A good professional performance from Derbyshire today to overhaul the Netherlands decent, but not spectacular total and we ended up winning by seven wickets with overs in hand.
The star turns were Mark Footitt in a rare limited overs game, who took three wickets, while Chesney Hughes and Chris Rogers got the reply onto sound footing with a century opening stand. Hughes was unfortunately run out before the end, but again showed what a fine young talent he is.
The only slight hiccup was when Michael Dighton took a couple of wickets and the ex-Derbyshire player is still a player of some talent. Stories were circulating that Warwickshire were interested in his services and at 35, and with a British passport in his back pocket, someone may yet secure his services for 2011.
Of course, Derbyshire should beat these sort of teams, but there have been plenty of slip-ups over the years and it was nice to see the mission accomplished with a degree of panache.
You can't do more than that.
Friday, 30 July 2010
To be a coach
There was an interesting comment from Charles Collins, in his piece on 606 yesterday that defended John Morris, regarding the role of the coach in first class cricket.
He cited Chris Bassano's comment that at first-class level, players who have worked out their games don't really need all that much in the way of coaching. That follows on from the comments of John Wright, who was asked, when he was coach of the Indian national team, what his role comprised.
"Making sure that I get all the practice balls back," replied Wright in his normal wry style. Both have a point and I would guess, never having played the first-class game, that there's an element of truth in the comments. I wouldn't have thought Wright, good coach and admirable player that he was, could teach Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid how to bat. The role may well have been more of a watching brief, perhaps noting slight flaws that were creeping in, maybe putting an arm around their shoulders in the event of a poor trot.
A good coach can make a difference, as evidenced by Andy Flower with England, but luck comes into it a lot too. I reckon I could have captained or coached the West Indies of the 1970s and 1980s, while the Australians under Steve Waugh needed little work with the great talent that they had. John Buchanan's record with Australia might suggest that he was outstanding, though his time at Middlesex was less impressive. Les Stillman did well at Derbyshire, as he did at Victoria, but there were some good players around at the time, while Mark Robinson has a fine record at Sussex at a time when they've had the likes of Goodwin, Adams, Kirtley and Mushtaq. It helps, you know…
None of us know how the coaching is apportioned at Derbyshire. We have a batting coach in Andy Brown and a bowling coach in Steffan Jones. We also have an Academy coach in Karl Krikken, so I'm not sure what that leaves John Morris to do in terms of coaching, for which he is sometimes criticised. Maybe his role is ensuring that players know what is expected of them on match days. Earlier this season, the Derby Telegraph carried an article in which Morris confirmed that Chris Rogers would have the final call on the make up of the team that took the field, something I'm sure is still the case. I'm equally sure there have been plenty of times when the skipper hasn't had many decisions to make this season, especially in the seam bowling line up.
Denis Smith, Derbyshire's coach of many years from the 1950s to 1970s, was notoriously blunt and hard to please with his charges and explained this by saying it was a hard game and there was no one to hold their hand out in the middle. The bottom line is that you can show people how they should play, but the stroke selection in the middle comes down to the individual.
When I first moved to Scotland I played in the then Scottish Counties league and could barely make a run initially. The professional, a man who had played a handful of county games down south, was an excellent coach and suggested that I play more on the front foot than on the back and that I play straighter to counteract the movement. I worked on it with him and the runs started to come, yet my limitations meant that he didn't turn me into Bradman. The following year an Australian Sheffield Shield star came and scored a hundred almost every time he batted, yet couldn't explain to the rest of us what we needed to do to emulate him. Truth be told, he hadn't a clue what position your feet should be in for an on drive, he just did it instinctively. When he played the shot he got four or six, whereas the rest of us generally holed out at mid on. Any coach is only as good as his players and can only take them so far
Perhaps Morris' greater role is in persuading people to come to the club. While a 606 correspondent last night highlighted a few names (Telo, Clarke, Hayward and Hinds) that had been less successful than might have been hoped, there were mitigating circumstances for all of them. As another pointed out, Hinds was far from outstanding but did a job, while Clarke's failure was a disappointment to everyone. I still recall 606 nearly in meltdown with the positive comments on his signing, yet it didn't work as he couldn't settle in the north. Telo came with a big reputation yet couldn't settle in this country, while Hayward was a gamble after we'd lost Langeveldt. It didn't come off, yet his record suggested it should have done and Morris unfortunately got a player on the slide.
On the plus side, Morris has brought in Madsen. Rogers, Peterson, Park, Hughes, Groenewald, Durston and Langeveldt. They are far ahead, in ability, than those they replaced but we had a long way to go to catch up. Maybe, just maybe, they're in some cases not quite good enough. Perhaps some of them need more time to reach the required consistency, as irrespective of their age some of the above have little first class experience and need to adjust, mentally as much as physically, to the first class game.
As I've said before, Morris will generally be outbid when going for big name players, so we have to accept that ours will be from a lower level in some cases. I would totally support a move for a new coach if there was someone that we could afford who could come and make a difference. I've heard Graeme Welch named as an option, but Welch is under pressure at Edgbaston for the poor results with Ashley Giles. Dougie Brown is also there and another suggestion I have heard is that Welch and Brown come to Derby as a partnership. This carries two issues for me, one being that the track record is hardly inspiring. While Welch is much loved and rightly so, that would only buy him so much time. The other issue is how we afford two people…
No doubt about it, next year is massive for John Morris. His contract ends and he has to theoretically rebuild his team in the winter with limited resources and hope that the new players gel together in time to keep the perenially disenchanted off his back. If Keith Loring can find a sponsor who will put up £200K a year for team improvements he would have no problem. As it is, he has a very difficult job.
As would anyone else.
He cited Chris Bassano's comment that at first-class level, players who have worked out their games don't really need all that much in the way of coaching. That follows on from the comments of John Wright, who was asked, when he was coach of the Indian national team, what his role comprised.
"Making sure that I get all the practice balls back," replied Wright in his normal wry style. Both have a point and I would guess, never having played the first-class game, that there's an element of truth in the comments. I wouldn't have thought Wright, good coach and admirable player that he was, could teach Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid how to bat. The role may well have been more of a watching brief, perhaps noting slight flaws that were creeping in, maybe putting an arm around their shoulders in the event of a poor trot.
A good coach can make a difference, as evidenced by Andy Flower with England, but luck comes into it a lot too. I reckon I could have captained or coached the West Indies of the 1970s and 1980s, while the Australians under Steve Waugh needed little work with the great talent that they had. John Buchanan's record with Australia might suggest that he was outstanding, though his time at Middlesex was less impressive. Les Stillman did well at Derbyshire, as he did at Victoria, but there were some good players around at the time, while Mark Robinson has a fine record at Sussex at a time when they've had the likes of Goodwin, Adams, Kirtley and Mushtaq. It helps, you know…
None of us know how the coaching is apportioned at Derbyshire. We have a batting coach in Andy Brown and a bowling coach in Steffan Jones. We also have an Academy coach in Karl Krikken, so I'm not sure what that leaves John Morris to do in terms of coaching, for which he is sometimes criticised. Maybe his role is ensuring that players know what is expected of them on match days. Earlier this season, the Derby Telegraph carried an article in which Morris confirmed that Chris Rogers would have the final call on the make up of the team that took the field, something I'm sure is still the case. I'm equally sure there have been plenty of times when the skipper hasn't had many decisions to make this season, especially in the seam bowling line up.
Denis Smith, Derbyshire's coach of many years from the 1950s to 1970s, was notoriously blunt and hard to please with his charges and explained this by saying it was a hard game and there was no one to hold their hand out in the middle. The bottom line is that you can show people how they should play, but the stroke selection in the middle comes down to the individual.
When I first moved to Scotland I played in the then Scottish Counties league and could barely make a run initially. The professional, a man who had played a handful of county games down south, was an excellent coach and suggested that I play more on the front foot than on the back and that I play straighter to counteract the movement. I worked on it with him and the runs started to come, yet my limitations meant that he didn't turn me into Bradman. The following year an Australian Sheffield Shield star came and scored a hundred almost every time he batted, yet couldn't explain to the rest of us what we needed to do to emulate him. Truth be told, he hadn't a clue what position your feet should be in for an on drive, he just did it instinctively. When he played the shot he got four or six, whereas the rest of us generally holed out at mid on. Any coach is only as good as his players and can only take them so far
Perhaps Morris' greater role is in persuading people to come to the club. While a 606 correspondent last night highlighted a few names (Telo, Clarke, Hayward and Hinds) that had been less successful than might have been hoped, there were mitigating circumstances for all of them. As another pointed out, Hinds was far from outstanding but did a job, while Clarke's failure was a disappointment to everyone. I still recall 606 nearly in meltdown with the positive comments on his signing, yet it didn't work as he couldn't settle in the north. Telo came with a big reputation yet couldn't settle in this country, while Hayward was a gamble after we'd lost Langeveldt. It didn't come off, yet his record suggested it should have done and Morris unfortunately got a player on the slide.
On the plus side, Morris has brought in Madsen. Rogers, Peterson, Park, Hughes, Groenewald, Durston and Langeveldt. They are far ahead, in ability, than those they replaced but we had a long way to go to catch up. Maybe, just maybe, they're in some cases not quite good enough. Perhaps some of them need more time to reach the required consistency, as irrespective of their age some of the above have little first class experience and need to adjust, mentally as much as physically, to the first class game.
As I've said before, Morris will generally be outbid when going for big name players, so we have to accept that ours will be from a lower level in some cases. I would totally support a move for a new coach if there was someone that we could afford who could come and make a difference. I've heard Graeme Welch named as an option, but Welch is under pressure at Edgbaston for the poor results with Ashley Giles. Dougie Brown is also there and another suggestion I have heard is that Welch and Brown come to Derby as a partnership. This carries two issues for me, one being that the track record is hardly inspiring. While Welch is much loved and rightly so, that would only buy him so much time. The other issue is how we afford two people…
No doubt about it, next year is massive for John Morris. His contract ends and he has to theoretically rebuild his team in the winter with limited resources and hope that the new players gel together in time to keep the perenially disenchanted off his back. If Keith Loring can find a sponsor who will put up £200K a year for team improvements he would have no problem. As it is, he has a very difficult job.
As would anyone else.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Dobell does it again
George Dobell is fast becoming one of my favourite cricket writers, with a succession of well-written and informed pieces on the web.
The latest appeared today and can be seen at
http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/469787.html
The article paints a sorry picture of cricket finances, with development projects outstripping the ability of individual counties to pay for them and make them work. His reference to the "Category C" funding is, to my knowledge, what Derbyshire used, along with their own resources, to fund their recent developments. That's a big difference to taking the money to be "bailed out", however, like some are doing.
For me, the most interesting comment is that "this winter, we'll see some decent players released by clubs that simply can't afford to keep them," while another county "is talking of utilising a clause that is inserted in all contracts but never previously actioned, that entitles them to release any player who has been injured and unavailable for selection for more than thirteen weeks."
Hmm. If things are that bad then we might see a county that balances the books, like Derbyshire, taking advantage of the misfortunes of Test ground counties. It is just ridiculous that such grounds are encouraged to develop with no guarantee of the required fixtures that would underpin them financially. John Morris said recently that the twentieth best player at a club like Surrey might be just what we need and he's right. Last week I read Ronnie Irani's autobiography, where he recounts his frustrations at life at Lancashire, where he got little opportunity. He then went on to a glittering career at Essex and subsequently for England. There might be a few like him on the periphery of the county game, needing just the right environment in which to flourish.
