It was good to read yesterday that Graeme Welch is back in the game, as assistant coach at Leicestershire.
Irrespective of his early departure from Derbyshire, Welch remains a very good coach, especially of bowlers. His new role will suit him well and I am sure that his new county's bowlers will reap the benefit of his experience and wisdom.
I wish him well, as I am sure that you do.
Meanwhile, over at Belper Meadows today, some of his old charges were in action against Glamorgan, on the first day of a three-day game, It was a very young side, one in which South African wicket-keeper Daryn Smit must have felt almost paternal in the field, with Greg Cork as skipper.
An attack featuring five players of first team experience this summer (Cork plus Cotton, Davis, Hemmings, Parkinson and Critchley) bowled out the visitors for 287. Cork took 2-44, but the star was Callum Parkinson, who took 5-64 in 20 overs. Cotton, Hemmings and Critchley had a wicket each and the visitors reached their total thanks largely to South African born Neil Brand, who made 126.
It will be interesting to see how the Derbyshire reply goes tomorrow, with Josh Clarke, Tom Wood and Daryn Smit making up an impressive-looking middle order.
Derbyshire will resume their innings tomorrow on 14-0, with Kershaw and Bramwell the not out batsmen.
Tuesday, 6 September 2016
Monday, 5 September 2016
Monday musings
A nice couple of days off for old Peakfan afford an opportunity for early morning bloggery.
Also time for an early warning, that unless there's anything major happens from this Friday, I am unlikely to blog for around a week or so, as I have scheduled surgery on my hand. If there's anything super-exciting, my lovely daughter has agreed to type it while I dictate, but I don't want to impose too much!
Sod's law is that it will be when players start getting released left, right and centre, of course and conjecture will commence on their likely destinations. For what it is worth, I think that Derbyshire will engage the services of two or three young players of talent from local ranks and will then focus on match-winning players of established reputation. I think that both Charlie McDonnell and Tom Wood have done enough this year to warrant a deal for next season, as has Callum Parkinson. The first two will challenge a likely established line-up in the batting, with Wood likely to prove a real asset in the one-day game especially.
While we don't know the situation regarding Chesney Hughes, a top six of Godleman, Slater, Hughes (A), Madsen, Broom and Thakor should offer runs. Slater has really come onto his game in the second half of the summer, while Neil Broom will surely come good with a season of experience under his belt and time for reflection over the winter.
I'd like to see the recent opportunity offered to Alex Hughes extended. Sometimes such opportunity is all that is required for players to flourish and while I had concerns about his elevation to a role at three, he rose to it against Gloucestershire and has a sound technique to make a very good fist of the role. Kim Barnett started in the middle order and became our greatest-ever batsman at the top, so perhaps Alex could benefit from such a chance. The team would do so, from his effervescent personality, fielding and handy bowling, while a top six of three older heads and three young players has a nice look to it.
Which brings me to that key role at seven.
As I have written before, I expect Harvey Hosein to be our wicket-keeper for years and quite possibly get to international level. His technique is exemplary in both required disciplines, but I think that it is unrealistic for him to be seen as automatic first choice in three formats at the tender age of twenty. A season average of 115 from limited opportunity is impressive, but a career one of 21 is more relevant at present and we urgently need a wicket-keeper who can nurse the tail through to innings recovery as required, or take a game away from the opposition.
Having seen South African Daryn Smit involved with our second team, I am very much of the opinion that he would be the perfect fit for us.
I don't share notoveryet's concern that he might experience the issues encountered by Neil Broom this year, because he has greater experience of our conditions. Indeed, for the last three summers, he has made a case for consideration as one of Ramsbottom's finest-ever professionals, these statistics on a large ground and usually slow wicket:
2014 - Average 61 with bat and 88 wickets at 7.22
2015 - Average 113 with bat and 74 wickets at 8.19
2016 - Average 94 with bat and 25 wickets at 10.92
With plenty of bowling in all forms of the game in South Africa, Smit would be an intriguing option for Derbyshire, as a batsman and wicket-keeper of high quality who could also play as the former, as well as offering handy spin variation if required, while Hosein took the gloves.
I have no idea if we are seriously interested in him, but his appearance in the second team would be otherwise unusual at his stage of career . Someone asked him that very question on Twitter yesterday, but he's not going to say anything ahead of a club statement, one way or another.
I hope there is interest though, because his quality is undeniable. Derbyshire could then play an overseas bowler (please!) and whatever combination of seam and spin they felt appropriate.
I agree with notoveryet that a potential attack of Palladino, Milnes and Davis offers a nice mixture of the talents, with challenge from Ben Cotton and Tom Taylor another summer, though a left-arm presence would be nice for variation. That seems to be recognised, with Greg Cork, Gurjit Sandhu (ex-Middlesex) and Luis Reece (ex-Lancashire), lefties to a man, in the attack for the recent second team game against Nottinghamshire.
Reece is a decent cricketer and looked a good batsman when he opened the innings against us in this year's T20 at Derby, though less so when his one over went to all corners of the ground. That can happen to anyone though, and there's a good cricketer in the lad, perhaps, as I said earlier about Alex Hughes, requiring greater opportunity somewhere than he has had so far. A batting average in the thirties suggests that someone might give him another chance in the first-class game.
An overseas bowler though, someone who could take fifty-plus wickets this season...now that would make a difference, eh?
Also time for an early warning, that unless there's anything major happens from this Friday, I am unlikely to blog for around a week or so, as I have scheduled surgery on my hand. If there's anything super-exciting, my lovely daughter has agreed to type it while I dictate, but I don't want to impose too much!
Sod's law is that it will be when players start getting released left, right and centre, of course and conjecture will commence on their likely destinations. For what it is worth, I think that Derbyshire will engage the services of two or three young players of talent from local ranks and will then focus on match-winning players of established reputation. I think that both Charlie McDonnell and Tom Wood have done enough this year to warrant a deal for next season, as has Callum Parkinson. The first two will challenge a likely established line-up in the batting, with Wood likely to prove a real asset in the one-day game especially.
While we don't know the situation regarding Chesney Hughes, a top six of Godleman, Slater, Hughes (A), Madsen, Broom and Thakor should offer runs. Slater has really come onto his game in the second half of the summer, while Neil Broom will surely come good with a season of experience under his belt and time for reflection over the winter.
I'd like to see the recent opportunity offered to Alex Hughes extended. Sometimes such opportunity is all that is required for players to flourish and while I had concerns about his elevation to a role at three, he rose to it against Gloucestershire and has a sound technique to make a very good fist of the role. Kim Barnett started in the middle order and became our greatest-ever batsman at the top, so perhaps Alex could benefit from such a chance. The team would do so, from his effervescent personality, fielding and handy bowling, while a top six of three older heads and three young players has a nice look to it.
Which brings me to that key role at seven.
As I have written before, I expect Harvey Hosein to be our wicket-keeper for years and quite possibly get to international level. His technique is exemplary in both required disciplines, but I think that it is unrealistic for him to be seen as automatic first choice in three formats at the tender age of twenty. A season average of 115 from limited opportunity is impressive, but a career one of 21 is more relevant at present and we urgently need a wicket-keeper who can nurse the tail through to innings recovery as required, or take a game away from the opposition.
Having seen South African Daryn Smit involved with our second team, I am very much of the opinion that he would be the perfect fit for us.
I don't share notoveryet's concern that he might experience the issues encountered by Neil Broom this year, because he has greater experience of our conditions. Indeed, for the last three summers, he has made a case for consideration as one of Ramsbottom's finest-ever professionals, these statistics on a large ground and usually slow wicket:
2014 - Average 61 with bat and 88 wickets at 7.22
2015 - Average 113 with bat and 74 wickets at 8.19
2016 - Average 94 with bat and 25 wickets at 10.92
With plenty of bowling in all forms of the game in South Africa, Smit would be an intriguing option for Derbyshire, as a batsman and wicket-keeper of high quality who could also play as the former, as well as offering handy spin variation if required, while Hosein took the gloves.
I have no idea if we are seriously interested in him, but his appearance in the second team would be otherwise unusual at his stage of career . Someone asked him that very question on Twitter yesterday, but he's not going to say anything ahead of a club statement, one way or another.
I hope there is interest though, because his quality is undeniable. Derbyshire could then play an overseas bowler (please!) and whatever combination of seam and spin they felt appropriate.
I agree with notoveryet that a potential attack of Palladino, Milnes and Davis offers a nice mixture of the talents, with challenge from Ben Cotton and Tom Taylor another summer, though a left-arm presence would be nice for variation. That seems to be recognised, with Greg Cork, Gurjit Sandhu (ex-Middlesex) and Luis Reece (ex-Lancashire), lefties to a man, in the attack for the recent second team game against Nottinghamshire.
Reece is a decent cricketer and looked a good batsman when he opened the innings against us in this year's T20 at Derby, though less so when his one over went to all corners of the ground. That can happen to anyone though, and there's a good cricketer in the lad, perhaps, as I said earlier about Alex Hughes, requiring greater opportunity somewhere than he has had so far. A batting average in the thirties suggests that someone might give him another chance in the first-class game.
