Warm congratulations to Steve Stubbings, whose second team sit proudly atop the Championship table tonight.
It is tribute to aggressive cricket played by a young side that has young seamers of talent in Marsden, Taylor, Cork and Cotton, good spinners in Burgoyne and Knight, plus enough batting to score runs quickly and allow time to force a win.
Read into it as you will, but while fully accepting that it is a further step to the county game, the efforts of this side over the summer augurs well for our future. With equally encouraging results and performances in the Academy, there's plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
Keep in mind the five-year plan and that this is only year two.
I see a very bright future, whether we stay up this year or not.
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Crowded House...
It's always nice to hear from Bob Marsden of Buxton Cricket Club. He's been a fixture of the place for some time and it is as good a club as you could wish to find, with a stunning location.
I hoped he would be in touch after last night's piece and it was good to see him confirming my thoughts on a potential use of Buxton at some point in the future. As I said last night, the romantic in me would love to see it, but there's a big difference between a good club ground and one worthy of first-class status. Bob kindly confirmed my thoughts on work needing done to make it viable there below last night's piece.
The same would go for other grounds. Ilkeston is a long way from being fit for the county game, even though the games there between ourselves and Nottinghamshire pulled large crowds. I always felt Heanor too small for first-class and with modern bats you could see 400 plays 350 in a 40-over game today. Even outfields are crucial - a club cricketer turns an ankle on a pothole and its a shame, but something that you treat as an occupational hazard. A first-class player does the same and a career could be gone, especially if it happened to someone in the last year of a contract.
I always smile when I see first-class players running in to meet the ball and swooping to throw in one-handed. Crikey, on my club ground anything off the square is like fielding on the Somme...safety helmets are no bad idea if you're getting into the long barrier position for someone who's really hitting it...
What really got me thinking was Bob's comment about the 8,000 crowd that Wisden recorded at Buxton when we played Lancashire there in 1970's Sunday League. I was there with my Dad that day and still recall Lancashire putting us to the sword, Faroukh Engineer leading off with uncommon haste before Frank Hayes and Clive Lloyd biffed it around. Chris Wilkins then hit a huge straight six off Lloyd that was still rising as it cleared the crowd, while the late Ian Buxton hit another that landed a yard from where Dad and I sat at mid-wicket. Dad tried his best to catch it, I feel no shame in saying that I was doing my best to get out of the way...
It was a big crowd that day, plenty from Lanky-Lanky-Lanky-Lanky Lancashire, as the song went, but EIGHT THOUSAND? Were there three thousand more than at Derby for the Nottinghamshire game recently? Did they give out oxygen at the first aid tents? I'm not so sure and I'd be inclined to doubt the validity of some of these older crowd statistics. I know safety regulations were much different then and there were fewer cars (so how did they all get there?) but you'd have got to know people well if that was the genuine figure, bringing in £1100 - or about 14p per person.
It made me check another couple of statistics that I had in my head for accuracy and they're equally mind-blowing. In 1969, for the Gillette Cup semi-final against Sussex at Chesterfield, the crowd was reckoned to be TEN THOUSAND. Again, I was there with Dad that day and it was seriously busy (and wet, early on) but if you compare it to the Yorkshire sell-out recently - could you really get twice as many people into the ground? Given the limited space by the scoreboard and at either end (we sat at the lake end that day), I can only surmise that a lot were sitting in and behind the bandstand. I could accept maybe six thousand, at a push seven, but ten thousand? Hmmm...
Then the daddy of them all. 1948, the first day of the game against Donald Bradman's 'invincibles' at Derby. There was a massive post-war interest in the game and the chance to see a great side was a big draw. My old man couldn't get time off the pit to go and was pretty miffed about it. So how many does Wisden record attending the first day of the game?
17,000. SEVENTEEN THOUSAND...
Call me cynical, but were they counting legs, both those with two and with four? However the ground has been re-designed in the intervening period, I cannot conceive that three-and-a half times the recent sell-out against Nottinghamshire were allowed in it, unless they were working on a sardines commercial at the same time. Legislation may have changed, but if that figure is accurate they must have stood all day and had little in the way of a view. Sadly, as it happens, because the Aussies racked up 431-7 before the close, a young bowler named Les Jackson took two wickets and skipper Eddie Gothard, who was never a great bowler, took three and bowled Bradman.
Heady stuff. Suffice to say that if we ever get that number in the ground again I suspect the health and safety people would close us down.
Interesting thing, statistics. What do they say? There's lies, damn lies and then...
I hoped he would be in touch after last night's piece and it was good to see him confirming my thoughts on a potential use of Buxton at some point in the future. As I said last night, the romantic in me would love to see it, but there's a big difference between a good club ground and one worthy of first-class status. Bob kindly confirmed my thoughts on work needing done to make it viable there below last night's piece.
The same would go for other grounds. Ilkeston is a long way from being fit for the county game, even though the games there between ourselves and Nottinghamshire pulled large crowds. I always felt Heanor too small for first-class and with modern bats you could see 400 plays 350 in a 40-over game today. Even outfields are crucial - a club cricketer turns an ankle on a pothole and its a shame, but something that you treat as an occupational hazard. A first-class player does the same and a career could be gone, especially if it happened to someone in the last year of a contract.
I always smile when I see first-class players running in to meet the ball and swooping to throw in one-handed. Crikey, on my club ground anything off the square is like fielding on the Somme...safety helmets are no bad idea if you're getting into the long barrier position for someone who's really hitting it...
What really got me thinking was Bob's comment about the 8,000 crowd that Wisden recorded at Buxton when we played Lancashire there in 1970's Sunday League. I was there with my Dad that day and still recall Lancashire putting us to the sword, Faroukh Engineer leading off with uncommon haste before Frank Hayes and Clive Lloyd biffed it around. Chris Wilkins then hit a huge straight six off Lloyd that was still rising as it cleared the crowd, while the late Ian Buxton hit another that landed a yard from where Dad and I sat at mid-wicket. Dad tried his best to catch it, I feel no shame in saying that I was doing my best to get out of the way...
It was a big crowd that day, plenty from Lanky-Lanky-Lanky-Lanky Lancashire, as the song went, but EIGHT THOUSAND? Were there three thousand more than at Derby for the Nottinghamshire game recently? Did they give out oxygen at the first aid tents? I'm not so sure and I'd be inclined to doubt the validity of some of these older crowd statistics. I know safety regulations were much different then and there were fewer cars (so how did they all get there?) but you'd have got to know people well if that was the genuine figure, bringing in £1100 - or about 14p per person.
It made me check another couple of statistics that I had in my head for accuracy and they're equally mind-blowing. In 1969, for the Gillette Cup semi-final against Sussex at Chesterfield, the crowd was reckoned to be TEN THOUSAND. Again, I was there with Dad that day and it was seriously busy (and wet, early on) but if you compare it to the Yorkshire sell-out recently - could you really get twice as many people into the ground? Given the limited space by the scoreboard and at either end (we sat at the lake end that day), I can only surmise that a lot were sitting in and behind the bandstand. I could accept maybe six thousand, at a push seven, but ten thousand? Hmmm...
Then the daddy of them all. 1948, the first day of the game against Donald Bradman's 'invincibles' at Derby. There was a massive post-war interest in the game and the chance to see a great side was a big draw. My old man couldn't get time off the pit to go and was pretty miffed about it. So how many does Wisden record attending the first day of the game?
17,000. SEVENTEEN THOUSAND...
Call me cynical, but were they counting legs, both those with two and with four? However the ground has been re-designed in the intervening period, I cannot conceive that three-and-a half times the recent sell-out against Nottinghamshire were allowed in it, unless they were working on a sardines commercial at the same time. Legislation may have changed, but if that figure is accurate they must have stood all day and had little in the way of a view. Sadly, as it happens, because the Aussies racked up 431-7 before the close, a young bowler named Les Jackson took two wickets and skipper Eddie Gothard, who was never a great bowler, took three and bowled Bradman.
Heady stuff. Suffice to say that if we ever get that number in the ground again I suspect the health and safety people would close us down.
Interesting thing, statistics. What do they say? There's lies, damn lies and then...
Monday, 5 August 2013
Monday musings
I've had some terrific e mails and comments in recent days and thanks very much to all of you for continuing to get in touch. My apologies to those to who I have not yet had a chance to respond, but I assure you I will do so over the next couple of days.
First up tonight, Mark asked if I thought that Wayne Madsen could be lured from Derbyshire by a county with money to spend and the ambition to sign one of the top batsmen in the country. Is the latter a bold statement? Not on this year's form...
You can never say never, Mark, but I'd be surprised, certainly at this stage. He signed a new three-year contract on October 17 of last year and, as an honourable man, I would certainly expect him to see that through. I spoke to him at some length in September of last year and I know how much he enjoys the area, the club and the playing environment. Derbyshire gave him an opportunity in the first-class game and he has repaid that with consistent performances.