As for the second point, many fans out there would support such a move and could cite players at their club that they would offload accordingly. I suppose that if it is in a contract it could be deemed legitimate, but such action may well see a few lawyers rubbing their hands together. Could a player who turned his ankle and injured ligaments in a foothold then file a claim for negligence? Could one who played when not 100% fit and aggravated a complaint claim he was pressured into doing so? I'm not a lawyer so I don't know, but in this litigation-crazy world I would not be surprised.
In other areas, I was disappointed to read in the press today that Atif Sheikh had been dropped by England Under-19s for being out late with skipper Azeem Rafiq of Yorkshire. The latter then compounded his error by moaning about the coach on his Twitter account, not the brightest of things to do. If you put things in the public domain you can expect someone will read it at some point and Rafiq, a talented player, was naïve to say the least.
As for Sheikh, he needs to learn from the episode and realise that his talents have got him into a position thousands would envy. He still has a long way to go, however and can live without blemishes on his record that may come back to bite in the future.
Finally there's a lengthy and eminently sensible piece on 606 tonight by Charles Collins to which I subscribe 100%. Sadly, I suspect it will fan the flames of the "Morris Out" brigade's fires, with people seemingly looking for someone to lead us to a position of national dominance that quite frankly we have never had.
The latest appeared today and can be seen at
http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/469787.html
The article paints a sorry picture of cricket finances, with development projects outstripping the ability of individual counties to pay for them and make them work. His reference to the "Category C" funding is, to my knowledge, what Derbyshire used, along with their own resources, to fund their recent developments. That's a big difference to taking the money to be "bailed out", however, like some are doing.
For me, the most interesting comment is that "this winter, we'll see some decent players released by clubs that simply can't afford to keep them," while another county "is talking of utilising a clause that is inserted in all contracts but never previously actioned, that entitles them to release any player who has been injured and unavailable for selection for more than thirteen weeks."
Hmm. If things are that bad then we might see a county that balances the books, like Derbyshire, taking advantage of the misfortunes of Test ground counties. It is just ridiculous that such grounds are encouraged to develop with no guarantee of the required fixtures that would underpin them financially. John Morris said recently that the twentieth best player at a club like Surrey might be just what we need and he's right. Last week I read Ronnie Irani's autobiography, where he recounts his frustrations at life at Lancashire, where he got little opportunity. He then went on to a glittering career at Essex and subsequently for England. There might be a few like him on the periphery of the county game, needing just the right environment in which to flourish.
As for the second point, many fans out there would support such a move and could cite players at their club that they would offload accordingly. I suppose that if it is in a contract it could be deemed legitimate, but such action may well see a few lawyers rubbing their hands together. Could a player who turned his ankle and injured ligaments in a foothold then file a claim for negligence? Could one who played when not 100% fit and aggravated a complaint claim he was pressured into doing so? I'm not a lawyer so I don't know, but in this litigation-crazy world I would not be surprised.
In other areas, I was disappointed to read in the press today that Atif Sheikh had been dropped by England Under-19s for being out late with skipper Azeem Rafiq of Yorkshire. The latter then compounded his error by moaning about the coach on his Twitter account, not the brightest of things to do. If you put things in the public domain you can expect someone will read it at some point and Rafiq, a talented player, was naïve to say the least.
As for Sheikh, he needs to learn from the episode and realise that his talents have got him into a position thousands would envy. He still has a long way to go, however and can live without blemishes on his record that may come back to bite in the future.
Finally there's a lengthy and eminently sensible piece on 606 tonight by Charles Collins to which I subscribe 100%. Sadly, I suspect it will fan the flames of the "Morris Out" brigade's fires, with people seemingly looking for someone to lead us to a position of national dominance that quite frankly we have never had.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
T20 roundup
So how was it for you? The T20 quarter-finals, I mean…
Last night saw one serious mis-match, with Somerset thoroughly outclassing Northamptonshire who batted poorly, fielded even worse and with the exception of Jack Brooks, bowled fairly poorly too. Elton Chigumbura's 4-14 at Derby looked like the work of a twin brother as he was hammered last night, but Northamptonshire were very poor and contributed to their downfall with silly run outs. Beating Somerset was always going to be a tall order, but to do so you need to play to potential. Even their skipper, Andrew Hall, looked fairly chastened by it all. Surely we'd have played better than that?
Sadly the reality is that we blew our chance and we'll never know.
Northamptonshire's one consolation is that they seem to have a real find in Jack Brooks, who looks a good bowler on the occasions I've seen him this year. He's got enough pace to be a handful and is accurate enough to cause problems. Seeing him bowl after watching 19-year old James Vince steer Hampshire through the previous night suggests there's talent progressing through English cricket.
It was also evident in the other semi-final, where Chris Wright confirmed my suspicion that he's as good a limited overs bowler as there is at present. His death bowling stopped Lancashire closing in on 200 and Essex did a fine job in chasing the total down after the early loss of Bopara. Considering they were missing Cook, ten Doeschate, Napier and Kaneria from a first choice side they did very well.
The quarter-finals blew a hole in my theory that the north group was the stronger, with only Nottinghamshire progressing to finals day. I still think that they can win it, especially if they're allowed to play their England players. Their first change attack against Sussex was impressive, with Patel and Mullaney doing a fine job, yet they could add Swann and Broad to the mix. Their presence is unlikely though, given England's coming fixtures against Pakistan.
I'd a few e-mails last night agreeing with my suggestion that all counties should be allowed an overseas player and a Kolpak. Some suggested that we should return to two overseas players to address the loss from the county game of its star turns.
One of the great things about county cricket watching in my youth was that you could see the people you'd watched on TV in the flesh. You saw them at their cars, you could get their autographs - if you got lucky you could even have a chat. Sightings of England players at county grounds today are marginally more likely than seeing an aardvark on the outfield and it is little wonder that crowds are dwindling when the star turns aren't there. It's like going to an end of the pier show at the seaside and finding that the two headline turns from television have been replaced by a juggler and an acrobat. Entertaining in its own way, but not likely to result in a full house.
At least seeing a couple of foreign stars might address that imbalance, though the current international calendar might legislate against it being similar big names to my youth.
Speaking of my youth, it is also worth mentioning something that I've noticed in recent weeks, which is the return of the…er…"rounded" cricketer. In recent years the trend has been for cricketers to look like whippets and be trained to the peak of physical condition. Only yesterday, Angus Fraser was bemoaning the fact that Steve Finn had been taken away from Middlesex for six weeks when he was in prime form so that he could "pump iron" and build himself up for…bowling. Since he has returned he has naturally looked rusty, a somewhat logical consequence and vindication for the old-timers who claim that you get fit for bowling by doing just that. Nowadays a bowler's action is broken down by bio-mechanics shortly before the bowler breaks down himself.
It is a far cry to days of yore. From WG Grace onwards, the game has had its share of "big lads" who have been fine players. Colin Milburn, David Shepherd, Fred Swarbrook and Fred Rumsey in my youth looked a long way from athletes but gave excellent service to their counties. Swarbrook's deeds actually produced one of my favourite quips from a fan, after his rounded form landed with a thump as he dived for (and held) a catch for Derbyshire.
"Did the earth move for you?" quoth a man to our right amid the applause, which my Dad and I still think one of the better things we'd heard on the boundary edge.
There are a few big lads around this season, with three on duty in last night's matches. No names, as if you have been watching you have probably noticed yourself, but the people concerned are all very good players. It illustrates two things, the first being that you don't necessarily need to look like an athlete to be a good player. The other is that it allows those of us less svelte than we once were to think we look like first class players when we play.
For that, gentlemen, I salute you.
Last night saw one serious mis-match, with Somerset thoroughly outclassing Northamptonshire who batted poorly, fielded even worse and with the exception of Jack Brooks, bowled fairly poorly too. Elton Chigumbura's 4-14 at Derby looked like the work of a twin brother as he was hammered last night, but Northamptonshire were very poor and contributed to their downfall with silly run outs. Beating Somerset was always going to be a tall order, but to do so you need to play to potential. Even their skipper, Andrew Hall, looked fairly chastened by it all. Surely we'd have played better than that?
Sadly the reality is that we blew our chance and we'll never know.
Northamptonshire's one consolation is that they seem to have a real find in Jack Brooks, who looks a good bowler on the occasions I've seen him this year. He's got enough pace to be a handful and is accurate enough to cause problems. Seeing him bowl after watching 19-year old James Vince steer Hampshire through the previous night suggests there's talent progressing through English cricket.
It was also evident in the other semi-final, where Chris Wright confirmed my suspicion that he's as good a limited overs bowler as there is at present. His death bowling stopped Lancashire closing in on 200 and Essex did a fine job in chasing the total down after the early loss of Bopara. Considering they were missing Cook, ten Doeschate, Napier and Kaneria from a first choice side they did very well.
The quarter-finals blew a hole in my theory that the north group was the stronger, with only Nottinghamshire progressing to finals day. I still think that they can win it, especially if they're allowed to play their England players. Their first change attack against Sussex was impressive, with Patel and Mullaney doing a fine job, yet they could add Swann and Broad to the mix. Their presence is unlikely though, given England's coming fixtures against Pakistan.
I'd a few e-mails last night agreeing with my suggestion that all counties should be allowed an overseas player and a Kolpak. Some suggested that we should return to two overseas players to address the loss from the county game of its star turns.
One of the great things about county cricket watching in my youth was that you could see the people you'd watched on TV in the flesh. You saw them at their cars, you could get their autographs - if you got lucky you could even have a chat. Sightings of England players at county grounds today are marginally more likely than seeing an aardvark on the outfield and it is little wonder that crowds are dwindling when the star turns aren't there. It's like going to an end of the pier show at the seaside and finding that the two headline turns from television have been replaced by a juggler and an acrobat. Entertaining in its own way, but not likely to result in a full house.
At least seeing a couple of foreign stars might address that imbalance, though the current international calendar might legislate against it being similar big names to my youth.
Speaking of my youth, it is also worth mentioning something that I've noticed in recent weeks, which is the return of the…er…"rounded" cricketer. In recent years the trend has been for cricketers to look like whippets and be trained to the peak of physical condition. Only yesterday, Angus Fraser was bemoaning the fact that Steve Finn had been taken away from Middlesex for six weeks when he was in prime form so that he could "pump iron" and build himself up for…bowling. Since he has returned he has naturally looked rusty, a somewhat logical consequence and vindication for the old-timers who claim that you get fit for bowling by doing just that. Nowadays a bowler's action is broken down by bio-mechanics shortly before the bowler breaks down himself.
It is a far cry to days of yore. From WG Grace onwards, the game has had its share of "big lads" who have been fine players. Colin Milburn, David Shepherd, Fred Swarbrook and Fred Rumsey in my youth looked a long way from athletes but gave excellent service to their counties. Swarbrook's deeds actually produced one of my favourite quips from a fan, after his rounded form landed with a thump as he dived for (and held) a catch for Derbyshire.
"Did the earth move for you?" quoth a man to our right amid the applause, which my Dad and I still think one of the better things we'd heard on the boundary edge.
There are a few big lads around this season, with three on duty in last night's matches. No names, as if you have been watching you have probably noticed yourself, but the people concerned are all very good players. It illustrates two things, the first being that you don't necessarily need to look like an athlete to be a good player. The other is that it allows those of us less svelte than we once were to think we look like first class players when we play.
