All things being equal and barring a collapse that would be shocking by even our 'off day' standards, Derbyshire should wrap up victory over Gloucestershire sometime before lunch tomorrow. The weather may yet play a part, but the forecast doesn't look too bad.
The attack did a professional job today, well backed up in the field. Mark Turner again played a leading role and while opinions are divided on the paceman there is no doubt that he has the pace to worry batsmen and especially tail-enders. As Corporal Jones used to say in Dad's Army, they don't like it up 'em you know...
He reminds me of a right handed Peter Hacker, who some of you will remember. Hacker spent most of his career at Nottinghamshire before moving to Derbyshire and was capable of bowling consecutive balls of garbage and genius. He always got wickets though, but ultimately at too great a cost. With hard work over the winter, Turner could be a genuinely potent weapon next year.
A win would set up a battle royal against Northamptonshire at Chesterfield next week and in the intervening period Karl Krikken has some decisions to make. The failure of both Wayne Madsen and Chesney Hughes again has put additional pressure on the two of them with Matt Lineker and Dan Redfern both chasing elevation to the senior side.
Both are fine players and will come again, but now is the time to pull them from the firing line. While Greg Smith is not in prime batting form, his all round ability and greater experience may see Krikken choose him over Hughes. Conversely, Hughes likes Chesterfield's pace and bounce and may do well there again. It is big decision time and I'll tell you what I think in the next few days...
Madsen now needs a break and there are two opening batsmen in the Seconds deserving an opportunity. For me, Matt Lineker is now in poll position and should surely make a senior debut on a ground he will know well from the Premier League.
I hope so, but it is all irrelevant if we fail to win tomorrow.
Let's wrap it up professionally lads. Third place beckons.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 2
As second days go, this one was up there with the best of them, as Derbyshire bowled out Glouceestershire, enforced the follow on and took a quick wicket in their second innings which closed with them still 186 short of making us bat again.
Much can happen in the next two days, possibly rain, but we are in a strong position that rekindles hopes of promotion. Outside ones they may be, but maximum points here will keep the teams above us with a wary eye on our progress.
There was fine bowling today by the seam quartet, who shared the wickets. There was an excellent tight and penetrative spell by Jon Clare and an inspired move by Luke Sutton in giving him the new ball in the second innings, one that saw him remove the dangerous Hamish Marshall. Although the Derbyshire innings petered out after yesterday's frolics, maximum batting points always gives you a chance and so it proved today in an excellent effort.
Although Greg Smith took a wicket, his short spell of five overs for me raised questions as to why he was preferred to the in-form Dan Redfern in this game. With four seamers (five if you count Ross Whiteley) plus Durston and Hughes to bowl spin, the selection was clear cut - pick the batsman in form.
Redfern's last 12 innings for Derbyshire have seen scores of 82, 41 not, 34, 29, 30, 53, 55, 15, 88, 7, 99 and 63. In some seasons I've seen over the years we'd have given him the freedom of the city for a run of scores like that. Instead, he is sent to Bristol, presumably to prove his fitness by fielding all day, which he did while Gloucestershire Seconds racked up 400 yesterday.
Thanks to Mike, who was at the game, I understand that Redfern today made an unbeaten 80-odd for the Seconds and looked the class act he is - a class act that should have been on display at Derby. There is merit in a player proving fitness in a one day game, but none whatsoever in having a player who has torn a hamstring running around in the field for nearly a hundred overs. He could have done that at home...
Paul Borrington got 60-odd for Derbyshire and Matt Lineker 30-odd as we closed a shortened day on 205-3. Bear in mind the runs that Marc highlighted under last night's post have been scored by Madsen, Hughes and Smith of late, there is no rational reason why Redfern should not have played at Derby, especially when his appearance in the side brings us in around £2K while Greg Smith's costs us that sort of sum. Sorry to bring the subject round to money again, but a county that lost £180K last year needs to consider such things.
I think Karl Krikken needs to consider not just the impact of what keeping out of touch players in the Firsts is doing to them, but also what it is saying to players scoring heavily in the Seconds. We've rarely had this luxury at Derbyshire over the years, but players need to know that hard work in the Seconds will be rewarded. Equally, players sometimes need to drop down, rediscover form and fight for/justify a place.