Last year he was player of the year and he's a racing certainty to take it again. It shows how much he is valued and appreciated and I'm sure that his contract at the club recognises that. His delightful wife, Kyla, has a thriving business locally and they enjoy their lifestyle. Wayne could probably go elsewhere for a more lucrative deal, but would be unlikely to have the captaincy offered as part of that.
Will he spend the rest of his career with Derbyshire? You can't say that of any player, as they're as entitled to get the best deal for themselves as any of us. I hope he stays for a good while though, as he is one of the best we have ever had. Enjoy watching a class act, however long it lasts and hope, like me, it is for a long time.
Then there's Paul's comments about the merits and pulling power of Derby v Chesterfield, which you can see below the previous post. They are spot on and while the merits of Queens Park are evident, especially in the weather that blessed this summer, its drawbacks are fairly pointed out. It would be interesting to get the demographic of the Chesterfield crowds and their Derbyshire/Yorkshire split, but the reality is that Derbyshire have spent and will be spending a lot of money in developing the County Ground. There is no point in doing that if they're intending to put more matches to outgrounds, as it makes no economic sense.
I've seen many a match at Buxton and enjoyed the large crowds for tussles with Lancashire, but aside from the condition of the wicket, the outfield, the seating and the changing accommodation, there's so much more to think of these days. There's the traffic infrastructure, the parking facilities, the availability of places for food preparation and serving, amenities and facilities for fans....I could go on, but to sort these things costs money.
A lot was ploughed into the upgrade of Queens Park, but moving boundary boards and assorted equipment up to Buxton would cost money over and above the upgrade and it just wouldn't be worth it. Would Derbyshire v Lancashire there attract a bigger crowd than at Derby? Possibly, but Buxton would be unlikely to hold that much more, again with modern safety regulations needing observed, which makes the argument somewhat redundant.
Whether we like it or not, cricket is more professional today. Look at the link on the left of this blog at the Buxton CC site and their excellent collection of old photographs. I loved the charm of the old ground, the tarpaulin sightscreens, the sporting wicket, even the vagaries of the climate in the High Peak.
But I don't see it coming back sometime soon. That's a shame in many ways, but perfectly understandable.
As for other questions - I genuinely don't know if we will stay up, but I'm glad that our destiny is back in our own hands and we can stand or fall on our efforts in coming weeks. I also think we should stick with the young players and afford them the opportunities given to others, earlier in the season, but would also welcome back Tony Palladino if he is fit for the next home championship match.
As for what I think we need for next season - as asked by Dan - I'll hold fire on that until I see how these young guns fire between now and the end of the season!
Finally, it was so typical that, in the aftermath of yesterday's success, someone on the Forum chose to have a dig about the photos from Madame Tussauds that my daughter asked me to post last night. I told her I'd show them for 24 hours - which I did - but was then deemed to have shown 'irrelevant' pictures, the poster completely ignoring the fact that it was a different piece.
Why not just enjoy the win? The team did well, so you look for something else to moan about. Time to grow up matey...or just ignore it, if it bothers you that much.
Postscript - I'll be on Radio Derby tomorrow morning around 7.20am. I have been asked to comment on England's Ashes win from a Derbyshire perspective.
I'm as delighted as most other Englishmen tonight, but I'd swap it for Derbyshire staying up this summer in a heartbeat...
First up tonight, Mark asked if I thought that Wayne Madsen could be lured from Derbyshire by a county with money to spend and the ambition to sign one of the top batsmen in the country. Is the latter a bold statement? Not on this year's form...
You can never say never, Mark, but I'd be surprised, certainly at this stage. He signed a new three-year contract on October 17 of last year and, as an honourable man, I would certainly expect him to see that through. I spoke to him at some length in September of last year and I know how much he enjoys the area, the club and the playing environment. Derbyshire gave him an opportunity in the first-class game and he has repaid that with consistent performances.
Last year he was player of the year and he's a racing certainty to take it again. It shows how much he is valued and appreciated and I'm sure that his contract at the club recognises that. His delightful wife, Kyla, has a thriving business locally and they enjoy their lifestyle. Wayne could probably go elsewhere for a more lucrative deal, but would be unlikely to have the captaincy offered as part of that.
Will he spend the rest of his career with Derbyshire? You can't say that of any player, as they're as entitled to get the best deal for themselves as any of us. I hope he stays for a good while though, as he is one of the best we have ever had. Enjoy watching a class act, however long it lasts and hope, like me, it is for a long time.
Then there's Paul's comments about the merits and pulling power of Derby v Chesterfield, which you can see below the previous post. They are spot on and while the merits of Queens Park are evident, especially in the weather that blessed this summer, its drawbacks are fairly pointed out. It would be interesting to get the demographic of the Chesterfield crowds and their Derbyshire/Yorkshire split, but the reality is that Derbyshire have spent and will be spending a lot of money in developing the County Ground. There is no point in doing that if they're intending to put more matches to outgrounds, as it makes no economic sense.
I've seen many a match at Buxton and enjoyed the large crowds for tussles with Lancashire, but aside from the condition of the wicket, the outfield, the seating and the changing accommodation, there's so much more to think of these days. There's the traffic infrastructure, the parking facilities, the availability of places for food preparation and serving, amenities and facilities for fans....I could go on, but to sort these things costs money.
A lot was ploughed into the upgrade of Queens Park, but moving boundary boards and assorted equipment up to Buxton would cost money over and above the upgrade and it just wouldn't be worth it. Would Derbyshire v Lancashire there attract a bigger crowd than at Derby? Possibly, but Buxton would be unlikely to hold that much more, again with modern safety regulations needing observed, which makes the argument somewhat redundant.
Whether we like it or not, cricket is more professional today. Look at the link on the left of this blog at the Buxton CC site and their excellent collection of old photographs. I loved the charm of the old ground, the tarpaulin sightscreens, the sporting wicket, even the vagaries of the climate in the High Peak.
But I don't see it coming back sometime soon. That's a shame in many ways, but perfectly understandable.
As for other questions - I genuinely don't know if we will stay up, but I'm glad that our destiny is back in our own hands and we can stand or fall on our efforts in coming weeks. I also think we should stick with the young players and afford them the opportunities given to others, earlier in the season, but would also welcome back Tony Palladino if he is fit for the next home championship match.
As for what I think we need for next season - as asked by Dan - I'll hold fire on that until I see how these young guns fire between now and the end of the season!
Finally, it was so typical that, in the aftermath of yesterday's success, someone on the Forum chose to have a dig about the photos from Madame Tussauds that my daughter asked me to post last night. I told her I'd show them for 24 hours - which I did - but was then deemed to have shown 'irrelevant' pictures, the poster completely ignoring the fact that it was a different piece.
Why not just enjoy the win? The team did well, so you look for something else to moan about. Time to grow up matey...or just ignore it, if it bothers you that much.
Postscript - I'll be on Radio Derby tomorrow morning around 7.20am. I have been asked to comment on England's Ashes win from a Derbyshire perspective.
I'm as delighted as most other Englishmen tonight, but I'd swap it for Derbyshire staying up this summer in a heartbeat...
Sunday, 4 August 2013
Postscript on Sussex
Apologies...when I checked the table earlier, Cricinfo had our win added to it but had not added the points from it to our tally, leading me to suggest we were still some way adrift of Somerset and Surrey.
That's not the case. We have Middlesex to play at home, then massive games against Surrey and Somerset away, before finishing at the County Ground with games against Durham and Warwickshire.
With three home games you have three result pitches and we have to prepare wickets that offer us a chance of the points, while not falling foul of pitch inspectors.
I'll not suggest that we're going to escape relegation at this stage, as seven defeats this summer tells a tale of a fragile underbelly to this side on too many occasions for comfort.
Yet this win - and more, the manner in which it was achieved against a good side - suggests that our demotion need not be the foregone conclusion that it has appeared for the past few weeks. The manner in which the young players went out, playing without fear and with considerable pride, suggests that we could yet escape the end of season shake up.
The key? Keeping players fit, going out and playing purposeful cricket as we did last year and seeing what happens. We need continued good form from the skipper and for Shiv to reach his very best, at the same time as the youngsters go out and play their game.
I'd like to see Wes Durston get some form between times and swapping him in for Richard Johnson would be my only change for the next championship match. Unless Palladino, Clare and Turner regain form and/or fitness, Matt Higginbottom should also keep his place in a young side that bodes well for the future.
If the senior players produce the goods as they did here (take a bow, Timmy G) who knows?
Postscript - good to see Albie Morkel tweeting congratulations to Groenewald on his bowling today. With Martin Guptill also maintaining a close interest, the Derbyshire 'family' is alive and well.