For that, gentlemen, I salute you.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Random thoughts
Like many of you, I watched the T20 quarter finals last night and for a lot of the time felt that "this could have been us." Doubtless that feeling will be intensified tonight when watching Northamptonshire play Somerset in what should have been "our" tie and Lancashire, a team we defeated twice, play in the other game at Essex.
What has surprised me is the players who are unavailable for this stage, with Dwayne Smith of Sussex absent last night playing for Barbados and Keiron Pollard back in Trinidad and missing for Somerset. It seems somewhat strange that two players who had key roles in getting their counties so far are absent for the business end of the competition, but no more so than the number of counties who seem to be playing the cricket equivalent of tag wrestling with their overseas players, Lancashire being prime culprits in this area. So far this season they've had Ashwell Prince, Simon Katich, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Nathan McCullum and Kumar Sangakkara registered, while being thwarted in signing Shoaib Malik. How many of these guys got to the stage of knowing the names of their team mates is a moot point…
Equally strange was watching Imran Tahir of Warwickshire bowling against the team he played for last season (Hampshire) and will be playing for next year. It highlights the nomadic nature of the overseas star these days, with no real loyalty being offered in either direction. Ashley Giles has made no secret of wanting a top batsman at Edgbastonfor next year, which could be a blow for one or two young players if Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell drop out of the England reckoning and reclaim a county place. Their attack didn't look especially strong last night and neither Rikki Clarke nor Ant Botha turned their arms over. Neil Carter has had another good summer but they cannot expect him to keep producing the goods as he reaches the veteran stage.
The irony of the Memorandum of Understanding, in which counties are expected to play young players or face financial penalties, is that a number of players are being pitched in before they're ready. A former player was bemoaning the fact at the weekend that young bowlers don't really know what they're doing until their mid-twenties and haven't filled out enough to be bowling regularly, while batsmen haven't really worked out their game until that stage. Yet three are supposed to play for every county in every match...
For what it is worth, I think that the standard of county cricket has dropped a little this year and I am not alone in that thought. With sightings of English players a rarity and youngsters who are simply not ready taking places in some sides, the itinerant overseas players flit in and out, often doing little to justify the cost of bringing them in. If I was able to make one change to the regulations it would be that an overseas player with ANY international recognition in the previous five years should be able to come here as either the designated overseas player or as a Kolpak, the latter obviously if the requisite trade links with the country are in place. I would also limit counties to a maximum of one Kolpak.
Notionally, we would then be able to retain Rogers and Peterson for another three years, players who have enhanced the county game with their performances. Other teams could draw on the likes of Van der Wath, Louw and Theron as Kolpaks, good players who would improve the overall standard. Such a move would ensure that sub-standard, passport-of-convenience players who had not represented their country could not be brought in and clubs and fans alike would reap the benefit.
In the words of a very old advert, you know it makes sense
Postscript
How poor were Northamptonshire tonight? It is hard to believe that they beat us, as they were as bad tonight as we were at the County Ground.
Very disappointing.
What has surprised me is the players who are unavailable for this stage, with Dwayne Smith of Sussex absent last night playing for Barbados and Keiron Pollard back in Trinidad and missing for Somerset. It seems somewhat strange that two players who had key roles in getting their counties so far are absent for the business end of the competition, but no more so than the number of counties who seem to be playing the cricket equivalent of tag wrestling with their overseas players, Lancashire being prime culprits in this area. So far this season they've had Ashwell Prince, Simon Katich, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Nathan McCullum and Kumar Sangakkara registered, while being thwarted in signing Shoaib Malik. How many of these guys got to the stage of knowing the names of their team mates is a moot point…
Equally strange was watching Imran Tahir of Warwickshire bowling against the team he played for last season (Hampshire) and will be playing for next year. It highlights the nomadic nature of the overseas star these days, with no real loyalty being offered in either direction. Ashley Giles has made no secret of wanting a top batsman at Edgbastonfor next year, which could be a blow for one or two young players if Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell drop out of the England reckoning and reclaim a county place. Their attack didn't look especially strong last night and neither Rikki Clarke nor Ant Botha turned their arms over. Neil Carter has had another good summer but they cannot expect him to keep producing the goods as he reaches the veteran stage.
The irony of the Memorandum of Understanding, in which counties are expected to play young players or face financial penalties, is that a number of players are being pitched in before they're ready. A former player was bemoaning the fact at the weekend that young bowlers don't really know what they're doing until their mid-twenties and haven't filled out enough to be bowling regularly, while batsmen haven't really worked out their game until that stage. Yet three are supposed to play for every county in every match...
For what it is worth, I think that the standard of county cricket has dropped a little this year and I am not alone in that thought. With sightings of English players a rarity and youngsters who are simply not ready taking places in some sides, the itinerant overseas players flit in and out, often doing little to justify the cost of bringing them in. If I was able to make one change to the regulations it would be that an overseas player with ANY international recognition in the previous five years should be able to come here as either the designated overseas player or as a Kolpak, the latter obviously if the requisite trade links with the country are in place. I would also limit counties to a maximum of one Kolpak.
Notionally, we would then be able to retain Rogers and Peterson for another three years, players who have enhanced the county game with their performances. Other teams could draw on the likes of Van der Wath, Louw and Theron as Kolpaks, good players who would improve the overall standard. Such a move would ensure that sub-standard, passport-of-convenience players who had not represented their country could not be brought in and clubs and fans alike would reap the benefit.
In the words of a very old advert, you know it makes sense
Postscript
How poor were Northamptonshire tonight? It is hard to believe that they beat us, as they were as bad tonight as we were at the County Ground.
Very disappointing.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Monday musings
It's that time of year again, when players coming to the end of their contracts do one of two things, depending on their age and form.
One is to look at the options and see if there are teams out there who will pay a good - perhaps inflated - rate for your services. The other is to keep your fingers crossed that another offer is tabled at your existing county. Our most recent opponents, Worcestershire, are a case in point, where there are six cricketers at the end of their contracts in September.
Logic suggests that seamer Richard Jones and all-rounder Gareth Andrew would be wanted by the county but they may not lack for suitors elsewhere. Chris Russell and Imran Arif will perhaps be sweating on new offers, although the latter looked useful when he was first discovered in the Yorkshire leagues. Then there's two seasoned professionals in Ben Smith and Matt Mason.
Smith has been a fine servant to the county but at 38 has found form elusive this season. A first class average of just over 40 indicates that the former Leicestershire player can play, but Worcestershire and any potential employer have to work out whether he still has the ability, reactions and eyesight or whether his days in the first-class game are numbered. Back in my youth, Smith was the sort of player courted by Derbyshire, an experienced, solid professional who could score his runs though perhaps not as prolifically as in his prime. Players like Brian Bolus, Clive Inman, Phil Sharpe, John Hampshire and Ron Headley were picked up with varying degrees of success, with the unwritten understanding that the feats of their prime were unlikely.
I would have thought Smith unlikely to be retained, given Worcestershire's impressive young batsmen coming through, while, two years younger, Matt Mason's dual role as bowling coach may see him get another deal. Mason is a good bowler, but has had his share of injuries in recent seasons like many of his kind. That record may legislate against interest from other counties, but the paucity of young seam bowling talent around the circuit and that role in the club may make another year at Worcester a fair investment.
There are also bigger names who will be looking at options in the next few months. Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graham Onions and Eoin Morgan will not lack interest in their services, but it was interesting to read Ashley Giles suggesting that Warwickshire may go down the Kolpak route to strengthen next season, citing the role that Dale Benkenstein and Michael di Venuto have played in Durham's success.
I am sure that John Morris will also be looking in this area too, as he faces the prospect of replacing his leading batsman and bowler as things stand. One of them will presumably be replaced by an overseas player, and although an English-qualified "name" would perhaps be Morris' preference, the greater likelihood is that the Kolpak route could be an option for the other.
Perhaps one from Rolof van der Merwe, Paul Harris or Johann Botha might fancy the idea of a county stint, deciding that their opportunities at international level are too sporadic? Maybe Morris might leave the spin options to Greg Smith and Jake Needham and look at bringing in a seamer, perhaps Charl Langeveldt? A great deal will depend on the success in luring players from elsewhere, or spotting somone, like Wes Durston, who is deserving of another opportunity. Gloucestershire came up trumps with Gemaal Hussain this season and he has rewarded them with nearly fifty first class wickets after being rejected at Essex, Nottinghamshire, Sussex and Worcestershire. At 26 he has justified his contract and looks set for a lengthy county career.
Who else is out there?
One is to look at the options and see if there are teams out there who will pay a good - perhaps inflated - rate for your services. The other is to keep your fingers crossed that another offer is tabled at your existing county. Our most recent opponents, Worcestershire, are a case in point, where there are six cricketers at the end of their contracts in September.
Logic suggests that seamer Richard Jones and all-rounder Gareth Andrew would be wanted by the county but they may not lack for suitors elsewhere. Chris Russell and Imran Arif will perhaps be sweating on new offers, although the latter looked useful when he was first discovered in the Yorkshire leagues. Then there's two seasoned professionals in Ben Smith and Matt Mason.
Smith has been a fine servant to the county but at 38 has found form elusive this season. A first class average of just over 40 indicates that the former Leicestershire player can play, but Worcestershire and any potential employer have to work out whether he still has the ability, reactions and eyesight or whether his days in the first-class game are numbered. Back in my youth, Smith was the sort of player courted by Derbyshire, an experienced, solid professional who could score his runs though perhaps not as prolifically as in his prime. Players like Brian Bolus, Clive Inman, Phil Sharpe, John Hampshire and Ron Headley were picked up with varying degrees of success, with the unwritten understanding that the feats of their prime were unlikely.
I would have thought Smith unlikely to be retained, given Worcestershire's impressive young batsmen coming through, while, two years younger, Matt Mason's dual role as bowling coach may see him get another deal. Mason is a good bowler, but has had his share of injuries in recent seasons like many of his kind. That record may legislate against interest from other counties, but the paucity of young seam bowling talent around the circuit and that role in the club may make another year at Worcester a fair investment.
There are also bigger names who will be looking at options in the next few months. Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graham Onions and Eoin Morgan will not lack interest in their services, but it was interesting to read Ashley Giles suggesting that Warwickshire may go down the Kolpak route to strengthen next season, citing the role that Dale Benkenstein and Michael di Venuto have played in Durham's success.
I am sure that John Morris will also be looking in this area too, as he faces the prospect of replacing his leading batsman and bowler as things stand. One of them will presumably be replaced by an overseas player, and although an English-qualified "name" would perhaps be Morris' preference, the greater likelihood is that the Kolpak route could be an option for the other.
Perhaps one from Rolof van der Merwe, Paul Harris or Johann Botha might fancy the idea of a county stint, deciding that their opportunities at international level are too sporadic? Maybe Morris might leave the spin options to Greg Smith and Jake Needham and look at bringing in a seamer, perhaps Charl Langeveldt? A great deal will depend on the success in luring players from elsewhere, or spotting somone, like Wes Durston, who is deserving of another opportunity. Gloucestershire came up trumps with Gemaal Hussain this season and he has rewarded them with nearly fifty first class wickets after being rejected at Essex, Nottinghamshire, Sussex and Worcestershire. At 26 he has justified his contract and looks set for a lengthy county career.
Who else is out there?
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Derbyshire v Worcestershire day 4
Well, in the end 'twas not to be as the pitch that I feared had eased into one of last season's vintage turned out the winner in this game.