I firmly believe that Dan Redfern HAS to return at Chesterfield next week and that Matt Lineker should come in for Wayne Madsen. You will then have a firing batting line up and optimise the chances of a win.
Nowt but logic...as always, I look forward to your comments.
PS Sorry about the late blog, but tonight Peakfan and family went to see Harry Potter. Not in person, you understand, but it was truly...ahem...spell-binding...
Much can happen in the next two days, possibly rain, but we are in a strong position that rekindles hopes of promotion. Outside ones they may be, but maximum points here will keep the teams above us with a wary eye on our progress.
There was fine bowling today by the seam quartet, who shared the wickets. There was an excellent tight and penetrative spell by Jon Clare and an inspired move by Luke Sutton in giving him the new ball in the second innings, one that saw him remove the dangerous Hamish Marshall. Although the Derbyshire innings petered out after yesterday's frolics, maximum batting points always gives you a chance and so it proved today in an excellent effort.
Although Greg Smith took a wicket, his short spell of five overs for me raised questions as to why he was preferred to the in-form Dan Redfern in this game. With four seamers (five if you count Ross Whiteley) plus Durston and Hughes to bowl spin, the selection was clear cut - pick the batsman in form.
Redfern's last 12 innings for Derbyshire have seen scores of 82, 41 not, 34, 29, 30, 53, 55, 15, 88, 7, 99 and 63. In some seasons I've seen over the years we'd have given him the freedom of the city for a run of scores like that. Instead, he is sent to Bristol, presumably to prove his fitness by fielding all day, which he did while Gloucestershire Seconds racked up 400 yesterday.
Thanks to Mike, who was at the game, I understand that Redfern today made an unbeaten 80-odd for the Seconds and looked the class act he is - a class act that should have been on display at Derby. There is merit in a player proving fitness in a one day game, but none whatsoever in having a player who has torn a hamstring running around in the field for nearly a hundred overs. He could have done that at home...
Paul Borrington got 60-odd for Derbyshire and Matt Lineker 30-odd as we closed a shortened day on 205-3. Bear in mind the runs that Marc highlighted under last night's post have been scored by Madsen, Hughes and Smith of late, there is no rational reason why Redfern should not have played at Derby, especially when his appearance in the side brings us in around £2K while Greg Smith's costs us that sort of sum. Sorry to bring the subject round to money again, but a county that lost £180K last year needs to consider such things.
I think Karl Krikken needs to consider not just the impact of what keeping out of touch players in the Firsts is doing to them, but also what it is saying to players scoring heavily in the Seconds. We've rarely had this luxury at Derbyshire over the years, but players need to know that hard work in the Seconds will be rewarded. Equally, players sometimes need to drop down, rediscover form and fight for/justify a place.
I firmly believe that Dan Redfern HAS to return at Chesterfield next week and that Matt Lineker should come in for Wayne Madsen. You will then have a firing batting line up and optimise the chances of a win.
Nowt but logic...as always, I look forward to your comments.
PS Sorry about the late blog, but tonight Peakfan and family went to see Harry Potter. Not in person, you understand, but it was truly...ahem...spell-binding...
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 1
When I saw that Gloucestershire had won the toss and understandably elected to field I was concerned that we would struggle against an attack that has done consistently well this season. Especially when Wayne Madsen again went early and Chesney Hughes was soon following him. Given that Greg Smith later only lasted four balls it was a poor day for those I highlighted last night had a point to prove.
In between, Martin Guptill and Wes Durston put on a superb 266 in just 53 overs, a partnership that must have been a joy to see. Durston has had a fine season and now tops the batting averages, while Guptill at last showed the talent that we knew he had in the Championship. Wes now has a fighting chance of making a thousand for the season and is currently 156 runs short.
Ross Whiteley came in and helped Durston see it through to the close, but Karl Krikken will doubtless look at today with satisfaction, tempered with the knowledge that he probably got his team wrong. Last night I suggested that Madsen should drop down the order to allow a debut for Matt Lineker and I am not convinced that Smith is mentally where he needs to be at present with the contractual issues surrounding him. Certainly the statistics suggest that and with Dan Redfern close to full fitness Smith will be lucky to retain his place for the next match. Madsen's recent decline is also a matter for concern and one hopes that he soon returns to his normal form.
