Derbyshire 372 and 286
Northamptonshire 310 and 326-6 (Vasconcelos 132, Procter 51, Harrison 50, Randell 3-54, Abbas 3-64)
Match drawn
Any turn was slow, any movement off the seam, other than with the new ball was minimal. Both Mohammad Abbas and Brett Randell put in sterling shifts and their combined economy was probably what saved Derbyshire. Yet neither looked like running through the opposition batting on a very good fourth day pitch.
Ricardo Vasconcelos batted superbly and at lunchtime it seemed like a case of damage limitation, as he and Luke Procter opened with a stand of 152. The home side will rue the slow batting when he was out, when only 36 runs were scored in the next 14 overs against tight bowling and some good fielding .
They accelerated later, but with only 23 runs needed, first bad light and then light rain prevented a home win. Part of me feels that they were robbed after a very professional run chase, but the reality is that they should have been aware of the weather forecast and pushed the game to a conclusion - notwithstanding the risks involved - before the weather front came in. The umpires followed the rules and them's the breaks, regardless of the comments of some Neanderthals on social media..
I understand the frustration of home fans and that they 'only' needed 23 and 'could' have played on. But conditions were deemed poor by the umpires, who took them off, never to return. Regardless of the challenge of batting, if you have ever had to field in bad light you will know that it isn't the easiest of tasks either.
Shoaib Bashir also bowled economically today, but for me it highlighted the importance - should that really need done - of Ben Aitchison to this side. So many times this season he has taken early wickets and that would have meant a totally different run chase today. No disrespect to Nick Potts, who did well when he came into this game as a substitute, but he doesn't offer similar control nor penetration, as his second innings figures show.
So we move on to Worcester next week, with the last of the walking wounded. We won't see Aitchison, who will likely not be fit but wouldn't be allowed to play after being substituted, while Brett Randell would likely need to be be granted an exemption from his NOC to play one more game.
There may also be a question mark over Brooke Guest, who had a lot of work to do in standing up to both Randell and Abbas and took what appeared a fearful blow on a finger near the end of play.
We will find out in due course, but Derbyshire got out of jail here in the end.
Hopefully we can get a result at Worcester, sending all of us into autumn and winter in good heart.
Daylight robbery. Or to put it another way, No daylight robbery. Still, you must take the rough with the smooth and that was the smoothest 8 points Derbyshire are likely to get.
ReplyDeleteA very good game that highlighted the good and not so good for us.
Whereas the Northants openers did a sterling job our top order was seriously lacking. Certain players struggled in this game and have been struggling for a while.
I don't think Montgomery is a number 3. He should move down the order. Reece should open the batting and Guest always looked more comfortable at number 3.
Whether any of that would have made a difference I don't know but we ought to try something different for the last game.
The last 2 games have been so different to the Gloucestershire disaster. Let's hope that whoever is fit to play against Worcestershire perform to this improved standard.
You make some good points.
DeleteI am not sure who should play at three in the batting order, as it is such a key position, and I cannot think of anyone who might be successful.
Brook Guest last played regularly at three in 2024. In his last seven games of the season's second half, he scored just 148 runs across 11 innings, averaging 13.45.
He was successful in this role previously, but I think the above might help explain why, at the time, he dropped down the order.
Sorry I forgot to include my name. Dre.
DeleteThat's interesting re Guest Dre. I hadn't realised that his form was quite that bad at the end of the 24 season.
DeletePerhaps Bin Naeem could be considered for number 3.
The Worcestershire game would be a good time to experiment.
Do well and he could claim that role.
A cracking game of county cricket. Like you say probably a bit fortunate to get a draw in the end but Derbyshire more then played their part over the 4 days. Hopefully northants will still pip Kent for promotion still.They look a better balanced team then Kent in my opinion
ReplyDeleteAny negative comments about the Umpire's decision today might be compared to those about Leicester's pitch. This is the game; the behaviour of pitches, weather and light are active and fluctuating factors across 4 days and are subject to the Umpires reading of the rules. Northants failed to keep up the pace after a fine start, as our bowling tightened up, and they didn't consider the possibility of a light call. There you go. We earned our points and our good fortune. No doubt someone out there with an eye on broadcasting rights is making a case for a 10-0ver game, played indoors on some sort of 4g track, but if the day ever comes when pitches, weather, and light are not a factor in the behaviour of the ball, then I'm off.
ReplyDeleteChapel Guy
ReplyDeleteI agree about Aitchison's absence being crucial and that he might have made all the difference. I also agree that Northants have only themselves to blame by not scoring quickly enough.
I was put in mind of a similar situation at Derby in I think 2011. On that occasion we were playing Essex and only needed 20 odd more runs to win with 6 wickets down to win. So very similar to Northants today. Rain thwarted our victory chase and it was very frustrating. But that's how it goes in this country. You win some, you lose some.
Deserved to lose that and a loss in all but name.
ReplyDeleteCounty cricket seems to sometimes forget it's a spectator sport. Every ground has flood lights and pink balls exist so no excuse to be abandoning play due to light with a result so close. Pathetic, doesn't help attract fans.
I had assumed the flood lights were on? I take your point, but you can't switch balls just to get a result, unless you rewrite the rules.
DeleteWe should have lost, but I recall matches where we would have won in similar situations. As with all professional sport, and indeed life, you take it on the chin and move on
I disagree. People pay to watch, the sport doesn't make enough effort to give them the maximum overs to watch. No wonder crowds are on their arse for 4 day cricket.
