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
ReplyDelete