At the end of it all, this was an excellent day for the county. If we can push on to 450-plus tomorrow it will be an excellent effort and the foundation of a potential win. Today was a celebration of a new contract for Wes Durston and it is heartening to think he will be with us for the next two summers.
Just need to push on tomorrow now - weather permitting.
PS Thought I'd beat 'Anon' to the draw tonight and point out that Wes Durston was signed by John Morris. Having said that, I first mentioned him as a worthwhile pursuit for the county on September 29, 2009 after his release by Somerset (check if you wish) and it took us several months to do so. Surely I get brownie points for the signing too...?
Congratulations to Borrington
Warm congratulations to Paul Borrington for breaking the Derbyshire Premier League runs record.
His tally now stands at 1490 with plenty of cricket left to play. Eight centuries and five fifties, together with a not-altogether-poor average of 106 suggests a player with plenty of ability who will surely translate a good technique and increasing stroke playing ability into county runs before too long.
Bozza has time on his side but a strong start to next season will do him no harm in his quest for a regular first team place.
A recent comment suggested that the current setup is reminiscent of 1974 when such players as (to quote) Michael Glenn, John Ward and Alan Morris were in the mix, alongside players like Geoff Miller and Alan Hill. Its a fair point, although that's pretty much all there was. Ward came to us from Oxford University, and although a Staffordshire lad I don't recall him being a product of the youth set up at that time. Morris was a useful player, as was Glenn, but again I don't recall them being in the same class as Borrington, Redfern, Whiteley, Knight, Poynton et al, although they didn't get the same coaching.
I think this crop of players, given the all important time, will go on to be a fixture in Derbyshire sides for years and the current and upcoming set could go on to be a part of another golden era for the club.
You can judge me on that comment in five years time...
His tally now stands at 1490 with plenty of cricket left to play. Eight centuries and five fifties, together with a not-altogether-poor average of 106 suggests a player with plenty of ability who will surely translate a good technique and increasing stroke playing ability into county runs before too long.
Bozza has time on his side but a strong start to next season will do him no harm in his quest for a regular first team place.
A recent comment suggested that the current setup is reminiscent of 1974 when such players as (to quote) Michael Glenn, John Ward and Alan Morris were in the mix, alongside players like Geoff Miller and Alan Hill. Its a fair point, although that's pretty much all there was. Ward came to us from Oxford University, and although a Staffordshire lad I don't recall him being a product of the youth set up at that time. Morris was a useful player, as was Glenn, but again I don't recall them being in the same class as Borrington, Redfern, Whiteley, Knight, Poynton et al, although they didn't get the same coaching.
I think this crop of players, given the all important time, will go on to be a fixture in Derbyshire sides for years and the current and upcoming set could go on to be a part of another golden era for the club.
You can judge me on that comment in five years time...
Palladino's turn for contract extension
News today that Tony Palladino has signed a contract extension, one that will keep him at the County Ground until at least the end of the 2013 season.
It is excellent news for fans and will keep a bowler who has proved both successful and populat at the club to forge a fine opening pairing with Tim Groenewald.
It is equally good to see that the club have been forward planning and not allowing players to get to final years when they could be subject to approaches from elsewhere.
I'm sure that there will be more to come. Thumbs up from me for this one!
It is excellent news for fans and will keep a bowler who has proved both successful and populat at the club to forge a fine opening pairing with Tim Groenewald.It is equally good to see that the club have been forward planning and not allowing players to get to final years when they could be subject to approaches from elsewhere.
I'm sure that there will be more to come. Thumbs up from me for this one!
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Derbyshire v Gloucestershire preview
I have to say that I never expected Gloucestershire to do as well as they have this season. A young and inexperienced squad had risen to the occasion in the Championship and done well, despite a few drubbings in the T20.
It shows what is possible with a team effort and a few judicious signings after a winter of upheaval and Derbyshire will need to be at their best to beat them over the next four days. Surrey-bound Jon Lewis will hope to leave them on a high and as a team they can already be proud of what they have achieved this summer.
For that matter so can Derbyshire. For most of the campaign we have competed and until some of our younger players mature we can ask for no more than that. Leicestershire are another side we must hope to emulate, again fighting above their weight, at least in the T20. Few teams have the playing strength to sustain a challenge in all forms of the game and Derbyshire must aim to finish the season strongly to fill supporters with optimism ahead of the next campaign.
