Huge debt of gratitude due to Karl Krikken

Had he decided to throw his hat into the ring for the role, the chances are that Karl Krikken would have been a strong contender for the post of Elite Cricket Performance Director at Derbyshire CCC. By no standards could his tenure have been deemed a failure - indeed, he led the county to a trophy, that memorable second division title in 2012.

Yet Krikk opted not to apply for the new role, for reasons known only to him. Maybe his pride was hurt, maybe he didn't want the hassle of interview preparation, maybe he has something else lined up already. The usual confidentiality clause over the parting means we shall perhaps never know, but the undeniable truth is that we are losing the services of a loyal and admirable club man, one who has served us well  for twenty-seven summers.

As a wicket-keeper, he was unorthodox in much the same way that Kim Barnett was with the bat, but equally effective. Ignoring the edgy, non-stop technique behind the stumps, with a rolling gait that compared to a farmer in wellingtons trudging through a muddy field, he had as good a pair of hands as any of his contemporaries. That goal-keeping stance, the subject of disparaging comment among cricketing purists, enabled him to get across to some catches, especially down the leg side, that others wouldn't have got anywhere near. His agility, allied to that glove work, made him a worthy part of an illustrious lineage that went through Harry Elliott, George Dawkes and Bob Taylor.

He was as good a batsman as any of them and played a number of pugnacious knocks, often against the clock or as declaration approached. He batted selflessly and an average of 22 was respectable for a player who generally batted at seven or eight in a side with some handy players.

After retirement as a player he took over the club's fledgling Academy and was responsible for the start of a procession of players into the first-class game. Critics would say that few of them have become established county cricketers and that's a fair point, but Krikk's affable persona, his passion for the game and his technical knowledge served him and them well.

Much as it did when he took over the senior role from John Morris in 2011. Taking over such a position mid-season was never going to be an easy gig, especially when the role saw him dropped into a dressing room where a few people were unsettled. It is to Krikken's eternal credit that he poured oil on troubled waters, smoothed ruffled feathers and turned things around sufficiently to enable the memorable division two title a year later.

He was aided by some shrewd overseas recruitment. Martin Guptill had a massive influence on early-season fortunes, while Usman Khawaja, while perhaps just short of international class, played important knocks when they were most needed. Last winter saw the signing of a genuine legend in Shivnarine Chanderpaul and all three, importantly, proved to be team men with talent, a combination that not all counties manage to secure.

Last season saw relegation confirmed in the last game and Krikken had his share of issues to contend with, before a late-season resurgence almost saw an escape of Houdini magnitude. Injuries to key personnel didn't help, there were off-field issues with a couple of players and the team seemed surprisingly in awe of their opponents at the start of the summer.

Crucially, there were a few occasions where we seemed tactically naive or undercooked, the team outflanked as much as outplayed by opponents of negligibly greater talent. Some of it could be written off to inexperience, but there were occasions where strong situations were squandered and the undeniable fact was that, despite those sterling late-season efforts, we were relegated.

Ongoing naivety - some might call it carelessness - also cost us in the one-day game. Having looked a decent T20 side in the early games for just about the first time since records began, good bowling efforts left victories there to be had against Lancashire at Old Trafford and especially against Yorkshire at Chesterfield. We only needed to work it around and rotate the strike to take the points, yet it proved a task too far. It was a disappointment, especially when large crowds turned up, encouraged by early displays, then it all went horribly pear-shaped against Leicestershire, in a display that could only be described as awful.

Such issues are, I think, behind the change to the coaching set up. There's not that much between Derbyshire and the better sides, as some of the cricket we played last year suggested. Perhaps it comes down to better preparation, a change in emphasis, a different approach, better use of technology. Had he thrown his hat into the ring, Karl Krikken might have been a strong candidate, with a wider-ranging remit and a different structure. So that it is clear, I fully support the move to overhaul the coaching set up, further evidence of an ambitious club that is not prepared to simply make up the numbers. To fault the process is to accept mediocrity and I think our squad is better than that. We needed to get the best man for the role and this exercise should ensure that we do that.

