Derbyshire 372 and 286 (Andersson 62, Potts 57, Randell 45, Guthrie 3-61, Harrison 3-74)
Northamptonshire 310 and 37-0
Northamptonshire need 312 runs to win
Half centuries by Martin Andersson and Nick Potts (his first) with another good supporting knock from Brett Randell saw Northamptonshire set 349 to win. By the close they had reached 37-0 in 16 challenging overs.
Good as the recovery was, it does not mask another failure by the top order, something that has to be addressed over the winter. While allowances can be made for Yusuf Bin Naeem, finding his way in the game, neither Harry Came nor Matthew Montgomery can be happy with season averages of 25 and 28 respectively. More is needed - and is essential - for improvement in 2027.
Andersson was again excellent, but Derbyshire hopes were boosted by a stand of 99 between Potts and Randell. Potts has had a good game here and confirmed his season of promise with a crucial knock, mixing sound defence with crisp strokes. Meanwhile Randell again highlighted his importance in these closing weeks and has done an excellent job for the county.
Vasconcelos and Procter batted well to get their side to the close unscathed, but they will need to do more tomorrow, especially in the first session, which has yielded the most wickets throughout the match.
I thought Abbas bowled beautifully in his spell tonight, conceding only one run in five testing overs.
We will need more from both overseas players tomorrow, but the game is beautifully poised, going into the final day.
Watching Guest’s dismissal today reminded me of one of my favourite ever players, Steve Waugh.
ReplyDeleteIn order to become a more successful Test cricketer, he deliberately cut the hook and pull shots out of his repertoire. He realised that eliminating these high-risk shots meant fewer ways to get dismissed.
Brook is a talented player, but at the moment, we are not seeing him at his best. I hope that soon he makes a conscious decision to remove some of his riskier shots which result in him getting dismissed.
Dre.
I am minded of when the great Herbert Sutcliffe was challenged on getting out often on the hook.
Delete'But I score a lot of runs with it too' he replied. It's a balancing act and only Brooke will know if the cost/benefit ratio is in his favour
I was disappointed with Brooke. Talented players need to sense when the game is in the balance. It was and we didn’t need a jittery innings. Just stay there and support Martin. Full face of the bat. Don’t ask someone else to do the job for you. He can do it!
DeleteYou make a good point about balance.
DeleteHowever, while this reasoning applies well to a player like Herbert Sutcliffe and his Test average of nearly 61, I don’t think it works as well for Brooke Guest.
He is averaging 23.7 in first-class cricket this season, with two fifties and one hundred across 21 innings.
Dre.
You'd hope the batting coach and certainly the team's analyst would know exactly that cost/benefit ratio.
DeleteWell we've had almost 50 overs between Abbas & Bashir in this match, and not a single wkt to their name. Bashir is tidy, however looks toothless.
ReplyDeleteNick
But there are some pitches where there's nothing there and tidy works, Nick. I have never seen a bowler who ALWAYS looks like taking wickets and sometimes keeping it tight and forcing the errors is the way to go...
DeleteAn exciting day in prospect tomorrow. I think over the next couple of seasons we might see Potts develop in to a batting allrounder. Lovely knock today. Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteAnother fine innings by Andersson and some fine contributions from Potts and Randell. But I feel that Aitchison's absence tomorrow might be crucial as we try to bowl out Northants who are still hoping for promotion. Now is the time for Abbas to show he can take wickets for us.
ReplyDeleteSorry....forgot to add my name... Chapel Guy
DeleteThis is set for a really good day 4 , the Northamptonshire commentators are providing a really balanced performance, all credit to them . Abbas and Randell in the first session will be pivotal
ReplyDeleteI feel that we won't lose,but we'll struggle to bowl them out with the absence of Aitchison could have done with one or two wickets tonight. Randell looked a tad erratic,hopefully just tiredness. My prediction,a draw or Northamptonshire win.Ethan
ReplyDeleteIn a modern era of overseas players being flown in and out of the county game at random times for brief, often unremarkable stints, Randall has really had that “senior pro” vibe, whether in getting us over the line against Kent with the ball or with the responsibility and resilience he’s shown with bat in hand during his stay.
ReplyDeleteHe’ll leave at the end of the month with so much respect.
Good fighting spirit with the lower order - again. Potts is developing into an all rounder, and Randell has been superb with both bat and ball.
ReplyDeleteBut, I agree, Steve, the top order is, and has, been a concern, for much of the season. Came is struggling, as is Montgomery (he hasn't scored a century this season, yet MA billed him as the new Madsen). And Madsen is showing signs of a player on his way out (after a brilliant career), despite the century in this game. Bin Naeem gets a pass, as he's still learning his craft.
Guest is currently not batting at the top (but he should be our number three), and he has also struggled to find runs.
Downthewicket
Although what you say is perfectly true the batting all around the country is suffering this season in most games. Playing the bulk of games in April and September and with clubs seemingly preferring green wickets anyway it’s getting harder for batsmen and spin bowlers which is why county cricket is ruled by nagging seamers bowling at 72 mph
ReplyDeleteSorry. That’s from Ian from Suffolk
ReplyDelete