Should stand them in good stead in the coming weeks.
That's not the case. We have Middlesex to play at home, then massive games against Surrey and Somerset away, before finishing at the County Ground with games against Durham and Warwickshire.
With three home games you have three result pitches and we have to prepare wickets that offer us a chance of the points, while not falling foul of pitch inspectors.
I'll not suggest that we're going to escape relegation at this stage, as seven defeats this summer tells a tale of a fragile underbelly to this side on too many occasions for comfort.
Yet this win - and more, the manner in which it was achieved against a good side - suggests that our demotion need not be the foregone conclusion that it has appeared for the past few weeks. The manner in which the young players went out, playing without fear and with considerable pride, suggests that we could yet escape the end of season shake up.
The key? Keeping players fit, going out and playing purposeful cricket as we did last year and seeing what happens. We need continued good form from the skipper and for Shiv to reach his very best, at the same time as the youngsters go out and play their game.
I'd like to see Wes Durston get some form between times and swapping him in for Richard Johnson would be my only change for the next championship match. Unless Palladino, Clare and Turner regain form and/or fitness, Matt Higginbottom should also keep his place in a young side that bodes well for the future.
If the senior players produce the goods as they did here (take a bow, Timmy G) who knows?
Postscript - good to see Albie Morkel tweeting congratulations to Groenewald on his bowling today. With Martin Guptill also maintaining a close interest, the Derbyshire 'family' is alive and well.
Should stand them in good stead in the coming weeks.
Sussex v Derbyshire day 3
A side containing six players under 25, five of them from the club Academy, ran out easy winners by nine wickets with a day to spare against one that has been in the top two of the division for much of the summer.
The match ended with a sterling partnership between Captain Marvel, Wayne Madsen, whose not out innings of 62 concluded a memorable personal match, together with Ben Slater, whose unbeaten 66 was the sort of knock that those who have followed him through the County Premier League, Academy and Second XI knew he could play.
He needed an opportunity to bat where he is used to batting and repaid that faith with an innings of patience and common sense, allowing Madsen to play his shots at the other end and content to keep the score moving along. I can't say that I'm surprised, because I've been saying for months that the lad can play and just needed a crack at his regular role.
The match was total vindication of the decision to play young players. Besides Slater's match-winning knock, Peter Burgoyne's first innings effort kept us within range of Sussex, while Alex Hughes took four wickets on his debut, one that will now be doubly memorable. Matt Higginbottom's was the least obvious success, but in the first innings he got the first wicket after a decent opening stand, then removed Sussex skipper Ed Joyce today when he was just getting into his stride. 1-24 in eleven overs was a good effort that he can be proud of. Krikk's Creche has a nice ring to it...
That second innings was a return to the miserly Derbyshire of last season. Only seven extras - three leg byes and four no balls - in 48 overs, giving the opposition little in the way of free runs. Full credit goes to Tim Groenewald, with 5-40 that led the attack admirably, while Mark Footitt's 3-39 gave us pace and a different angle for the batsmen to contend with.
It was wonderful stuff. We shouldn't get carried away and expect this to be the catalyst of a surge up the table, as we're a little too far off the pace for that at this stage. Yet the players can now look at this game, as well as the recent one against Nottinghamshire and realise that on their day they can match anyone. They just need to harness that commitment and fighting spirit on a regular basis.
To close - who else but Cap'n Madsen. 97 in the first innings, 62 not out in the second, 2-9 with the ball and leading his team to a memorable victory on the day that he became the second most prolific batsman in the top division, with 951 championship runs.
Carlsberg don't do cricket matches.
But if they did....
Well done lads. Top stuff and credit to all of you. Enjoy the journey home.
Sussex v Derbyshire day 2
Sorry about the lateness of the blog tonight but we made a day of our last one in Blackpool and only set off home after one more day there.
We were kept in the game today by two innings. One, from captain Wayne Madsen, was the type of knock that we have come to expect from him over recent seasons, while the other, from Peter Burgoyne, was a sign of things to come from a youngster with the brightest of futures.
One can only have the utmost respect for the skipper and the way that he has risen to the challenge of this level more than any of his team mates and maintained form despite numerous trials and tribulations for his team along the way. Today's innings leaves him only 111 runs short of his thousand for the summer, compiled currently at the very respectable average of 48. He looks and is a class act and continues to play a crucial role in the side.
The rest of the batsmen largely got starts but were dismissed before making something special of their innings, until Peter Burgoyne came in and hit a fine unbeaten 62 in only his third first class innings for the county. I think that Burgoyne and Alex Hughes will be the heartbeat of our middle order, either at 5/6 or 6/7 for some time to come and their all round talents will afford balance to the side.
It was a day when Shiv Chanderpaul at his best would have been an asset but he went in single figures and will probably be disappointed with his current average of 42, good by many standards but not by the lofty ones that he has set. Both he and we will hope for a big finish to the season, especially as he is some 300 runs in the skipper's slipstream in the scoring stakes.
There was time for a quick wicket in the Sussex second innings for the admirable Mr Groenewald, but much work remains to be done if we are to get anything from this game, whether a win or a draw. The sterling efforts of the above named players should not distract us from the fact that the next highest score, besides 37 extras, was the 16 of Ben Slater.
A decent day then, but much still to be done in this one.
Postscript - only Middlesex's Sam Robson and Ed Joyce of current opponents Sussex have more runs in division one than Madsen, the latter with only one run more to his name.
Quite a remarkable effort.
We were kept in the game today by two innings. One, from captain Wayne Madsen, was the type of knock that we have come to expect from him over recent seasons, while the other, from Peter Burgoyne, was a sign of things to come from a youngster with the brightest of futures.
One can only have the utmost respect for the skipper and the way that he has risen to the challenge of this level more than any of his team mates and maintained form despite numerous trials and tribulations for his team along the way. Today's innings leaves him only 111 runs short of his thousand for the summer, compiled currently at the very respectable average of 48. He looks and is a class act and continues to play a crucial role in the side.
The rest of the batsmen largely got starts but were dismissed before making something special of their innings, until Peter Burgoyne came in and hit a fine unbeaten 62 in only his third first class innings for the county. I think that Burgoyne and Alex Hughes will be the heartbeat of our middle order, either at 5/6 or 6/7 for some time to come and their all round talents will afford balance to the side.
It was a day when Shiv Chanderpaul at his best would have been an asset but he went in single figures and will probably be disappointed with his current average of 42, good by many standards but not by the lofty ones that he has set. Both he and we will hope for a big finish to the season, especially as he is some 300 runs in the skipper's slipstream in the scoring stakes.
There was time for a quick wicket in the Sussex second innings for the admirable Mr Groenewald, but much work remains to be done if we are to get anything from this game, whether a win or a draw. The sterling efforts of the above named players should not distract us from the fact that the next highest score, besides 37 extras, was the 16 of Ben Slater.
A decent day then, but much still to be done in this one.
Postscript - only Middlesex's Sam Robson and Ed Joyce of current opponents Sussex have more runs in division one than Madsen, the latter with only one run more to his name.
Quite a remarkable effort.
Friday, 2 August 2013
Sussex v Derbyshire day 1
Be honest, we'd have taken that in advance, wouldn't we?
All things considered, a pretty good effort by our boys today and to bowl out Sussex just before the close (and thus not have to bat tonight) was a master stroke you would think they had planned...
Top marks tonight go to new boys Matt Higginbottom and Alex Hughes, both of who marked their championship debuts with wickets, the latter going on to three of them in an excellent display. There was also three wickets for Tim 'Mr Reliable' Groenewald and two for our mystery spinner, Wayne Madsen, the mystery perhaps being why he's not bowled himself more.
I like to see a skipper try something different and Madsen's Lancashire League record suggested a bloke who could bowl at least adequately. It was surprising that his first wicket today was only his second for us, so to get two at such minimal cost was an impressive piece of work by the skipper.
314 all out should, unless we bat horribly, ensure that we stay in this game, but it could have been an even better day had a few chances been held and some balls not fallen short of fielders, especially in the morning session.
Sussex were anchored by the increasingly impressive Luke Wells and we need someone to do that for us tomorrow against a steady but far from lethal attack. Jordan and Magoffin have made a good opening attack this summer and Panesar will always need watched, but we shouldn't be ripped apart, even on a wicket that offers the bowlers encouragement and allowing for an inexperienced lineup.
You can never tell with Derbyshire though and we'll need to hope that the battling performances remain in the boys, especially with so many of them having much to play for in building reputations, establishing themselves and earning contracts for next season.
Should be another good day tomorrow and I look forward to following it as it progresses. One last day in Blackpool tomorrow, then head for home later in the evening and we'll be in our own beds tomorrow after a terrific break.
Off for a last evening meal now, so see you soon!
