Another top innings from Tom Knight

I don't know how many of you caught it, but there was another special innings from Tom Knight yesterday as Derbyshire's second team beat Yorkshire at Swarkestone.

Knight made 125 at a run-a-ball, only being run out by a direct hit from the boundary edge on the last ball of the innings, as Derbyshire posted 235-7 in fifty overs. The next highest score was Tony Palladino's 22, which indicates the importance of Tom's knock.

Yorkshire's innings got off to a strong start, with Hodd, Hodgson and Leaning all batting well, but when erstwhile county loanee Dan Hodgson was leg before to Palladino for 83, the wheels came off in spectacular fashion. The last six wickets fell for 33 runs as Tom Taylor completed an excellent spell that saw him return figures of 4-33.

It's quite amusing that the Yorkshire club site reports on their side being young, yet given that most of our second team was playing at Derby against India, the local lads were hardly in the veteran stage. Yet a win by 29 runs ensued as Yorkshire finished their innings on 205-9, an excellent result in the circumstances.

There's quite a sea change going on at this level, where traditionally we haven't beaten the white rose county all that often. Yet at both academy and second team level we are starting to be the dominant side, something that can only augur well for the years ahead.

Well done to Tom Knight, though, who is rapidly developing into a genuine all-rounder after a stellar summer with the bat.

Knight in line for Derbyshire

Further evidence, if it was needed, of the potential of our young talent was supplied by Tom Knight in the second team T20 matches against Durham today.

Keeping in mind that the visitors included the likes of Ben Stokes and Gareth Breese in their side, our young eleven did very well to come out of the two games with honours even.

In the first, a fine all-round effort by England man Stokes saw Durham to a win, despite a fine spell of 3-17 in four overs by David Wainwright and a top score of 33 by Ticknall's Tom Wood.

The second game produced sensational cricket, with Durham posting what appeared an unassailable 205-6 in twenty overs.

It would have been, except for an extraordinary innings from Tom Knight (pictured), who opened the batting and saw the team to victory with a brilliant, unbeaten 99 from just 54 balls, with seven fours and seven sixes. He was well supported by trialist Pete Drysdale, a New Zealander who played with great success for Spondon last year before joining Scholes in the Huddersfield League for this summer. Drysdale contributed 57 from 31 balls before Greg Cork came in and saw the team to stunning seven wicket win with seven balls to spare, finishing the game with a six. That is a serious run chase...

Some may find it hard to believe the difference in Knight, a lad who made his senior debut while still at school. There was criticism of his weight and fielding from some quarters, realistically from people who should have known better. How many schoolboys expect to be playing county cricket and are fit enough to do so? Likewise, it is unrealistic to expect such lads to field with the intensity of full-time professionals. Meanwhile, Knight's batting was competent, at best.

His bowling has always looked the part, however, from his debut against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the T20 of 2011, when he looked not at all fazed by the big occasion. He is still only 20 but his all-round game has improved immeasurably in the intervening period, now as lean as the proverbial butcher's dog and someone who fields impressively. His bowling action is in the process of being re-modeled and during one of the lunchtimes in the recent Hampshire game he was being filmed and watched by Ant Botha, the spin bowling coach.

If this work results in a more 'grooved' action and enables the bowler to get more control and purchase, there will be no complaints, but it is his batting that has made people sit up. There were several examples of successful pinch-hitting on his trip to Australia a couple of winters back and he has contributed steady runs at all levels since this summer began.

He will be well aware that modern cricket offers less opportunities for a specialist like Panesar or Tufnell. More to the point, he will be aware that his quest for the lead spinner role at Derbyshire depends on his out-bowling David Wainwright, while being able to contribute a similar quantity of runs.

I think Knight will enjoy senior opportunities this summer while his new actions 'beds in' but will push strongly to be lead spinner from next year. By that stage I don't expect there to be much between the two left-armers and the performance money for a home-reared talent will be a persuasive argument  for Knight gaining prominence.

I'm convinced we'll see one of the left-armers in the side on Friday night, probably in the place of the absent Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Neither will let us down, but it is patently clear that Knight's cause cannot be ignored for much longer.

Tom Knight

In recent posts I have suggested that a move for David Wainwright of Yorkshire could be worthwhile for Derbyshire, covering any potential absence of Tom Knight at university.

 I understand that Knight has decided to defer his further education and make the most of the three-year deal that Derbyshire have given him.

