There is no better place on God's earth to watch a game of cricket than Chesterfield.
Plenty of grounds will stake a claim. New Road at Worcester, Canterbury, Arundel, Cape Town. None can surely have the charm of the ground overlooked by the most famous Church spire in the world. There's less of the spire visible these days, but the ground is a picture and from a viewing perspective it is superb.
The return of the Chesterfield festival is to be celebrated and I hope that the weather is kind, with a bumper crowd almost certain.
Its time for a big hello to new West Indian batsman Wavell Hinds, who should appreciate the pace and bounce that is usually a feature of the Chesterfield tracks. Welcome back also to James Pipe, who's effervescent qualities have been missed, irrespective of the commitment shown by Freddie Klokker. From the team named one would assume that Rikki Clarke is now fit to bowl, otherwise we're looking at Hinds also being the fifth bowler. Useful as he may be, I don't think he's quite that good with the ball. The team is
Stubbings
Rogers
Birch
Hinds
Clarke
Sadler
Pipe
Wagg
Clare
Needham
Langeveldt
Plenty of batting with John "Bradman" Clare at 9, although cynics will say that we need them the way that the top order have performed. As we all know, it's a funny old game and perhaps the Jamaican's arrival will galvanise the others.
As for the visitors, they travel with a 12-man squad that reads:
D K H Mitchell,
S C Moore,
V S Solanki
B Smith,
G A Hick,
S M Davies
G J Batty
K Ali
GM Andrew
S J Magoffin
S P Jones
M M Ali
I suspect Ali will be 12th man as Derbyshire face a talented line up and in Vikram Solanki someone who is regularly a thorn in our side. There will be great interest in the performance of Stephen Moore after our declared interest in him last week, while this may be the last chance to see Graeme Hick on a Derbyshire ground, with rumours of a retirement going the rounds. One thing for sure is that our top order will be tested by the rejuvenated Simon Jones, while Kabir Ali and Magoffin make up a strong pace attack.
Fingers crossed for good weather and for Derbyshire to return to form with a vengeance!
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
A little off subject but...
Normal service will resume tomorrow night, but I'm just in after an excellent 20/20 game in which my team was beaten, but which saw perhaps the best catch I've ever seen in any class of cricket.
We were bolstered tonight by Scots left arm spinner Glenn Rogers, who bowled a typically miserly four overs. To be honest, this guy would have been worth a county shot as he's seldom collared even against County sides and did well against us at the County Ground.
Anyway, he's also a fair batsman and hit 35 in no time at all as we chased 145. Having hit the off spinner for six over mid wicket and another over long on, he hit a flat "screamer" towards long on again. A young West Indian on a scholarship to this country ran 25 yards and threw himself full length to hold the ball inches from the ground with one hand. Fluke? Maybe, but what a fluke. Glenn actually walked off past the guy to congratulate him. Sadly, it cost us the game but I'd be astonished if I ever saw a catch in the same league. Those who might recall James Kirtley's for England a year or two back saw something similar, but not taken by a 15 year old who'd also hammered a breezy 40 with five sixes.
Should have taken his number....
We were bolstered tonight by Scots left arm spinner Glenn Rogers, who bowled a typically miserly four overs. To be honest, this guy would have been worth a county shot as he's seldom collared even against County sides and did well against us at the County Ground.
Anyway, he's also a fair batsman and hit 35 in no time at all as we chased 145. Having hit the off spinner for six over mid wicket and another over long on, he hit a flat "screamer" towards long on again. A young West Indian on a scholarship to this country ran 25 yards and threw himself full length to hold the ball inches from the ground with one hand. Fluke? Maybe, but what a fluke. Glenn actually walked off past the guy to congratulate him. Sadly, it cost us the game but I'd be astonished if I ever saw a catch in the same league. Those who might recall James Kirtley's for England a year or two back saw something similar, but not taken by a 15 year old who'd also hammered a breezy 40 with five sixes.
Should have taken his number....
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
The natives are getting restless...
A week ago we were all getting excited about a possible place in the FP Trophy quarter-finals. Now, all of a sudden we are seeing fans on BBC 606 complain about the standard of recruits and the team. Are their complaints justified?
Well, for those who thought we would sweep the board this year they probably are, but surely there were few who thought we would become world-beaters overnight? Yes, Dean Jones and Les Stillman turned things around dramatically in one winter, but they had a lot better material to work with than John Morris has at his disposal. Jones had Barnett, Cork, Malcolm, De Freitas, Colin Wells, Chris Adams - good players, very very good players all.
Morris has Chris Rogers, Charl Langeveldt and (now) Wavell Hinds. Don't get me wrong, Wagg, Lungley, Clare and others are decent players, but not in that league. Rikki Clarke is a player of great talent but has been hampered by injury and like many all-rounders has struggled when one of his talents has been taken away. Flintoff the all-rounder is a fine player. As a batsman? Hmmm. Likewise Botham, Hadlee, Kapil Dev. I'm not saying Clarke is in that class, but he should be judged on an all round contribution.
I am confident that the knives will at some point be out for Wavell Hinds. Make no mistake, he is a fine player, but he is no Lara, or Chanderpaul. He will average 35-40, not 50, and will make a contribution to some wins, but let's not expect him to transform the side.
Some posters have said we are not as strong as last season, which is nonsense. The side is far more competitive than last year and while individual performances could be better, we have turned a corner. We have swapped an overseas player who averaged 38 only because of one good match against Gloucestershire, for a thoroughly professional, decent and committed man in Chris Rogers. Indeed Travis Birt allegedly caused more grief to bouncers at a Derby nightspot than he did to opposition bowlers and often looked like he didn't want to know. We lost Katich, but in going down to one overseas player it was always likely and he came as a platform to the Australian side, nothing more. It would be churlish to say he was anything but a fine player, but his performances waned as the season progressed.
There will be much more change at Derby. Morris will be speaking to eight players, some of whom may sign, most of whom will be batsmen. I am quite happy with our bowling, especially the seamers who are the equal of any in the country. Nayan Doshi started steadily but has lost his place, although I expect to see him back in the side soon, especially for the 20/20 at which he excels. Who else could we have signed? The only other spinner on the market was Ray Price of Worcestershire, who hardly set the world on fire there.
Likewise John Sadler is no world-beater, but battles more than we ever saw Hassan Adnan do in his last year. He was arguably the worst runner between wickets I've seen in Derbyshire colours, absolutely shocking. Sadler will score runs, I have no doubt, but if we could secure the signature of David Sales or Alex Gidman in the winter - well, we wouldn't say no would we?
Of the players who left in the winter, I feel we will only miss one - Gary Ballance. I think he will be a fine player, but how could we compete with a county who will put him through University? Chris Taylor played some good innings when he first came, but left under a cloud. He has not yet made the Yorkshire team and may not do so. It may be that he is destined to follow the likes of Messrs Rollins, Weston (Rob) and Cassar in leaving for the green grass over the fence and finding that they weren't really up to it.