An overseas bowler though, someone who could take fifty-plus wickets this season...now that would make a difference, eh?
Saturday, 3 September 2016
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 4
And the rain came down, a little earlier even than forecast, rendering any conjecture as to a likely outcome exactly that.
It would have been a good last day and we did well to take it to that stage, so I hope that we can build on the 'feel good' factor in the last two games of the summer.
Then the rebuilding commences...
It would have been a good last day and we did well to take it to that stage, so I hope that we can build on the 'feel good' factor in the last two games of the summer.
Then the rebuilding commences...
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 3
Derbyshire 242 and 360 (Hughes 140, Milnes 56, Hosein 52 not, Broom 42)
Gloucestershire 331 and 10-0
Gloucestershire need 262 more to win
Sadly, rain that is forecast to move in from midday today looks set to have the final word in an absorbing contest, in which Derbyshire fought back heroically yesterday.
That they took the game into a final day was down to a fine team effort, led by Alex Hughes, with a wonderful, career-best innings of 140. Alex has struggled for a regular place this summer and putting him in at three has met with some criticism and a little bemusement, from me as well as others. Yet here he showed he has the game for the role and, given greater opportunity, may grow into it.
Whether his bowling will become good enough for him to be seen as a genuine four-day all-rounder is a fair question, but he has much to offer as a cricketer and his one-day contributions have marked him as one to watch. Even there, this summer he has only got in with a couple of overs to go, but perhaps John Sadler has discovered a niche for a very talented player to get into the side on a more regular basis. I hope so, as I like what he brings to the side.
Neil Broom lent good support before chopping onto his stumps, then after tea Harvey Hosein produced a battling innings to register a second first-class fifty. When Hughes departed, Tom Milnes came in and played a cavalier innings of 56 from 53 balls.
Milnes is another who has had his critics since his move from Warwickshire, but in the season's closing weeks he has shown himself capable of taking wickets and scoring runs at this level. Graeme Welch suggested that he saw some of himself in the young Milnes when he signed him from Warwickshire and it may be that next summer could see his career blossom.
It was a good effort by Derbyshire, and came despite only the second career 'pair' for Wayne Madsen, who got a reported brute of a ball to be out third ball. It just shows that anything can happen in the greatest of games.
With the expressed and obvious need for greater experience in the Derbyshire side, there is also a need for young talent to be encouraged and nurtured. Thus, the presence of some interesting trialists in the second eleven in their game against Nottinghamshire may offer pointers to 2017.
Former Lancashire all-rounder Luis Reece took four wickets on debut, while Gurjit Singh Sandhu, formerly of Middlesex, took three as Derbyshire bowled out Nottinghamshire for 84.
In Derbyshire's reply, young Australian Josh Clarke made a round hundred. Clarke, a left-hand bat, has made a lot of runs and taken many wickets with his slow left-arm in recent summers in the Derbyshire Premier League. I understand that he is keen to play county cricket and that we may be looking at him qualifying to do so. One to watch, for sure.
So too is South African wicket-keeper Daryn Smit. At 32, Smit is an established, talented and somewhat unusual performer in Durban, home of Wayne Madsen. He has a mid-thirties career batting average, with six centuries and over thirty fifties. He has similar averages in the one-day formats, but also has over a hundred first-class wickets with leg-spin - and more in the one-day game - to go with over 300 first-class victims behind the stumps. He has also been Dolphins franchise captain, and is a well-respected cricketer who has scored a lot of runs and taken many wickets as a league professional in this country.
It would be surprising for him to be playing for Derbyshire Seconds without being under consideration for a contract for another summer. It could be a left-field but very interesting move by the county and Smit did himself no harm with 59 in the first innings before seeing us home for a six-wicket win, in company with Clarke, who made an unbeaten 36 to go with his earlier century.
All this after a five-wicket haul by Greg Cork, which made for an interesting day all round.
More from me soon.
Gloucestershire 331 and 10-0
Gloucestershire need 262 more to win
Sadly, rain that is forecast to move in from midday today looks set to have the final word in an absorbing contest, in which Derbyshire fought back heroically yesterday.
That they took the game into a final day was down to a fine team effort, led by Alex Hughes, with a wonderful, career-best innings of 140. Alex has struggled for a regular place this summer and putting him in at three has met with some criticism and a little bemusement, from me as well as others. Yet here he showed he has the game for the role and, given greater opportunity, may grow into it.
Whether his bowling will become good enough for him to be seen as a genuine four-day all-rounder is a fair question, but he has much to offer as a cricketer and his one-day contributions have marked him as one to watch. Even there, this summer he has only got in with a couple of overs to go, but perhaps John Sadler has discovered a niche for a very talented player to get into the side on a more regular basis. I hope so, as I like what he brings to the side.
Neil Broom lent good support before chopping onto his stumps, then after tea Harvey Hosein produced a battling innings to register a second first-class fifty. When Hughes departed, Tom Milnes came in and played a cavalier innings of 56 from 53 balls.
Milnes is another who has had his critics since his move from Warwickshire, but in the season's closing weeks he has shown himself capable of taking wickets and scoring runs at this level. Graeme Welch suggested that he saw some of himself in the young Milnes when he signed him from Warwickshire and it may be that next summer could see his career blossom.
It was a good effort by Derbyshire, and came despite only the second career 'pair' for Wayne Madsen, who got a reported brute of a ball to be out third ball. It just shows that anything can happen in the greatest of games.
With the expressed and obvious need for greater experience in the Derbyshire side, there is also a need for young talent to be encouraged and nurtured. Thus, the presence of some interesting trialists in the second eleven in their game against Nottinghamshire may offer pointers to 2017.
Former Lancashire all-rounder Luis Reece took four wickets on debut, while Gurjit Singh Sandhu, formerly of Middlesex, took three as Derbyshire bowled out Nottinghamshire for 84.
In Derbyshire's reply, young Australian Josh Clarke made a round hundred. Clarke, a left-hand bat, has made a lot of runs and taken many wickets with his slow left-arm in recent summers in the Derbyshire Premier League. I understand that he is keen to play county cricket and that we may be looking at him qualifying to do so. One to watch, for sure.
So too is South African wicket-keeper Daryn Smit. At 32, Smit is an established, talented and somewhat unusual performer in Durban, home of Wayne Madsen. He has a mid-thirties career batting average, with six centuries and over thirty fifties. He has similar averages in the one-day formats, but also has over a hundred first-class wickets with leg-spin - and more in the one-day game - to go with over 300 first-class victims behind the stumps. He has also been Dolphins franchise captain, and is a well-respected cricketer who has scored a lot of runs and taken many wickets as a league professional in this country.
It would be surprising for him to be playing for Derbyshire Seconds without being under consideration for a contract for another summer. It could be a left-field but very interesting move by the county and Smit did himself no harm with 59 in the first innings before seeing us home for a six-wicket win, in company with Clarke, who made an unbeaten 36 to go with his earlier century.
All this after a five-wicket haul by Greg Cork, which made for an interesting day all round.
More from me soon.
Friday, 2 September 2016
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 2
Derbyshire 242 and 16-2
Gloucestershire 331 (Mustard 107 not, Dent 94, Palladino 5-74)
Derbyshire trail by 73 runs
Apologies for the lack of blog last night, but everyday life got in the way and meant that a reflection on the day's play had to wait until this morning.
Were it not for the late loss of two big wickets, which saw both our openers back in the pavilion, we didn't do too badly on Thursday, in limiting the first innings deficit to 89 runs. Tony Palladino led by example in taking five wickets, while both Tom Milnes and Callum Parkinson reinforced their recent good impression with tight spells and a couple of wickets each.
The team selection puzzled again though, with Matt Critchley selected, batting six but only bowling four overs. That long tail is likely to see another early finish, unless it wags with greater vigour than it managed in the first innings.
As for the opposition, Chris Dent scored well against us again, not quite on the Nick Browne scale, but another opener who would love to face us every week and scores heavily when he does. Meanwhile Phil Mustard scored what was his first championship ton for five years, although he has been some way removed from a four-day regular for Durham.
Will we see him at Derby next year? I hope so, because at present the side is crying out for an experienced player or two with the nous and gumption to battle it out when the going gets tough.
Phil Mustard or Niall O'Brien? Either would do me. No disrespect intended to Harvey Hosein, whose glove work is excellent, but a number seven who can score good runs and nurse the tail to respectability is absolutely crucial if we are to be more competitive next year.
A few more, too...
Gloucestershire 331 (Mustard 107 not, Dent 94, Palladino 5-74)
Derbyshire trail by 73 runs
Apologies for the lack of blog last night, but everyday life got in the way and meant that a reflection on the day's play had to wait until this morning.
Were it not for the late loss of two big wickets, which saw both our openers back in the pavilion, we didn't do too badly on Thursday, in limiting the first innings deficit to 89 runs. Tony Palladino led by example in taking five wickets, while both Tom Milnes and Callum Parkinson reinforced their recent good impression with tight spells and a couple of wickets each.
The team selection puzzled again though, with Matt Critchley selected, batting six but only bowling four overs. That long tail is likely to see another early finish, unless it wags with greater vigour than it managed in the first innings.
