Peakfan's end of season ratings 2011

Before you start reading this, a brief explanation to the ratings.

5 - Below Average
6 - Average
7 - Good
8 - Very Good
9 - Excellent
10 - Out of this world (don't worry, there's none of them...)

Players are also judged on their FIRST ELEVEN displays, important to bear in mind in some cases.

Martin Guptill - 7

The amiable Kiwi had a good campaign and won a lot of admirers. His one-day form was very good, but his early championship struggles and eventual sub-40 average lose him a point for me. I have always felt that a decent county batsman should average 30-35, a good one 40. With the additional pressure and expectation of the role, an overseas batsman should be averaging 45-50. Having said that, I'd be happy to see Martin Guptill back next season, as he is a fine player to watch and will only improve.

Wayne Madsen - 6

Madsen had a good one-day campaign but endured a nightmare spell in the four-day game that saw him dropped for the first time. I see him as a potential future skipper but we need him to rediscover his mojo in the winter and return refreshed in 2012. At his best a beautiful player to watch, Madsen's renewed confidence will be key to our fortunes next season as he is eminently capable of scoring more than a thousand runs.

Chesney Hughes - 5

Second season was always going to be hard for Chesney, despite what he said about it not worrying him. He remains a bright talent and showed on a few occasions that he is a punishing driver of the ball, as well as being increasingly useful with it in his hand. Spin bowlers showed up a lack of 'nous' in his batting though, as well as laboured footwork that will need some winter attention.

Paul Borrington - 5

Bozza should have been in the eleven to start the season, but an ankle injury ruled him out for some time. When he returned it still gave him some problems, though you wouldn't have known that from the way he slaughtered league bowling. Less prolific in the Second XI, but a gritty display at The Oval  showed his value to the side. I expect him to get a run next season and it is down to him where it goes from there.

Matt Lineker - 5

Like Borrington, most of Lineker's season was in the Seconds and he did a fine and prolific job. Only one innings of substance in his three matches at the season end suggested that he has to adjust to the senior game, but he could have done little more to earn another contract and will stand or fall on his efforts over the winter and next summer. Will not lack support from team mates and fans alike.

Wes Durston - 9

Wes had an outstanding season and was deservedly player of the year. His batting was thrilling and watching his free and easy stroke play it was clear to see that he grew up on good batting tracks at Taunton. An outstanding fielder, his bowling became increasingly important towards the end of the season, though not, I hope, to the detriment of his batting. Outstanding.

Dan Redfern - 6

Looked a much improved player this year and had a purple patch in July/August before being hit by injury. Not quite the same when he returned, but Redfern is a genuine talent. I would like to see more of him in one day games and feel he could offer with the ball with greater opportunity. Once the psychological barrier of that first century has passed he will score a lot of runs for us too.

Usman Khawaja - 6

Australia's new batting hope struggled with injury and played only two innings of substance - one at Worcester and the other at Canterbury. It was easy to see his class, his judgement of the balls to leave reminiscent of John Wright, but like Guptill he has to be judged on a different scale and thus fell slightly short. Like Guptill, I'd be happy to see him return and I feel he would benefit from this year's experience.

Ross Whiteley - 8

A real rags to riches story, Whiteley started the season a second team player and ended it a key member of the first eleven. Showed the ability to dig in but hit the bad ball with brutal power, as well as being a fielder of brilliance. If he could eleminate the bad ball an over that tends to drop onto leg stump he could yet be a potent all-rounder, as he has many years ahead. A major plus for the season.

Greg Smith - 6

Smith left Derbyshire a talent unfulfilled for many. No one doubted his ability to play all the shots, but rarely did it long enough to make a difference to games. He was a steady bowler of both seam and spin, but again didn't threaten to go through sides. Another excellent fielder, but Smith leaves with question marks over his temperament that will be proved or disproved elsewhere. His Kolpak status didn't help his cause, coupled with only average returns.