My message to Derbyshire fans is simple. Keep the peace, be realistic and understand that we have people in charge who are desperate to do well as they are Derby through and through. I'm a huge fan/devotee of the club and its history and there have been few times in the 130 + years when we have been a batting side. This side is Bradmanesque in comparison to others over the years and it will get better. We just need to give Morris time. He is affable, able and persuasive and sets his sights high. We are now able to compete with supposedly bigger names for top, out of contract players. That has NEVER been the case and for that alone I am convinced that good times - maybe even the best ever times - will be here before too long.
Well, for those who thought we would sweep the board this year they probably are, but surely there were few who thought we would become world-beaters overnight? Yes, Dean Jones and Les Stillman turned things around dramatically in one winter, but they had a lot better material to work with than John Morris has at his disposal. Jones had Barnett, Cork, Malcolm, De Freitas, Colin Wells, Chris Adams - good players, very very good players all.
Morris has Chris Rogers, Charl Langeveldt and (now) Wavell Hinds. Don't get me wrong, Wagg, Lungley, Clare and others are decent players, but not in that league. Rikki Clarke is a player of great talent but has been hampered by injury and like many all-rounders has struggled when one of his talents has been taken away. Flintoff the all-rounder is a fine player. As a batsman? Hmmm. Likewise Botham, Hadlee, Kapil Dev. I'm not saying Clarke is in that class, but he should be judged on an all round contribution.
I am confident that the knives will at some point be out for Wavell Hinds. Make no mistake, he is a fine player, but he is no Lara, or Chanderpaul. He will average 35-40, not 50, and will make a contribution to some wins, but let's not expect him to transform the side.
Some posters have said we are not as strong as last season, which is nonsense. The side is far more competitive than last year and while individual performances could be better, we have turned a corner. We have swapped an overseas player who averaged 38 only because of one good match against Gloucestershire, for a thoroughly professional, decent and committed man in Chris Rogers. Indeed Travis Birt allegedly caused more grief to bouncers at a Derby nightspot than he did to opposition bowlers and often looked like he didn't want to know. We lost Katich, but in going down to one overseas player it was always likely and he came as a platform to the Australian side, nothing more. It would be churlish to say he was anything but a fine player, but his performances waned as the season progressed.
There will be much more change at Derby. Morris will be speaking to eight players, some of whom may sign, most of whom will be batsmen. I am quite happy with our bowling, especially the seamers who are the equal of any in the country. Nayan Doshi started steadily but has lost his place, although I expect to see him back in the side soon, especially for the 20/20 at which he excels. Who else could we have signed? The only other spinner on the market was Ray Price of Worcestershire, who hardly set the world on fire there.
Likewise John Sadler is no world-beater, but battles more than we ever saw Hassan Adnan do in his last year. He was arguably the worst runner between wickets I've seen in Derbyshire colours, absolutely shocking. Sadler will score runs, I have no doubt, but if we could secure the signature of David Sales or Alex Gidman in the winter - well, we wouldn't say no would we?
Of the players who left in the winter, I feel we will only miss one - Gary Ballance. I think he will be a fine player, but how could we compete with a county who will put him through University? Chris Taylor played some good innings when he first came, but left under a cloud. He has not yet made the Yorkshire team and may not do so. It may be that he is destined to follow the likes of Messrs Rollins, Weston (Rob) and Cassar in leaving for the green grass over the fence and finding that they weren't really up to it.
My message to Derbyshire fans is simple. Keep the peace, be realistic and understand that we have people in charge who are desperate to do well as they are Derby through and through. I'm a huge fan/devotee of the club and its history and there have been few times in the 130 + years when we have been a batting side. This side is Bradmanesque in comparison to others over the years and it will get better. We just need to give Morris time. He is affable, able and persuasive and sets his sights high. We are now able to compete with supposedly bigger names for top, out of contract players. That has NEVER been the case and for that alone I am convinced that good times - maybe even the best ever times - will be here before too long.
Monday, 2 June 2008
Middlesex v Derbyshire day 4
So the unbeaten run ends, which it had to do at some point.
There is no disgrace in this one and we were at least competitive to the end. I'm not sure if the wicket eased a little as the match progressed, if we bowled badly or if they batted well. What they have, of course, is something that Morris aspires to, in quality throughout the batting lineup.
We have Chris Rogers who is a very fine player and the skipper in full flow is a good player to watch. The rest of our batting, at least until the arrival of Wavell Hinds, is at best functional. Stubbings, Sadler, Klokker are journeymen professionals, rather than "stars". That is not meant as a criticism, merely an observation. Compared to Smith, Joyce and Shah - all international players - they don't come out too well. This is of course why John Morris is approaching other players on the 28 day notice. Hypothetically, if we signed Stephen Moore and David Sales/Alex Gidman, our batting takes on a completely different look.
Of course, salvation may lie within. Dan Redfern is as good a prospect as any in the country and should get his chance before the summer is out. Greg Smith is another who can only get better and we must not overlook the talents of Dominic Telo, who will undoubtedly come again once he is acclimatised.
We effectively lost this game in not posting a first innings total again. The bowlers pulled us back into it, but the batting failed again in the second innings. This time the tail "wagged" effectively, but another 100 runs would have made all the difference.
Until we are less reliant on Chris Rogers we will not win many Championship game. The Australian is an admirable professional but needs support. No one can fault Steve Stubbings as in most matches we have had a start. Thus far he and Rogers have posted 3, 31, 25, 78, 47, 41, 47, 33, 87 and 23. However, in each of these innings, our third wicket has been down by 62, 196 (an exception), 116, 108, 61, 58, 66, 78, 135 and 78.
Room for improvement? Yes. Confident that it will come around? Still yes - and hopefully soon.
There is no disgrace in this one and we were at least competitive to the end. I'm not sure if the wicket eased a little as the match progressed, if we bowled badly or if they batted well. What they have, of course, is something that Morris aspires to, in quality throughout the batting lineup.
We have Chris Rogers who is a very fine player and the skipper in full flow is a good player to watch. The rest of our batting, at least until the arrival of Wavell Hinds, is at best functional. Stubbings, Sadler, Klokker are journeymen professionals, rather than "stars". That is not meant as a criticism, merely an observation. Compared to Smith, Joyce and Shah - all international players - they don't come out too well. This is of course why John Morris is approaching other players on the 28 day notice. Hypothetically, if we signed Stephen Moore and David Sales/Alex Gidman, our batting takes on a completely different look.
Of course, salvation may lie within. Dan Redfern is as good a prospect as any in the country and should get his chance before the summer is out. Greg Smith is another who can only get better and we must not overlook the talents of Dominic Telo, who will undoubtedly come again once he is acclimatised.
We effectively lost this game in not posting a first innings total again. The bowlers pulled us back into it, but the batting failed again in the second innings. This time the tail "wagged" effectively, but another 100 runs would have made all the difference.
Until we are less reliant on Chris Rogers we will not win many Championship game. The Australian is an admirable professional but needs support. No one can fault Steve Stubbings as in most matches we have had a start. Thus far he and Rogers have posted 3, 31, 25, 78, 47, 41, 47, 33, 87 and 23. However, in each of these innings, our third wicket has been down by 62, 196 (an exception), 116, 108, 61, 58, 66, 78, 135 and 78.
Room for improvement? Yes. Confident that it will come around? Still yes - and hopefully soon.