As for the opposition, Chris Dent scored well against us again, not quite on the Nick Browne scale, but another opener who would love to face us every week and scores heavily when he does. Meanwhile Phil Mustard scored what was his first championship ton for five years, although he has been some way removed from a four-day regular for Durham.
Will we see him at Derby next year? I hope so, because at present the side is crying out for an experienced player or two with the nous and gumption to battle it out when the going gets tough.
Phil Mustard or Niall O'Brien? Either would do me. No disrespect intended to Harvey Hosein, whose glove work is excellent, but a number seven who can score good runs and nurse the tail to respectability is absolutely crucial if we are to be more competitive next year.
A few more, too...
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 1
Derbyshire 242 (Slater 109, Broom 36, Miles 4-30)
Gloucestershire 27-1 (Milnes 1- 9)
Derbyshire lead by 215 runs
If today's cricket were a musical, it would have doubtless had Maurice Chevalier in a boater, crooning 'Thank 'eavens, for Benny Slats...'
Without him, beyond doubt, we'd have been in a pretty bad place tonight, but one of the few Derbyshire players to have made marked progress this summer effectively carried a side where only Neil Broom lent support after the dismissal of Billy Godleman.
It makes it all the more surprising that he was omitted at times this summer and one given for 2017 is that we have a solid opening pair in Slater and Godleman. Neil Broom continues to frustrate to the season end, making a start then getting out, while the least said about the rest, the better.
It was a funny-looking side to be honest, with everyone from number six at least two places too high. Matt Critchley is a good cricketer, but eight in the batting line-up at best at this stage. Harvey Hosein too and even from distance it looked a side that could go from 150-3 to 230 all out in no time. So it pretty much transpired.
An early wicket for Tom Milnes gave hope, but we need a good first session tomorrow to stay in this game.
Finally tonight, I read with interest that Angus Fraser echoed my own thoughts on yesterday's run-fest for England. Such one-sided contests are dull for those who like to watch a game, rather than long hitting all the time.
Fair play to England for a terrific display, but if we carry on like this, in fifty years time cricket will consist of a bowling machine at either end while batsmen compete to hit the biggest six and running between the wickets will be a thing of the past.
Let's have a greater balance between bat and ball in future.
It has largely been a batsman's summer, for sure.
Gloucestershire 27-1 (Milnes 1- 9)
Derbyshire lead by 215 runs
If today's cricket were a musical, it would have doubtless had Maurice Chevalier in a boater, crooning 'Thank 'eavens, for Benny Slats...'
Without him, beyond doubt, we'd have been in a pretty bad place tonight, but one of the few Derbyshire players to have made marked progress this summer effectively carried a side where only Neil Broom lent support after the dismissal of Billy Godleman.
It makes it all the more surprising that he was omitted at times this summer and one given for 2017 is that we have a solid opening pair in Slater and Godleman. Neil Broom continues to frustrate to the season end, making a start then getting out, while the least said about the rest, the better.
It was a funny-looking side to be honest, with everyone from number six at least two places too high. Matt Critchley is a good cricketer, but eight in the batting line-up at best at this stage. Harvey Hosein too and even from distance it looked a side that could go from 150-3 to 230 all out in no time. So it pretty much transpired.
An early wicket for Tom Milnes gave hope, but we need a good first session tomorrow to stay in this game.
Finally tonight, I read with interest that Angus Fraser echoed my own thoughts on yesterday's run-fest for England. Such one-sided contests are dull for those who like to watch a game, rather than long hitting all the time.
Fair play to England for a terrific display, but if we carry on like this, in fifty years time cricket will consist of a bowling machine at either end while batsmen compete to hit the biggest six and running between the wickets will be a thing of the past.
Let's have a greater balance between bat and ball in future.
It has largely been a batsman's summer, for sure.
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire preview
The penultimate home game of the summer sees Gloucestershire make the trip to Derby, in a game that has little riding on it, except for a home desire for a first championship win.
It is good to see Will Davis, Ben Cotton and Harvey Hosein restored to fitness and taking their place in this squad:
Billy Godleman
Ben Slater
Alex Hughes
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Charlie Macdonell
Harvey Hosein
Matt Critchley
Callum Parkinson
Tom Milnes
Tony Palladino
Ben Cotton
Will Davis
My guess is that one spinner and one seamer will drop out on the morning, Callum Parkinson likely to get the spinner's berth in this format. Charlie Macdonell will hope to reinforce the positive impression of his debut, with another effort that might just earn him a contract for another summer.
Michael Klinger has returned to Australia, so England under-19 George Hankin replaces him in this squad:
Roderick (c), Dent, Tavare, Marshall, Hankins, Mustard, J.Taylor, Miles, Payne, Norwell, M.Taylor, Shaw.
I'd love to predict a Derbyshire win, but the season-long issue remains - who is going to take the twenty wickets required? A draw appears a more likely result.
But I hope I am proved wrong...
It is good to see Will Davis, Ben Cotton and Harvey Hosein restored to fitness and taking their place in this squad:
Billy Godleman
Ben Slater
Alex Hughes
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Charlie Macdonell
Harvey Hosein
Matt Critchley
Callum Parkinson
Tom Milnes
Tony Palladino
Ben Cotton
Will Davis
My guess is that one spinner and one seamer will drop out on the morning, Callum Parkinson likely to get the spinner's berth in this format. Charlie Macdonell will hope to reinforce the positive impression of his debut, with another effort that might just earn him a contract for another summer.
Michael Klinger has returned to Australia, so England under-19 George Hankin replaces him in this squad:
Roderick (c), Dent, Tavare, Marshall, Hankins, Mustard, J.Taylor, Miles, Payne, Norwell, M.Taylor, Shaw.
I'd love to predict a Derbyshire win, but the season-long issue remains - who is going to take the twenty wickets required? A draw appears a more likely result.
But I hope I am proved wrong...
Monday, 29 August 2016
Monday musings
A sentence I didn't think I would be writing and would still be surprised to write, while omitting the third word.
I thought I should pen it, however, after the recent comments below the piece on Cork junior signing a new deal at the club.
I am quite clear in my admiration of Dominic Cork as a cricketer. He was combative, feisty, supremely talented with bat and ball, a match-winner and very much a player you would want on your side. He was a pretty good captain too - no Eddie Barlow or Kim Barnett, but shrewd and unafraid to lose a game in trying to win it.
I like him just as much as a commentator, where his opinions make sense, are succinctly and articulately expressed and show that he retains his support of and loyalty to the county where he played the majority of his first-class career.
His return to the club a few weeks back, as assistant coach in an advisory role came as a surprise, especially when his burgeoning media career appeared to legislate against it.
Maybe I am in a minority of one, but I would be very surprised if Cork, should he even decide to throw his hat in the ring, would come out of a selection process as the new coach of the club.
As many other people in different sports have found, there is a world of difference between making informed comment on a sport and being able to inspire others to produce their best in it. One has only to look at the pundits on Match of the Day, none of them close to being regarded coaches, to see what I mean.
Cork's comments on the game of cricket make a lot of sense, but could he motivate our young players into producing their best on a regular basis? Could he spot and help them eliminate weaknesses in their games to take them on to the next level? Would he be prepared to forsake his media career in order to do so and would Derbyshire be best served, at a time when we need a coach of recognised talent, experience and qualifications, to appoint a man who hasn't held such a role anywhere?
It would be a leap of faith, for sure. If one were to think of people who may potentially be interested, there's a few with good coaching backgrounds who I would consider above him, Chris Adams an obvious one.
Much will depend on the role and its specification. I think that would change from the one that Graeme Welch had and I don't think that we'll see the same number of people involved. Of course you need your two teams covered and the academy, but the appointment of Tony Palladino to a playing contract with a bowling coach remit may be telling.
Doubtless we will hear before too long, as the club cannot afford to linger long in its decision making. The club needs that and John Sadler deserves to be told whether the role, or a role, is his so he can make plans for the future. Whoever gets the job needs close to a full winter and Spring with the players to engender a team spirit and improve techniques.
Much to watch in the coming weeks, but I would be genuinely surprised if Dominic Cork was the successful candidate - or indeed wanted to cut his coaching teeth in a role that is some way removed from being a walk in the park.
Saturday, 27 August 2016
Cork latest to sign contract
Another day, another contract at Derbyshire, as Greg Cork signed a new one-year deal today, one that puts the onus on him squarely to work hard over the winter and next summer.
I always feel sorry for the sons of famous sports people, because they will always be compared, usually unfavourably, with their parents. It has been seen times many in cricket and Greg Cork, talented cricketer as he is, will always struggle to emerge from his father's shadow. Good a player as he was, Richard Hutton never emerged from that of Len, although in Derbyshire circles, Harold Rhodes managed to become an even better player than his father, which was quite an achievement.
The incentive to do so is clear. A left-arm bowler who can hit a ball hard and score runs would be a huge asset to Derbyshire and no one else on the current staff offers that. Greg now needs to score more runs and become more penetrative with the ball, things that would edge him ahead of the likes of Will Davis, Ben Cotton and Tom Taylor in his age group.