 As far as I am concerned, on that basis Knight should be first choice next season. While Wainwright is a good cricketer who would improve the squad, I wouldn't see him ahead of a young local lad in the senior side. Without doubt Wainwright would be an asset in the T20, but there will be times next season when conditions dictate Derbyshire go without a specialist spinner. With resources limited, unless we could get him at a very reasonable price I don't see obvious merit in bringing in another player for a squad role.

 It is good news about Knight, who looks like being the best spinner we have had since Geoff Miller. He has a lot to learn, but an encouraging work ethic and willingness to listen and learn will serve him well.

I look forward to watching him develop in the years ahead.

Congratulations to Burgoyne and Knight

Burgoyne and Knight may currently sound more like solicitors or estate agents but given time the two names could possibly become synonymous with Derbyshire cricket. At 17, for them both to be selected for their country's Under-19 side is an impressive achievement, albeit one that is richly deserved.

Knight is already seen as a player with a real talent, having bowled in several T20 fixtures without looking at all fazed by the razamatazz and the big names up against him. He has bowled straight and with tight lines, effectively telling batsmen to have a go but to bear in mind that if they miss they are in trouble. It is early days for him, but the potential is obvious.

Burgoyne is less well known but has turned in a string of fine displays for both Denby and the Derbyshire Academy, as well as making his mark on the Second Eleven. He is a powerful hitter of a ball and an off spinner who apparently gives the ball a tweak. Whether he follows Knight into the first eleven this year is debatable, but at his current rate of progress he could emerge in the middle order next year.

I'm sure we will all watch their performances with interest and wish them luck. It augurs well for their futures - and that of the county.

First Knight...

Good news in the three-year deal for 17 year old slow left arm bowler Tom Knight, the first to reap the benefit of the club's youth blueprint.

It is just reward for some encouraging early performances by the bowler, with the contract starting from next year and running until 2014.

I thoroughly expect to hear of a few more in the next couple of weeks or so.

Good win for Seconds

The Second XI under Andy Harris won by nine wickets against Leicestershire at Ashby.

The club site reports on the first two days, but on the final morning Derbyshire's seam attack of Evans, Whiteley and Sheikh bowled out the home side for 121, leaving a target of 174 to win.

This was easily reached with nine wickets in hand, a very good performance.

Talking of young players, and I note on IMWT calls for Tom Knight to play against Worcestershire on Sunday. While I have high expectations for the lad, based on his recent exploits, its asking a lot of him to bowl at serious hitters like Solanki, Moeen and Kervezee. I don't know, maybe the coaches think he could cope, but it strikes me as a tall order. Seven wickets against students is one thing, that's a sizeable step up for the lad.

Young 'uns to the fore

Good to read in the Telegraph this morning such encouraging news on the performances of Ross Whiteley and Tom Knight in Barbados.


I’ve seen Whiteley a time or two and have seen him bowl quite beautifully in what could best be described as the ‘Kevin Dean’ style. Yet I’ve been even more impressed by his clean hitting, which made me think of another young Derbyshire cricketer in Ian Blackwell.

At 22 Whiteley has time on his side and it alone will decide whether he becomes a genuine all-rounder, a batsman who can bowl a few overs or a bowler who can give the ball a real tonk. He has several impressive hitting feats to his name in the Premier League for Chesterfield, including an unbeaten 204 for them last August from just 117 balls. That innings included no fewer than eighteen sixes and eighteen fours!

As well as his cameo in last weekend’s final against Warwickshire, on the tour Whiteley played two innings for composite sides - 68 not out off 47 balls with three fours and five sixes and 45 off 26 balls with eight fours and a six. Such statistics suggest a young player who is getting to grips with his game and has the confidence to go for his shots. It is a potent mix and I will watch his progress with considerable interest.

As for Tom Knight I have yet to see him bowl but have heard enough good reports from good judges to suggest he could be a real find for the club. At 17 he has loads of time on his side and will need to continue to work hard, but figures of 3-18 in eight overs are impressive by any standards.

He took enough wickets in the Second XI last summer to set people talking and the slow left armer could be another to watch.

Meanwhile Tom Poynton has made good runs in Barbados on the back of his Australian trip. He is another for the future, although logically is going to find it hard to break into the side when the first team keeper is also the captain. If he works hard with Luke Sutton in the next couple of seasons, we will not need to look too far for the heir to the County Ground gloves.

Encouraging stuff.