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Middlesex v Derbyshire day 3
Well, no play after tea so it's as you were with the earlier report.
Looking at reports (even those from the Middlesex end) it would appear that most see us as favourites in this game. Judging by the number of Derbyshire players who needed attention during the innings, there is plenty of help for our bowlers and worries ahead for their batsmen.
I have to say that I had no idea that Langeveldt was as useful with the bat as he has shown in his short time here. His cameos are very much in the vein of tail enders years ago - have a go at pretty much everything. We cannot expect it to happen all the time, but there is no doubt that fans will not want for entertainment when he bats!
Full credit to all the side for a battling display here. Sides of fairly recent vintage would have capitulated on a track like this. That we batted out the day was to the credit of all concerned and it has set up a fantastic final day, as long as the weather stays out of it.
Middlesex v Derbyshire day 3 - TEA
This is a game that has been a great advert for County cricket, played on what appears to be a very sporting wicket, with something for batsmen and bowlers alike.
Yesterday I wrote that I thought we could win with a lead of 250. Well, at tea we lead by 242 with one wicket in hand. The innings has been the result of an excellent team effort that shows a willingness to fight and for each man to do his bit for the cause. It would appear to be a track on which you are never truly "in", as evidenced by the number of dismissals on either side for 30+
Rikki Clarke led the way with 37, but when Fred Klokker was out cheaply and we slipped to 91-5 I felt that we were going to subside and lose the match.
Not so. John Sadler batted with admirable restraint and concentration for a crucial 37 in three hours of batting, while Graham Wagg batted for almost two hours for 41. The crucial partnership may yet turn out to be that between the highly talented Jon Clare (unbeaten at tea on 46) and Charl Langeveldt, who carved the bowling to all parts in he course of a typically cavalier 30 from just 17 balls. There is a big psychological difference between chasing 200 and 250 and the pair might have made all the difference to the result of this match.
After tea? Taking the lead over 250 would be great and it would be great to see young Clare make another 50 in what is turning out to be an excellent season for the young all rounder. Then its all up to the bowlers and if Charl and Dean (cue cinema tune!) have their radars right we could make early inroads into a talented if brittle Middlesex batting line-up. Much will depend on skipper Ed Smith and on Owais Shah, but this should be an excellent finish to a very good game of cricket. Hopefully the result goes the right way
Yesterday I wrote that I thought we could win with a lead of 250. Well, at tea we lead by 242 with one wicket in hand. The innings has been the result of an excellent team effort that shows a willingness to fight and for each man to do his bit for the cause. It would appear to be a track on which you are never truly "in", as evidenced by the number of dismissals on either side for 30+
Rikki Clarke led the way with 37, but when Fred Klokker was out cheaply and we slipped to 91-5 I felt that we were going to subside and lose the match.
Not so. John Sadler batted with admirable restraint and concentration for a crucial 37 in three hours of batting, while Graham Wagg batted for almost two hours for 41. The crucial partnership may yet turn out to be that between the highly talented Jon Clare (unbeaten at tea on 46) and Charl Langeveldt, who carved the bowling to all parts in he course of a typically cavalier 30 from just 17 balls. There is a big psychological difference between chasing 200 and 250 and the pair might have made all the difference to the result of this match.
After tea? Taking the lead over 250 would be great and it would be great to see young Clare make another 50 in what is turning out to be an excellent season for the young all rounder. Then its all up to the bowlers and if Charl and Dean (cue cinema tune!) have their radars right we could make early inroads into a talented if brittle Middlesex batting line-up. Much will depend on skipper Ed Smith and on Owais Shah, but this should be an excellent finish to a very good game of cricket. Hopefully the result goes the right way
Gillette Cup Final 1969
Once we'd recovered from the adrenalin rush that was the victory over Sussex, our attention turned to our opposition in the final.
It turned out to be Yorkshire, who clinically disposed of Nottinghamshire in the semi-final at Scarborough thanks to solid innings from Phil Sharpe and Doug Padgett taking them to 191. Garfield Sobers returned the astonishing figures of 12-8-12-1 but was not at his best with the bat, something Nottinghamshire needed if they were to post a challenging total. Although future Derbyshire skipper Brian Bolus and Cornishman Mike Harris gave them a solid start, they were always behind the rate and Sobers came in at 52-3 with a lot to do.
Although he pushed up the rate a little, Chris Old had him caught behind by Jimmy Binks and from then on the innings declined from 89-3 to 123 all out.
So Yorkshire it was, and sadly we couldn't go down for the final as Dad just couldn't get away from work. I was settled in my favourite seat in the house to watch the final, which was live on BBC (those were the days!) Admittedly, there was frustration later in the day as Grandstand took over coverage and the cricket switched with numerous other sports, with increasing attention being given to the football (the final took place on September 6th).
Yorkshire were put in to bat by Derek Morgan who won the toss and we sat back to watch the wickets tumble. After all, Geoff Boycott had been ruled out of the Yorkshire side and we weren't too worried by Barry Leadbetter and John Woodford. They put on 37 before Peter Eyre removed the latter, which brought in Brian Close. He and his younger partner built the score and the scoring rate until Close was very well caught by Mike Page as he was really opening up. Unfortunately, Page injured his shoulder in taking the catch and was pretty much a passenger for the rest of the game. Although Phil Sharpe, another future Derbyshire player went quickly, Padgett and Leadbetter raised the 150 and we saw the game slipping away. Although not a high score, 150 seemed a mountain for our batting and when the Yorkshire innings closed on 219-8, thanks to some late order hitting from Richard Hutton, we knew we were up against it. The bowlers stuck well to their task, although Peter Eyre followed his semi-final heroics with 1-53 as the most expensive bowler.
Maybe if Gibbs and Smith gave us a start we could still do it? They did, but against Chris Old and especially the underrated Tony Nicholson it was slow work. With the score on 37, the latter removed Peter Gibbs en route to figures of 1-14 in 12 overs. With Mike Page injured, Derek Morgan came in at 3 but, fine cricketer that he was, fast scoring was not his game and he was soon run out. According to Dad, the alarm bells were ringing when Alan Ward came in at four in an attempt to raise the scoring rate. David Smith went at 54, but Ward and Ian Buxton mounted a partnership and struck a few lusty blows. The scoring rate was still below par, however, and Ward went at 77. When John Harvey, another capable of some powerful shots, went at 83, we were resigned to defeat.
Page came in at number seven and did his best but was clearly incapacitated. Once Ian Buxton holed out to Brian Close off the bowling of Don Wilson we knew that the end was in sight, and the innings ended with five overs to spare, Close and Wilson taking three wickets each.
A 69-run defeat was not part of the script we had in our heads (it saw us bowling them out for 85 then knocking off the runs in the evening sunlight) but we had at least been there. What we didn't know was that it would be a number of years before we were next to compete in a big final at Lords.
And next time we would be there...
It turned out to be Yorkshire, who clinically disposed of Nottinghamshire in the semi-final at Scarborough thanks to solid innings from Phil Sharpe and Doug Padgett taking them to 191. Garfield Sobers returned the astonishing figures of 12-8-12-1 but was not at his best with the bat, something Nottinghamshire needed if they were to post a challenging total. Although future Derbyshire skipper Brian Bolus and Cornishman Mike Harris gave them a solid start, they were always behind the rate and Sobers came in at 52-3 with a lot to do.