Next year will be a big one for him and he will know that there is a lot resting on the next twelve months. It is right that the club have given him that time to show his worth, and I hope that he realises his obvious talent.
There's been some good comments in recent days and thank you for them. Notoveryet questioned the results of Derbyshire's overseas players and suggested that only Cheteshwar Pujara, Martin Guptill, Usman Khawaja and Albie Morkel had been successes since Chris Rogers, with Jimmy Neesham and Hashim Amla, maybe Shiv Chanderpaul given the benefit of the doubt.
As a hard man to please - and remember, I grew up watching Barlow, Wright and Kirsten - I'd say that only Guptill earns an unqualified pass mark from me. Pujara wasn't here long enough, Khawaja will be remembered as much for his Hampshire last day knock, rather than what preceded it, while Morkel did OK but won us few, if any matches.
That T20 gig is tough though. Neesham's four wickets and composed knock against Lancashire won us the game, but in a format where two or three good overs and a quick thirty can make you a star, few of ours over the years have been standouts.
I'd agree that Shiv was past his best and Amla, like Dilshan, disappointed. It is a frustrating business, though I'd not agree we shop in the bargain basement for such players. There are world-class names in there, who don't come cheap. In signing them, an expectation of runs was largely unrealised. Would a good English-qualified player be a better bet? Yes, if you could guarantee a return, such as you get from Wayne Madsen, but remember Rikki Clarke? A top player for Surrey and also for Warwickshire, but his stint with us was a costly disappointment. There are no more guarantees in cricket than there are in life...
On the Chesney situation, logic suggests his contractual situation is the reason for non-selection. It could be his agent's valuation of his worth as opposed to Derbyshire's, in much the same way as Greg Smith and Tim Groenewald ended up leaving. It could be that he wants to winter back home, while we want him here to work on his game; he might not be fully fit for a four-day game, or it could be that they just want to try out other options. By the same token, his agent could have been very busy and just not had a chance to sit down and chat.
We shouldn't be too quick to jump to conclusions, but if Mark Footitt is earning the £150K that Huw Lloyd suggested last night, then expectations of Derbyshire competing in that market are unrealistic. Put another way, you'd need to guarantee a lot of runs and wickets for us to consider such an outlay - and you still have the rest of the squad to finance. Then what happens when player X and Y deliver better results on less money? I think you know the answer...
Based on Huw's figure, in Mark's injury-shortened season so far, each wicket is costing 7.5K. Were he playing for us, I'd venture there'd be a few dissenting voices on those statistics.
Keep the comments coming.
I always feel sorry for the sons of famous sports people, because they will always be compared, usually unfavourably, with their parents. It has been seen times many in cricket and Greg Cork, talented cricketer as he is, will always struggle to emerge from his father's shadow. Good a player as he was, Richard Hutton never emerged from that of Len, although in Derbyshire circles, Harold Rhodes managed to become an even better player than his father, which was quite an achievement.
The incentive to do so is clear. A left-arm bowler who can hit a ball hard and score runs would be a huge asset to Derbyshire and no one else on the current staff offers that. Greg now needs to score more runs and become more penetrative with the ball, things that would edge him ahead of the likes of Will Davis, Ben Cotton and Tom Taylor in his age group.
Next year will be a big one for him and he will know that there is a lot resting on the next twelve months. It is right that the club have given him that time to show his worth, and I hope that he realises his obvious talent.
There's been some good comments in recent days and thank you for them. Notoveryet questioned the results of Derbyshire's overseas players and suggested that only Cheteshwar Pujara, Martin Guptill, Usman Khawaja and Albie Morkel had been successes since Chris Rogers, with Jimmy Neesham and Hashim Amla, maybe Shiv Chanderpaul given the benefit of the doubt.
As a hard man to please - and remember, I grew up watching Barlow, Wright and Kirsten - I'd say that only Guptill earns an unqualified pass mark from me. Pujara wasn't here long enough, Khawaja will be remembered as much for his Hampshire last day knock, rather than what preceded it, while Morkel did OK but won us few, if any matches.
That T20 gig is tough though. Neesham's four wickets and composed knock against Lancashire won us the game, but in a format where two or three good overs and a quick thirty can make you a star, few of ours over the years have been standouts.
I'd agree that Shiv was past his best and Amla, like Dilshan, disappointed. It is a frustrating business, though I'd not agree we shop in the bargain basement for such players. There are world-class names in there, who don't come cheap. In signing them, an expectation of runs was largely unrealised. Would a good English-qualified player be a better bet? Yes, if you could guarantee a return, such as you get from Wayne Madsen, but remember Rikki Clarke? A top player for Surrey and also for Warwickshire, but his stint with us was a costly disappointment. There are no more guarantees in cricket than there are in life...
On the Chesney situation, logic suggests his contractual situation is the reason for non-selection. It could be his agent's valuation of his worth as opposed to Derbyshire's, in much the same way as Greg Smith and Tim Groenewald ended up leaving. It could be that he wants to winter back home, while we want him here to work on his game; he might not be fully fit for a four-day game, or it could be that they just want to try out other options. By the same token, his agent could have been very busy and just not had a chance to sit down and chat.
We shouldn't be too quick to jump to conclusions, but if Mark Footitt is earning the £150K that Huw Lloyd suggested last night, then expectations of Derbyshire competing in that market are unrealistic. Put another way, you'd need to guarantee a lot of runs and wickets for us to consider such an outlay - and you still have the rest of the squad to finance. Then what happens when player X and Y deliver better results on less money? I think you know the answer...
Based on Huw's figure, in Mark's injury-shortened season so far, each wicket is costing 7.5K. Were he playing for us, I'd venture there'd be a few dissenting voices on those statistics.
Keep the comments coming.
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Tony Palladino signs two-year deal
If good preparation is worth anything, Derbyshire's prompt work in securing the services of another key senior player today should reap rewards in time.Tony Palladino has been an exemplary cricketer for the club since his move from Essex and today's announcement, of his signing a new two-year deal, effectively ensures that he finishes his career with us.
That is especially relevant with his role including coaching responsibilities, something that will doubtless please a player whose experience alone suggests him as someone with plenty to offer the younger bowlers.
He has again done well this year, despite having to play the part of stock bowler due to the lack of strike options at the other end. Our rich collection of seam bowlers can only benefit from his experience and input and I am delighted that his involvement with a club that means so much to him will continue.
It does suggest, at least to me, that the person who will be in charge of affairs next summer and beyond is already at the club, or is in discussions about the way forward. Logically, one doesn't sign up five players for another two years or more, then appoint a coach who may or may not have wanted them on board. Securing the services of Billy Godleman and Shiv Thakor was a no-brainer, as was the deal for Will Davis. Rob Hemmings would perhaps have needed a decision, with little first team experience to judge him by, while appointing TP to some form of coaching role must have had input from the head coach they have in mind, or someone likely to be involved in some capacity.
That's my take anyway. I do hope that an announcement on a future structure and that crucial coaching role is made sooner, rather than later, as the successful candidate needs as long as possible to sort his squad for a key summer next year.
The recent flurry of activity seems to leave two senior players in a 'pending' tray - Chesney Hughes and Wes Durston. Both have contracts up for renewal, each may or may not be offered or sign them. One can never tell and it will continually come down to one crucial question - is there someone out there who is better, younger and better value? Like the rest of you, I have no idea of our winter plans, but if the chairman is going on record about big improvements and changes, there has to be more in the pipeline than engaging our better young players long term, laudable as that is.
I totally 'get' the cynicism of one or two of you with recent comments on this, but would urge you to wait and see. If we get to next March with no new or bigger names then the knives will doubtless be out. For now, let's trust some very good people with excellent contacts to deliver on promises.
It does, as one or two of you have pointed out recently, feel like the end of the season already, despite there being a few games to go. I think those games will be important for some young players, gaining exposure at a higher level and staking a claim for inclusion, or a contract, another year.
Finally tonight, it is good to see David Wainwright back in the county game with Hampshire. He's done well in the Minor Counties this year and will have built his confidence up accordingly. A few runs and a couple of wickets has done him no harm today and it would be good to see a lovely bloke get another opportunity at this level.
Monday, 22 August 2016
Davis and Hemmings sign new deals
After the new contracts for Shiv Thakor and Billy Godleman in the week, it is good to see two of our younger brigade, Rob Hemmings and Will Davis, signing two-year deals today.
Hemmings produced some good displays for the second team this summer, but can bat and bowl, making him a potentially fine cricketer for us if his development continues.
Davis is a little further on in his development and his extra pace marks him as a player to watch. He will need carefully nursed as his body fills out, but in a handful of appearances he has shown himself capable of dismissing good batsmen. With plenty of time on his side, he could become the real deal as a strike bowler, if he listens to the right people and works hard on all elements of his game.
They are not signings to excite the doubters, but they have the right stuff and, with the right players alongside them, could help to build a brighter future.
Well done to both on their deals.
Hemmings produced some good displays for the second team this summer, but can bat and bowl, making him a potentially fine cricketer for us if his development continues.
