It will be his 19th year with the club, which marks a level of loyalty rarely seen in the modern game. Madsen joined the club in 2009 and has gone on to score more than 24,000 all-format runs, including 52 centuries, establishing him very much as a modern great of both Derbyshire and the wider county game.
Quite what the club would have done without him in that time is a moot point. He will be 43 by the time next season starts and so we must assume that it will be a long farewell to the game that he has graced for so long.
It needn't be, of course. If the eyes, feet and hands still move well and the runs still flow, there is no reason why he shouldn't perhaps have one more year after that. Standing at first slip won't test his stamina but we must hope a few hours at the crease are still well within his compass.
Will he be skipper? Maybe, but there's always the possibility that it could be a lure for the right, all-format overseas bat, which is on top of the shopping list for the winter.
I do feel that next season will be a watershed for the club in many ways, with a number of contracts coming to an end. There has to be a higher level of performance, across the board, than we saw in 2026, because looking at players out of contract next year, there are a number who would strengthen both Derbyshire and other teams. It would be remiss of those involved not to pursue such opportunities should they present themselves.
Finally today, there is an interesting interview with Ryan Duckett online, which is well worth a listen.
It is clear that he shares the frustration of members and supporters at the season just finished. He mentions an opportunity for members to bring these up at a forthcoming forum and I would urge those who are able to do so to attend and express their own feelings.
The club is admirably run - one has only to listen to the Derbyshire Chief Executive and to hear about plans for the future to understand that.
Yet at the end of the day, this is Derbyshire County CRICKET Club and the name is on the gates. It is all well and good registering profits and doing a lot of good in other areas. But there should be no reason why we should not emulate other smaller counties with limited budgets and challenge for silverware.
I accept that injuries played a part in 2026, but we were not the only county to be so affected.
It is down to Mickey Arthur to get more from his squad than he managed to do this year, or in those that preceded it.
If he can't do that, then one has to question the wisdom of retaining his services any longer than is strictly necessary.
This is good news!
ReplyDeleteWith so many players out of contract at the end of next season, and MA’s contract ending the following year, it will be interesting to see what the club’s strategy is concerning recruitment.
In an ideal world, I would have thought the existing players' contracts should be extended one year past that of the manager. This would enable a new manager, when appointed, to make an assessment of the current squad and then bring in new players if necessary.
Everything seems out of sync
Dre.
Great news that Wayne is committed to another year at the club, but I'm not so happy that we have to put up with Mickey Arthur. I have already submitted a question to he forum asking why he has been retained. As already suggested, could all members who have doubts about MA's leadership, please make their feelings known and attend the upcoming forum.
ReplyDeleteThe club must have a great deal of confidence in MA; otherwise, they wouldn’t have extended his contract until 2028. Although there were some poor performances last year, if consideration were being given to making a change, it would surely have happened by now.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about how a manager makes plans for the future, Micky is likely taking decisions which relate as far ahead as the end of the 2029 season. He is also about to enter the sixth year of a seven-year management term, so he will undoubtedly have confidence in the majority of his squad.
If this is the case, it likely means we will hear of further contract extensions being announced in the coming weeks. There may be some good players becoming available, but how many of these are likely to sign for Derbyshire? Hopefully a few.
Dre.
It’s great news, without doubt. Keeping a bona fide club legend can’t be anything but good.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else notice this comment; ‘“I’d like to thank the Derbyshire supporters for always being behind the team and me.’ Doesn’t mention the staff or head coach. Im possibly (probably?) reading too much into that but I thought it an interesting selection of words in the current climate.
However, great news to have Wayne in our corner once more. It will be a sad day when that day finally arrives.
Chris in Shropshire.
Ryan Duckett gave a good interview in the circumstances, and came over as sensible. It is right to try to compete on all fronts and I think it's a huge mistake to write off the One Day Cup as simply a development comp. I did lose count of the number of times he used the word 'frustration'. What was missing was any attempt to shine a light on the two big mysteries of Derbyshire cricket. First, why was MA's contract extended for two more years when results have been disappointing? Second, what is the reason why the 'fine margins' so often go against us? Until this issue - which I think most of us agree requires greater resilience on the part of some players when the pressure is on - is effectively addressed, the frustrations will continue.
ReplyDeleteDuckett sounds more sensible then MA( a very low bar). But I think he is kidding himself if he really thinks it’s only fine margins. He also said we were in the promotion mix until the end of the season. REALLY. The idea that Derbyshire use the 50 over comp as a development competition goes completely against the team MA fields as he never uses new players unless injuries force his hand. . It’s so obvious that next season with MA in charge will be exactly the same with exactly the same excuses next October
ReplyDeleteMALBAR Us supporters huff. And puff about not being members next year but I bet we stay members !lol. I knew it would be difficult to go any home games this year but still stayed a member and will do so in 27
ReplyDeleteFor much of his time with Derbyshire there had been an over reliance on Wayne . Despite this , he has continued to perform to a high standard. It would be great if he was able to play his final season free from the responsibility of captaincy but there is no obvious candidate in the current squad . MA suggested that Montgomery is seen as Wayne’s successor though I have seen little evidence to corroborate his opinion. I don’t see a coherent strategy for recruitment. Ollie
ReplyDeleteGreat news about Wayne. But as far as membership goes, I would need to see a marked improvement in performance to consider this again. I shall be 80 years old next year and a round journey to Derby of 90 miles is quite an effort. Of course, if we played more matches at Chesterfield I might reconsider.
ReplyDeleteThat last comment was Chapel Guy
ReplyDeleteSome of you people moaning will probably not see 3 home four day wins in a season again. I think it's the most I can recall for a good while. I'm not saying it's brilliant, but history doesn't lie! Kris
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is that people had the expectation that we were going to challenge for promotion with the signing of Mohammed Abbas and resigning Jewell who had done well the previous season. Also MA’s talk of winning silverware at Derbyshire.
DeleteSo the 4 championship wins was short of where people expected us to be, but actually ahead of what the club has achieved on average recently.
It’s arguable that if the players had handled the pressure better in a few key sessions then the win total could have been significant higher. Martin
3 home wins from 7. 1 away win from 7. It’s almost time to get the open top bus ready
Delete5 away losses from 7 and 2 home losses from 7. Lost twice to the bottom side , both heavy defeats. Sorry but these are not stats to be celebrated. We should not accept such low standards. Glyn
DeleteGood to see Wayne stay for one more season but I’d let him relax and just apply his batting skills for the benefit of the club . I’d try and sign an overseas top 3 / skipper as part of the succession planning that the Club. clearly needs . Hopefully the Bashir central contract can help with the budget in this area ..
ReplyDeleteHow about Jimmy Anderson on a 1 year swansong?
ReplyDeleteNot for me, Steve. We have plenty of seam options when they are all fit. And I doubt he would play anywhere but Lancs anyway. I would hate us to become a rest home for the elderly - as we did when signing Trueman, Inman and a few others
Delete