Although he pushed up the rate a little, Chris Old had him caught behind by Jimmy Binks and from then on the innings declined from 89-3 to 123 all out.
So Yorkshire it was, and sadly we couldn't go down for the final as Dad just couldn't get away from work. I was settled in my favourite seat in the house to watch the final, which was live on BBC (those were the days!) Admittedly, there was frustration later in the day as Grandstand took over coverage and the cricket switched with numerous other sports, with increasing attention being given to the football (the final took place on September 6th).
Yorkshire were put in to bat by Derek Morgan who won the toss and we sat back to watch the wickets tumble. After all, Geoff Boycott had been ruled out of the Yorkshire side and we weren't too worried by Barry Leadbetter and John Woodford. They put on 37 before Peter Eyre removed the latter, which brought in Brian Close. He and his younger partner built the score and the scoring rate until Close was very well caught by Mike Page as he was really opening up. Unfortunately, Page injured his shoulder in taking the catch and was pretty much a passenger for the rest of the game. Although Phil Sharpe, another future Derbyshire player went quickly, Padgett and Leadbetter raised the 150 and we saw the game slipping away. Although not a high score, 150 seemed a mountain for our batting and when the Yorkshire innings closed on 219-8, thanks to some late order hitting from Richard Hutton, we knew we were up against it. The bowlers stuck well to their task, although Peter Eyre followed his semi-final heroics with 1-53 as the most expensive bowler.
Maybe if Gibbs and Smith gave us a start we could still do it? They did, but against Chris Old and especially the underrated Tony Nicholson it was slow work. With the score on 37, the latter removed Peter Gibbs en route to figures of 1-14 in 12 overs. With Mike Page injured, Derek Morgan came in at 3 but, fine cricketer that he was, fast scoring was not his game and he was soon run out. According to Dad, the alarm bells were ringing when Alan Ward came in at four in an attempt to raise the scoring rate. David Smith went at 54, but Ward and Ian Buxton mounted a partnership and struck a few lusty blows. The scoring rate was still below par, however, and Ward went at 77. When John Harvey, another capable of some powerful shots, went at 83, we were resigned to defeat.
Page came in at number seven and did his best but was clearly incapacitated. Once Ian Buxton holed out to Brian Close off the bowling of Don Wilson we knew that the end was in sight, and the innings ended with five overs to spare, Close and Wilson taking three wickets each.
A 69-run defeat was not part of the script we had in our heads (it saw us bowling them out for 85 then knocking off the runs in the evening sunlight) but we had at least been there. What we didn't know was that it would be a number of years before we were next to compete in a big final at Lords.
And next time we would be there...
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Middlesex v Derbyshire day 2
Well, this one is wide open.
If ever the stage was set for a captain's innings, this is it. At 49-2, 31 runs ahead, this game is in the balance. Given the delicate state of our batting, you might say that the home side were slightly on top, especially as they have removed our two steadiest batsmen in Chris Rogers and Steve Stubbings.
I have been impressed by the way that Dan Birch has knuckled down over the last two games and I'm probably not alone in thinking he didn't have it in him. Admittedly, I'll be even more impressed if he's still batting mid-afternoon tomorrow, and a captain's innings from Rikki Clarke would go down a treat.
Considering that the press were calling this a belter of a batting wicket, the first innings scores have been only average, but credit should go to both sets of bowlers. It was good to see Kevin Dean back in the side and bowling what appears to have been an exemplary spell of 17 overs to take 4-28. We've got real competition in the seam bowling ranks and while Jon Clare was a little more expensive than usual, he got two wickets, as did Charl Langeveldt and Graham Wagg.
Speaking of Waggy, those of you who read today's earlier post will know about my "dispute" with a certain Worcestershire fan and the BBC 606 administrator over a comment made about his past. I'm pleased to say that I've now had an e mail from them to say that they agree the comment was potentially libellous and has been withdrawn. I'm quite happy with that, and fully agree with the Silver Fox who commented earlier. Free speech should be a right, but not when it
descends into insult and blatant inaccuracy.
Back to the game and what do we need to win? 400 would be great, but unlikely, but 250 might take some getting for them. I've not seen the wicket but it appears to offer help to the seamers and I think our attack could win it if we give them something to bowl at.
So come on boys - let's fill those batting boots and go for a win at the greatest of grounds.
Well, outside Derby and Chesterfield of course!
The problem with BBC 606...
Is that they have a strange perception of what is acceptable.
Like a good few others this week I took exception to some character on the Worcestershire board referring to Derbyshire as being "second rate".
After a fair few fans followed my reply (and thanks for the support guys), another user pitched in and referred to Graham Wagg as a "drug cheat" last night.
Now we all know the circumstances of Waggy's ban from cricket, how he got in with the wrong crowd in Birmingham and then decided to have a complete break and move to Derbyshire. We also know that he was caught having used - one time only - a recreational drug that was still in his bloodstream from the previous evening. Note that, a recreational drug, not a performance-enhancing one.
So for him to be labelled a drug "cheat" is unfair and inaccurate. I suggested to the chap concerned, via the forum, that he should withdraw the comment or I would lodge a complaint.
This morning I got up, checked the board and his comment is still there. Mine, citing my concern over the comment, has been withdrawn and I subsequently got an e mail from the administrator.
Why should this comment stay active? Waggy made a mistake and paid for it. We don't refer to people as "former school bully" or "erstwhile bed-wetter". Fair enough, "ex-serial killer" is probably justified, but I don't think that it is acceptable for a comment like this to be on a national website about a bloke who made a solitary mistake on a night out.
If you agree with me, why not pay a visit and lodge your own comment? I now know why Derbyshire La La La started his own (excellent) fans board. Comments, good natured banter and the like are part and parcel of being a fan (and a penalty of being a player I suppose). This sort of comment is, however, a step too far and the BBC should get their act in order.
Like a good few others this week I took exception to some character on the Worcestershire board referring to Derbyshire as being "second rate".
After a fair few fans followed my reply (and thanks for the support guys), another user pitched in and referred to Graham Wagg as a "drug cheat" last night.
Now we all know the circumstances of Waggy's ban from cricket, how he got in with the wrong crowd in Birmingham and then decided to have a complete break and move to Derbyshire. We also know that he was caught having used - one time only - a recreational drug that was still in his bloodstream from the previous evening. Note that, a recreational drug, not a performance-enhancing one.
So for him to be labelled a drug "cheat" is unfair and inaccurate. I suggested to the chap concerned, via the forum, that he should withdraw the comment or I would lodge a complaint.
This morning I got up, checked the board and his comment is still there. Mine, citing my concern over the comment, has been withdrawn and I subsequently got an e mail from the administrator.
Why should this comment stay active? Waggy made a mistake and paid for it. We don't refer to people as "former school bully" or "erstwhile bed-wetter". Fair enough, "ex-serial killer" is probably justified, but I don't think that it is acceptable for a comment like this to be on a national website about a bloke who made a solitary mistake on a night out.