Davis is a little further on in his development and his extra pace marks him as a player to watch. He will need carefully nursed as his body fills out, but in a handful of appearances he has shown himself capable of dismissing good batsmen. With plenty of time on his side, he could become the real deal as a strike bowler, if he listens to the right people and works hard on all elements of his game.
They are not signings to excite the doubters, but they have the right stuff and, with the right players alongside them, could help to build a brighter future.
Well done to both on their deals.
Sunday, 21 August 2016
Well done to Northamptonshire
I am absolutely thrilled for Northamptonshire, who I spent yesterday supporting on finals day in the T20.
As the 'little' county of the four that participated, they were always going to get my support and they did all the little clubs in the country proud.
That one of their wins was against Nottinghamshire was especially good, a real David v Goliath battle. For all that Andre Russell had a good game, I think our East Midlands rivals erred in not selecting Imran Tahir, who is an especially effective bowler in this format.
Northamptonshire have some very good players, and let us not forget that they were missing Gleeson and Prasanna, two of their most effective bowlers in the competition.
Josh Cobb is a very good T20 cricketer, while Ben Duckett is a special talent who will doubtless play for England before too long. Alex Wakely played two important innings for them and handled his side competently and confidently in the field, aided by bowlers who kept good lines and fielders who held some blinding catches.
We're not that far away from them, on this year's evidence, but need to find, for another year, a means of producing our best more often, while getting greater and crucial input from the overseas role. In Richard Levi and Rory Kleinveldt, Northamptonshire have got two imports who contribute regularly and well. They win them matches, which, apart from a couple of games this summer, was something ours never did.
I hope that they can keep the predators at bay (unless we're chasing any of their players!) and continue to show that the little guys have a big right to be at cricket's top table.
Well done to everyone there.
As the 'little' county of the four that participated, they were always going to get my support and they did all the little clubs in the country proud.
That one of their wins was against Nottinghamshire was especially good, a real David v Goliath battle. For all that Andre Russell had a good game, I think our East Midlands rivals erred in not selecting Imran Tahir, who is an especially effective bowler in this format.
Northamptonshire have some very good players, and let us not forget that they were missing Gleeson and Prasanna, two of their most effective bowlers in the competition.
Josh Cobb is a very good T20 cricketer, while Ben Duckett is a special talent who will doubtless play for England before too long. Alex Wakely played two important innings for them and handled his side competently and confidently in the field, aided by bowlers who kept good lines and fielders who held some blinding catches.
We're not that far away from them, on this year's evidence, but need to find, for another year, a means of producing our best more often, while getting greater and crucial input from the overseas role. In Richard Levi and Rory Kleinveldt, Northamptonshire have got two imports who contribute regularly and well. They win them matches, which, apart from a couple of games this summer, was something ours never did.
I hope that they can keep the predators at bay (unless we're chasing any of their players!) and continue to show that the little guys have a big right to be at cricket's top table.
Well done to everyone there.
Saturday, 20 August 2016
Quieter than a winter week
It's been a lovely week of weather on the coast and family Peakfan has now returned home to be met by...rain.
Never mind, it's good for the grass and flowers.
The encouraging news, picked up from the times when the erratic wi-fi worked, is that we must have major winter plans. As Huw Lloyd picked up from his interview with Wayne Madsen, the players we are bringing in have to be of proven first-class standard. While not discounting the signing of a young player or two - and both Tom Wood and Charlie MacDonnell have given themselves a good shout of a contract - our major need is proven experience.
I remain convinced that our greater need is for an overseas bowler, especially in the four-day game, so another experienced batsman, together with a wicket-keeper who can bat high in the order, is a must for me. So too is ideally a strike bowler and spinner of experience. We were always going to miss Mark Footitt, while we cannot rely on young lads to carry the spin side of the attack, especially as Wes Durston has slipped from the reckoning.
Of course, targeting such players and getting them to sign on the dotted line are different things, but Madsen, Godleman and Thakor must have reasonable grounds for expecting such signing to be landed to do so themselves.
Plenty to think about over the coming weeks then, and ahead of our next game, at Derby against Gloucestershire in the championship.
More on that in the near future.
In closing, I read today that Niall O'Brien is leaving Leicestershire 'with immediate effect' to pursue an 'exciting new opportunity'.
He's a very good, combative cricketer, with a mid-thirties batting average to match his age, one who would buy time for Harvey Hosein as he makes his way in the county game.
If that new opportunity is within the game, he would be a more than useful addition to our squad, beyond doubt.
And as always, I welcome your thoughts...
Never mind, it's good for the grass and flowers.
The encouraging news, picked up from the times when the erratic wi-fi worked, is that we must have major winter plans. As Huw Lloyd picked up from his interview with Wayne Madsen, the players we are bringing in have to be of proven first-class standard. While not discounting the signing of a young player or two - and both Tom Wood and Charlie MacDonnell have given themselves a good shout of a contract - our major need is proven experience.
I remain convinced that our greater need is for an overseas bowler, especially in the four-day game, so another experienced batsman, together with a wicket-keeper who can bat high in the order, is a must for me. So too is ideally a strike bowler and spinner of experience. We were always going to miss Mark Footitt, while we cannot rely on young lads to carry the spin side of the attack, especially as Wes Durston has slipped from the reckoning.
Of course, targeting such players and getting them to sign on the dotted line are different things, but Madsen, Godleman and Thakor must have reasonable grounds for expecting such signing to be landed to do so themselves.
Plenty to think about over the coming weeks then, and ahead of our next game, at Derby against Gloucestershire in the championship.
More on that in the near future.
In closing, I read today that Niall O'Brien is leaving Leicestershire 'with immediate effect' to pursue an 'exciting new opportunity'.
He's a very good, combative cricketer, with a mid-thirties batting average to match his age, one who would buy time for Harvey Hosein as he makes his way in the county game.
If that new opportunity is within the game, he would be a more than useful addition to our squad, beyond doubt.
And as always, I welcome your thoughts...
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Derbyshire v Essex day 4
Derbyshire 303 (Critchley 43, MacDonnell 35 not)
Essex won by an innings and 62 runs
A few minutes to spare until we go out for the evening, so just a few comments on today's result, which was never really in any doubt.
Matt Critchley played another nice cameo, while Charlie MacDonnell dug in nicely for the second time in the match and finished unbeaten at the end.
In other news, it is pleasing to see the chairman's comments today, suggesting that there are plenty of irons in the fire. This is neatly reinforced by the announcement of new contracts for Shiv Thakor and Billy Godleman, two men who are very much key to our future plans.
I don't think they would have signed up for the immediate future without an indication of the club's ambition, perhaps an idea of the players we are chasing and the coaches who have expressed an interest in the Derbyshire role.
I'd also suggest it as very clever and sensible marketing by the club, getting the news 'out there' at the end of a game where we largely outplayed after the first session.
More from me soon.
Essex won by an innings and 62 runs
A few minutes to spare until we go out for the evening, so just a few comments on today's result, which was never really in any doubt.
Matt Critchley played another nice cameo, while Charlie MacDonnell dug in nicely for the second time in the match and finished unbeaten at the end.
In other news, it is pleasing to see the chairman's comments today, suggesting that there are plenty of irons in the fire. This is neatly reinforced by the announcement of new contracts for Shiv Thakor and Billy Godleman, two men who are very much key to our future plans.
I don't think they would have signed up for the immediate future without an indication of the club's ambition, perhaps an idea of the players we are chasing and the coaches who have expressed an interest in the Derbyshire role.
I'd also suggest it as very clever and sensible marketing by the club, getting the news 'out there' at the end of a game where we largely outplayed after the first session.
More from me soon.
Derbyshire v Essex day 3
Essex 530-9
Derbyshire 165 and 213-5 (Godleman 100)
Derbyshire trail by 152 runs
Having finally managed to get my wireless dongle to work in this neck of the woods, a chance to say a few things about yesterday and reply to notoveryet, as I promised I would do.
Credit to Alex Mellor and Matt Critchley in their battling efforts in the morning, while Billy Godleman's century gave us something to hang on to, even if it is, in the grander scheme of things, not amounting to all that much. We're left with the youngsters to battle through the final day, though logic suggests that it may not take too long, based on the evidence that precedes it.
It has been depressing fare, especially for those who sat through and endured it. That it is not good enough is undeniable and, as notoveryet says in his piece below my previous comments, a captain fielding in the deep is not the way to go about it. A skipper needs to be near his bowlers and to be within reach of his wicket-keeper for ideas to make the batsmen work. That is hardly likely in such a position and needs thought through.
Going back to those comments, I won't argue with what people see at games that I haven't attended. It is well known that I live 300 miles from the club, see them as much, over the course of the season, as I can and apart from those occasions, write comment pieces, not commentary.
These are based on match reports and other sources and I don't pretend otherwise. What I do know, however, is how much work will be going on behind the scenes to put it right.
I would be surprised if anyone, inside or outside the club, felt that the elite structure of the past three years had worked unconditionally. In principle it was fine, but was dependent on our bringing on young players, introducing them to the first team and watching them grow, aided and abetted by overseas players of quality.