All things considered, a pretty good effort by our boys today and to bowl out Sussex just before the close (and thus not have to bat tonight) was a master stroke you would think they had planned...
Top marks tonight go to new boys Matt Higginbottom and Alex Hughes, both of who marked their championship debuts with wickets, the latter going on to three of them in an excellent display. There was also three wickets for Tim 'Mr Reliable' Groenewald and two for our mystery spinner, Wayne Madsen, the mystery perhaps being why he's not bowled himself more.
I like to see a skipper try something different and Madsen's Lancashire League record suggested a bloke who could bowl at least adequately. It was surprising that his first wicket today was only his second for us, so to get two at such minimal cost was an impressive piece of work by the skipper.
314 all out should, unless we bat horribly, ensure that we stay in this game, but it could have been an even better day had a few chances been held and some balls not fallen short of fielders, especially in the morning session.
Sussex were anchored by the increasingly impressive Luke Wells and we need someone to do that for us tomorrow against a steady but far from lethal attack. Jordan and Magoffin have made a good opening attack this summer and Panesar will always need watched, but we shouldn't be ripped apart, even on a wicket that offers the bowlers encouragement and allowing for an inexperienced lineup.
You can never tell with Derbyshire though and we'll need to hope that the battling performances remain in the boys, especially with so many of them having much to play for in building reputations, establishing themselves and earning contracts for next season.
Should be another good day tomorrow and I look forward to following it as it progresses. One last day in Blackpool tomorrow, then head for home later in the evening and we'll be in our own beds tomorrow after a terrific break.
Off for a last evening meal now, so see you soon!
Time to move on
The piece that I had suggested would appear did so on the club site yesterday,with Karl Krikken accepting that some performances recently had slipped from an expected standard.
"As long as everyone does their best, that’s all you can ask. If your best is not good enough, that’s another thing” said the Derbyshire coach and indeed no one can give more than their best. At least at the end of this season the people at the club know what is required to play at this standard and I feel we will be better prepared next time around from every perspective.
I've covered this in enough detail of late, so there's no need to labour the point. What we can do, however, is to take plenty of encouragement from the performances of the second team, who won again yesterday against Glamorgan, albeit with the assistance of five wickets from Wes Durston in a thrilling climax.
There have been plenty of good displays from young seamers such as Ben Cotton, Johnny Marsden and Tommy Taylor, as well as Greg Cork. After a relatively fallow period it would appear that the Derbyshire supply of such talent is back in full production and I look forward to the day, perhaps in the not too distant future, when we field an attack of locally produced lads, rather than those brought in from elsewhere.
Another player who seems to do little wrong is Scott Elstone, a Burton-born lad who spent his formative years on the Nottinghamshire staff. Still, we all makes mistakes in life...
Elstone was released at the end of last summer, but at 23 would still appear to have much to offer the first-class game. He has played a lot of cricket at Derbyshire this year and has played a number of good innings, the runs usually made at a good pace, while also appearing with some success for the Unicorns. His batting for Dunstall has been both powerful and impressive, while he also brings useful off-spin to the table, good enough for him to be regularly in the wickets. He is also a brilliant fielder who took two catches for England against India in 2011 while fielding as twelfth man.
He would, in short, appear to fit the criteria for Derbyshire in team strengthening, in being available and affordable, besides being perhaps better than we already have. Much will depend on who else becomes available in the coming months and how much money we have, but he is a name worth keeping an eye on.
The Sussex game starts today and, unlike Charles Dickens, I have no great expectations of this one. A win would be terrific, but would also need one or two players to produce something special over the next four days.
Here's hoping that someone steps up to the mark. More immediately for family Peakfan, we're off to explore and enjoy a day that I hope is as sunny and warm as yesterday.
More later.
"As long as everyone does their best, that’s all you can ask. If your best is not good enough, that’s another thing” said the Derbyshire coach and indeed no one can give more than their best. At least at the end of this season the people at the club know what is required to play at this standard and I feel we will be better prepared next time around from every perspective.
I've covered this in enough detail of late, so there's no need to labour the point. What we can do, however, is to take plenty of encouragement from the performances of the second team, who won again yesterday against Glamorgan, albeit with the assistance of five wickets from Wes Durston in a thrilling climax.
There have been plenty of good displays from young seamers such as Ben Cotton, Johnny Marsden and Tommy Taylor, as well as Greg Cork. After a relatively fallow period it would appear that the Derbyshire supply of such talent is back in full production and I look forward to the day, perhaps in the not too distant future, when we field an attack of locally produced lads, rather than those brought in from elsewhere.
Another player who seems to do little wrong is Scott Elstone, a Burton-born lad who spent his formative years on the Nottinghamshire staff. Still, we all makes mistakes in life...
Elstone was released at the end of last summer, but at 23 would still appear to have much to offer the first-class game. He has played a lot of cricket at Derbyshire this year and has played a number of good innings, the runs usually made at a good pace, while also appearing with some success for the Unicorns. His batting for Dunstall has been both powerful and impressive, while he also brings useful off-spin to the table, good enough for him to be regularly in the wickets. He is also a brilliant fielder who took two catches for England against India in 2011 while fielding as twelfth man.
He would, in short, appear to fit the criteria for Derbyshire in team strengthening, in being available and affordable, besides being perhaps better than we already have. Much will depend on who else becomes available in the coming months and how much money we have, but he is a name worth keeping an eye on.
The Sussex game starts today and, unlike Charles Dickens, I have no great expectations of this one. A win would be terrific, but would also need one or two players to produce something special over the next four days.
Here's hoping that someone steps up to the mark. More immediately for family Peakfan, we're off to explore and enjoy a day that I hope is as sunny and warm as yesterday.
More later.
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
The nine and two option
In an idle ten minutes before we hit the promenade in Blackpool today, I took advantage of my wife and daughter's decision to change clothes and had a quick look online.
I came across a couple of things and the first was a piece by Mark Eklid that was published a fortnight ago in the Derby Telegraph that I had somehow missed at the time. In it, he expresses his disappoinment that rumours suggested we were considering a Kolpak signing to strengthen the side for next summer.
I disagree with Mark on this one, for a couple of reasons. One is that it will be incredibly difficult to source overseas players for the T20 next summer, if not impossible. With the competition set to take place on Friday nights throughout the summer, how many players will commit to playing on one evening a week for 10-12 weeks? How many clubs could afford to pay them to stay around for that length of time, even if they wanted to? Conversely, how many clubs could afford to have players coming in and out of the country and how successful would that be, even if they did?
For me, IF there was a good enough Kolpak who was prepared to play for us throughout the summer and we could afford him, we should go for it. Such a move would still leave us within the parameters of the 9 domestic and two non-qualified players that we committed to play in the blueprint, but we should only do it if a player of appropriate talent could be identified.
If we could sign someone of established credentials who was markedly better than we have on the staff it would get my vote, but not just any old South African or West Indian, whose countries would realistically be the source of such a player, as those countries have the requisite trade links.
So, for example, I'd be up for our signing Jacques Rudolph (but doubt we could afford him) but not Richard Levi or Henry Davids who are not that much better than we have. If we are sacrificing a place for an overseas, it has to be, to paraphrase the advert on TV, because he's worth it.
Turning it on its head, if Shivnarine Chanderpaul retired from the international game and signed on as a Kolpak to allow another overseas to come in, it would also get the Peakfan thumbs up, but we all know how tough it is to pick up good overseas players, especially when IPL involvement means that some can't play till the end of May, by which time a season can be shaped.
I've no doubt that Chris Grant and Karl Krikken will sit down and discuss the retained list and potential signings in the near future and that an opening batsman will be one of the targets for the close season. Our finances will dictate how much more we can do in building the team, or if we simply have to go with youngsters and accept that the progress will need to be slower and supporters more patient.
You may not like it, but we cannot sign people when there is no money to do so, though I'm confident that the team at the helm at the County Ground will do all in their power to improve things after a challenging season. Then again, we have all been guilty of impatience and unreal expectations this summer, though many of us - myself included - will expect us to be one of the challengers in division two next year. Work will be required to get us to that stage and what happens between September and April will largely determine the realism of such thoughts.
Finally tonight, I noticed more than a little stirring going on at the Forum, with people complaining about what appeared to be pretty much everything, from supposed lack of transparency to individual members of the club management.
Yes, it would be nice to know all that went on with the Ross Whiteley departure, or why Tony Palladino hasn't featured in T20 and Jon Clare to a limited extent. But like it or not, Karl Krikken is in charge of team affairs and will be until it is decided otherwise. That being the case, he can pick who he wants when he wants and doesn't have to explain every decision. It would be nice to know, but there may well be issues that are private and as such are no one's business, such as happens in any organisation.
Confidentiality clauses quite likely came into play with Whiteley's move and the team selections, however we may discuss them from a distance, are chosen by a man who is on the spot and knows what is going on in people's lives and physio appointments.