If you agree with me, why not pay a visit and lodge your own comment? I now know why Derbyshire La La La started his own (excellent) fans board. Comments, good natured banter and the like are part and parcel of being a fan (and a penalty of being a player I suppose). This sort of comment is, however, a step too far and the BBC should get their act in order.
Friday, 30 May 2008
Middlesex v Derbyshire day one
Round of applause please for this, the hundredth post on the Derbyshire blog..
Sadly, our batting was once again underwhelming in the first innings of a game as we wasted another good start. At 87-0, John Morris must have been thinking we were on course for maximum batting points for the first time this season, but a combination of a lively track, accurate bowling and loose strokes meant we were all out for 244.
Part of Morris' frustration must be that people get starts, sometimes good starts, then fail to go on to the big score. I remember once Geoff Boycott saying that being out for less than 20, and certainly for single figures, was more understandable and acceptable than giving it away on 40 onwards. Chris Rogers is a very fine player, but has had a number of 50-80 dismissals this year. That may sound a churlish comment, but we need a man of his calibre to go on to the REALLY big score. There is little doubt that our greatest need of strengthening is in our batting. Perhaps Wavell Hinds may make a difference, but you don't yet look at our batting line up and sit back in anticipation of carnage to come.
I've only felt that way once as a Derbyshire fan. That was back in the 1980's when a sample batting line-up read John Wright, Barry Wood, Peter Kirsten, John Hampshire, David Steele, Kim Barnett. Latterly, the Barnett, Bowler, Morris, Adams line-up was superb on its day, but there were plenty of occasions when it fired on only three cylinders.
Having said that, there seems to be enough in the wicket for our seamers to look forward to tomorrow. A little cloud cover tomorrow and Messrs Langeveldt and Dean will enjoy their game at the home of cricket. With Wagg and Clare in reserve, we're well placed unless the track rolls out easily tomorrow and Owais Shah hits top form.
Credit to Dan Birch, who I had effectively discounted as a first class player pre-season. He has battled well today, having done so against Glamorgan. Whoever gives way to accommodate Wavell Hinds next week is not clear, but Birch is making a strong argument to maintain his place in the side, while John Sadler is probably feeling a little pressure at this point. With Paul Borrington and Dan Redfern available soon, and Greg Smith getting closer to fitness, no one is guaranteed a place.
Sadly, our batting was once again underwhelming in the first innings of a game as we wasted another good start. At 87-0, John Morris must have been thinking we were on course for maximum batting points for the first time this season, but a combination of a lively track, accurate bowling and loose strokes meant we were all out for 244.
Part of Morris' frustration must be that people get starts, sometimes good starts, then fail to go on to the big score. I remember once Geoff Boycott saying that being out for less than 20, and certainly for single figures, was more understandable and acceptable than giving it away on 40 onwards. Chris Rogers is a very fine player, but has had a number of 50-80 dismissals this year. That may sound a churlish comment, but we need a man of his calibre to go on to the REALLY big score. There is little doubt that our greatest need of strengthening is in our batting. Perhaps Wavell Hinds may make a difference, but you don't yet look at our batting line up and sit back in anticipation of carnage to come.
I've only felt that way once as a Derbyshire fan. That was back in the 1980's when a sample batting line-up read John Wright, Barry Wood, Peter Kirsten, John Hampshire, David Steele, Kim Barnett. Latterly, the Barnett, Bowler, Morris, Adams line-up was superb on its day, but there were plenty of occasions when it fired on only three cylinders.
Having said that, there seems to be enough in the wicket for our seamers to look forward to tomorrow. A little cloud cover tomorrow and Messrs Langeveldt and Dean will enjoy their game at the home of cricket. With Wagg and Clare in reserve, we're well placed unless the track rolls out easily tomorrow and Owais Shah hits top form.
Credit to Dan Birch, who I had effectively discounted as a first class player pre-season. He has battled well today, having done so against Glamorgan. Whoever gives way to accommodate Wavell Hinds next week is not clear, but Birch is making a strong argument to maintain his place in the side, while John Sadler is probably feeling a little pressure at this point. With Paul Borrington and Dan Redfern available soon, and Greg Smith getting closer to fitness, no one is guaranteed a place.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Cork vote
Wow, this one's created some interest.
In the early lead, 75% don't fancy it at all. Sorry, despite requests to the contrary, I can't divulge who voted in what way, mainly because I don't know!
I'm looking forward to seeing how this one develops in the next six days. I'll tell you what I think next week - I don't want to prejudice the vote...
Look out for next week's poll - here's advance warning for you. Who has been Derbyshire's best overseas player? I'd just like to clarify that Michael Slater, Shahid Afridi and Chris Harris will not be among the voting options...
In the early lead, 75% don't fancy it at all. Sorry, despite requests to the contrary, I can't divulge who voted in what way, mainly because I don't know!
I'm looking forward to seeing how this one develops in the next six days. I'll tell you what I think next week - I don't want to prejudice the vote...
Look out for next week's poll - here's advance warning for you. Who has been Derbyshire's best overseas player? I'd just like to clarify that Michael Slater, Shahid Afridi and Chris Harris will not be among the voting options...
The Moore the merrier?
The Birmingham Post report that Derbyshire have issued a 28-day approach for the Worcestershire opening batsman Stephen Moore (pictured).
Tom Sears says that he is one of "half a dozen" players that they have identified who will help the club to move forward. He is a player that I have always rated and part of the attraction of the move would be that he rarely gets to play one-day cricket with his current county. That Tom Sears knows him from his days at Worcester is also in our favour.
The South African born right-handed opener is 27 and currently has a first class career average in excess of 40. After three centuries in five matches this season he is averaging over 70, impressive by any standards. Just in case his birthplace gives the wrong idea, he's English qualified and not a Kolpak.
You can read the full article at http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/cricket-news/2008/05/29/derbyshire-move-for-worcestershire-s-stephen-moore-65233-20988801/
This proves once and for all to other counties that we are no longer a "little" club. If Moore is on the county radar, who else might be in the frame? Others may well be Owais Shah, Alex Gidman and David Sales, all of whom are out of contract at the end of the season. I am quite happy with our seam bowling, although two other supposed Warwickshire targets, Graham Onions and Steve Kirby would be worth keeping an eye on. The batting is still a cause for concern, however and a top five (hypothetical, I know) of Rogers, Moore, Sadler, Shah/Gidman/Sales and Clarke would be mouth-watering.
Cynics might say that these players wouldn't come to Derbyshire. Why not? Rikki Clarke did, and while Shah would probably stay down south, Gidman and Sales might welcome a new challenge without the need for drastic relocation.
Either way, it's much better than waiting for the end of season and picking up players from those released by other counties. Kevin Dean has been a great servant, but Graham Onions would be a fair replacement. Likewise, Steve Stubbings is a great professional, but Stephen Moore would take our batting up to another level.
Interesting stuff...
Latest poll
Most people feel that the days of the Pro-40 tournament are numbered. Who knows, we may find ourselves playing eight 5-over power play matches in an afternoon if the powers that be have their way....