Having a director, batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach was overkill. That we introduced young players to the senior side is a given, as is that some have made decent progress. Aside from Ben Slater and Shiv Thakor, none would be said to have set the world alight this year, but there is promise in the likes of Davis, Critchley, Cotton, Parkinson and Hosein. Others may come into the mix, but it takes time, which the average member or supporter is loathe to give.
There is no option though. There are ten to twenty slower developers for every Root and Stokes, some never making it at top level. We still need to find a system, or a coach, to accelerate their progress, as Durham, Lancashire, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire seem to do more frequently.
There were few dissenting voices when Graeme Welch took over and while he did a solid job in some areas, we have been let down by overseas imports of some reputation, together with poor decision-making at times. In that, I agree with notoveryet.
Where I disagree is in his assertion that 'the advisory board cannot simply be trusted to get on the field decisions right any more'. They don't make those decisions, they appoint a coach to do so. That mistakes have been made is a given, but that will always happen and the board's task now is to find someone who can take the club forward, then leave them to get on with it. With the right person in place, you shouldn't need to do anything else.
Is that man John Sadler? At one point, in the honeymoon period enjoyed by new coaches in most sports, a lot of people would have said yes, but injuries and poor performances more recently have undermined his case. I don't doubt he is an excellent coach and he is a lovely bloke, but in any sport a coach will be judged on results, often irrespective of mitigating circumstances. Doubtless a robust recruitment and interview process will take place to identify interested parties and I hope that happens soon and we can get the right man in position with a remit to take us on to the next level. If we get that role right, the successful candidate should then be left to get on with it as he sees fit.
I also disagree that 'two of our younger players will be wanting to leave'. That is just scaremongering. How do you know that? No more than I can say that X's innings was the best I have seen. I don't say that, when I haven't seen it; by the same token, people should not make assertions in such a manner when not privy to individual thought processes and plans.
Bringing in new people is always a challenge for a smaller club, but the right coach with good contacts helps, as does having people involved who are on good terms with agents and individual players. As his interview in my recent book confirms, Chris Grant is very confident that 'there is no player in the game that we could not sign at Derbyshire' as the resources are, with prudent and innovative work off the field, in place.
There's a big winter of work ahead on that front, that's for sure.
Derbyshire 165 and 213-5 (Godleman 100)
Derbyshire trail by 152 runs
Having finally managed to get my wireless dongle to work in this neck of the woods, a chance to say a few things about yesterday and reply to notoveryet, as I promised I would do.
Credit to Alex Mellor and Matt Critchley in their battling efforts in the morning, while Billy Godleman's century gave us something to hang on to, even if it is, in the grander scheme of things, not amounting to all that much. We're left with the youngsters to battle through the final day, though logic suggests that it may not take too long, based on the evidence that precedes it.
It has been depressing fare, especially for those who sat through and endured it. That it is not good enough is undeniable and, as notoveryet says in his piece below my previous comments, a captain fielding in the deep is not the way to go about it. A skipper needs to be near his bowlers and to be within reach of his wicket-keeper for ideas to make the batsmen work. That is hardly likely in such a position and needs thought through.
Going back to those comments, I won't argue with what people see at games that I haven't attended. It is well known that I live 300 miles from the club, see them as much, over the course of the season, as I can and apart from those occasions, write comment pieces, not commentary.
These are based on match reports and other sources and I don't pretend otherwise. What I do know, however, is how much work will be going on behind the scenes to put it right.
I would be surprised if anyone, inside or outside the club, felt that the elite structure of the past three years had worked unconditionally. In principle it was fine, but was dependent on our bringing on young players, introducing them to the first team and watching them grow, aided and abetted by overseas players of quality.
Having a director, batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach was overkill. That we introduced young players to the senior side is a given, as is that some have made decent progress. Aside from Ben Slater and Shiv Thakor, none would be said to have set the world alight this year, but there is promise in the likes of Davis, Critchley, Cotton, Parkinson and Hosein. Others may come into the mix, but it takes time, which the average member or supporter is loathe to give.
There is no option though. There are ten to twenty slower developers for every Root and Stokes, some never making it at top level. We still need to find a system, or a coach, to accelerate their progress, as Durham, Lancashire, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire seem to do more frequently.
There were few dissenting voices when Graeme Welch took over and while he did a solid job in some areas, we have been let down by overseas imports of some reputation, together with poor decision-making at times. In that, I agree with notoveryet.
Where I disagree is in his assertion that 'the advisory board cannot simply be trusted to get on the field decisions right any more'. They don't make those decisions, they appoint a coach to do so. That mistakes have been made is a given, but that will always happen and the board's task now is to find someone who can take the club forward, then leave them to get on with it. With the right person in place, you shouldn't need to do anything else.
Is that man John Sadler? At one point, in the honeymoon period enjoyed by new coaches in most sports, a lot of people would have said yes, but injuries and poor performances more recently have undermined his case. I don't doubt he is an excellent coach and he is a lovely bloke, but in any sport a coach will be judged on results, often irrespective of mitigating circumstances. Doubtless a robust recruitment and interview process will take place to identify interested parties and I hope that happens soon and we can get the right man in position with a remit to take us on to the next level. If we get that role right, the successful candidate should then be left to get on with it as he sees fit.
I also disagree that 'two of our younger players will be wanting to leave'. That is just scaremongering. How do you know that? No more than I can say that X's innings was the best I have seen. I don't say that, when I haven't seen it; by the same token, people should not make assertions in such a manner when not privy to individual thought processes and plans.
Bringing in new people is always a challenge for a smaller club, but the right coach with good contacts helps, as does having people involved who are on good terms with agents and individual players. As his interview in my recent book confirms, Chris Grant is very confident that 'there is no player in the game that we could not sign at Derbyshire' as the resources are, with prudent and innovative work off the field, in place.
There's a big winter of work ahead on that front, that's for sure.
Monday, 15 August 2016
Time for reflection
Yesterday I wrote that I wished we could fast forward to the end of the season. Quite honestly, I feel that more this year than any before it.
I think that there is a need to regroup and plan such as we haven't seen for some time, with a new- look side increasingly likely for another summer.
We haven't been helped by injuries of late, with most of our young seamers incapacitated in one way or another. Cotton, Davis, Taylor, Thakor - all would have gone into contention for yesterday's game without question.
The irony of Andy Carter bowling out Nottinghamshire in Hampshire colours yesterday was not lost, no less than seeing Luke Fletcher do the same thing when he returned to his old club from his stint at the 3aaa County Ground earlier in the summer. His departure left the club with little more than youngsters and the admirable workhorse that is Tony Palladino to work with, something that next year I hope will change.
I think that Cotton, Davis and Taylor will all, in time, be good county bowlers at the very least, but it was telling to hear Michael Johnson on the Olympics coverage say that sports stars don't really know their game and their bodies until 25 or 26. Jessica Ennis-Hill said the same thing and I know from many discussions with former and current players that it is the same with cricketers. Our 'problem' is that we have too many youngsters and we need more players of proven quality alongside them, to guide, support and take the pressure off.
Back up and assistance is needed for the seamers, just as it is for Matt Critchley and Callum Parkinson. While they will produce the occasional fine performance, it is unrealistic to expect them to regularly bowl out sides at 19 or 20, because players rarely do at that age. Likewise we simply have to bring in a top wicket-keeper/batsman. If we could bring in a player who could bat in the top six, it enables the coach to play an extra bowler if he chooses, or lengthen the batting.
I have no idea why 'Ches and Wes' are currently out of the side, but can only assume that it is for valid cricket reasons. Chesney started the summer well, but has started to creep back into old habits as the season has gone on with the usual detrimental effect on his average. He should be kicking on more, over a full season, and could be really special if he manages to do so.
Wes just seemed to be out of sorts to me this summer and no doubt discussions on his role next year will take place come season-end. As I have mentioned recently, if there was someone better out there, a 'junior Wes', that player would be under consideration. For what it is worth, as his four-day involvement is now minimal, I suspect that any offer to Wes for next summer might be for one-day cricket only. We'll see, but it has been a tough year for a fine player, beyond argument.
Neil Broom? He's had a tough year too, one that he probably didn't expect. Ask any 'new' overseas professional the toughest part of their role, though and they will tell you it is the weight of expectation, together with an amount of cricket, way in excess to anything they have played before. It has affected plenty before him and has done the same to Broom this year. Yet his pedigree is there on the statistical websites and I am sure that he will benefit from this year's exposure to the county game and return stronger in 2017. He will want to make amends and I think he will. The signs are there of improvement in recent weeks and he will have learned a lot this summer.
I don't think there are major issues behind the scenes, other than people hurting after the one-day disappointments, so don't, as one or two recent emails have suggested, see senior players throwing their toys from the pram. In talking to them, I still get a feel of enjoyment from the people we would all see as crucial to our future plans and am sure that the likes of Shiv Thakor, Billy Godleman and Ben Slater will be at the club another year and for more to come. So too will Wayne Madsen, whose benefit offer and recent contract suggest that he will see out his career at Derbyshire. Amen to that, I am sure you all say...