Garry Park - 5

Park the fielder gets 10, but he couldn't bowl due to injury and had only one-day opportunities. There were some good cameos at the end of innings when he showed his speed between the wickets and good improvisation, but the aggregate, partly through limited opportunity, was not enough. A new role should see him remain available, but probably only in one-day games.

Luke Sutton - 7

As a captain Sutton did a steady job and as a wicket-keeper he made few mistakes. His batting lacked the big innings that would have appeased some critics, but for me his major contribution was creating and leading a happy dressing room where the eleven played as a team. This was a season of improvement and that was largely due to Sutton's leadership. Maybe on the way out with Poynton pressing, but still has a crucial role to play.

Tom Poynton - 6

Poynton was a peripheral figure as was always going to be the case, but his wicket-keeping was improved and his vocal style was reminiscent of Karl Krikken at his best. Had few opportunities with the bat, but a pugnacious knock at Chesterfield suggested that the heir-apparent to the gloves is on the staff. Should get and benefit from greater opportunity next season.

Jonathan Clare - 8

700 runs and 40-odd wickets amounts to a good campaign for any all-rounder. Clare was bowling around 85-90mph and hits the ball very hard when he gets in. If he could overcome problems in starting an innings and remains fit he will be a crucial member of the developing side. A very good cricketer.

Tim Groenewald  - 7

Timmy G is the side's Mr Reliable and just keeps turning up and running in to bowl. His fitness record is remarkable, though a displaced kneecap caused a few games to be missed mid-season. No mug with the bat either and Groenewald's signing of a new deal was greeted with considerable pleasure by fans. Rightly so, as he is a good and popular cricketer. Just missed his fifty wickets due to that injury.

Tony Palladino - 7

A very solid season after his move from Essex. The biggest mystery was his regular omission from one-day sides for a long time, but TP proved an excellent acquisition and became a popular player among fans. More next season will do nicely and the bowler's new deal will see him another key part of a young side as it moves forward.

Mark Turner - 6

Capable of searing pace at times but could also be wildly inaccurate. At his best he ran through lower orders as they couldn't handle his yorkers and short balls, but needs to somehow retain that raw hostility while getting more consistent lines and lengths. If he can do that, as well as enjoying more luck with injury, we will have a potent weapon for next season and beyond.

Mark Footitt - 5

Next year will be crucial for Footitt. He again missed too much cricket this year and we cannot afford to carry a bowler, even one of undoubted talent, who is rarely available. Some decent performances towards the end of the season saw him finish top of the averages, but at 26 he needs to play more than 25% of matches. Like Turner, capable of genuine pace but could be desperately erratic, a major frustration.

Steffan Jones - 6

Limited four-day cricket for the old warhorse in his last season, but Jones was a valued and committed member of the one-day attack before he accepted a school post in late-season. He will be remembered with great fondness for his regular availability, one hundred percent commitment and considerable skill, especially in the closing stages of one-day games. Someone who needs replaced, without doubt.

Azeem Rafiq - 6

Rafiq spent a brief time on loan from Yorkshire and did pretty well, proving a dogged batsman as well as a spinner of some talent. A broken finger ended his spell, but he did enough to show that he has a bright future, most likely at our northern neighbours.

Tom Knight - 7

Knight burst onto the scene in the T20 and let no one down. Time will tell if he is the real deal as a spinner and can bowl sides out on helpful tracks, but his ability to be unfazed by big names and large crowds was remarkable in a lad of 17. Dismissed some big names with clever flight and tight lines in the one day game. In the years ahead, the key will be if he can do the same with men around the bat and batsmen trying to stay in. Remarkable start.

Karl Krikken - 7

Took over in far from ideal circumstances but all things considered did a good job. I disagreed with some selections, but the development of the dressing room atmosphere and of young players is down to him as much as Luke Sutton. His next big job is prudent recruitment over the winter to take us to the next level after a campaign of much encouragement. Lovely bloke who we all wish well.

And that's it. My final thoughts on the season will come tomorrow. I've not rated lads like Peter Burgoyne and Alex Hughes as they had too little opportunity. You may or may not agree with my ratings, but that's your prerogative!