It was good to report on a win yesterday and there was some good cricket played. It is important to record, however, that the Glamorgan side had four 19-year olds, as well as a 21 and 23 year old. To hear Mickey Arthur talk about our 'young guys' doing so well and realising that Nick Potts and Rory Haydon, our youngest, are 24 and 23 requires that qualification.
I would have been happier had Yusuf bin Naeem played, to be honest, rather than either 42-year old Wayne Madsen or 38-year old Ross Whiteley. We know what they can do and surely there has to be a development aspect to this competition? Either that or you go full on, in which case you contract an overseas player?
The same applies tomorrow against a 'very good' Sussex side that is bottom of the table and missing seven players to the fast snack competition. They beat Essex in their last match, with seven players of 22 or younger in the ranks, two of them teenagers. It isn't a level playing field so I do find it difficult to be overly euphoric over victories in such circumstances, not to mention our 'young guys' being singled out.
Anyway, I don't expect much, if any change to the side tomorrow. If Rory Haydon isn't fit then Shoaib Bashir may return, because there aren't too many options. As I write there is no news on either side but last time out Sussex fielded the following side against Essex:
Tear, Thomas, Johnson, Ibrahim, Leaning, Carson, Hudson-Prentice, Robinson, Price, Henry, Munt
Given their greater experience (notwithstanding some well-known names in the visiting ranks) this is a game that Derbyshire should win. It would keep alive their marginal interest in the competition, although with Yorkshire, Middlesex and Hampshire to come, they will regret losing to earlier lesser lights.
I will add a page for your comments afterwards and add my own observations from the limited cricket I see when I get down to Chesterfield.
As always, your comments are welcome.
Postscript: Matthew Montgomery is back so will likely come straight into the side and strengthen both the batting and bowling
Sussex squad: Carson (c), Crocombe, Henry, Ibrahim, Johnson, Kirtley, Leaning, Munt, Oosthuizen, F Price, Robinson, Tear, Thomas
With six players at the other competition, they are also missing Tom Haines, Oli Carter, Tom Clark,, Danny Lamb, John Simpson, Dom Goodman, Tom Price and Fynn Hudson-Prentice - 14 players absent in all
I don't like what the ECB and the Hundred have done to the One Day Cup. But the reality is that it's now a second tier development competition. Winning it with a full strength team would mean nothing in my eyes. That's regrettable but it's reality.
ReplyDeleteTo be playing teams full of young players whilst our own promising players are left out or by exception thrown in to roles they're not used to when there is no other options available...it's embarassing. MA is putting his own record ahead of the best for the team and the club.
Wagstaff, bin Naeem, Basra, Stewart, Hawkins are all seeing their potential wasted whilst other counties watch their academy players learn and flourish.
Haydon and Potts have been great but have only got chances because of injuries.
Agree with your summary as normal peakfan. I too watched the interview with Mickey Arthur. Very best wishes to you and I hope you continue your excellent blog and I will undoubtedly look at it from time to time. I’ve personally decided to stop watching a M. A led club but I wish you all the best
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested to read your view on Shoaib Bashir's position. I'm surprised he's not been selected so far for this competition. Does MA rate Morley a better prospect? With no involvement Bashir has little chance to stake a claim to retain his spot in the England squad. Most commentators think that Stokes should be replaced by an spinning all-rounder. No clear candidates there (Ahmed or Harrison?) but Bashir's central contract must be in doubt.
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