Having thought about it overnight, I don't see team selection being done by anyone other than John Sadler and Billy Godleman. Both are proud and strong men and, while they will get selection wrong on occasion (what coach doesn't?) they will do their best and are very much their own men. I know, from talking to him in the interview for my recent book, that Chris Grant works tirelessly off the pitch to improve matters, but leaves the on field matters firmly in the hands of the professionals. He will express an opinion, which is his right as chairman, but that will be all it is.
Which brings us, neatly, to Kim Barnett and his role. As a former player of great distinction, together with some coaching involvement in his native Staffordshire, Kim's counsel will undoubtedly have been sought and given. I am sure that he will have cast an eye over the current set up and told it like it is, when asked. If that leads to a better Derbyshire side, moving forward, I have no complaints and nor will anyone else. I don't think any of us can say that we have got it right as things stand, so an informed opinion is another to be thrown into the melting pot. The Advisory Board will be working very hard behind the scenes and I am sure that things will improve.
Indeed, I think that the winter months will be more exciting than the summer this year. There is a coaching role to discuss, presumably as a matter of urgency, then players to bring in. A lot have gone out of the door already and others may yet do so.
That yesterday was intensely disappointing is beyond dispute, yet the acid test will be in how the players and the club respond to such a day. A better effort over the next two days, a determination to do much better next season.
Watch this space.
Postscript: family Peakfan are off on their holidays today and we will be away until next weekend. I will check in when I can, subject to wifi availability, and will put up comments as soon as I am able.
Keep them coming, but as always, ensure there are no personal attacks and no 'rants'. Thanks!
I think that there is a need to regroup and plan such as we haven't seen for some time, with a new- look side increasingly likely for another summer.
We haven't been helped by injuries of late, with most of our young seamers incapacitated in one way or another. Cotton, Davis, Taylor, Thakor - all would have gone into contention for yesterday's game without question.
The irony of Andy Carter bowling out Nottinghamshire in Hampshire colours yesterday was not lost, no less than seeing Luke Fletcher do the same thing when he returned to his old club from his stint at the 3aaa County Ground earlier in the summer. His departure left the club with little more than youngsters and the admirable workhorse that is Tony Palladino to work with, something that next year I hope will change.
I think that Cotton, Davis and Taylor will all, in time, be good county bowlers at the very least, but it was telling to hear Michael Johnson on the Olympics coverage say that sports stars don't really know their game and their bodies until 25 or 26. Jessica Ennis-Hill said the same thing and I know from many discussions with former and current players that it is the same with cricketers. Our 'problem' is that we have too many youngsters and we need more players of proven quality alongside them, to guide, support and take the pressure off.
Back up and assistance is needed for the seamers, just as it is for Matt Critchley and Callum Parkinson. While they will produce the occasional fine performance, it is unrealistic to expect them to regularly bowl out sides at 19 or 20, because players rarely do at that age. Likewise we simply have to bring in a top wicket-keeper/batsman. If we could bring in a player who could bat in the top six, it enables the coach to play an extra bowler if he chooses, or lengthen the batting.
I have no idea why 'Ches and Wes' are currently out of the side, but can only assume that it is for valid cricket reasons. Chesney started the summer well, but has started to creep back into old habits as the season has gone on with the usual detrimental effect on his average. He should be kicking on more, over a full season, and could be really special if he manages to do so.
Wes just seemed to be out of sorts to me this summer and no doubt discussions on his role next year will take place come season-end. As I have mentioned recently, if there was someone better out there, a 'junior Wes', that player would be under consideration. For what it is worth, as his four-day involvement is now minimal, I suspect that any offer to Wes for next summer might be for one-day cricket only. We'll see, but it has been a tough year for a fine player, beyond argument.
Neil Broom? He's had a tough year too, one that he probably didn't expect. Ask any 'new' overseas professional the toughest part of their role, though and they will tell you it is the weight of expectation, together with an amount of cricket, way in excess to anything they have played before. It has affected plenty before him and has done the same to Broom this year. Yet his pedigree is there on the statistical websites and I am sure that he will benefit from this year's exposure to the county game and return stronger in 2017. He will want to make amends and I think he will. The signs are there of improvement in recent weeks and he will have learned a lot this summer.
I don't think there are major issues behind the scenes, other than people hurting after the one-day disappointments, so don't, as one or two recent emails have suggested, see senior players throwing their toys from the pram. In talking to them, I still get a feel of enjoyment from the people we would all see as crucial to our future plans and am sure that the likes of Shiv Thakor, Billy Godleman and Ben Slater will be at the club another year and for more to come. So too will Wayne Madsen, whose benefit offer and recent contract suggest that he will see out his career at Derbyshire. Amen to that, I am sure you all say...
Having thought about it overnight, I don't see team selection being done by anyone other than John Sadler and Billy Godleman. Both are proud and strong men and, while they will get selection wrong on occasion (what coach doesn't?) they will do their best and are very much their own men. I know, from talking to him in the interview for my recent book, that Chris Grant works tirelessly off the pitch to improve matters, but leaves the on field matters firmly in the hands of the professionals. He will express an opinion, which is his right as chairman, but that will be all it is.
Which brings us, neatly, to Kim Barnett and his role. As a former player of great distinction, together with some coaching involvement in his native Staffordshire, Kim's counsel will undoubtedly have been sought and given. I am sure that he will have cast an eye over the current set up and told it like it is, when asked. If that leads to a better Derbyshire side, moving forward, I have no complaints and nor will anyone else. I don't think any of us can say that we have got it right as things stand, so an informed opinion is another to be thrown into the melting pot. The Advisory Board will be working very hard behind the scenes and I am sure that things will improve.
Indeed, I think that the winter months will be more exciting than the summer this year. There is a coaching role to discuss, presumably as a matter of urgency, then players to bring in. A lot have gone out of the door already and others may yet do so.
That yesterday was intensely disappointing is beyond dispute, yet the acid test will be in how the players and the club respond to such a day. A better effort over the next two days, a determination to do much better next season.
Watch this space.
Postscript: family Peakfan are off on their holidays today and we will be away until next weekend. I will check in when I can, subject to wifi availability, and will put up comments as soon as I am able.
Keep them coming, but as always, ensure there are no personal attacks and no 'rants'. Thanks!
Sunday, 14 August 2016
Derbyshire v Essex day 2
Essex 530-9 (Browne 229 not, Milnes 6-93)
Derbyshire 116-6 (Broom 31, Mellor 20 not)
Essex lead by 414 runs
On a day when Mo Farah won his third Olympic gold medal to enter the sporting pantheon, Derbyshire were sadly like one of the runners that he lapped last night.
Nick Browne made his predicted and predictable double century, Essex amassed the expected runs and then our early order collapsed like a pack of cards on the same wicket. It was horribly frustrating to follow from afar and must have been awful and inexplicable to watch.
Neil Broom batted a while but got out when set, Charlie MacDonnell dug in, as did Alex Mellor and Matt Critchley, but we are hopelessly outclassed here.
I don't think we have helped ourselves with the team selection and order though. Alex Hughes bowled first change, but only got twelve overs in an innings that lasted 145. Then he bats three, which isn't his position, while MacDonnell batted six, instead of his usual first wicket down. It is all a little messy and the end of the season cannot come fast enough right now. Surely Greg Cork's left arm swing might have, at least, given another angle? Certainly the two spinner option didn't work, the youngsters taking a combined 2-277.
There is so much work to be done this winter, but a squad like ours can ill afford the number of injuries at present. The only bright spots were the grafting ability of the younger batsmen, together with the bowling of Tom Milnes.
Sometimes the burden of responsibility sits well on a player and Milnes has bowled increasingly well in the past two games. His earlier appearances have been marked by erratic lines and lengths, but 6-93 in 32 overs when your team is hit for 500 is a splendid effort by any standards.
As things stand, he is one player who can leave this game with his head held high.
With fair weather forecast, we look like losing this one by an innings and plenty.
You'd have to say that's pretty poor fare.
Derbyshire 116-6 (Broom 31, Mellor 20 not)
Essex lead by 414 runs
On a day when Mo Farah won his third Olympic gold medal to enter the sporting pantheon, Derbyshire were sadly like one of the runners that he lapped last night.
Nick Browne made his predicted and predictable double century, Essex amassed the expected runs and then our early order collapsed like a pack of cards on the same wicket. It was horribly frustrating to follow from afar and must have been awful and inexplicable to watch.
Neil Broom batted a while but got out when set, Charlie MacDonnell dug in, as did Alex Mellor and Matt Critchley, but we are hopelessly outclassed here.
I don't think we have helped ourselves with the team selection and order though. Alex Hughes bowled first change, but only got twelve overs in an innings that lasted 145. Then he bats three, which isn't his position, while MacDonnell batted six, instead of his usual first wicket down. It is all a little messy and the end of the season cannot come fast enough right now. Surely Greg Cork's left arm swing might have, at least, given another angle? Certainly the two spinner option didn't work, the youngsters taking a combined 2-277.
There is so much work to be done this winter, but a squad like ours can ill afford the number of injuries at present. The only bright spots were the grafting ability of the younger batsmen, together with the bowling of Tom Milnes.