Of the expected candidates, my choice would be Graham Welch,  a coach of growing reputation who is known to make innovative use of technology as well as being a fine coach and excellent man-manager. I think that 'Pop' would be the man to build on the ground work of Karl Krikken and it will take a good man to top him in an interview process. Chris Adams will have his supporters and did an excellent job at Sussex, but external events conspired against him at Surrey and ultimately cost him his job.

More on that in due course, but for now, it is only fair to say thanks to Karl Krikken for a job well done. In the evolutionary process of our club, John Morris started the ball rolling from some pretty dark times, while Karl Krikken gave us a first taste of success and our highest championship placing for some years.

The next man has to take it on, but for now it is time to thank Krikk. He gave it his all and no one can ask for more.

Monday musings - Krikk called it right...

Well, that was a humdinger of a game if there ever was one.

Full credit to a Derbyshire side that were patently up for it from 11am on the first day. There was a marked difference between the two sides in the field, where the visitors carried a few passengers and there was an intensity to the Derbyshire play throughout that was an absolute joy to witness.

Of course, Karl Krikken and Wayne Madsen's biggest job will be to ensure that the level of intensity shown is there in every match. If it is, few sides will relish playing Derbyshire in any form of the game. If it isn't, there will be occasions when we struggle, as inexperience is overrun by some sides.

Yet that game was a decent benchmark. Before it, I would have put Northamptonshire as a mid-table outfit this season. I think that their time to go up was last year, but they now have a sizeable nucleus of their side (Hall, Vaas, Middlebrook, Sales) at the veteran stage and their younger players are not as good as ours by some distance. They will need to turn things around , because their batsmen didn't seem to fancy a battle on that last day. They cried out for a Borrington, someone who sells his wicket dearly, that's for sure.

Derbyshire's batting was intelligent and showed signs that we have a batting coach of considerable nous in David Houghton. I had the pleasure of a chat with him at the County Ground and asked him the difference between his first stint at the club and this one. His response was immediate - last time, the players needed taught technique, this time, it is all about cricket and dealing with situations. I thought it an excellent reply.

It is also telling that on the first day, when we lost three early wickets, there was some reassurance in the sight of Redfern coming in. Similarly, when Durston left after a battling effort, the sight of the lean and fit-looking Whiteley coming in at six was satisfying. That, my friends, is progress. When one considers that Hughes and Lineker are outside this eleven, the potential is obvious.

The bowling was tight, accurate, probing and disciplined. A few months ago I smiled as I read someone suggest that Tony Palladino would struggle without the Tiflex ball to help him. Total nonsense, as Palladino has always been a wicket-taker and will continue to be. Tim Groenewald wasn't fully fit but bowled with not far short of his usual fire, while Mark Footitt had both rhythm and pace from whichever end he bowled. His angle offers something different too and if this is a big year for the bowler he has started it in exactly the right manner. Ross Whiteley also bowled well on day two and looked an improved bowler after his winter in Australia - not yet a genuine all-rounder, perhaps, but a very useful bowler to have as a stop gap. It should not be underestimated that these two and Vaas created some handy rough for the spinners on the last afternoon...

David Wainwright was a revelation and his easy action suggested someone who could bowl long spells with little detriment to his line and length. Indeed, the spells in this game will set him up nicely, as he was rarely afforded such a luxury at Yorkshire. I bet there's a few people to the north who saw his figures in this match and concluded that they'd let the wrong man go... not that we're complaining, of course.

The fielding was sharp and focussed, with excellent catches being taken. There were a few, especially on day two, that fell short or just went over heads, but the team backed each other up well and were more vocal than some recent sides. Key to this was Tom Poynton, who kept beautifully. I always reckon that the best keepers are people you don't notice unduly as they simply do the basics correctly. What impressed me most about Poynton was his footwork. There were a few balls down legside but I cannot recall many dives - he was normally across with fast feet and good hands. If he can keep up that standard and perhaps relax a little when he first goes in to bat - he has a tendency to fish, or chase the ball, perhaps with nervous energy - we will have uncovered an absolute gem

Finally a word about Karl Krikken. He had two massive calls on the first day. Should he play Chesney Hughes or Paul Borrington? He got it spot on. He worked out that Northamptonshire would bowl if they won the toss, whereas he planned to bat. Therefore the spinners would come into their own on the last afternoon and he chose a batsman with the best chance of batting a long time, occupying the crease and taking the game to that stage. He showed confidence in Wainwright and in Borrington to which both players responded brilliantly.