We don't and as such, while we are entitled as supporters to question, we have no right to an answer if this is not appropriate.
So let's all remember that and at the same time be thankful for the quality of personnel that we have in charge at our club at present. Plenty of people at other clubs would love to have such interaction with their senior hierarchy, yet still some aren't satisfied. Some things can be answered and will be if that's the case; others simply can't, for whatever reason
Good night from Blackpool. A sunny day is due tomorrow and the old legs might just get an airing if that happens.
You have been warned...
I came across a couple of things and the first was a piece by Mark Eklid that was published a fortnight ago in the Derby Telegraph that I had somehow missed at the time. In it, he expresses his disappoinment that rumours suggested we were considering a Kolpak signing to strengthen the side for next summer.
I disagree with Mark on this one, for a couple of reasons. One is that it will be incredibly difficult to source overseas players for the T20 next summer, if not impossible. With the competition set to take place on Friday nights throughout the summer, how many players will commit to playing on one evening a week for 10-12 weeks? How many clubs could afford to pay them to stay around for that length of time, even if they wanted to? Conversely, how many clubs could afford to have players coming in and out of the country and how successful would that be, even if they did?
For me, IF there was a good enough Kolpak who was prepared to play for us throughout the summer and we could afford him, we should go for it. Such a move would still leave us within the parameters of the 9 domestic and two non-qualified players that we committed to play in the blueprint, but we should only do it if a player of appropriate talent could be identified.
If we could sign someone of established credentials who was markedly better than we have on the staff it would get my vote, but not just any old South African or West Indian, whose countries would realistically be the source of such a player, as those countries have the requisite trade links.
So, for example, I'd be up for our signing Jacques Rudolph (but doubt we could afford him) but not Richard Levi or Henry Davids who are not that much better than we have. If we are sacrificing a place for an overseas, it has to be, to paraphrase the advert on TV, because he's worth it.
Turning it on its head, if Shivnarine Chanderpaul retired from the international game and signed on as a Kolpak to allow another overseas to come in, it would also get the Peakfan thumbs up, but we all know how tough it is to pick up good overseas players, especially when IPL involvement means that some can't play till the end of May, by which time a season can be shaped.
I've no doubt that Chris Grant and Karl Krikken will sit down and discuss the retained list and potential signings in the near future and that an opening batsman will be one of the targets for the close season. Our finances will dictate how much more we can do in building the team, or if we simply have to go with youngsters and accept that the progress will need to be slower and supporters more patient.
You may not like it, but we cannot sign people when there is no money to do so, though I'm confident that the team at the helm at the County Ground will do all in their power to improve things after a challenging season. Then again, we have all been guilty of impatience and unreal expectations this summer, though many of us - myself included - will expect us to be one of the challengers in division two next year. Work will be required to get us to that stage and what happens between September and April will largely determine the realism of such thoughts.
Finally tonight, I noticed more than a little stirring going on at the Forum, with people complaining about what appeared to be pretty much everything, from supposed lack of transparency to individual members of the club management.
Yes, it would be nice to know all that went on with the Ross Whiteley departure, or why Tony Palladino hasn't featured in T20 and Jon Clare to a limited extent. But like it or not, Karl Krikken is in charge of team affairs and will be until it is decided otherwise. That being the case, he can pick who he wants when he wants and doesn't have to explain every decision. It would be nice to know, but there may well be issues that are private and as such are no one's business, such as happens in any organisation.
Confidentiality clauses quite likely came into play with Whiteley's move and the team selections, however we may discuss them from a distance, are chosen by a man who is on the spot and knows what is going on in people's lives and physio appointments.
We don't and as such, while we are entitled as supporters to question, we have no right to an answer if this is not appropriate.
So let's all remember that and at the same time be thankful for the quality of personnel that we have in charge at our club at present. Plenty of people at other clubs would love to have such interaction with their senior hierarchy, yet still some aren't satisfied. Some things can be answered and will be if that's the case; others simply can't, for whatever reason
Good night from Blackpool. A sunny day is due tomorrow and the old legs might just get an airing if that happens.
You have been warned...
Youngsters inclusion good to see
The inclusion of two new players for the trip to Sussex at the weekend seemed likely when the names of both Dan Redfern and Wes Durston appeared in the Second XI yesterday. Both could have been having a knock in the side and then pulled from it to make a trip south, but neither scored the runs required to force inclusion after what even they would concede as disappointing summers.
So Alex Hughes rightly and deservedly comes into the squad that travels south, as does Matt Higginbottom, who has taken over thirty wickets this summer. He has been around the Derbyshire squad for a year or two now, but should make his first-class debut alongside Tim Groenewald and either Mark Footitt or Mark Turner.
With Peter Burgoyne and Ben Slater in the squad too, there is a youthful vibe to it and we, as fans, must be patient. There must be understanding in struggles and appreciation of success for young players who, in some cases, could be the cornerstone of our side for the next five to ten years.
Not all will make it of course, as life isn't like that, but if two or three of the current crop go on to be steady successful county cricketers then the Academy will be confirmed as doing a very good job.
The squad in full for Sussex:
C Hughes, Slater, Madsen, Chanderpaul, Johnson, A Hughes, Poynton, Burgoyne, Groenewald, Higginbottom, Footitt, Turner.
I wish them well and supporters should get behind them and realise that results are not now important. More so is that individual success in the remaining games will give a boost to confidence and be of considerable benefit in the medium to long term.
More soon.
So Alex Hughes rightly and deservedly comes into the squad that travels south, as does Matt Higginbottom, who has taken over thirty wickets this summer. He has been around the Derbyshire squad for a year or two now, but should make his first-class debut alongside Tim Groenewald and either Mark Footitt or Mark Turner.
With Peter Burgoyne and Ben Slater in the squad too, there is a youthful vibe to it and we, as fans, must be patient. There must be understanding in struggles and appreciation of success for young players who, in some cases, could be the cornerstone of our side for the next five to ten years.
Not all will make it of course, as life isn't like that, but if two or three of the current crop go on to be steady successful county cricketers then the Academy will be confirmed as doing a very good job.
The squad in full for Sussex:
C Hughes, Slater, Madsen, Chanderpaul, Johnson, A Hughes, Poynton, Burgoyne, Groenewald, Higginbottom, Footitt, Turner.
I wish them well and supporters should get behind them and realise that results are not now important. More so is that individual success in the remaining games will give a boost to confidence and be of considerable benefit in the medium to long term.
More soon.
Monday, 29 July 2013
Time for a break
Time for a mid-season break for old Peakfan and family, as we head for four nights in the splendours of Blackpool to get some sea breezes, rain and...er...rain, judging by the forecast for the next four days.
Never mind, it will be different, bracing air and just the tonic we're all ready for after a busy few weeks. In this period I will hopefully be online later in the evening to update comments and add anything pertinent about the day's news.
My latest piece about Derbyshire's season is now on Cricinfo and you can see it here
There are other excellent pieces on that area of the site about the other counties, so do please spend a little time reading about the county game from those who follow it.
In between times, please keep your comments coming but avoid reference to the possible departure of club personnel. We are all aware that the summer has been difficult, but suggesting that X or Y will be leaving simply isn't fair. If and when anyone leaves the club in any capacity it is fair and appropriate to comment on the rights and wrongs of that departure, but not to set a hare across the park in between times. I've been around for long enough to know that stories quickly grow arms and legs in any environment and I'd rather such tales didn't emanate from here, thanks very much.
Anyway, thank you for your continued support, of both the blog and the club. Hopefully the boys are rejuvenated by a short break and come out refreshed to put a little pride back into proceedings in the last few weeks of the summer.
During that time clubs will start announcing their retained lists and it will be interesting to see who might be on the market and looking for a new club. Please let me know if you see or hear anything and I look forward to some good discussions on the merits of available players - their salary demands notwithstanding, of course.
Keep well and keep smiling. Things will improve, we just need to be patient.
Never mind, it will be different, bracing air and just the tonic we're all ready for after a busy few weeks. In this period I will hopefully be online later in the evening to update comments and add anything pertinent about the day's news.
My latest piece about Derbyshire's season is now on Cricinfo and you can see it here
There are other excellent pieces on that area of the site about the other counties, so do please spend a little time reading about the county game from those who follow it.
In between times, please keep your comments coming but avoid reference to the possible departure of club personnel. We are all aware that the summer has been difficult, but suggesting that X or Y will be leaving simply isn't fair. If and when anyone leaves the club in any capacity it is fair and appropriate to comment on the rights and wrongs of that departure, but not to set a hare across the park in between times. I've been around for long enough to know that stories quickly grow arms and legs in any environment and I'd rather such tales didn't emanate from here, thanks very much.