DeleteThis is the game and how it’s been since forever ! Sat watching at home you could see the radar and the pace the Northants batters were going. Surely someone in their dressing room could see the potential issue. They should have acted earlier. When they started to push they started to lose wickets. Add in the new ball arriving they should have gone for the runs earlier. If they had tried to score quicker , lost wickets ,then the scoreboard pressure would have taken over and “ possibly” we take more wickets.Its just the great way the game is played and why we love it although I’m not sure Hamez loves anything !!
DeleteFinally add in Kent’s situation and to play in conditions that were deemed unfit would have been unfair not only on them but the other 7 teams in the division. Just remember the toss was delayed due to bad light so a reading was taken. That then forms the basis of bad light for the rest of the game. Rules are rules they will work for us and against us
If you started using pink balls in the strange light you get when it’s not quite dark but dark enough to have the lights on it would make a mockery of the game anyway. It normally makes batting impossible so you might suddenly get about 5 wickets go down for very little runs. It is frustrating when games finish like yesterday but it has always been that way and with Lancashire playing at a non floodlight ground next season and possibly Middlesex soon if they move from lords there will be more instances of bad light not less. Crowds aren’t on their arse everywhere in 4 day cricket as Surrey have proved by breaking the record for this century with 86000 for this season. A awful lot of people still love 4 day cricket
DeletePlease avoid personal comment Jason. We may not agree with some on here, but folks have a right to express them, as long as they do so in an appropriate manner
DeleteNorthants batted for almost 90 overs over three sessions. Instead of blaming the umpires surely they should take a good look at their game management as the rain came when predicted which is normally preceded by bad light
ReplyDeletePaul
That should have been another loss
ReplyDeleteAbbas bowled well but still not at the level I would expect for international in D2
Bashir never looks like taking wickets. Kiwi bowler bit erratic but maybe have him back next season
Northamptonshire knew what they were chasing. Only themselves to blame
I think we played well for the first three days. But we never looked like bowling Nothants out today, despite two Test match bowlers in the attack. Abbas did well, picking up three wickets, but it wasn't a match winning performance. Bashir has bowled a lot of overs since he joined, but hasn't managed to pick up many wickets, and his spin hasn't won us a game. It's not enough to say Abbas and Bashir are statement signings, as MA has done. if they don't produce match winning performances, at some point.
ReplyDeleteYet the underrated Randell, once again, put in a great performance.
Downthewicket
Our final match starts 8 days after Ben's injury so he is able to play (if fit)
ReplyDeleteI would be surprised if he did, Simon. I know it is the last match and there's a long winter ahead, but why risk further damage and a bigger issue when he is SO important to the side?
DeleteEll
I thought we dominated the game for large parts, so saying we deserved to lose is a little harsh. Aitchison is the best bowler in the division currently, or at least on a par with Potts at Durham. So that's a big loss. I think we have showed a lot of effort and desire in these last 2 games, when some of our players are firing on fumes. Andersson was strapped up.and limping, for the whole game. Such are the perils of a small squad.I really can't fault them, in these last 2 games, against strong sides. Kris
ReplyDeleteIt was Northants game to move on but for four days they chose not to do so., including the pace they batted both innings…. It’s on them. They benefited from bowling first in helpful conditions and in particular, from outrageous umpiring on the first morning and afternoon, caving in to excessive unbecoming ‘appealing’. Assume that the scorers, ground staff and entire crowd were all also feverishly fired out lbw by the umpires in the first 200 minutes of the game …… as were all those of us watching on livestream…..
ReplyDeleteWhat outrageous umpiring are you referring to? There were several lbw decisions in our first innings, but they all looked fair enough to me.
DeleteConway was out of order for his ridiculous signal for a review after being refused a lbw (hopefully reprimanded) but I didn't see anyone being 'fired out'
Looking to next season we definitely need 3 opening batsman who bat 123 and can push a 35+ average . Current averages suggest we don’t have any takers apart from Reece. Also based on his performances this season I think it’s highly likely we will be paying Bashir’s wages next season .Randell is worth a contract and an attack of Randell , Abbas ,Hayden,Chappell ,Reece,Potts,Bashir,Morley,Moore,Brown if fit and firing would be competitive but a couple of domestic top order stalwarts would help the cause .
ReplyDeleteWe were slightly fortunate to get away with a draw. If it had of been the other way round there would have been a few ‘moans’ on here. I think Northamptonshire showed why they are pushing for promotion. Some quality batsmen and they bat deep. Abbas did well, Randell improved after a shaky start and Bashir if nothing else was relatively economical. Potts does need to work hard on his economy rate, 5.5 in both innings, as does Andersson. We did miss Aitchison but then again we don’t know if he would have got the runs Pott’s did in the second innings. If there is sufficient money in the pitch I would keep Randell and try and bring a domestic opener in from somewhere. If injuries are kind to us we might be able to compete for a top 2 place next season, if we can be more consistent and show the fight we have in the last 2 games. We live in hope. Grant from Telford
ReplyDeleteGreat game of cricket overall.
ReplyDeleteDid we deserve the draw, absolutely as we never gave in, I always say you have to earn a win, not for it to be given to you, remember Kent what it was 9 balls from drawing.
I can be very critical of the umpires at times, but I do believe they were right on this occasion, the benchmark for bad light was set on the first day and they were right to stand by that.
As for promotion other than Durham there has been no standout candidates. For me whilst promotion matters what I really is to see us maintain Division 1 status and not just be potential whipping boys.
Martin.
A bit strange when looking at the weather forecast that Northants went into their shell in the afternoon session. Simon
ReplyDeleteThe comementators kept saying that the rain was coming
Delete