A fine knock by Alex Kervezee held us up today, but Derbyshire can take encouragement from an improved performance in which they held the upper hand for most of it.
The players now enjoy a well-earned break before next weekend's trip to the Netherlands.
Back soon!
A fine knock by Alex Kervezee held us up today, but Derbyshire can take encouragement from an improved performance in which they held the upper hand for most of it.
The players now enjoy a well-earned break before next weekend's trip to the Netherlands.
Back soon!
A Last English Summer - Duncan Hamilton
Here's a book recommendation for you. Duncan Hamilton won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year for his Provided You Don't Kiss Me, an account of his time working with Brian Clough of Nottingham Forest while he was a reporter on the Nottingham Evening Post. He followed that up with several awards for Larwood, a captivating biography of the former Nottinghamshire and England bowler Harold Larwood. I have the book and have read it three times, finding it quite absorbing in its tales of pre-war cricket.
Now Mr Hamilton is back with A Last English Summer, a succession of essays on various aspects of cricket last season from village green to Test matches that is by turn nostalgic and euphoric. He sees the season as a turning point in the history of the game. I pre-ordered the book through Amazon and it does not disappoint in any way.
He has a way with words that few of his contemporaries can match. While I am a fan of Stephen Chalke, David Foot and David Frith, for me Duncan Hamilton is the now the man that others must aspire to. He even namechecks Derbyshire, covering their match against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in which Greg Smith got a century. One paragraph highlights the author's writing:
In mid-afternoon I saw Smith play one shot that alchemised into pure gold. It was a late cut off Anthony Ireland...he gently cocked his wrists and caressed the ball to the third man boundary. The shot was so late that Smith played it posthumously. When Smith late cuts so stylishly, the fact that he did it in Division Two is immaterial... As the result or the figures of individual performances hazily fade and cease to matter, I'll retain, freeze-framed, the image of Smith's stroke in my mind - a bright little fragment of beauty.
If you love cricket, or more importantly love to read some of the most glorious modern prose I've seen on the game, I would strongly urge you to buy this book. I have only one negative comment, in that the author deserves a far better proof reader. That Daniel "Vittori" and George "Hedley" feature in the first thirty pages or so is disappointing. Yet it does not detract from a book that I can see entering the list of my all-time favourites by the time I have finished it.
Mr Hamilton should start looking out his suits for those awards dinners...
Now Mr Hamilton is back with A Last English Summer, a succession of essays on various aspects of cricket last season from village green to Test matches that is by turn nostalgic and euphoric. He sees the season as a turning point in the history of the game. I pre-ordered the book through Amazon and it does not disappoint in any way.
He has a way with words that few of his contemporaries can match. While I am a fan of Stephen Chalke, David Foot and David Frith, for me Duncan Hamilton is the now the man that others must aspire to. He even namechecks Derbyshire, covering their match against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in which Greg Smith got a century. One paragraph highlights the author's writing:
In mid-afternoon I saw Smith play one shot that alchemised into pure gold. It was a late cut off Anthony Ireland...he gently cocked his wrists and caressed the ball to the third man boundary. The shot was so late that Smith played it posthumously. When Smith late cuts so stylishly, the fact that he did it in Division Two is immaterial... As the result or the figures of individual performances hazily fade and cease to matter, I'll retain, freeze-framed, the image of Smith's stroke in my mind - a bright little fragment of beauty.
If you love cricket, or more importantly love to read some of the most glorious modern prose I've seen on the game, I would strongly urge you to buy this book. I have only one negative comment, in that the author deserves a far better proof reader. That Daniel "Vittori" and George "Hedley" feature in the first thirty pages or so is disappointing. Yet it does not detract from a book that I can see entering the list of my all-time favourites by the time I have finished it.
Mr Hamilton should start looking out his suits for those awards dinners...
Houghton v Morris
The recent post on 606 that suggested things were better under Dave Houghton set me thinking. Was I wrong? I didn't remember the Houghton era especially favourably, so I had a look back at the statistics of the Championship and T20 under the Zimbabwean and John Morris.
Championship
2004 W1 L6 D9
2005 W1 L8 D7
2006 W4 L4 D8
2007 W1 L3 D2
Houghton left on July 7 2007 with a record of W7 L21 D26
T20
2004 W2 L2
2005 W4 L4
2006 W2 L5
2007 W0 L4
Houghton left with a record of W8 L15
John Morris came in on August 21 2007, since when his record in the Championship is
2007 W0 L2 D1
2008 W4 L9 D5
2009 W2 L3 D11
2010 W2 L5 D2
In the T20 his record is:
2008 W3 L7
2009 W3 L7
2010 W6 L8
In total the results are
Championship
Houghton P54 W7 L21 D26
Morris P44 W8 L18 D18
T20
Houghton W8 L15
Morris W12 L22
I'll be the first to say that neither record is spectacular, but Morris has made Derbyshire a harder side to beat in the Championship and overall his record is better. There's room for improvement for sure, but you can't argue with the facts.
Championship
2004 W1 L6 D9
2005 W1 L8 D7
2006 W4 L4 D8
2007 W1 L3 D2
Houghton left on July 7 2007 with a record of W7 L21 D26
T20
2004 W2 L2
2005 W4 L4
2006 W2 L5
2007 W0 L4
Houghton left with a record of W8 L15
John Morris came in on August 21 2007, since when his record in the Championship is
2007 W0 L2 D1
2008 W4 L9 D5
2009 W2 L3 D11
2010 W2 L5 D2
In the T20 his record is:
2008 W3 L7
2009 W3 L7
2010 W6 L8
In total the results are
Championship
Houghton P54 W7 L21 D26
Morris P44 W8 L18 D18
T20
Houghton W8 L15
Morris W12 L22
I'll be the first to say that neither record is spectacular, but Morris has made Derbyshire a harder side to beat in the Championship and overall his record is better. There's room for improvement for sure, but you can't argue with the facts.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Derbyshire v Worcestershire day 3
That was a good day's cricket from Derbyshire today, taking their overnight total to 405 and a lead of 126 , before removing three good wickets for 70 before the close.
There was consistent batting down the order, with Greg Smith making a welcome return to form with 91 and good support from Redfern, Peterson, Goddard and Jones.
Four hundred is always a good score but Derbyshire will have to work hard to take the points on the last day. The way our later order batted suggested there was little wrong with the pitch, but Mark Footitt's removal of Vikram Solanki and Robin Peterson's last ball dismissal of Moeen Ali may be crucial. Much now rests on Shakib for the visitors and the first hour tomorrow will be vitally important.
In the first innings he went after Robin Peterson, but Peterson could be up for the challenge to maintain his position as Division Two's leading wicket-taker. Only Adil Rashid and Imran Tahir have more wickets this season, not bad for a player rated as only one point in Daily Telegraph Fantasy Cricket this year. I've had my money's worth from him, that's for sure. A batting average of 25 and bowling one of 26 for all those wickets confirms a fine player and no one can dispute Peterson's contribution to the side.
Will we win tomorrow? I don't know, quite honestly as we've been here a few times before. There's plenty of time left in the game, but we'll hope for early inroads as we will doubtless have some sort of run chase if we are to do so.
Keep your fingers crossed.
There was consistent batting down the order, with Greg Smith making a welcome return to form with 91 and good support from Redfern, Peterson, Goddard and Jones.
Four hundred is always a good score but Derbyshire will have to work hard to take the points on the last day. The way our later order batted suggested there was little wrong with the pitch, but Mark Footitt's removal of Vikram Solanki and Robin Peterson's last ball dismissal of Moeen Ali may be crucial. Much now rests on Shakib for the visitors and the first hour tomorrow will be vitally important.
In the first innings he went after Robin Peterson, but Peterson could be up for the challenge to maintain his position as Division Two's leading wicket-taker. Only Adil Rashid and Imran Tahir have more wickets this season, not bad for a player rated as only one point in Daily Telegraph Fantasy Cricket this year. I've had my money's worth from him, that's for sure. A batting average of 25 and bowling one of 26 for all those wickets confirms a fine player and no one can dispute Peterson's contribution to the side.
Will we win tomorrow? I don't know, quite honestly as we've been here a few times before. There's plenty of time left in the game, but we'll hope for early inroads as we will doubtless have some sort of run chase if we are to do so.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Final words on 606
I promise that this will be my last comment on 606 for the time being because it's getting boring, but when I'm name-checked by someone I guess I need to reply.
"Not over yet" on the site expresses disappointment in our lack of progress under John Morris and then says:
"Even the determinedly glass half full Peakfan (by the way, it was "Who can.." not "Who will...") was reduced to playing at picking next year's team, a sure sign that hope and optimism is draining even from the most persistent optimists, and particularly when there were 3 asterisks, revealing gaps that we know we can't fill."
Hmm…we're getting into pedantics here, over my calling his piece "Who will replace John Morris" instead of "Who can replace John Morris?" Since we are, I'd point out that there were two crosses…
I've said before that I am unashamedly positive about Derbyshire cricket and life, but still think there's reason to be, ground I've already covered. Looking at other posts, plenty of other people are too. I simply inserted an idea of next year's side to highlight a point that more rebuilding will be necessary, rather than as an indicator of withering optimism.
To say those "asterisks" revealed "gaps we know we can't fill" is incorrect too. They simply highlight places where we need to bring in players. They may be filled by Footitt, or Sheikh or one of a number of players who will be available in the close season. If one assumes that Rogers, Peterson and Wagg won't be back, presumably there would be money in the playing budget. Unless we pay off John Morris as some suggest of course, as you can't have it both ways.
On the face of the T20 fixtures between the two sides, there wasn't much between Derbyshire and Warwickshire, yet Ashley Giles is today talking about spending big to bring in some "names" this winter. The Birmingham side look certainties to be relegated in the Championship after a nightmare season, so it remains to be seen how many players can be persuaded to play at a lower level, even by an England selector. I'm sure John Morris would welcome such luxury though...
There was an excellent point made by King Sinbad on IMWT about Graham Wagg, in which he highlighted the player's statistics. A batting average of 25 and bowling one of 31 in four day cricket and respective ones of 15 and 32 in limited overs games isn't an argument for breaking the bank. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Wagg and would like him to stay at Derby, but those statistics don't back up a claim for a big pay rise. King Sinbad mentions a figure of £100K, but I don't know if that is accurate.
Either way, there's only so far that a relatively small cricket budget will go. As fans, we have to accept that players will move on at some point once those counties with the bigger budgets make overtures to them. Thus our side will always be in evolution, which is why I think calls to bring in someone else are pointless.
I can't think of anyone who could come in and sign big name players with money we haven't got, while retaining the better ones that we have on massive contracts we cannot afford. Nor could I see anyone who over one winter will turn Borrington, Redfern and Hughes into players who will score well over a thousand runs, or make Footitt and Sheikh the new Larwood and Voce.
A lot of people within cricket regard David Houghton as an excellent coach, especially of batsmen, yet few were happy with his tenure at Derbyshire. I've heard several names that notionally might come in and some would be popular with the fans. Yet none of them would make change or progress a cast-iron certainty.
If you can name someone who will, I'll join the campaign straight away.
But not until.
"Not over yet" on the site expresses disappointment in our lack of progress under John Morris and then says:
"Even the determinedly glass half full Peakfan (by the way, it was "Who can.." not "Who will...") was reduced to playing at picking next year's team, a sure sign that hope and optimism is draining even from the most persistent optimists, and particularly when there were 3 asterisks, revealing gaps that we know we can't fill."