Anyway, thank you for your continued support, of both the blog and the club. Hopefully the boys are rejuvenated by a short break and come out refreshed to put a little pride back into proceedings in the last few weeks of the summer.
During that time clubs will start announcing their retained lists and it will be interesting to see who might be on the market and looking for a new club. Please let me know if you see or hear anything and I look forward to some good discussions on the merits of available players - their salary demands notwithstanding, of course.
Keep well and keep smiling. Things will improve, we just need to be patient.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Durham v Derbyshire T20
No real need to labour this one, as the expected defeat materialised. At least there was a little more fight today, which was good to see, but it was ultimately another year of ifs and maybes.
There was a decent spell from Mark Footitt today, but Durham's powerful batting line-up posted a total that always looked too much for our boys, especially when Chanderpaul and Madsen were removed by Graham Onions.
It was good to see Dan Redfern show a semblance of form again after a tidy bowling spell, while Tom Poynton chipped in with a typically breezy cameo. For me, Poynton is winning the battle of the keepers and is doing well in all facets of the game - keeping, batting and leading the field - and is one of the brighter aspects of the season as it has developed.
A look at the T20 statistics tells its own story. Wes Durston was the only batsman to top 250 runs, though Chanderpaul would have done but for injury.Of the others, only Hughes topped 200, indicative of a malfunctioning batting unit.
The bowling was largely tidy, with only Footitt and Turner (around ten an over each) getting collared. Groenewald took the most wickets, Morkel was the most economical and Alex Hughes finished top of the averages.
We started with a 3-0 record and ended up 4-6. While fully accepting that it is a difficult group and we didn't have the best of luck with injuries, it is hard to be anything other than disappointed in that.
Back to the drawing board.
But we knew that.
There was a decent spell from Mark Footitt today, but Durham's powerful batting line-up posted a total that always looked too much for our boys, especially when Chanderpaul and Madsen were removed by Graham Onions.
It was good to see Dan Redfern show a semblance of form again after a tidy bowling spell, while Tom Poynton chipped in with a typically breezy cameo. For me, Poynton is winning the battle of the keepers and is doing well in all facets of the game - keeping, batting and leading the field - and is one of the brighter aspects of the season as it has developed.
A look at the T20 statistics tells its own story. Wes Durston was the only batsman to top 250 runs, though Chanderpaul would have done but for injury.Of the others, only Hughes topped 200, indicative of a malfunctioning batting unit.
The bowling was largely tidy, with only Footitt and Turner (around ten an over each) getting collared. Groenewald took the most wickets, Morkel was the most economical and Alex Hughes finished top of the averages.
We started with a 3-0 record and ended up 4-6. While fully accepting that it is a difficult group and we didn't have the best of luck with injuries, it is hard to be anything other than disappointed in that.
Back to the drawing board.
But we knew that.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Post-match blues
By any standards, that was an awful effort last night.
When the best you can find to say about a batting display is that the Twitter feed from Tony Palladino was very good, you know that you've had a stinker.
It's funny, despite the fact that I still maintain that chasing a total offers a better chance of success than setting one, oblivious to the capabilities of the other team, it goes out of the window when any chase is approached in much the same manner as adopted by the Keystone Cops, perhaps accompanied by Sergeant Jones of Dads Army shouting "Don't Panic!" at the top of his voice.
We simply have to get better and that will doubtless be something occupying the thoughts of Chris Grant and the Derbyshire board in coming months. Maybe there is no quick solution, but whether it is in different players coming in or the coaching setup being tweaked, we cannot afford many nights like that.
The marketing team work wonders in attracting people along to the ground to witness exciting cricket. Three straight wins at the start of the campaign did the same. The remarkable win at Trent Bridge on Monday would have convinced a number of people that there was no better place to spend a Friday evening than the County Ground.
Then we bat like that.
No, I can't and won't defend it and when a team is slaughtered (there is no more apposite word) by a very average Leicestershire side, then supporters have a right to be disappointed and angry.
Yet there is no quick fix. Players we were lauding twelve months ago have not become bad players in that time. Some have found their comfort level exceeded, others have, in unison, hit the bad season experienced by most at some time. Yet no one must lose sight of the fact that we cannot simply, as one correspondent suggests, 'sack them all' except for three. As an example of knee-jerkery (just invented that one...) it's high on the all-time list...
Contracts are contracts and even though it often seems that they offer security to the player alone, rather than the club when an individual and his agent start getting twitchy, the club cannot rip up the remaining deals of 12 players and wave them off. It doesn't work like that and nor should it, or we would be back in the dark ages. Aside from falling foul of legislation, it would probably ensure that no one else wanted to play for you, ever.
The coaching staff will work over the winter to get the careers of some players back on track and continue the development of others whose encouraging displays have been somewhat overlooked in those kneejerk, but understandable reactions of supporters to last night.There is a massive interest and depth of passion about Derbyshire cricket, as evidenced by this blog setting a new record for hits in the current month, even with four days to go. These people care and they want to see a successful club. Three of them got in touch from overseas, having followed the action from afar.
No one cares more than Chris Grant, who faces a busy winter. He, more than anyone, knows what needs to be done, what money we have and how we can feasibly improve within budgetary constraints. I am sure that Mr Grant will look back on 2012 as a delightful honeymoon period, when all was sweetness and light after the previous year, when the mid-season departure of John Morris gave him a stern introduction to Derbyshire cricket. 2013 will not carry the same memories, but perhaps has given him an even greater appreciation of the size of the challenge.
Keep the faith people. Last night didn't make us a disaster, any more than last year made us the best team in the world. I get as frustrated by the team's inconsistency as you all do and I wish, to use football parlance, that there was a route one to success.
But there isn't. We must continue to be patient and give the boys our backing. Whatever you may think in the aftermath of a poor display, they are working hard and they are trying their best.
It's just that on occasion the best is a long way from good enough and needs to get better.
When the best you can find to say about a batting display is that the Twitter feed from Tony Palladino was very good, you know that you've had a stinker.
It's funny, despite the fact that I still maintain that chasing a total offers a better chance of success than setting one, oblivious to the capabilities of the other team, it goes out of the window when any chase is approached in much the same manner as adopted by the Keystone Cops, perhaps accompanied by Sergeant Jones of Dads Army shouting "Don't Panic!" at the top of his voice.
We simply have to get better and that will doubtless be something occupying the thoughts of Chris Grant and the Derbyshire board in coming months. Maybe there is no quick solution, but whether it is in different players coming in or the coaching setup being tweaked, we cannot afford many nights like that.
The marketing team work wonders in attracting people along to the ground to witness exciting cricket. Three straight wins at the start of the campaign did the same. The remarkable win at Trent Bridge on Monday would have convinced a number of people that there was no better place to spend a Friday evening than the County Ground.
Then we bat like that.
No, I can't and won't defend it and when a team is slaughtered (there is no more apposite word) by a very average Leicestershire side, then supporters have a right to be disappointed and angry.
Yet there is no quick fix. Players we were lauding twelve months ago have not become bad players in that time. Some have found their comfort level exceeded, others have, in unison, hit the bad season experienced by most at some time. Yet no one must lose sight of the fact that we cannot simply, as one correspondent suggests, 'sack them all' except for three. As an example of knee-jerkery (just invented that one...) it's high on the all-time list...
Contracts are contracts and even though it often seems that they offer security to the player alone, rather than the club when an individual and his agent start getting twitchy, the club cannot rip up the remaining deals of 12 players and wave them off. It doesn't work like that and nor should it, or we would be back in the dark ages. Aside from falling foul of legislation, it would probably ensure that no one else wanted to play for you, ever.
The coaching staff will work over the winter to get the careers of some players back on track and continue the development of others whose encouraging displays have been somewhat overlooked in those kneejerk, but understandable reactions of supporters to last night.There is a massive interest and depth of passion about Derbyshire cricket, as evidenced by this blog setting a new record for hits in the current month, even with four days to go. These people care and they want to see a successful club. Three of them got in touch from overseas, having followed the action from afar.
No one cares more than Chris Grant, who faces a busy winter. He, more than anyone, knows what needs to be done, what money we have and how we can feasibly improve within budgetary constraints. I am sure that Mr Grant will look back on 2012 as a delightful honeymoon period, when all was sweetness and light after the previous year, when the mid-season departure of John Morris gave him a stern introduction to Derbyshire cricket. 2013 will not carry the same memories, but perhaps has given him an even greater appreciation of the size of the challenge.
Keep the faith people. Last night didn't make us a disaster, any more than last year made us the best team in the world. I get as frustrated by the team's inconsistency as you all do and I wish, to use football parlance, that there was a route one to success.
But there isn't. We must continue to be patient and give the boys our backing. Whatever you may think in the aftermath of a poor display, they are working hard and they are trying their best.
It's just that on occasion the best is a long way from good enough and needs to get better.