I have to say that the 40 over John Player League as it was for years was perhaps my favourite one day competition. You didn't have to write off the whole day for it, started at 2pm and were done by 7-ish. The times left matches less dependent on the winning of the toss and bowling with the aid of early morning moisture. I am fairly convinced myself that it will go, and that we will have some other 20-over slogout competition take its place.
This week's poll is a controversial one! I read fairly recently that Dominic Cork would "love" to finish his career back at Derbyshire. With his stepson well rated and potentially in the Academy next year, he's got more than one reason to come back. At 37 he may have a couple of years in him (notwithstanding this year's injury problems) and could contribute with bat and ball.
But would you want him? Do you think he could do a job, or would all the old issues rise to the surface again? I look forward to seeing what you all think...
I have to say that the 40 over John Player League as it was for years was perhaps my favourite one day competition. You didn't have to write off the whole day for it, started at 2pm and were done by 7-ish. The times left matches less dependent on the winning of the toss and bowling with the aid of early morning moisture. I am fairly convinced myself that it will go, and that we will have some other 20-over slogout competition take its place.
This week's poll is a controversial one! I read fairly recently that Dominic Cork would "love" to finish his career back at Derbyshire. With his stepson well rated and potentially in the Academy next year, he's got more than one reason to come back. At 37 he may have a couple of years in him (notwithstanding this year's injury problems) and could contribute with bat and ball.
But would you want him? Do you think he could do a job, or would all the old issues rise to the surface again? I look forward to seeing what you all think...
Middlesex v Derbyshire preview
After the rain-induced disappointments of the FP Trophy, Derbyshire return to Championship action tomorrow against Middlesex at Lords.
The county still ave injury problems and James Pipe is still troubled by his finger injury. Coach John Morris is less concerned than might have been the case as he is happy with the way that Fred Klokker has deputised behind the stumps. The focus must be to get Pipe fit for the rigours of 20/20.
With Greg Smith still out and Tom Lungley rested as he is still having blister trouble on his feet, there is a welcome return for Kevin Dean. The balance of the side is the main problem, as Rikki Clarke's thumb fracture still prevents him from bowling. It may be that Ian Hunter is also in the frame for a game, but I would expect Derbyshire to take the field with more of less this side:
Stubbings
Rogers
Sadler
Telo
Clarke
Klokker
Wagg
Clare
Langeveldt
Needham
Dean
Middlesex have some good players, with the mercurial Owais Shah the lynchpin of the batting, but they can usually expect runs from Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan, Ed Smith and the talented young Billy Godleman.
The bowling is dependent on Tim Murtagh making an early breakthrough, though overseas duo Vernon Philander and Dirk Nannes will aim to impress. Shaun Udal has been playing well but may be doubtful after an injury in yesterday's FP Trophy.
It is a game that Derbyshire are very capable of winning, but much depends on the ability to raise a first innings score. The side could make a promotion push, but needs the valuable first innings points for batting to augment anything that our powerful seam attack acquires.
The county still ave injury problems and James Pipe is still troubled by his finger injury. Coach John Morris is less concerned than might have been the case as he is happy with the way that Fred Klokker has deputised behind the stumps. The focus must be to get Pipe fit for the rigours of 20/20.
With Greg Smith still out and Tom Lungley rested as he is still having blister trouble on his feet, there is a welcome return for Kevin Dean. The balance of the side is the main problem, as Rikki Clarke's thumb fracture still prevents him from bowling. It may be that Ian Hunter is also in the frame for a game, but I would expect Derbyshire to take the field with more of less this side:
Stubbings
Rogers
Sadler
Telo
Clarke
Klokker
Wagg
Clare
Langeveldt
Needham
Dean
Middlesex have some good players, with the mercurial Owais Shah the lynchpin of the batting, but they can usually expect runs from Ed Joyce, Eoin Morgan, Ed Smith and the talented young Billy Godleman.
The bowling is dependent on Tim Murtagh making an early breakthrough, though overseas duo Vernon Philander and Dirk Nannes will aim to impress. Shaun Udal has been playing well but may be doubtful after an injury in yesterday's FP Trophy.
It is a game that Derbyshire are very capable of winning, but much depends on the ability to raise a first innings score. The side could make a promotion push, but needs the valuable first innings points for batting to augment anything that our powerful seam attack acquires.
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Derbyshire v Sussex 1969
The Gillette Cup Semi Final. Now THAT was one day cricket.
It was my first "big" cricket match. I'd seen Derbyshire on several occasions, but it was usually a first or third day of a game at Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Derby or Buxton where either a result wasn't going to take place or (in most cases) quickly became a foregone conclusion (usually when we batted).
When we reached the semi final after our first decent one-day cup run, Dad was keen that we got there and managed to get hold of tickets. I remember not sleeping much the previous night with excitement, but also worry because there was a lot of rain and the game could have been off. Dad's shift at the pit allowed us to get along OK and I was around the middle of the summer holidays.
On the day we got into Dad's old Ford Anglia and left our house to get to Chesterfield. We left early, but the crowd was huge even at 10 o'clock. I'd never seen so many people at a cricket match and we only got near the boundary edge because an elderly couple squeezed up to let us in (there's merit to being a very small kid, which I was at that time!).
Everyone wondered whether the game would start on time after all the rain, but thanks to the efforts of the groundstaff it did. We sat pretty much across from the scoreboard and when the news came that Derbyshire were to bat, those around us felt we were going to struggle. Rightly so when you looked at the Sussex attack. England bowler John Snow was the spearhead, with future England skipper and talented young all-rounder Tony Greig in support, together with the Buss brothers, Mike and Tony, source of a thousand jokes. "Get on your bike, Buss", "They always come along in twos" - oh how we laughed...
There was great applause as the Derbyshire openers made their way down the steps of the old pavilion. Apparently there were 10,582 at Chesterfield that day, but there as as much noise as the usually bigger Baseball Ground crowd produced. The ground was still wet, after all that rain, but Derbyshire began steadily. Peter Gibbs always looked like he had more time than most and was a classy-looking player, while David Smith was solid, more functional, a Yorshireman who usually had to be dug out. It was warm and sunny but someone reckoned that the water had got under the covers and that the wicket might play up a little.
34 runs were on the board before Smith was caught and bowled by first-change bowler Mike Buss. "If 'e'd have dropped it we could've called him Blunderbuss" said Dad. Mike Page came in, arguably our best, fastest scoring batsman. Some reckoned that he may have been in the England frame with a more fashionable county, but today was not his day. He and Gibbs made a mess of a run and Page ended up on his hands and knees, slipping on the damp turf and out by a distance. Ian Buxton stayed for a while but never looked comfortable and when Gibbs was caught in the deep at 68 and Buxton soon followed, we were in trouble.
John Harvey and Derek Morgan added 25 in 45 minutes but it was "nudge and fudge" cricket, this was not a day for expansive shots. When Harvey was ou, the rest came and went with monotonous regularity. Only Derek Morgan stayed for long and when he lost his last partner, Harold Rhodes, he had made a very slow unbeaten 26. He had also endured a lot of barracking from some who had taken time off work to see what they felt was yet another poor batting display. 136 all out in a 60 over match. No chance from here. Or was there?