Hmm…we're getting into pedantics here, over my calling his piece "Who will replace John Morris" instead of "Who can replace John Morris?" Since we are, I'd point out that there were two crosses…
I've said before that I am unashamedly positive about Derbyshire cricket and life, but still think there's reason to be, ground I've already covered. Looking at other posts, plenty of other people are too. I simply inserted an idea of next year's side to highlight a point that more rebuilding will be necessary, rather than as an indicator of withering optimism.
To say those "asterisks" revealed "gaps we know we can't fill" is incorrect too. They simply highlight places where we need to bring in players. They may be filled by Footitt, or Sheikh or one of a number of players who will be available in the close season. If one assumes that Rogers, Peterson and Wagg won't be back, presumably there would be money in the playing budget. Unless we pay off John Morris as some suggest of course, as you can't have it both ways.
On the face of the T20 fixtures between the two sides, there wasn't much between Derbyshire and Warwickshire, yet Ashley Giles is today talking about spending big to bring in some "names" this winter. The Birmingham side look certainties to be relegated in the Championship after a nightmare season, so it remains to be seen how many players can be persuaded to play at a lower level, even by an England selector. I'm sure John Morris would welcome such luxury though...
There was an excellent point made by King Sinbad on IMWT about Graham Wagg, in which he highlighted the player's statistics. A batting average of 25 and bowling one of 31 in four day cricket and respective ones of 15 and 32 in limited overs games isn't an argument for breaking the bank. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Wagg and would like him to stay at Derby, but those statistics don't back up a claim for a big pay rise. King Sinbad mentions a figure of £100K, but I don't know if that is accurate.
Either way, there's only so far that a relatively small cricket budget will go. As fans, we have to accept that players will move on at some point once those counties with the bigger budgets make overtures to them. Thus our side will always be in evolution, which is why I think calls to bring in someone else are pointless.
I can't think of anyone who could come in and sign big name players with money we haven't got, while retaining the better ones that we have on massive contracts we cannot afford. Nor could I see anyone who over one winter will turn Borrington, Redfern and Hughes into players who will score well over a thousand runs, or make Footitt and Sheikh the new Larwood and Voce.
A lot of people within cricket regard David Houghton as an excellent coach, especially of batsmen, yet few were happy with his tenure at Derbyshire. I've heard several names that notionally might come in and some would be popular with the fans. Yet none of them would make change or progress a cast-iron certainty.
If you can name someone who will, I'll join the campaign straight away.
But not until.
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Derbyshire v Worcestershire day 2
Another frustrating day for Derbyshire today. Having lost the early wickets of Chris Rogers and Garry Park, the recovery was well underway thanks to Wayne Madsen and Chesney Hughes when the rains came on again and play was effectively over for a session.
Matt Mason and Alan Richardson are both wily old campaigners and were always going to prove difficult in these conditions, but Derbyshire need to get past Worcestershire's first innings score to give themselves a chance of a win. Moving up the table is the goal for the second half of the season and with more play like we've seen on the first two days it is a distinct possibility.
When play resumed after the loss of a session, Hughes and Madsen again did well before both were removed quite quickly. It was then down to Smith and Redfern to continue the recovery as we closed 96 runs behind on 183-4.
If the weather stays out of this the game is winnable, though the batting of Solanki and Shakib in their second innings will again determine the direction of the game. Solanki has been a regular thorn in our side over the years but we need to bat long tomorrow - ideally till tea time or afterwards - to put pressure on the visitors on the final day.
Matt Mason and Alan Richardson are both wily old campaigners and were always going to prove difficult in these conditions, but Derbyshire need to get past Worcestershire's first innings score to give themselves a chance of a win. Moving up the table is the goal for the second half of the season and with more play like we've seen on the first two days it is a distinct possibility.
When play resumed after the loss of a session, Hughes and Madsen again did well before both were removed quite quickly. It was then down to Smith and Redfern to continue the recovery as we closed 96 runs behind on 183-4.
If the weather stays out of this the game is winnable, though the batting of Solanki and Shakib in their second innings will again determine the direction of the game. Solanki has been a regular thorn in our side over the years but we need to bat long tomorrow - ideally till tea time or afterwards - to put pressure on the visitors on the final day.
Fair play important
One of Derbyshire's old boys is in the news today, with Luke Sutton rounding on his critics at Lancashire after a century yesterday against Durham. A number of the Red Rose county's fans on 606 (there's a surprise) would prefer Gareth Cross behind the stumps and have made fairly pointed comments about Sutton. Peter Moores normally plays him in the four-day game and Cross in one-day cricket and he is lucky to have two such competent players. More to the point, he is lucky that one of them doesn't want to move, as either would be capable of a full-time slot elsewhere.
Sutton was a good player for Derbyshire and I always thought him one of the best I'd seen at running between the wickets, together with Dean Jones. I'd have to say that they have both been usurped by Garry Park, who is astonishingly quick. I would reckon that Park, with no disrespect intended to anyone, could outsprint most players on the staff wearing pads, even if they were free of protective gear. His running against Gloucestershire was extraordinary - maybe next year we should sign Usain Bolt for the T20 to partner him..
Jones combined superb placement with speed and so often turned ones into twos, but Sutton was no slouch in his prime. Both highlighted the fact that you didn't need to be hitting fours and sixes all the time to keep a scoreboard moving and Jones remains the single best pacer of an innings I have seen, just ahead of Michael Bevan at his best.
At 33 Luke Sutton has plenty of time on his side, but his irritation is indicative of a nasty side of "support" that all too often crosses the line between fair and abusive, often verging on litigation-worthy. On this blog I will say what I think, as there's no point doing it otherwise, but I always bear in mind that players and relatives of them will read it from time to time. I know they do as I've had e mails on occasion and I try to put myself in their shoes and think of how I would feel if I read something about me, or perhaps my son. Criticism, one player told me, goes with the territory and if it is justified then no one has any complaints.
I can't and won't write that Derbyshire did well if they didn't, or that so-and-so did well if they had a nightmare, but I will draw short of character assassination and insinuations of "not trying" or "don't care."
A lot of the stuff on 606 (thankfully to a lesser extent on IMWT) borders on libel, with a regular contributor on Northamptonshire's site sailing very close to the wind. How the moderators allow a comment on resigning county captains being linked to match fixing is beyond me, but presumably (and wrongly) the perpetrators assume they are anonymous at their PC. Similarly comments about a local footballer and the wife of an England player made it on to the boards. Last night saw "Who will replace John Morris?" which surprised me, as I didn't know he'd gone anywhere. Complete and utter nonsense, but change the page and replace John Morris with Nigel Clough and you get more of the same.
Contributors should realise that players are not failing on purpose, they do care and there are, will be and always have been times when their best simply isn't good enough. Some days they will come up against individuals in prime form, on others they will be in the ascendancy. I'm sure you'll recognise that from your own job, when there's days you think you can tackle anything thrown at you and others when you could just do with a quiet time. But just imagine how you'd feel to open your staff newsletter and read conjecture about who will be taking your place because you're not very good...
John Morris has got a good set of players together, but some days their collective best may not be good enough. Sometimes their inexperience will cost them, on others luck will go against them and there will be times when, no matter how hard they try, they will be outplayed.
Try and remember that the next time you post. Whatever else, they're still our lads.
Finally, credit to Mark Footitt, who I didn't mention last night, for a sustained spell of accurate bowling yesterday. Tim Groenewald credits him in today's Derby Telegraph and it is good to see him bowling better lines with sustained hostility. At 24 he has years of cricket in him and I think he's done fairly well this year, certainly maintaining fitness better than in the past. If he can lock that radar in place he will be a very good asset to us and perhaps form, with Atif Sheikh, a pretty lively new ball pairing for the future.
Footitt, Groenewald and Sheikh. Next year's attack, anyone?
Sutton was a good player for Derbyshire and I always thought him one of the best I'd seen at running between the wickets, together with Dean Jones. I'd have to say that they have both been usurped by Garry Park, who is astonishingly quick. I would reckon that Park, with no disrespect intended to anyone, could outsprint most players on the staff wearing pads, even if they were free of protective gear. His running against Gloucestershire was extraordinary - maybe next year we should sign Usain Bolt for the T20 to partner him..
Jones combined superb placement with speed and so often turned ones into twos, but Sutton was no slouch in his prime. Both highlighted the fact that you didn't need to be hitting fours and sixes all the time to keep a scoreboard moving and Jones remains the single best pacer of an innings I have seen, just ahead of Michael Bevan at his best.
At 33 Luke Sutton has plenty of time on his side, but his irritation is indicative of a nasty side of "support" that all too often crosses the line between fair and abusive, often verging on litigation-worthy. On this blog I will say what I think, as there's no point doing it otherwise, but I always bear in mind that players and relatives of them will read it from time to time. I know they do as I've had e mails on occasion and I try to put myself in their shoes and think of how I would feel if I read something about me, or perhaps my son. Criticism, one player told me, goes with the territory and if it is justified then no one has any complaints.
I can't and won't write that Derbyshire did well if they didn't, or that so-and-so did well if they had a nightmare, but I will draw short of character assassination and insinuations of "not trying" or "don't care."
A lot of the stuff on 606 (thankfully to a lesser extent on IMWT) borders on libel, with a regular contributor on Northamptonshire's site sailing very close to the wind. How the moderators allow a comment on resigning county captains being linked to match fixing is beyond me, but presumably (and wrongly) the perpetrators assume they are anonymous at their PC. Similarly comments about a local footballer and the wife of an England player made it on to the boards. Last night saw "Who will replace John Morris?" which surprised me, as I didn't know he'd gone anywhere. Complete and utter nonsense, but change the page and replace John Morris with Nigel Clough and you get more of the same.
Contributors should realise that players are not failing on purpose, they do care and there are, will be and always have been times when their best simply isn't good enough. Some days they will come up against individuals in prime form, on others they will be in the ascendancy. I'm sure you'll recognise that from your own job, when there's days you think you can tackle anything thrown at you and others when you could just do with a quiet time. But just imagine how you'd feel to open your staff newsletter and read conjecture about who will be taking your place because you're not very good...
John Morris has got a good set of players together, but some days their collective best may not be good enough. Sometimes their inexperience will cost them, on others luck will go against them and there will be times when, no matter how hard they try, they will be outplayed.
Try and remember that the next time you post. Whatever else, they're still our lads.
Finally, credit to Mark Footitt, who I didn't mention last night, for a sustained spell of accurate bowling yesterday. Tim Groenewald credits him in today's Derby Telegraph and it is good to see him bowling better lines with sustained hostility. At 24 he has years of cricket in him and I think he's done fairly well this year, certainly maintaining fitness better than in the past. If he can lock that radar in place he will be a very good asset to us and perhaps form, with Atif Sheikh, a pretty lively new ball pairing for the future.
Footitt, Groenewald and Sheikh. Next year's attack, anyone?
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Derbyshire v Worcestershire
All things considered that was a pretty good day's work by Derbyshire, especially after being in danger of turning into pumpkins after the late finish last night...
Derby this year has averaged out at around 250-300, which for me is a decent cricket wicket. There were more wickets for Tim Groenewald and after early stick from Shakib, who put the visitors back in the game, Robin Peterson took another two wickets, giving him 42 so far this season.
It was good to see Greg Smith and Mark Footitt bowling with control too and that we got through the day without any obvious injuries in the current situation. Wes Durston missed out from last night's niggle, so there was a welcome return to the lineup for Dan Redfern. I'd love to see Redders get a score in this game, as he's had a difficult season, but I still have confidence he will be back to his normal self next summer.