Friday, 26 July 2013
Derbyshire v Leicestershire
In a nutshell, tonight, we all saw the challenge that Derbyshire will need to address over the winter.
Inconsistency.
The bowling was largely OK, with good efforts from young spinners Redfern and Burgoyne, as well as an encouraging one from Alex Hughes. Tim Groenewald also bowled a splendid spell, although Mark Turner was again more expensive than he and we would have wanted.
Yet the batting was awful. The heroes of Trent Bridge had gone by the end of the second over and apart from Chanderpaul, who hasn't had an innings for a couple of weeks, we were awful.
It is more fuel for the critics. It is another example of Derbyshire flopping when there was an opportunity in this format of the game. Surely if we can beat Nottinghamshire we can beat Leicestershire? The comments will no doubt hit my mail box sometime soon.
There is a big job to be done in the coming months. Not just in hopefully bringing in a player or two who could make a difference, but in repairing damaged reputations and bruised confidence. In assuring some players that they will be a major component of the club's future and in breaking it to others that they are sadly not up to the standard to which we aspire.
Somehow we must rekindle the spirit of 2012 and introduce players who can be the spirit of 2014, 15, 16 and beyond. Another sterling effort by the Seconds to beat Warwickshire today shows that there are some good lads in there, especially commendable when some of their main players were with the senior side.
The T20 has gone and the remainder of the summer MUST be one of offering opportunity to assess talent and potential. Results won't matter all that much, but we must hope for improved individual performance and a few positive portents for the future.
Let's be honest. It has to be better than tonight.
Inconsistency.
The bowling was largely OK, with good efforts from young spinners Redfern and Burgoyne, as well as an encouraging one from Alex Hughes. Tim Groenewald also bowled a splendid spell, although Mark Turner was again more expensive than he and we would have wanted.
Yet the batting was awful. The heroes of Trent Bridge had gone by the end of the second over and apart from Chanderpaul, who hasn't had an innings for a couple of weeks, we were awful.
It is more fuel for the critics. It is another example of Derbyshire flopping when there was an opportunity in this format of the game. Surely if we can beat Nottinghamshire we can beat Leicestershire? The comments will no doubt hit my mail box sometime soon.
There is a big job to be done in the coming months. Not just in hopefully bringing in a player or two who could make a difference, but in repairing damaged reputations and bruised confidence. In assuring some players that they will be a major component of the club's future and in breaking it to others that they are sadly not up to the standard to which we aspire.
Somehow we must rekindle the spirit of 2012 and introduce players who can be the spirit of 2014, 15, 16 and beyond. Another sterling effort by the Seconds to beat Warwickshire today shows that there are some good lads in there, especially commendable when some of their main players were with the senior side.
The T20 has gone and the remainder of the summer MUST be one of offering opportunity to assess talent and potential. Results won't matter all that much, but we must hope for improved individual performance and a few positive portents for the future.
Let's be honest. It has to be better than tonight.
The times, they are a-changing
One of the great things about cricket is the way that it has evolved over its existence.
From adding an extra stump, to modifying bats and protective gear, what you can and can't do to wickets (glue? Cliff Gladwin would be incredulous...) and the techniques for playing the game.
If you want an example of how the game has evolved, even in a relatively short time frame, here's a look back at a game that had some similarities to the one on Monday against Nottinghamshire, but from 35 years ago.
It was July 2nd 1978 and Derbyshire played Glamorgan in a Sunday League 40-over game at Chesterfield. That was the plan, but the weather had other ideas and the ground staff had their work cut out to get any sort of game underway. Time passed but eventually it was agreed that the 2pm start could eventually get underway at 5.20pm, the game accordingly reduced to ten overs a side.
The were no fielding restrictions at that time, no powerplay and teams could have nine on the boundary if they chose to do so. Nor were there the more stringent limitations on bowling spells and Derbyshire's top four of Barlow, Borrington, Kirsten and Cartwright could have faced only two bowlers if their opponents chose to do so.
As the yearbook of the time recounts, Barlow and Borrington 'rattled the score along' with 33 in 18 minutes from six overs, before the innings ended with a score of 62-4 from the ten. By modern standards that would be deemed a cakewalk, but bats had edges then, not sides and the innovative shots that open the game up today were unknown.
Besides, Derbyshire had Mike Hendrick and Eddie Barlow to bowl. The former kept one end going, while Barlow took over after Colin Tunnicliffe was presumably deemed expensive with two overs for fourteen.
Glamorgan's reply? 44-4 in ten overs. Their opener Alan Jones, who had played for England in 1970, batted through the innings for 23 not out, while Hendrick recorded figures of 5-0-13-1 and Barlow 3-0-12-1. Both those players would have been brilliant in modern T20, though I doubt that the Welsh fans would let their star opener off lightly were that scoring rate replicated today...
We won by eighteen runs, very similar to the winning margin of sixteen on Monday. Yet the game, the techniques and the regulations were poles apart from that enjoyed today.
At least the result was right though and I would give a lot to see those names back on Queens Park just one more time...
From adding an extra stump, to modifying bats and protective gear, what you can and can't do to wickets (glue? Cliff Gladwin would be incredulous...) and the techniques for playing the game.
If you want an example of how the game has evolved, even in a relatively short time frame, here's a look back at a game that had some similarities to the one on Monday against Nottinghamshire, but from 35 years ago.
It was July 2nd 1978 and Derbyshire played Glamorgan in a Sunday League 40-over game at Chesterfield. That was the plan, but the weather had other ideas and the ground staff had their work cut out to get any sort of game underway. Time passed but eventually it was agreed that the 2pm start could eventually get underway at 5.20pm, the game accordingly reduced to ten overs a side.
The were no fielding restrictions at that time, no powerplay and teams could have nine on the boundary if they chose to do so. Nor were there the more stringent limitations on bowling spells and Derbyshire's top four of Barlow, Borrington, Kirsten and Cartwright could have faced only two bowlers if their opponents chose to do so.
As the yearbook of the time recounts, Barlow and Borrington 'rattled the score along' with 33 in 18 minutes from six overs, before the innings ended with a score of 62-4 from the ten. By modern standards that would be deemed a cakewalk, but bats had edges then, not sides and the innovative shots that open the game up today were unknown.
Besides, Derbyshire had Mike Hendrick and Eddie Barlow to bowl. The former kept one end going, while Barlow took over after Colin Tunnicliffe was presumably deemed expensive with two overs for fourteen.
Glamorgan's reply? 44-4 in ten overs. Their opener Alan Jones, who had played for England in 1970, batted through the innings for 23 not out, while Hendrick recorded figures of 5-0-13-1 and Barlow 3-0-12-1. Both those players would have been brilliant in modern T20, though I doubt that the Welsh fans would let their star opener off lightly were that scoring rate replicated today...
We won by eighteen runs, very similar to the winning margin of sixteen on Monday. Yet the game, the techniques and the regulations were poles apart from that enjoyed today.
At least the result was right though and I would give a lot to see those names back on Queens Park just one more time...
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Personal plea
Did anyone by any chance record the highlights of the Nottinghamshire win the other night?
My old Dad was saying he'd have loved to see it. Bearing in mind it was T9, rather than T20, that's akin to my old man telling me he's discovered curries, is going to feng shui the living room and is off out to buy the collected musical output of Girls Aloud...
If anyone can help I'd be delighted to pay for postage and disc. Contact me at the usual e mail address if you are able to do so.
Thanks in advance!
Postscript - many thanks to Glyn for coming to my aid. I am very grateful to you mate!
My old Dad was saying he'd have loved to see it. Bearing in mind it was T9, rather than T20, that's akin to my old man telling me he's discovered curries, is going to feng shui the living room and is off out to buy the collected musical output of Girls Aloud...
If anyone can help I'd be delighted to pay for postage and disc. Contact me at the usual e mail address if you are able to do so.
Thanks in advance!
Postscript - many thanks to Glyn for coming to my aid. I am very grateful to you mate!
Seconds update
Good game going on with the Seconds against Warwickshire.
Following our 191 on the first day, Warwickshire replied with 213, trialist Waller taking five wickets.
Derbyshire's second innings has been much better, closing at 252-3, with 107 for Paul Borrington and an unbeaten 68 for Alex Hughes. Good finish in store, by the sound of it and Stubbo's impressive work with them continues apace...
Following our 191 on the first day, Warwickshire replied with 213, trialist Waller taking five wickets.
Derbyshire's second innings has been much better, closing at 252-3, with 107 for Paul Borrington and an unbeaten 68 for Alex Hughes. Good finish in store, by the sound of it and Stubbo's impressive work with them continues apace...
Derbyshire v Leicestershire T20 preview
More of the same would do nicely from Derbyshire tomorrow against Leicestershire, to keep their T20 hopes alive.