His other decision was in actually selecting Wainwright. Many coaches in April pack their attack with seam, as David Capel did. Jon Clare was not fully fit, enough to bowl perhaps twenty overs, but he was not far short and the choice was between him and Wainwright. Krikk had the courage of his convictions and made a call that many would not have done. That being the case, many would not have won the game. Top marks to Krikk for that one.

Our next three games are against Glamorgan, Leicestershire and Gloucestershire, none of them sides I would say were in our league on paper. What we need to do is go out and show that the last four days were no fluke. If Martin Guptill continues to lead from the front and the team approach to batting is continued, we could reach the quarter season mark in a very good position.

I tell you something. Irrespective of their petty and patronising comments, yesterday will have shut a few people up in the media. They will be looking for a return to old ways though, so our lads have an even greater incentive to remain focused and battle.

Don't be at all surprised if they do it.

Thumbs up for the blueprint

As anyone who read last night's blog will probably expect, the Chairman's blueprint for Derbyshire cricket gets a massive thumbs up from me.

The highlight of the strategy is obviously the landmark new signing from 2012 and conjecture will be rife in the coming months over the identity of the player. I've discussed this previously and have now seen the names of Simon Katich and Marcus North, both former players at the club and out of central contract in Australia linked. I'm less sure about them than others I've mentioned. Katich has a great record, though only in longer forms of the game, while North, a worthy and talented player, would hardly be a marquee signing. He has, after all, pitched his tent (sorry!) in most counties over the years, as of course has Katich.

Player development pathways for home grown players and the introduction of a specialist coaching fund are to be applauded. Let's see young players of ability accelerated through the ranks and let us reward them with performance related salaries after their annual appraisals. A player who scores 1,000 runs should get the financial reward that goes with that milestone and not get the same as one who scrapes to 500 year on year.

The opening of contract negotiations with key players is to be applauded, though I am confident that Chris Grant will not be held to ransom in this process. Again, a player who returns good runs and/or wickets can expect a commensurate reward and rightly so, but the club has a limit that cannot and will not break the bank.

The permanent appointment of Karl Krikken as Head Coach working alongside captain Luke Sutton is great news for me. Krikk is as highly qualified as a coach can be, universally liked but not incapable of telling home truths when the need arises. With the club trusting in youth, who is better placed to take the reins than the man who has worked with many of them since they were the height of full-size pads? Derbyshire through and through, Krikk has my full support and I hope that everyone else does the same.


That Derbyshire will field a minimum of nine English qualified players from 2013 is sensible and will maximise ECB grants. Both Wayne Madsen and Chesney Hughes will be qualified then and this sends out a warning to Greg Smith. I am sure we would all like Smith to stay, but he needs to keep his demands within the realms of realism and get himself qualified. End of story, exactly as it should be.

Perhaps best of all is that negotiations will soon begin on long term contracts for several Academy graduates, which will include a blueprint for their development both as cricketers and as individuals. I fully expect to see Messrs Borrington, Redfern, Whiteley, Poynton, Knight, Sheikh and Slater signed up for a good few years and am delighted at the prospect. With exciting young talent behind them like Burgoyne, Hughes and Cork, these could be exciting years for Derbyshire cricket, most of the players home-reared and with a sense of loyalty that comes with developing with friends through the ranks.

Posters on last night's piece have urged caution with such a young squad. Of course. Only a fool would say that a young side will win everything in sight, but I would hope that fans would show greater understanding as young players - OUR young players develop into a team to be proud of. OUR team, local lads as far as possible. Karl Krikken and Luke Sutton are first class players and men who will set an example. Steffan Jones will presumably stay in the mix as a man with a level of fitness to aspire to as well, not to mention considerable nous in the art of bowling.

With the right man in there to highlight the importance of good habits, to show them what to do in the middle when it matters, this setup could herald the start of a successful era. Stick a Ponting, Kallis, Hussey or Collingwood in there and who knows? Young bodies and minds of talent and vitality alongside a modern legend could be pretty interesting. How much fun will it be to share in their development?