At the end of the day there was a solid stand between Rogers and Madsen and Derbyshire closed on 43-0, 236 behind. The skipper needs just 44 more runs tomorrow to reach his thousand for the season yet again and has a lot of time remaining to take his aggregate to new heights. All this on a day when his country were skittled for 88 at Headingley by Pakistan.
C'mon Australia, you need Buck Rogers. You know it makes sense...
Derby this year has averaged out at around 250-300, which for me is a decent cricket wicket. There were more wickets for Tim Groenewald and after early stick from Shakib, who put the visitors back in the game, Robin Peterson took another two wickets, giving him 42 so far this season.
It was good to see Greg Smith and Mark Footitt bowling with control too and that we got through the day without any obvious injuries in the current situation. Wes Durston missed out from last night's niggle, so there was a welcome return to the lineup for Dan Redfern. I'd love to see Redders get a score in this game, as he's had a difficult season, but I still have confidence he will be back to his normal self next summer.
At the end of the day there was a solid stand between Rogers and Madsen and Derbyshire closed on 43-0, 236 behind. The skipper needs just 44 more runs tomorrow to reach his thousand for the season yet again and has a lot of time remaining to take his aggregate to new heights. All this on a day when his country were skittled for 88 at Headingley by Pakistan.
C'mon Australia, you need Buck Rogers. You know it makes sense...
Tracks of my tears
There were a few comments on Sky last night with regard to the wicket at the County Ground. It looked a little patchy, although it seemed to play OK once a batsman got in.
With the square having been turned around, this was always going to be a difficult year for the groundstaff. Last season it was little short of a batting paradise and players from all sides enjoyed the fact that they could play their shots. Although there was a little early help for bowlers, the wickets got easier as games progressed and bowling out sides a second time became increasingly problematic when we got to the later summer months.
This year has been different and a few players have found their batting averages plummeting. The bounce has been variable at times and the wickets quite slow, making them difficult, though far from impossible to bat on. This has meant that results have always been likely in the Championship, while one day games have not seen the expansive stroke play that fans might have hoped for. Certainly they will have been a long way from what Loots Bosman had expected, while Wes Durston, brought up on the flat track at Taunton, wore a bemused look on occasion last night as the ball wasn't there for certain shots.
Such wickets have made our bowling injuries all the more keenly felt, as a full strength side might have taken better advantage. It also makes Chris Rogers current sub-70 average all the more remarkable, as he has needed to work for them this year. A greater difference from the WACA in Perth where he played a lot of his cricket would be hard to find…
No doubt they will bed down over the winter months, but the fact remains that a good track for successful four-day cricket generally produces results, while a good one for one day games allows for extravagant strokes to attract and entertain the crowds. The trick is to be able to offer both, but I'd be surprised if that was feasible. No doubt there will be post-season discussions about the way forward between Messrs Morris and Godrich
With the square having been turned around, this was always going to be a difficult year for the groundstaff. Last season it was little short of a batting paradise and players from all sides enjoyed the fact that they could play their shots. Although there was a little early help for bowlers, the wickets got easier as games progressed and bowling out sides a second time became increasingly problematic when we got to the later summer months.
This year has been different and a few players have found their batting averages plummeting. The bounce has been variable at times and the wickets quite slow, making them difficult, though far from impossible to bat on. This has meant that results have always been likely in the Championship, while one day games have not seen the expansive stroke play that fans might have hoped for. Certainly they will have been a long way from what Loots Bosman had expected, while Wes Durston, brought up on the flat track at Taunton, wore a bemused look on occasion last night as the ball wasn't there for certain shots.
Such wickets have made our bowling injuries all the more keenly felt, as a full strength side might have taken better advantage. It also makes Chris Rogers current sub-70 average all the more remarkable, as he has needed to work for them this year. A greater difference from the WACA in Perth where he played a lot of his cricket would be hard to find…
No doubt they will bed down over the winter months, but the fact remains that a good track for successful four-day cricket generally produces results, while a good one for one day games allows for extravagant strokes to attract and entertain the crowds. The trick is to be able to offer both, but I'd be surprised if that was feasible. No doubt there will be post-season discussions about the way forward between Messrs Morris and Godrich
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire FP40
Despite the defeat at the end of it all, there was much to admire in Derbyshire's performance last night against Gloucestershire. Though quite why the umpires allowed a new batsman to walk out in pouring rain is beyond me, even more strange than how we end up finishing late in the evening before a game the following morning. Things could only have been worse had we to travel to Worcester to play it…
I could understand John Morris' frustration when he and his groundstaff are trying to protect a wicket to win one game while also protecting the one for today's fixture that must have got some rain on it. It was one of those evenings and a shame for those involved in the festival, who would have prayed for good weather.
I thought Derbyshire batted well last night, despite early difficulties. Rogers and Durston batted sensibly before the skipper got out to the worst shot I've ever seen him play, while Durston looked to have hurt himself in taking a sharp single and was out soon afterwards. Madsen looked a class apart on the day and his hockey background was obvious in the way that he plays the reverse sweep. I think he would actually score even more heavily in the middle order than as opener, but it depends on where our greater need lies. He is a fine player of spin, that much was obvious, and the only irksome part of his innings was how the commentators consistently referred to him as "Madsten" and the team as "Derby." Last time I looked we were a county, not city side, though maybe they're paving the way for a franchise…
I also thought Garry Park had a fine game. His impish improvisation with the bat was a delight, while his fielding is always a pleasure to see. His bowling looked good last night too and Park has much to offer the side. The biggest surprise was when he dropped a caught and bowled, seemingly thinking it was coming back at him faster than it did.
In the field we also acquitted ourselves well. Jones always gives good value, while Groenewald looks better every time I see him. I was also pleased to see that Jake Needham has his "loop" back and he looked a bowler of talent again. He extracted considerable turn at times and bowled good lines and length. He also fielded very well and we really need Jake to develop in the next few years. Again it was frustrating to listen to commentators bemoaning our "selection" of spinners for the game, oblivious to the fact that we only have three fit ones now Langeveldt has returned to South Africa and Atif Sheikh is with England Under-19s.
There were only two downsides for me, one being that Greg Smith looked low in confidence with bat and ball. He struggled to time it on a variable surface then bowled some poor stuff for once, leaking runs at crucial times. Meanwhile Lee Goddard gave one of the sloppiest wicket keeping performances I've seen in some time and struggled to take the ball at all cleanly. A missed stumping was a low point, but Goddard seemed to be standing up to quickly, with the ball often hitting his fingertips. Maybe the variable bounce was a factor, but he will need to improve on that performance in the coming weeks. I rate him as a player, as regular readers will know, but he was well below par last night.
Comedy high point? Steffan Jones' bat, which looked like someone had attached a handle to a door. I like the way that a smile is rarely far from Steffan's face, yet he plays the game with an intensity and commitment that few can match. Long may he continue to entertain us all and be a part of the Derbyshire scene. With another ten like him, we could take on anyone.
I could understand John Morris' frustration when he and his groundstaff are trying to protect a wicket to win one game while also protecting the one for today's fixture that must have got some rain on it. It was one of those evenings and a shame for those involved in the festival, who would have prayed for good weather.
I thought Derbyshire batted well last night, despite early difficulties. Rogers and Durston batted sensibly before the skipper got out to the worst shot I've ever seen him play, while Durston looked to have hurt himself in taking a sharp single and was out soon afterwards. Madsen looked a class apart on the day and his hockey background was obvious in the way that he plays the reverse sweep. I think he would actually score even more heavily in the middle order than as opener, but it depends on where our greater need lies. He is a fine player of spin, that much was obvious, and the only irksome part of his innings was how the commentators consistently referred to him as "Madsten" and the team as "Derby." Last time I looked we were a county, not city side, though maybe they're paving the way for a franchise…
I also thought Garry Park had a fine game. His impish improvisation with the bat was a delight, while his fielding is always a pleasure to see. His bowling looked good last night too and Park has much to offer the side. The biggest surprise was when he dropped a caught and bowled, seemingly thinking it was coming back at him faster than it did.
In the field we also acquitted ourselves well. Jones always gives good value, while Groenewald looks better every time I see him. I was also pleased to see that Jake Needham has his "loop" back and he looked a bowler of talent again. He extracted considerable turn at times and bowled good lines and length. He also fielded very well and we really need Jake to develop in the next few years. Again it was frustrating to listen to commentators bemoaning our "selection" of spinners for the game, oblivious to the fact that we only have three fit ones now Langeveldt has returned to South Africa and Atif Sheikh is with England Under-19s.
There were only two downsides for me, one being that Greg Smith looked low in confidence with bat and ball. He struggled to time it on a variable surface then bowled some poor stuff for once, leaking runs at crucial times. Meanwhile Lee Goddard gave one of the sloppiest wicket keeping performances I've seen in some time and struggled to take the ball at all cleanly. A missed stumping was a low point, but Goddard seemed to be standing up to quickly, with the ball often hitting his fingertips. Maybe the variable bounce was a factor, but he will need to improve on that performance in the coming weeks. I rate him as a player, as regular readers will know, but he was well below par last night.
Comedy high point? Steffan Jones' bat, which looked like someone had attached a handle to a door. I like the way that a smile is rarely far from Steffan's face, yet he plays the game with an intensity and commitment that few can match. Long may he continue to entertain us all and be a part of the Derbyshire scene. With another ten like him, we could take on anyone.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Morris has plenty to do
There's a well thought out reply to my Graeme Wagg post last night from Master Villain, a regular and appreciated contributor to this blog.
He makes a few comments on our bowling attack for next season (or potential lack of one) and also addresses the question of overseas player, should Chris Rogers be unable to return. There's little doubt that John Morris will have a lot of work to do this winter as he addresses the potential loss of Graham Wagg, Chris Rogers and Robin Peterson. If you take the best batsman and bowler out of any team, as well as the star all-rounder for the past few seasons, it leaves a lot of work to do in bringing that side back up to standard.
As I've written before, I think John Morris may wait as long as possible before looking to replace Rogers, as available players of his calibre are few and far between. He will hope, like we all do, for an Ashes recall for the skipper. I had entertained ideas, like Master Villain, that someone like Phil Hughes could be lured for a season in England that might attract the attention of the Australian selectors. Alternatively, an all-rounder like James Hopes would have been worthwhile, or perhaps even Marcus North for another stint, giving us a batsman of ability as well as a much-improved spinner.
The reality of the international cricket calendar is that next summer Australia host Zimbabwe in June and July, followed by a trip to Sri Lanka in August and September. That would, on the face of it, rule out most Australians of note and with the regulations as they stand, there would be no possibility of bringing over a young tyro keen to make a reputation, as he wouldn't get a work visa without international experience. So it is unlikely that you'd see the equivalent of a Greg Chappell, Andrew Symonds, Adam Voges or Michael/David Hussey, all of who made their name and honed their game over here on the county circuit.
As it stands at present, the only countries with no international commitments during the 2011 season after the World Cup in April are South Africa and New Zealand. It is unlikely that Cricket South Africa would want their big names burned out on the county circuit, while the bigger names in New Zealand would likewise be wrapped in cotton wool. I'm not sure where that leaves John Morris, to be perfectly honest, but I hope it highlights the fact that team building is a long way removed from a cricket simulation on the computer...