After the sandwiches had all been eaten and the queue at the toilets safely navigated, Sussex came out to start their reply. Alan Ward (pictured) downhill from the pavilion end, the fastest bowler in the country. He bowled a no ball but with his fourth ball he took Les Lenham's leg stump (he apparently played on, not that we could tell). There were no more runs until the sixth over when the battling Kenny Suttle edged Harold Rhodes for four. It was extraordinary with 10,000 people being completely quiet as the bowlers ran in. Ward came in again and bowled the runless Graham Cooper, 5-2!
After fourteen overs, Derek Morgan made a double bowling change with the score a mere 10-2. Rhodes had only conceded the edged four in 42 balls of sustained accuracy. Fred Rumsey and Peter Eyre came on and the rotund Rumsey bowled Suttle almost immediately. 12-3. Jim Parks was having his own troubles and was joined by the aggressive Tony Greig, but after taking the score to 27 Eyre had the South African caught by David Smith and then Rumsey bowled the dangerous captain, Mike Griffith for a duck. At 28-5 we couldn't believe it, but when Derek Morgan took a sharp catch above his head to remove Parks it started to look like our day. Their top six were all back in the pavilion for just 29 runs. Peter Eyre swept through the tail with the assistance of two catches from Bob Taylor and the final wicket went down with just 49 runs on the board. It is worth noting the bowling figures that day:
Alan Ward - 8-5-11-2
Harold Rhodes 7-6-4-0
Fred Rumsey 9-3-13-2
Peter Eyre 10.2-4-18-6
Ian Buxton 1-0-1-0
Even at a time when there were far fewer cars on the road, getting away from Queens Park that evening was a nightmare, but it was worth every minute. For an eleven year old lad, it sealed his interest in the game and eternal optimism that there's no such thing as a lost cause...
Scotland v Derbyshire
Well, my report for today's game can be short and sweet.
Got up this morning, looked out of the window, saw it was overcast. Went through to the bathroom, glanced out of the window and it was raining.
Six hours later, still raining, goodnight Vienna.
As it happens, Lancashire have batted so appallingly against their greatest rivals Yorkshire that it would have been academic anyway. We have been very unlucky in these group stages, having the Yorkies on the rack the other day and having the other game against the Red Rose county rained off too. The "day off" against Durham cost us dearly, but we can hold our heads high after a solid, mainly professional campaign.
So attention turns to he Championship against Middlesex at Lords, then to the debut of a certain Mr Hinds at Chesterfield against Worcestershire before the onset of the 20/20. I'd like to think that we'll have pretty much a full squad to choose from in the latter - if so, we'll be able to give most teams a good game.
Got up this morning, looked out of the window, saw it was overcast. Went through to the bathroom, glanced out of the window and it was raining.
Six hours later, still raining, goodnight Vienna.
As it happens, Lancashire have batted so appallingly against their greatest rivals Yorkshire that it would have been academic anyway. We have been very unlucky in these group stages, having the Yorkies on the rack the other day and having the other game against the Red Rose county rained off too. The "day off" against Durham cost us dearly, but we can hold our heads high after a solid, mainly professional campaign.
So attention turns to he Championship against Middlesex at Lords, then to the debut of a certain Mr Hinds at Chesterfield against Worcestershire before the onset of the 20/20. I'd like to think that we'll have pretty much a full squad to choose from in the latter - if so, we'll be able to give most teams a good game.
Today
Its raining...
It has been since around 8am here and has been fairly steady. On the upside, there's only been a day of rain here in around 3-4 weeks which is a litle ironic. The ground should therefore dry quickly when (if?) the rain stops, but the way things look outside I don't see a prompt start today.
I'll be there and will report back later on. Hopefully with news of a stirring Derbyshire win, even if only in a 10-over thrash.
Now, where's that kagoul and those wellingtons...
It has been since around 8am here and has been fairly steady. On the upside, there's only been a day of rain here in around 3-4 weeks which is a litle ironic. The ground should therefore dry quickly when (if?) the rain stops, but the way things look outside I don't see a prompt start today.
I'll be there and will report back later on. Hopefully with news of a stirring Derbyshire win, even if only in a 10-over thrash.
Now, where's that kagoul and those wellingtons...
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Regionalisation a problem
A big problem for the one day game in the country is the fact that the regionalisation of groups means your county plays the same teams all the time.
We're coming to the end of the FP Trophy group, where we've played Durham, Yorkshire and Lancashire home and away, and we're now looking at the 20/20 where we do the same thing all over again. It might be me, but this is pretty boring. While we get the novelty of playing Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, by the end of June we will have played the three northern sides four times each.
To some extent that is why I see the proposal for a 21 team 20/20 league as quite exciting. While I am not a huge fan of the format, as regular readers will know, at least we would then be playing different sides. Whether we like it or not, the Roses counties and Durham are strong sides and we will always face a difficult task in progressing from a group with them in it. Add Notts and Leicester, both with good 20/20 records and there's a similar uphill task to progress.
The problem is that to travel to, say, Sussex for a 20 over match is far from ideal. Countless similar journies would be required and it is a judgement call on whether it would be worthwhile. Another suggestion is that we introduce two innings 20/20. That would make more sense if teams are travelling a distance, but it would make the ebb and flow of a longer innings one day game a thing of the past.
If a side scores 180 in the first innings, then their opponents collapse to be 94 all out, a lead of 86 would be massive in the context. A score of 130-plus in the second knock would leave a highly impractical 200-plus target and a "dead" fourth innings.
For a two innings 20/20 to work, there would need to be a follow on introduced. Maybe 50/75 could be the notional figure. At least then there is less risk of a tame ending and we might - praise be - even see some conventional batting in the fourth knock with a total of 80 needed in 20 overs to win.
Who knows, maybe some of the new generation of cricket watchers might even like to see a defensive shot every now and again....
We're coming to the end of the FP Trophy group, where we've played Durham, Yorkshire and Lancashire home and away, and we're now looking at the 20/20 where we do the same thing all over again. It might be me, but this is pretty boring. While we get the novelty of playing Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, by the end of June we will have played the three northern sides four times each.
To some extent that is why I see the proposal for a 21 team 20/20 league as quite exciting. While I am not a huge fan of the format, as regular readers will know, at least we would then be playing different sides. Whether we like it or not, the Roses counties and Durham are strong sides and we will always face a difficult task in progressing from a group with them in it. Add Notts and Leicester, both with good 20/20 records and there's a similar uphill task to progress.
The problem is that to travel to, say, Sussex for a 20 over match is far from ideal. Countless similar journies would be required and it is a judgement call on whether it would be worthwhile. Another suggestion is that we introduce two innings 20/20. That would make more sense if teams are travelling a distance, but it would make the ebb and flow of a longer innings one day game a thing of the past.
If a side scores 180 in the first innings, then their opponents collapse to be 94 all out, a lead of 86 would be massive in the context. A score of 130-plus in the second knock would leave a highly impractical 200-plus target and a "dead" fourth innings.
For a two innings 20/20 to work, there would need to be a follow on introduced. Maybe 50/75 could be the notional figure. At least then there is less risk of a tame ending and we might - praise be - even see some conventional batting in the fourth knock with a total of 80 needed in 20 overs to win.