Sometimes the burden of responsibility sits well on a player and Milnes has bowled increasingly well in the past two games. His earlier appearances have been marked by erratic lines and lengths, but 6-93 in 32 overs when your team is hit for 500 is a splendid effort by any standards.
As things stand, he is one player who can leave this game with his head held high.
With fair weather forecast, we look like losing this one by an innings and plenty.
You'd have to say that's pretty poor fare.
Saturday, 13 August 2016
Derbyshire v Essex day 1
Essex 291-4 (Browne 116 not out, Westley 73, Milnes 2-48)
v Derbyshire
Essex's day, largely thanks to another (predicted, I thank you) century from Nick Browne, who now averages 227 against Derbyshire in a relatively brief first-class career.
With Greg Cork omitted from the side, our seam attack was Milnes and Palladino, with Alex Hughes perhaps bowling first change seamer for the first time in his first-class career. They all bowled tidily, Milnes much improved on his control from Leicester and seemingly impressive. Had Neil Broom held what was described as a regulation slip catch after tea, we might have deemed it a decent day from a young attack.
Callum Parkinson again impressed and I like what I have seen of Alex Mellor, who held one very good catch and from what I hear looks a compact and able wicket-keeper. I have no idea when we last bowled three spinners before lunch at Derby on the first day, but reckon that it must be a long time back.
I predicted a draw last night and we have the batting to ensure that happens. Browne may well go on to his second double ton of the summer from our bowling, but we must dig in, continue to bowl with the control shown today and see what happens.
More from me tomorrow.
v Derbyshire
Essex's day, largely thanks to another (predicted, I thank you) century from Nick Browne, who now averages 227 against Derbyshire in a relatively brief first-class career.
With Greg Cork omitted from the side, our seam attack was Milnes and Palladino, with Alex Hughes perhaps bowling first change seamer for the first time in his first-class career. They all bowled tidily, Milnes much improved on his control from Leicester and seemingly impressive. Had Neil Broom held what was described as a regulation slip catch after tea, we might have deemed it a decent day from a young attack.
Callum Parkinson again impressed and I like what I have seen of Alex Mellor, who held one very good catch and from what I hear looks a compact and able wicket-keeper. I have no idea when we last bowled three spinners before lunch at Derby on the first day, but reckon that it must be a long time back.
I predicted a draw last night and we have the batting to ensure that happens. Browne may well go on to his second double ton of the summer from our bowling, but we must dig in, continue to bowl with the control shown today and see what happens.
More from me tomorrow.
Friday, 12 August 2016
Derbyshire v Essex preview
Charlie MacDonnell and Greg Cork make their first championship appearances of the summer for Derbyshire against Essex tomorrow.
It makes sense, as it affords an opportunity to have a look at two players who have good second team form of late. For Cork, at the end of his current deal, it is a chance to see if he can make the step up that was breezed by his father, Dominic. For MacDonnell, who started the summer in the Durham UCCE team, it is an opportunity to stake a claim for a contract in 2017.
MacDonnell's early season efforts for the university side see him currently sit with a first-class average of just under 49, though this will be a tougher level for him, of course, I just hope that the same opportunity is afforded to Tom Wood before season end, another lad - but of local origin - to have made a good fist of second team cricket this summer.
The emergence of both means that there is no place tomorrow for Hamish Rutherford, who we must now assume has played his last game for the county.
With the squad shorn of several players through injury and having already left the club, most of the rest of the side is effectively picked by them all having the requisite body parts in working order. It reads:
Billy Godleman
Ben Slater
Chesney Hughes
Charlie Macdonell
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Alex Hughes
Alex Mellor
Tom Milnes
Greg Cork
Matt Critchley
Callum Parkinson
Tony Palladino
No idea on the final side, but all eyes will be on Wayne Madsen to see if he can become the first man to a thousand runs in the country. Sam Northeast (995) and Keaton Jennings (965) are closest rivals and I guess it will come down to which teams bat first. Whatever happens, Wayne has had another fine summer and if we had a few more at that standard we would do much better.
Essex have taken Yorkshire all rounder Will Rhodes on loan for the rest of the championship season and he makes his debut for them in a side that is also hit by injury to key bowlers, with others rested ahead of their RLODC match next week. Their squad:
Ryan ten Doeschate
James Foster
Will Rhodes
Graham Napier
Jaik Mickleburgh
Jamie Porter
Ravi Bopara
Kishen Velani
Tom Westley
Tom Moore
Nick Browne
Paul Walter
I am sure Nick Browne will get up in the morning and practice acknowledging the applause of the crowd, as he normally scores big against us. There's no reason for us not to do the same, though, with a decent batting side.
I'm calling it a high-scoring draw as I can't see where the wickets will come from, to be honest.
We'll see soon enough. Meanwhile, enjoy the beer festival, a terrific initiative that deserves to do well.
It makes sense, as it affords an opportunity to have a look at two players who have good second team form of late. For Cork, at the end of his current deal, it is a chance to see if he can make the step up that was breezed by his father, Dominic. For MacDonnell, who started the summer in the Durham UCCE team, it is an opportunity to stake a claim for a contract in 2017.
MacDonnell's early season efforts for the university side see him currently sit with a first-class average of just under 49, though this will be a tougher level for him, of course, I just hope that the same opportunity is afforded to Tom Wood before season end, another lad - but of local origin - to have made a good fist of second team cricket this summer.
The emergence of both means that there is no place tomorrow for Hamish Rutherford, who we must now assume has played his last game for the county.
With the squad shorn of several players through injury and having already left the club, most of the rest of the side is effectively picked by them all having the requisite body parts in working order. It reads:
Billy Godleman
Ben Slater
Chesney Hughes
Charlie Macdonell
Wayne Madsen
Neil Broom
Alex Hughes
Alex Mellor
Tom Milnes
Greg Cork
Matt Critchley
Callum Parkinson
Tony Palladino
No idea on the final side, but all eyes will be on Wayne Madsen to see if he can become the first man to a thousand runs in the country. Sam Northeast (995) and Keaton Jennings (965) are closest rivals and I guess it will come down to which teams bat first. Whatever happens, Wayne has had another fine summer and if we had a few more at that standard we would do much better.
Essex have taken Yorkshire all rounder Will Rhodes on loan for the rest of the championship season and he makes his debut for them in a side that is also hit by injury to key bowlers, with others rested ahead of their RLODC match next week. Their squad:
Ryan ten Doeschate
James Foster
Will Rhodes
Graham Napier
Jaik Mickleburgh
Jamie Porter
Ravi Bopara
Kishen Velani
Tom Westley
Tom Moore
Nick Browne
Paul Walter
I am sure Nick Browne will get up in the morning and practice acknowledging the applause of the crowd, as he normally scores big against us. There's no reason for us not to do the same, though, with a decent batting side.
I'm calling it a high-scoring draw as I can't see where the wickets will come from, to be honest.
We'll see soon enough. Meanwhile, enjoy the beer festival, a terrific initiative that deserves to do well.
Time for a re-evaluation?
After watching the T20 quarter finals, I am sure I am not alone in thinking that Derbyshire acquitted themselves pretty well in the northern group.
Nottinghamshire eased past Essex, Northamptonshire hammered Middlesex, Durham saw off a late Gloucestershire charge to go through to finals day, while Yorkshire beat Glamorgan so easily it was laughable.
Let's be honest. The white rose side last night was considerably weaker than the ones that only beat us by a hair's breadth on two occasions. There were big names absent, yet they won in a canter.
I accept that Nottinghamshire were too good for us on a night where we simply didn't turn up, but there was little between a young Derbyshire side and Northamptonshire at Wantage Road and we weren't far away from Durham, despite being a little undercooked.
The right winter signings will take us closer still, especially in the crucial overseas roles. We did pretty well without major input from those roles and if we could get someone who delivers, our chances, with good domestic input, will be considerably enhanced.
As for finals day, my heart says Northamptonshire, as I always support the underdog, but my head says Yorkshire, if they can put out their strongest squad.
As for our dear neighbours, it is about time that they delivered on all the lustre in the side - or will they choke on the big occasion yet again?
Nottinghamshire eased past Essex, Northamptonshire hammered Middlesex, Durham saw off a late Gloucestershire charge to go through to finals day, while Yorkshire beat Glamorgan so easily it was laughable.
Let's be honest. The white rose side last night was considerably weaker than the ones that only beat us by a hair's breadth on two occasions. There were big names absent, yet they won in a canter.
I accept that Nottinghamshire were too good for us on a night where we simply didn't turn up, but there was little between a young Derbyshire side and Northamptonshire at Wantage Road and we weren't far away from Durham, despite being a little undercooked.
The right winter signings will take us closer still, especially in the crucial overseas roles. We did pretty well without major input from those roles and if we could get someone who delivers, our chances, with good domestic input, will be considerably enhanced.
As for finals day, my heart says Northamptonshire, as I always support the underdog, but my head says Yorkshire, if they can put out their strongest squad.
As for our dear neighbours, it is about time that they delivered on all the lustre in the side - or will they choke on the big occasion yet again?
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