Following the extraordinary win over Nottinghamshire, interest should be high and the side is boosted by the possibility of a return for Shivnarine Chanderpaul. His expertise would be a real asset and allow a couple of timely tweaks to the side.
Albie Morkel has gone, as he was always going to do, in order to be fit for the Caribbean Premier League. He did well for us, perhaps even more off the pitch than on it, where his bowling was always probing and awkward. Perhaps his batting has gone back a little, as a result of being an in demand hitter, rather than batsman who can hit the ball a long way (there is a difference) but he remains a fine cricketer who we would doubtless welcome back another year if his commitments allowed.
The squad in full:
Wayne Madsen, Chesney Hughes, Wes Durston, Dan Redfern, Billy Godleman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Alex Hughes, Richard Johnson, Peter Burgoyne, Tom Poynton, David Wainwright, Tim Groenewald, Mark Turner, Tom Knight and Mark Footitt.
For what it is worth, assuming Shiv is fit, I would go with the following side:
Hughes (C)
Durston
Chanderpaul
Madsen
Redfern
Hughes (A)
Poynton
Burgoyne
Groenewald
Turner
Knight
I can hear the 'ping' of e mails coming in, but with three seamers named and Groenewald sure to be one of them, Turner or Footitt surely play, if only to offer a change of pace. We could go with more spin than a political press office, but one would assume that the four in the above team would be sufficient, aided by Alex Hughes if required.
As we know from the game at Grace Road, Leicestershire have good players and could easily beat us if we are not totally focused and committed. After the other night, our boys should realise that one hundred per cent effort can get results against the best of sides, but anything less from a team that is not blessed with genuinely outstanding players can leave you in trouble.
Forecast? I'm inclined to go for a win here. The players will be buzzing after the other night and Leicestershire's defeat to Durham tonight makes it effectively a dead game for them.
For Derbyshire it is something considerably more than that. Win tomorrow and it's a winner takes all against Durham to round things off.
Let's hope they're up for the challenge.
Following the extraordinary win over Nottinghamshire, interest should be high and the side is boosted by the possibility of a return for Shivnarine Chanderpaul. His expertise would be a real asset and allow a couple of timely tweaks to the side.
Albie Morkel has gone, as he was always going to do, in order to be fit for the Caribbean Premier League. He did well for us, perhaps even more off the pitch than on it, where his bowling was always probing and awkward. Perhaps his batting has gone back a little, as a result of being an in demand hitter, rather than batsman who can hit the ball a long way (there is a difference) but he remains a fine cricketer who we would doubtless welcome back another year if his commitments allowed.
The squad in full:
Wayne Madsen, Chesney Hughes, Wes Durston, Dan Redfern, Billy Godleman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Alex Hughes, Richard Johnson, Peter Burgoyne, Tom Poynton, David Wainwright, Tim Groenewald, Mark Turner, Tom Knight and Mark Footitt.
For what it is worth, assuming Shiv is fit, I would go with the following side:
Hughes (C)
Durston
Chanderpaul
Madsen
Redfern
Hughes (A)
Poynton
Burgoyne
Groenewald
Turner
Knight
I can hear the 'ping' of e mails coming in, but with three seamers named and Groenewald sure to be one of them, Turner or Footitt surely play, if only to offer a change of pace. We could go with more spin than a political press office, but one would assume that the four in the above team would be sufficient, aided by Alex Hughes if required.
As we know from the game at Grace Road, Leicestershire have good players and could easily beat us if we are not totally focused and committed. After the other night, our boys should realise that one hundred per cent effort can get results against the best of sides, but anything less from a team that is not blessed with genuinely outstanding players can leave you in trouble.
Forecast? I'm inclined to go for a win here. The players will be buzzing after the other night and Leicestershire's defeat to Durham tonight makes it effectively a dead game for them.
For Derbyshire it is something considerably more than that. Win tomorrow and it's a winner takes all against Durham to round things off.
Let's hope they're up for the challenge.
Adieu to Whiteley
So it's a premature farewell to Ross Whiteley, who has joined Worcestershire for the remainder of the season and until the end of 2016.
There will undoubtedly be rumours and stories flying around, so I think that I will do my best to unpick the story as I see it at and perhaps nip some of the more scurrilous in the bud.
As the club site states, Whiteley wanted to spend the winter in Australia, which was at odds with the club's plans for him. I know the lad met a girl out there when he has been out in previous winters, as he told me as much back in September in the post-title excitement at the County Ground. On that basis I can understand his desire to go back out there this winter, assuming the romance is ongoing. I cannot see cricket alone as the reason.
To be fair to the club, his employers, his bargaining position was far from strong, after a season in which form and fitness has proved elusive. Derbyshire, quite rightly in my opinion, presumably wanted him to stay home and work on his game with the club coaches, in an attempt to rediscover the form that made him look a genuine talent a couple of summers back but rather less than that of late.
Realistically, there would have been only one way out of such an impasse. Whiteley presumably wanted out and a place with a club who were willing to let him go to Australia this winter. Worcestershire were the interested party and that's how we got to the situation that broke today.
I don't blame the club one bit. As the employer, they were entitled to request the player stayed home and worked on his game. If the employee was digging his heels in, as happens in different working environments, there could only really be one solution and that was a parting of the ways.
Equally it is hard to blame the player, because that's what happens between men and women when things get serious. I might be getting old, but romance does funny things to people...OK, he may have wanted to work on his game there, but if that didn't suit the club, they pay the wages and the piper calls the tune.
It is a shame for the club though, They spent time on the player's development and have lost him before he reached full maturity, if he ever does. Chris Grant in particular was very fair with the lad and put him on a good contract when he had previously only been on a summer deal. It is not the ending that anyone would have chosen to the story and there's no denying that.
That's my take on things and I don't think it too wide of the mark. Ross Whiteley may go on to be a very good county cricketer and emulate Ian Blackwell in developing beyond that level. By the same token he might never realise that early potential, where he could swing the ball and bat with equal gusto. Few will forget his assault on Hampshire that rushed us to victory last September, his brilliant fielding nor his handy bowling. Only the churlish will fail to wish him well. He's a nice lad and a good cricketer. It's just a shame that things turned out this way.
Yet one man's departure is another's opportunity.
In Alex Hughes I think we have a ready-made replacement.
There will undoubtedly be rumours and stories flying around, so I think that I will do my best to unpick the story as I see it at and perhaps nip some of the more scurrilous in the bud.
As the club site states, Whiteley wanted to spend the winter in Australia, which was at odds with the club's plans for him. I know the lad met a girl out there when he has been out in previous winters, as he told me as much back in September in the post-title excitement at the County Ground. On that basis I can understand his desire to go back out there this winter, assuming the romance is ongoing. I cannot see cricket alone as the reason.
To be fair to the club, his employers, his bargaining position was far from strong, after a season in which form and fitness has proved elusive. Derbyshire, quite rightly in my opinion, presumably wanted him to stay home and work on his game with the club coaches, in an attempt to rediscover the form that made him look a genuine talent a couple of summers back but rather less than that of late.
Realistically, there would have been only one way out of such an impasse. Whiteley presumably wanted out and a place with a club who were willing to let him go to Australia this winter. Worcestershire were the interested party and that's how we got to the situation that broke today.
I don't blame the club one bit. As the employer, they were entitled to request the player stayed home and worked on his game. If the employee was digging his heels in, as happens in different working environments, there could only really be one solution and that was a parting of the ways.
Equally it is hard to blame the player, because that's what happens between men and women when things get serious. I might be getting old, but romance does funny things to people...OK, he may have wanted to work on his game there, but if that didn't suit the club, they pay the wages and the piper calls the tune.
It is a shame for the club though, They spent time on the player's development and have lost him before he reached full maturity, if he ever does. Chris Grant in particular was very fair with the lad and put him on a good contract when he had previously only been on a summer deal. It is not the ending that anyone would have chosen to the story and there's no denying that.
That's my take on things and I don't think it too wide of the mark. Ross Whiteley may go on to be a very good county cricketer and emulate Ian Blackwell in developing beyond that level. By the same token he might never realise that early potential, where he could swing the ball and bat with equal gusto. Few will forget his assault on Hampshire that rushed us to victory last September, his brilliant fielding nor his handy bowling. Only the churlish will fail to wish him well. He's a nice lad and a good cricketer. It's just a shame that things turned out this way.
Yet one man's departure is another's opportunity.
In Alex Hughes I think we have a ready-made replacement.
Whiteley leaves
Disappointing news today with the departure of Ross Whiteley to Worcestershire with immediate effect.
I'll have a few thoughts on that later today, but thought I'd just highlight the departure at this early stage in my lunch break.
More later.
I'll have a few thoughts on that later today, but thought I'd just highlight the departure at this early stage in my lunch break.
More later.
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