Who knows, maybe some of the new generation of cricket watchers might even like to see a defensive shot every now and again....
Scotland v Derbyshire preview
A home game! When I see the lads in action, it usually means a round trip of 600 miles or more to the County Ground or a trip to one of the northern grounds that we know and love.
Tomorrow sees me make the 12 mile trip from my semi-rural home north of Glasgow to Titwood, home of Clydesdale Cricket Club, for a game that we must win. Even if we do there is no guarantee of further progress after yesterday's defeat. As I said yesterday, we must all hope for a Lancashire win tomorrow to stand a chance of qualification and then do the business ourselves. If that game is rained off we are out, as the difference between respective Net Run Rates is too great to make up.
The problem over the last couple of games has been the lack of flexibility in the bowling. In each game bowlers took some stick but there simply was no one else. Once Rikki Clarke is fit to bowl again, Greg Smith is fit and Wavell Hinds arrives we'll have plenty of bowling options. If Dan Redfern makes the one day side he would give another, but having only five bowlers is far from ideal.
I hope that fans realise improvements ARE being made, but the side is a work in progress. Some players need greater experience, some need to be allowed to leave and more quality needs to come in. That is a job for the end of the season, but we have a lot of cricket to play and I still think we have the ability, if they all stay fit (and we have better luck with the weather) to make a good fist of this season.
There is no news yet of the Scotland squad for the game, although it is likely to be a similar side to that whch played against Yorkshire. Several players struggle to get time off for midweek games which may see a few changes, but I hope that Derbyshire show a professional streak that has been missed in most recent trips north of the border.
Tomorrow sees me make the 12 mile trip from my semi-rural home north of Glasgow to Titwood, home of Clydesdale Cricket Club, for a game that we must win. Even if we do there is no guarantee of further progress after yesterday's defeat. As I said yesterday, we must all hope for a Lancashire win tomorrow to stand a chance of qualification and then do the business ourselves. If that game is rained off we are out, as the difference between respective Net Run Rates is too great to make up.
The problem over the last couple of games has been the lack of flexibility in the bowling. In each game bowlers took some stick but there simply was no one else. Once Rikki Clarke is fit to bowl again, Greg Smith is fit and Wavell Hinds arrives we'll have plenty of bowling options. If Dan Redfern makes the one day side he would give another, but having only five bowlers is far from ideal.
I hope that fans realise improvements ARE being made, but the side is a work in progress. Some players need greater experience, some need to be allowed to leave and more quality needs to come in. That is a job for the end of the season, but we have a lot of cricket to play and I still think we have the ability, if they all stay fit (and we have better luck with the weather) to make a good fist of this season.
There is no news yet of the Scotland squad for the game, although it is likely to be a similar side to that whch played against Yorkshire. Several players struggle to get time off for midweek games which may see a few changes, but I hope that Derbyshire show a professional streak that has been missed in most recent trips north of the border.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Durham v Derbyshire
As I start this blog today, I am faced with the prospect of supporting Lancashire for one match.
There, I've said it. It hurts, but with Derbyshire 71-3 chasing 299 to beat Durham and with Rogers, Birch and Clarke back in the pavilion, I cannot see a way for us to win this one. At the same time Yorkshire are on course to beat Scotland at Headingley, 90-2 in 17 chasing 245 to win. Today is doubly difficult because their innings was built around a fine knock by "our" Michael Di Venuto. I liked Dave Houghton as a bloke, but the decision to get rid of Diva at the expense of Travis Birt was at the best damn stupid. So he'd had a few injuries and a lesser season. Surely SOMEONE must have spoken to him about the prospect of playing on his Italian passport? The Derby Telegraph did, so one would hope the club might have done. It is water under the bridge now, but water that flowed very powerfully today and washed us well away from where we needed to be.
What it means is that we need to beat the Scots in the last match and then hope that Lancashire beat Yorkshire at Headingley on Wednesday. We cannot now top the group as the rain-enforced no results against Lancs and Yorkshire cost us the extra win that Durham have. If it is a no result (anyone know a good raindance for that area?) it would come down to Net Run Rate between the Yorkies and ourselves. We're currently ahead of them but they're obviously aware of that and keen to win the game today as quickly as possible. Lancashire can only go through if they beat Yorkshire convincingly and Scotland beat us, so how committed they'll be on Wednesday is anyone's guess.
I am fairly sure that a loss will bring the usual grumblers out in force but it should not detract from what has so far been a much improved campaign. At the start of the season, most of us in a poll said we'd be happy with progression and competitiveness. We've certainly had that and would have had much more - if we'd had better luck with injuries. I know all teams have had them in some form or another, but losing the bowling of the skipper today has been important, losing James Pipe's explosive batting has been and so has losing the all-round skills of Greg Smith.
I still think that we'll make a good fist of the Pro 40, with better luck with injuries and Wavell Hinds in the side for additional all round support. We may yet go through, but it is in the air with our having to depend on results elsewhere. At 91-3 in 21 overs and with Yorkshire now 126-2, I know where my money would lie.
OK, here goes... come on Lancashire!
There, I've said it. It hurts, but with Derbyshire 71-3 chasing 299 to beat Durham and with Rogers, Birch and Clarke back in the pavilion, I cannot see a way for us to win this one. At the same time Yorkshire are on course to beat Scotland at Headingley, 90-2 in 17 chasing 245 to win. Today is doubly difficult because their innings was built around a fine knock by "our" Michael Di Venuto. I liked Dave Houghton as a bloke, but the decision to get rid of Diva at the expense of Travis Birt was at the best damn stupid. So he'd had a few injuries and a lesser season. Surely SOMEONE must have spoken to him about the prospect of playing on his Italian passport? The Derby Telegraph did, so one would hope the club might have done. It is water under the bridge now, but water that flowed very powerfully today and washed us well away from where we needed to be.
What it means is that we need to beat the Scots in the last match and then hope that Lancashire beat Yorkshire at Headingley on Wednesday. We cannot now top the group as the rain-enforced no results against Lancs and Yorkshire cost us the extra win that Durham have. If it is a no result (anyone know a good raindance for that area?) it would come down to Net Run Rate between the Yorkies and ourselves. We're currently ahead of them but they're obviously aware of that and keen to win the game today as quickly as possible. Lancashire can only go through if they beat Yorkshire convincingly and Scotland beat us, so how committed they'll be on Wednesday is anyone's guess.
I am fairly sure that a loss will bring the usual grumblers out in force but it should not detract from what has so far been a much improved campaign. At the start of the season, most of us in a poll said we'd be happy with progression and competitiveness. We've certainly had that and would have had much more - if we'd had better luck with injuries. I know all teams have had them in some form or another, but losing the bowling of the skipper today has been important, losing James Pipe's explosive batting has been and so has losing the all-round skills of Greg Smith.
I still think that we'll make a good fist of the Pro 40, with better luck with injuries and Wavell Hinds in the side for additional all round support. We may yet go through, but it is in the air with our having to depend on results elsewhere. At 91-3 in 21 overs and with Yorkshire now 126-2, I know where my money would lie.
OK, here goes... come on Lancashire!
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