Given his recent stress fracture of the back, I would be surprised if Friedel de Wet was encouraged to undertake a county stint, though I'd agree with Master Villain that he would probably take wickets here. So too would Juan Theron, who has an excellent first class record but sadly wouldn't get a visa without international experience.
To be honest, if we can't have Buck I'd prefer an all-rounder who bats in the middle order, though don't ask me who. North or Hopes would have been my choice, but that appears unlikely if they remain in the international frame. For one thing, such a player would give us balance and for another I would like to see Paul Borrington given a chance to open. I'm sure the jury is out on Bozza at present, but he has seldom had an opportunity to take his preferred place in the order. As one of our brighter prospects, we need to see if he can cut it at county level and give him the best opportunity to do so. If he fails to take it that is one of those things, but there's a big difference in opening and batting at three, four or five.
Even at club level you see it. If I had a fiver for every time I've asked someone if they'd like to open and they've said no thanks, I'd be typing this at my Caribbean beach retreat right now. It is a specialist job and I think we should give an extended trial to a young player who could make a fist of it.
For what it is worth, my first choice Derbyshire side for next season at present would read something like:
Borrington/Hughes
Madsen
Park
Smith
Durston
Hughes/Redfern
X
Clare
Goddard
Groenewald
X
Of course, much will depend on winter recruitment and the above is a very young and inexperienced side. With such an eleven would come inconsistency and periodic struggles, but some may step forward and take on additional responsibility. I would also hope that fans might see the bigger picture and be supportive of an important transitional phase in the county's development. Think of your own work if it helps. Take out the person who runs the IT service and the one who leads on development, together with your most experienced and reliable employee and it will give you an idea of the challenge facing Morris this winter. Anyone expecting a trophy next summer might as well stock up on the vitriol now, as there's only Smith in that side has more than fifty first-class matches under his belt...
If Morris loses the big names, one would assume he would have a reasonable amount of money for improvements. I suspect a busy winter ahead which might change a few things. Naturally I'll keep you updated here on the blog!
He makes a few comments on our bowling attack for next season (or potential lack of one) and also addresses the question of overseas player, should Chris Rogers be unable to return. There's little doubt that John Morris will have a lot of work to do this winter as he addresses the potential loss of Graham Wagg, Chris Rogers and Robin Peterson. If you take the best batsman and bowler out of any team, as well as the star all-rounder for the past few seasons, it leaves a lot of work to do in bringing that side back up to standard.
As I've written before, I think John Morris may wait as long as possible before looking to replace Rogers, as available players of his calibre are few and far between. He will hope, like we all do, for an Ashes recall for the skipper. I had entertained ideas, like Master Villain, that someone like Phil Hughes could be lured for a season in England that might attract the attention of the Australian selectors. Alternatively, an all-rounder like James Hopes would have been worthwhile, or perhaps even Marcus North for another stint, giving us a batsman of ability as well as a much-improved spinner.
The reality of the international cricket calendar is that next summer Australia host Zimbabwe in June and July, followed by a trip to Sri Lanka in August and September. That would, on the face of it, rule out most Australians of note and with the regulations as they stand, there would be no possibility of bringing over a young tyro keen to make a reputation, as he wouldn't get a work visa without international experience. So it is unlikely that you'd see the equivalent of a Greg Chappell, Andrew Symonds, Adam Voges or Michael/David Hussey, all of who made their name and honed their game over here on the county circuit.
As it stands at present, the only countries with no international commitments during the 2011 season after the World Cup in April are South Africa and New Zealand. It is unlikely that Cricket South Africa would want their big names burned out on the county circuit, while the bigger names in New Zealand would likewise be wrapped in cotton wool. I'm not sure where that leaves John Morris, to be perfectly honest, but I hope it highlights the fact that team building is a long way removed from a cricket simulation on the computer...
Given his recent stress fracture of the back, I would be surprised if Friedel de Wet was encouraged to undertake a county stint, though I'd agree with Master Villain that he would probably take wickets here. So too would Juan Theron, who has an excellent first class record but sadly wouldn't get a visa without international experience.
To be honest, if we can't have Buck I'd prefer an all-rounder who bats in the middle order, though don't ask me who. North or Hopes would have been my choice, but that appears unlikely if they remain in the international frame. For one thing, such a player would give us balance and for another I would like to see Paul Borrington given a chance to open. I'm sure the jury is out on Bozza at present, but he has seldom had an opportunity to take his preferred place in the order. As one of our brighter prospects, we need to see if he can cut it at county level and give him the best opportunity to do so. If he fails to take it that is one of those things, but there's a big difference in opening and batting at three, four or five.
Even at club level you see it. If I had a fiver for every time I've asked someone if they'd like to open and they've said no thanks, I'd be typing this at my Caribbean beach retreat right now. It is a specialist job and I think we should give an extended trial to a young player who could make a fist of it.
For what it is worth, my first choice Derbyshire side for next season at present would read something like:
Borrington/Hughes
Madsen
Park
Smith
Durston
Hughes/Redfern
X
Clare
Goddard
Groenewald
X
Of course, much will depend on winter recruitment and the above is a very young and inexperienced side. With such an eleven would come inconsistency and periodic struggles, but some may step forward and take on additional responsibility. I would also hope that fans might see the bigger picture and be supportive of an important transitional phase in the county's development. Think of your own work if it helps. Take out the person who runs the IT service and the one who leads on development, together with your most experienced and reliable employee and it will give you an idea of the challenge facing Morris this winter. Anyone expecting a trophy next summer might as well stock up on the vitriol now, as there's only Smith in that side has more than fifty first-class matches under his belt...
If Morris loses the big names, one would assume he would have a reasonable amount of money for improvements. I suspect a busy winter ahead which might change a few things. Naturally I'll keep you updated here on the blog!
Monday, 19 July 2010
Monday musings
You know that old adage - "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"?
It's fairly apposite, if tweaked, for Derbyshire fans as we reflect on the end of the T20 campaign. Would we all have felt better if we'd stumbled through the campaign and never threatened qualification? Or is it all the worse because we were so near and yet so far? There's been a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth going on around the boards, people threatening to tear up membership cards and to never go again, but if you're a fan you can't turn loyalty on and off like a light switch. Perhaps you can if you're a casual observer, but as a fan you take the beatings, get up and prepare for what happens next, good or bad.
It happens. There seems to be a feeling abroad that we should expect better of Derbyshire and of course we always strive to be as good as possible, but the reality is that in cricketing terms we are the same as lots of teams in sport. We get our occasional spells in the limelight, which are perhaps all the more enjoyable because they don't happen all that often. You don't get blasé with success if you follow Derbyshire cricket fortunes...
I can remember several periods in our history that were considerably darker than the present one, while my Dad has watched the county since 1946 and has seen some very poor teams in the colours. We've had our good players and decent sides, but the reality is that in our 140th year we can reflect on FOUR trophies, a fact that confirms we've never been among the giants of the game. For much of that time, until the 1960s, there was only one trophy to play for and that usually went to Yorkshire or Surrey. From the the 1930s to 1950s we were a decent team that threatened on a few occasions, but we never took the ultimate prize, apart from that one golden year in 1936.
The inescapable fact remains that since Dean Jones and Les Stillman left the county and before John Morris we were in decline on the field. Off it we have done wonders latterly, but without pots of money it is impossible to turn a team around quickly. This week has seen comments that we were a better team under Dave Houghton, but were Stubbings and Birch better than Rogers and Madsen? Was Hasan Adnan better than Garry Park? Was Ant Botha better than Robin Peterson? Some might argue that had Houghton remained his nephew, Garry Ballance might still be at Derbyshire, but I disagree. Yorkshire made him an offer he couldn't refuse (thankfully, there were no horse's heads involved) and he would have moved anyway. Houghton decided that Travis Birt was a better option than Michael di Venuto, a decision that John Morris could only match if he preferred Loots Bosman over Chris Rogers for a full season.
Yes, John Morris has changed personnel, but I'll bet in some cases it was because they were better than we had, which is fair enough, rather than perhaps a player he really wanted. Top players command top salaries and we simply cannot compete in that market. Those lacking opportunities elsewhere, or who have fallen under the radar of others are our target and Morris has done well with these on the whole, with few real failures.
Calls to sack him are silly. I'll be the first to admit that next season, the last on his current contract, is a big one for the Head of Cricket, but this is a long way from a nightmare season. We cannot afford to pay him off anyway and I cannot think of anyone off the top of my head who I would guarantee to do a better job. We need stability at Derbyshire and by the end of next season Morris will have had four years. Other people will then decide, based on results next season, whether he continues to be the man for the job or there is someone better out there. Presumably what we're looking for is a billionaire with top coaching credentials who wants to plough his fortune into a first class county...
Bear in mind that we finished mid-table in a very strong group, above Durham AND Yorkshire. We beat Lancashire TWICE for the first time and ran Warwickshire very close in both matches. They both qualified, as did Northamptonshire, who we beat at Northampton. We were a long way from disgraced, but need to improve our consistency, as we lost badly at Worcester to a poor side and collectively froze on the big occasion on Friday. Meanwhile Leicestershire beat us at Chesterfield thanks to one of those innings from Jefferson where it all went right. By any standards we were a long way from being disgraced, but a smattering of sub-standard performances cost us dearly.
Part of the problem was the shortage of players. You could effectively name eight or nine of the team every time, yet the intensity of such matches is that Groenewald and Jones, who both did a fine job, could have done with a breather. I'm staggered by the amount of cricket that Jones has played this season, but he's had to play because there was simply no one else. He is a fine, committed player but we need to find others for next season to allow him a rest and the chance to coach more. Mind you, with Wagg, Clare, Lungley and Hunter injured, there's not many around to coach…
For me, Jones would be a better bet taking John Sadler's role in the Second XI, as skipper, mentor and coach. Youngsters couldn't wish for a better role model and we could really do with some of these young bowlers coming through. He would still, like Sadler currently, be available for one-day games. Much will depend on how much life is left in those legs, but time marches on for all of us. Sads is a nice guy and chipped in well in the T20, but perhaps we need to revamp things a little and find someone who plays more than a cameo role given our meagre means.
Between now and the end of the season we must improve our standing in the Pro 40 and the Championship. For what it is worth, I think our T20 position was about right, as before it started I thought Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham and Nottinghamshire would finish above us. It was a different four, but I wasn't too far away with the position. In the Championship, we're better than our current placing suggests and can move up the table, while in the Pro 40 we need to show we can play one-day cricket again.
If nothing else, I hope that the remainder of the season allows us to finish on a high, rather than be victims of the depression that overtook Derbyshire fans yesterday.
I'll settle for that right now, wouldn't you?
It's fairly apposite, if tweaked, for Derbyshire fans as we reflect on the end of the T20 campaign. Would we all have felt better if we'd stumbled through the campaign and never threatened qualification? Or is it all the worse because we were so near and yet so far? There's been a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth going on around the boards, people threatening to tear up membership cards and to never go again, but if you're a fan you can't turn loyalty on and off like a light switch. Perhaps you can if you're a casual observer, but as a fan you take the beatings, get up and prepare for what happens next, good or bad.
It happens. There seems to be a feeling abroad that we should expect better of Derbyshire and of course we always strive to be as good as possible, but the reality is that in cricketing terms we are the same as lots of teams in sport. We get our occasional spells in the limelight, which are perhaps all the more enjoyable because they don't happen all that often. You don't get blasé with success if you follow Derbyshire cricket fortunes...
