won’t get us anywhere. I’d rather see us be brave, positive and make Durham uncomfortable.
Of course, it’s much easier said than done against an attack of this quality. But this is the moment for the players to show character, back themselves and play with freedom. You never know what can happen if you stay positive and give yourself a chance. The optimism maybe gone by 11:30
Hey Gary I like your positivity but I think you are positively bonkers if you think that's going to happen!Love to be proved wrong chap!Topspinner
ReplyDeleteIt's just frustrating, Derbyshire financially run a very tight ship and try to put the best team they can on the field, however there seems to be limited consequences if a club goes into financial trouble. Durham yes they got relegated but kept most of the squad together, Stokes has retired from England so his wage should be back on their books and Sussex currently 5th in div 1 got bailed out by the ECB, few players left the clubs and overseas players still signed which i suspect cost more than an average county pro. Northampton as well, didnt get bailout but help bring forward future ECB payments and they have Lehmann, who wont be cheap and are now winning the Blast. I'm not suggesting Derbyshire go crazy (hoping for an ECB bail out if it dont work) and sign Kohli, Bumrah and James Anderson, its just frustrating we balance the books and if we find a decent player they leave for more ££ (dont blame them) and other clubs whizz money up the wall or hit a sticky time and see little impact on their performance. I dont want to see the clubs go bust but there needs to be a consequence for such mismanagement. At one point this season Sussex were top of div 1 and Durham top of div 2 so we could have had 2 winners of the county champ funded by the ECB
ReplyDeleteIt was mentioned at the recent forum that PSR (Profit and Sustainability) rules will be introduced next year - see https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/11/counties-face-points-deductions-for-financial-losses-under-strict-new-ecb-rules
DeleteNorthmptonshire demutualised a while ago so are no longer a members' club - Durham and Hampshire are also non-members clubs. I'm not sure whether this means they find it easier to raise funds to sign/keep players but must have some effect.
Personally, rather than having points deductions - which seem to have little or no effect - I would rather see counties that are in difficulty being prevented from signing overseas players for all competitions until they are back in profit again, I think Middlesex had that restriction for a while.
It's interesting to note that Derbyshire spent just over £2m on players and coaching in 2025 (Players £1.7m Coaches £380k). Lancashire spent £4.75m (their accounts do not split the figure between players and coaches).. Also I'm not sure if either figure covers the cost of the each counties' women's team.
I can also suggest reading the recent Leonard Curtis report in to county cricket.
I don't have an issue with us being outplayed by a "Goliath" but I do have with us being beaten by so many other "David's" !!
ReplyDelete