Remember too that these lads are good. You don't play age group cricket for your country, as many have done, and be rubbish. By definition, if you are one of the best eleven under 17, 18 or 21 players in the country, you are a very good player. It might take a little while to develop physically, emotionally and psychologically to compete with seasoned pros at first class level, but with the right support, coaching, mentors and incentives it will all be a steady, upward path, one well worth following. We've not set the world on fire with other approaches, so let's go for it and back it 100%.

Nice work Mr Grant. I'm very impressed.

Morris and Brown - the story breaks

My early morning radio interview today changed somewhat with the earlier revelations by Luke Sutton that John Morris had indeed ‘lost’ the Derbyshire dressing room and that the feelings of the players towards him were ‘overwhelmingly negative.’

As those who have been reading this blog since I started three years ago will know, I have always been a fan of Morris and I maintain that he brought a better quality of player to the club than we had seen for some time. I also feel that he has started the ball rolling and the next incumbent of the post may well reap the benefits of his work with an improved relationship with players and further recruitment.

John was always honest, sometimes brutally so, and as a man was very much in the ‘Marmite’ category, the sort of bloke you either loved or disliked. From today’s revelations it would appear the players were generally in the latter category, which made further contract negotiations pointless. That being the case, the recent excellent form has been especially worthy, as they have done it despite strong feelings to the fore.

What I find surprising is the concern expressed in some quarters over the departures leaving us in the lurch, which is far from the case. In Karl Krikken, a man very popular in the club, we have a Level 4 coach (the highest possible) who will keep things on an even keel for the rest of the season, hopefully making a case in that period for retaining the post on a permanent basis. He has able assistance from Steffan Jones, while James Pipe, the physiotherapist, is capable of helping out if required. With a fitness and conditioning coach in the mix too, the loss of a couple of people hardly leaves us short.

As one would expect from a man with his business background, Chris Grant has done a ‘roots and branches’ look at the club and perhaps felt himself that we were top heavy on that side. Just my opinion, of course, but when finances are tight it can come down to a decision on a coaching post or a player. What would you sooner have?

Nor does it leave the Academy short. In Howard Dytham we have another Level 4 coach who has a great rapport with young players and will do an excellent job for as long as required. Meanwhile Andy Harris has made a very good early impression with the Seconds, who looked set to win a second successive game today.

What I have found strange is the suggestion, voiced by Radio Derby’s Charles Collins among others, that Tony Borrington was likely to make a play for the leading role, which is utter nonsense. I think the idea emanates from the clumsily worded press release that suggested his involvement on the playing side, when his role, as I said last night, will continue to be as the link man between the committee and playing side. For a former player it is a logical role.

I spent a pleasant half hour chatting to Tony recently at Derby and he is winding down from a successful career in private education, now working part-time so that he can watch more cricket, primarily his son at whatever level he plays. At 62 he is hardly likely to decide to embark on a coaching career.

Late last night I also realised that I had been unfair to the committee. Having donned my deerstalker and re-read the chain of events it became patently clear to me that there could have been little, if any committee involvement. They meet on a monthly basis and would not have deliberately chosen the middle of a match nearly four weeks hence to break the news. While the timing was unfortunate, it happened. End of story.

It remains unfortunate, especially from a public relations perspective. The legalities will take some time but we will move forward as a club and come out stronger on the other side. Luke Sutton’s assertions on Twitter last night and in the media today have confirmed that the players, committee, coaches and chairman are together, which is good enough for me.

So in closing, a final thanks to John Morris and Andy Brown from me for their efforts over four years. It didn’t end satisfactorily, but they did take the club forward. The genesis of any future success could well have been in the John Morris era.

We should all remember that. But this is the Krikken show now.

Good luck Karl, and congratulations on the new role.

PS If anyone heard the interview this morning, I hope you didn't get the five second blast of Supertramp that I got in my headphones from somewhere when I was talking about the new coaches. I thought the connection had gone, so if I sounded slightly baffled when I was talking about Howard....er.....Howard in the Academy, that was why!