I can remember several periods in our history that were considerably darker than the present one, while my Dad has watched the county since 1946 and has seen some very poor teams in the colours. We've had our good players and decent sides, but the reality is that in our 140th year we can reflect on FOUR trophies, a fact that confirms we've never been among the giants of the game. For much of that time, until the 1960s, there was only one trophy to play for and that usually went to Yorkshire or Surrey. From the the 1930s to 1950s we were a decent team that threatened on a few occasions, but we never took the ultimate prize, apart from that one golden year in 1936.
The inescapable fact remains that since Dean Jones and Les Stillman left the county and before John Morris we were in decline on the field. Off it we have done wonders latterly, but without pots of money it is impossible to turn a team around quickly. This week has seen comments that we were a better team under Dave Houghton, but were Stubbings and Birch better than Rogers and Madsen? Was Hasan Adnan better than Garry Park? Was Ant Botha better than Robin Peterson? Some might argue that had Houghton remained his nephew, Garry Ballance might still be at Derbyshire, but I disagree. Yorkshire made him an offer he couldn't refuse (thankfully, there were no horse's heads involved) and he would have moved anyway. Houghton decided that Travis Birt was a better option than Michael di Venuto, a decision that John Morris could only match if he preferred Loots Bosman over Chris Rogers for a full season.
Yes, John Morris has changed personnel, but I'll bet in some cases it was because they were better than we had, which is fair enough, rather than perhaps a player he really wanted. Top players command top salaries and we simply cannot compete in that market. Those lacking opportunities elsewhere, or who have fallen under the radar of others are our target and Morris has done well with these on the whole, with few real failures.
Calls to sack him are silly. I'll be the first to admit that next season, the last on his current contract, is a big one for the Head of Cricket, but this is a long way from a nightmare season. We cannot afford to pay him off anyway and I cannot think of anyone off the top of my head who I would guarantee to do a better job. We need stability at Derbyshire and by the end of next season Morris will have had four years. Other people will then decide, based on results next season, whether he continues to be the man for the job or there is someone better out there. Presumably what we're looking for is a billionaire with top coaching credentials who wants to plough his fortune into a first class county...
Bear in mind that we finished mid-table in a very strong group, above Durham AND Yorkshire. We beat Lancashire TWICE for the first time and ran Warwickshire very close in both matches. They both qualified, as did Northamptonshire, who we beat at Northampton. We were a long way from disgraced, but need to improve our consistency, as we lost badly at Worcester to a poor side and collectively froze on the big occasion on Friday. Meanwhile Leicestershire beat us at Chesterfield thanks to one of those innings from Jefferson where it all went right. By any standards we were a long way from being disgraced, but a smattering of sub-standard performances cost us dearly.
Part of the problem was the shortage of players. You could effectively name eight or nine of the team every time, yet the intensity of such matches is that Groenewald and Jones, who both did a fine job, could have done with a breather. I'm staggered by the amount of cricket that Jones has played this season, but he's had to play because there was simply no one else. He is a fine, committed player but we need to find others for next season to allow him a rest and the chance to coach more. Mind you, with Wagg, Clare, Lungley and Hunter injured, there's not many around to coach…
For me, Jones would be a better bet taking John Sadler's role in the Second XI, as skipper, mentor and coach. Youngsters couldn't wish for a better role model and we could really do with some of these young bowlers coming through. He would still, like Sadler currently, be available for one-day games. Much will depend on how much life is left in those legs, but time marches on for all of us. Sads is a nice guy and chipped in well in the T20, but perhaps we need to revamp things a little and find someone who plays more than a cameo role given our meagre means.
Between now and the end of the season we must improve our standing in the Pro 40 and the Championship. For what it is worth, I think our T20 position was about right, as before it started I thought Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham and Nottinghamshire would finish above us. It was a different four, but I wasn't too far away with the position. In the Championship, we're better than our current placing suggests and can move up the table, while in the Pro 40 we need to show we can play one-day cricket again.
If nothing else, I hope that the remainder of the season allows us to finish on a high, rather than be victims of the depression that overtook Derbyshire fans yesterday.
I'll settle for that right now, wouldn't you?
Graham Wagg
There is a lot of nonsense in the air with regard to Graham Wagg today, with BBC Wales staff hopefully about to be kicked up the backside for breaking a press embargo and essentially getting their facts wrong.
You can see the full story here
http://www.derbyshireccc.com/servlets/template?FILE=news-fullstory&SID=15301722142251252570553&news_id=2638&title=Derbyshire County Cricket Club Statement
It does little credit to BBC Wales that they broke this embargo and even less that they managed, in so doing, to so skew the story that it read the opposite of what was intended.
For that matter, who actually believed that John Morris wouldn't be doing his utmost to keep him at the club? We're not so flush for cricketers of quality that we could turn away one of Wagg's ability. When I first read it, my conclusions were that he was either asking for silly money that we didn't have (in which case he turned down an offer) or that he was only not being offered one because his achilles tendon injury was career-threatening, like the one that ended Graeme Welch's playing days.
I have no issue with Graham Wagg doing the best for himself and his young family and if he decides that his future lies away from Derby then so be it. He has been a fine player for us, though I'd fall short of calling him a "legend" that is being written in some quarters. My "legends" need to do a little bit more than 180 wickets for the club. On that basis can I call Freddie Swarbrook (400 wickets-plus) a minor deity?
My guess is that Wagg will go, which is a shame, but life will go on. While I would love him to stay, no one man is bigger than the club, as Kim Barnett, Dominic Cork and a few others found out. Yes, we missed them as we'll probably miss Wagg, but someone else would then get an opportunity and who knows, may do even better. I am surprised that he looks set for Glamorgan though, hardly the first place national selectors look. I was surprised when Jim Allenby moved there, despite good offers from a couple of counties, so can only assume that someone is bankrolling them and offering daft money.
Looking at their record this season, which is little better than ours, it's not working, is it?
You can see the full story here
http://www.derbyshireccc.com/servlets/template?FILE=news-fullstory&SID=15301722142251252570553&news_id=2638&title=Derbyshire County Cricket Club Statement
It does little credit to BBC Wales that they broke this embargo and even less that they managed, in so doing, to so skew the story that it read the opposite of what was intended.
For that matter, who actually believed that John Morris wouldn't be doing his utmost to keep him at the club? We're not so flush for cricketers of quality that we could turn away one of Wagg's ability. When I first read it, my conclusions were that he was either asking for silly money that we didn't have (in which case he turned down an offer) or that he was only not being offered one because his achilles tendon injury was career-threatening, like the one that ended Graeme Welch's playing days.
I have no issue with Graham Wagg doing the best for himself and his young family and if he decides that his future lies away from Derby then so be it. He has been a fine player for us, though I'd fall short of calling him a "legend" that is being written in some quarters. My "legends" need to do a little bit more than 180 wickets for the club. On that basis can I call Freddie Swarbrook (400 wickets-plus) a minor deity?
My guess is that Wagg will go, which is a shame, but life will go on. While I would love him to stay, no one man is bigger than the club, as Kim Barnett, Dominic Cork and a few others found out. Yes, we missed them as we'll probably miss Wagg, but someone else would then get an opportunity and who knows, may do even better. I am surprised that he looks set for Glamorgan though, hardly the first place national selectors look. I was surprised when Jim Allenby moved there, despite good offers from a couple of counties, so can only assume that someone is bankrolling them and offering daft money.
Looking at their record this season, which is little better than ours, it's not working, is it?
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Derbyshire v Yorkshire
So a T20 campaign that burst into life with a display of brilliance at Headingley fizzled out like a damp squib at Derby this afternoon against the same opposition.
Actually, it wasn't as the team we hammered at the start of the competition was much stronger than the one to which we lost today and that is the inherent frustration in supporting Derbyshire. When we least expect it we can be a match for anyone, then, having done all the hard work, end up little further forward.
Today we were missing Loots Bosman ("flown home" was what I heard, though I don't know why) and the batting, with the exception of Wes Durston never really got going. For what it is worth, we got what I expected with Bosman, a bloke who can hit a ball a long way given the width to do so, but who struggled to score regularly when he was cramped for room. Word soon got around about him and he never really threatened to match his Headingley brilliance afterwards. There were twenties and thirties, but insufficient innings of substance to make a real difference. Having said that, he still did better than the other big gun Dave Warner at Middlesex, who didn't make any score higher than 43 in 13 innings and must have been a major disappointment.
With five bowlers under eight an over we improved on that front, with Langeveldt again the most economical, just pipping Robin Peterson. There were consistent performances from Tim Groenewald too, though Wes Durston was, for me, under-utilised.
The main problem is still that we struggle to bat and bowl well in the same game. Several losses came after the batting had struggled and there's an element of irony in that last year we got the batting pretty much right and this year the bowling improved. Maybe next year we'll get them both right...
I don't understand why Jon Clare was selected ahead of Dan Redfern as a batsman though. Clare the all rounder is a fine player, but he's not in Redfern's league as a batter. We also missed John Sadler latterly in the middle order and Greg Smith struggled with the bat, a highest score of 38 telling its own tale.
For me though, the competition was way too long. Irrespective of the fact that it let us see Bosman and Langeveldt, it lasted longer than some people's marriage and there is little wonder that crowds stopped attending. The weather was rarely conducive to cricket watching and there were too many "nothing" games. Derbyshire's best chance of beating a big team is in a one off match and at present we're likely to be found out over a longer haul.
My verdict? We're improving and there were some good performances, but we still have a long way to go and fans will have to wait for some time before we're genuinely able to mix it with the better sides on a regular basis.
Actually, it wasn't as the team we hammered at the start of the competition was much stronger than the one to which we lost today and that is the inherent frustration in supporting Derbyshire. When we least expect it we can be a match for anyone, then, having done all the hard work, end up little further forward.
Today we were missing Loots Bosman ("flown home" was what I heard, though I don't know why) and the batting, with the exception of Wes Durston never really got going. For what it is worth, we got what I expected with Bosman, a bloke who can hit a ball a long way given the width to do so, but who struggled to score regularly when he was cramped for room. Word soon got around about him and he never really threatened to match his Headingley brilliance afterwards. There were twenties and thirties, but insufficient innings of substance to make a real difference. Having said that, he still did better than the other big gun Dave Warner at Middlesex, who didn't make any score higher than 43 in 13 innings and must have been a major disappointment.
With five bowlers under eight an over we improved on that front, with Langeveldt again the most economical, just pipping Robin Peterson. There were consistent performances from Tim Groenewald too, though Wes Durston was, for me, under-utilised.
The main problem is still that we struggle to bat and bowl well in the same game. Several losses came after the batting had struggled and there's an element of irony in that last year we got the batting pretty much right and this year the bowling improved. Maybe next year we'll get them both right...
I don't understand why Jon Clare was selected ahead of Dan Redfern as a batsman though. Clare the all rounder is a fine player, but he's not in Redfern's league as a batter. We also missed John Sadler latterly in the middle order and Greg Smith struggled with the bat, a highest score of 38 telling its own tale.
For me though, the competition was way too long. Irrespective of the fact that it let us see Bosman and Langeveldt, it lasted longer than some people's marriage and there is little wonder that crowds stopped attending. The weather was rarely conducive to cricket watching and there were too many "nothing" games. Derbyshire's best chance of beating a big team is in a one off match and at present we're likely to be found out over a longer haul.
My verdict? We're improving and there were some good performances, but we still have a long way to go and fans will have to wait for some time before we're genuinely able to mix it with the better sides on a regular basis.
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