The DET suggested today that the team will be unchanged from Lords, which means no return for Dan Redfern after injury. It also means that neither Paul Borrington or Matt Lineker play. I can understand that after both Wayne Madsen and Martin Guptill scored runs in the last CB40 game, but it doesn't stop me feeling sorry for Matt Lineker who can do no more than he has to get into the side. I hope that both players repay Karl Krikken with runs, but I might have been tempted to drop Madsen down the order to accommodate Lineker.
Another player who needs to repay the head of cricket is Greg Smith, whose current situation puzzles me. I would have thought that a county would by this stage have held up their hand and expressed interest in the all rounder. None, to my knowledge, have done so. Essex were mentioned as a possible home, but I have seen no confirmation of interest from there, or indeed anywhere else. I just hope that the player or his agent haven't shot themselves in the foot by turning down a Derbyshire offer in the light of one from elsewhere that hasn't materialised. With Derbyshire having retracted their offer, might Smith not find himself in limbo, with no county prepared to take a financial hit in the form of ECB penalties for a non-qualified player? We'll see...
Anyway, the season's big finish starts here. With several players within range of a thousand runs for the season, there are plenty of incentives to do well.
Here's hoping.
It shows what is possible with a team effort and a few judicious signings after a winter of upheaval and Derbyshire will need to be at their best to beat them over the next four days. Surrey-bound Jon Lewis will hope to leave them on a high and as a team they can already be proud of what they have achieved this summer.
For that matter so can Derbyshire. For most of the campaign we have competed and until some of our younger players mature we can ask for no more than that. Leicestershire are another side we must hope to emulate, again fighting above their weight, at least in the T20. Few teams have the playing strength to sustain a challenge in all forms of the game and Derbyshire must aim to finish the season strongly to fill supporters with optimism ahead of the next campaign.
The DET suggested today that the team will be unchanged from Lords, which means no return for Dan Redfern after injury. It also means that neither Paul Borrington or Matt Lineker play. I can understand that after both Wayne Madsen and Martin Guptill scored runs in the last CB40 game, but it doesn't stop me feeling sorry for Matt Lineker who can do no more than he has to get into the side. I hope that both players repay Karl Krikken with runs, but I might have been tempted to drop Madsen down the order to accommodate Lineker.
Another player who needs to repay the head of cricket is Greg Smith, whose current situation puzzles me. I would have thought that a county would by this stage have held up their hand and expressed interest in the all rounder. None, to my knowledge, have done so. Essex were mentioned as a possible home, but I have seen no confirmation of interest from there, or indeed anywhere else. I just hope that the player or his agent haven't shot themselves in the foot by turning down a Derbyshire offer in the light of one from elsewhere that hasn't materialised. With Derbyshire having retracted their offer, might Smith not find himself in limbo, with no county prepared to take a financial hit in the form of ECB penalties for a non-qualified player? We'll see...
Anyway, the season's big finish starts here. With several players within range of a thousand runs for the season, there are plenty of incentives to do well.
Here's hoping.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Somerset spectacular
I don't know if you caught the Somerset v Nottinghamshire game yesterday. If you did, you were doubtless as sad as I was to see our near neighbours beaten...
The batting of Keiron Pollard and Joss Buttler at the end was sensational. I'm not convinced that Pollard is a great player, but he hits a ball further than anyone other than Chris Gayle and with his medium pace and tigerish fielding he is a 21st century cricketer, a T20 specialist who can tour the globe picking up hefty cheques in return for a few such performances.
Like the concept or not, it won the game for Somerset yesterday but I was equally impressed by Buttler's improvisation. I would dearly love to see Derbyshire tackle a run chase in such a sparkling manner, but with respect to all concerned think that is a little way off just now.
Today at work we had an ice-breaker prior to a training day. Who would we most like to be and why? We could pick anyone from history and I toyed with the idea of being Andrew Carnegie, who taking into account the various exchange rates and monetary values was the richest man ever. I could help out Chris Grant and bring top names to the County Ground.
In the end though I settled for Garfield Sobers. I could bat brilliantly, bowl left arm fast medium, orthodox slow left arm and chinamen and catch anything that came near me. More to the point, I could make a mint in the IPL with such talents then play every season for Derbyshire (without injury, of course) and turn us into worldbeaters.
Now THAT would be a landmark signing!
The batting of Keiron Pollard and Joss Buttler at the end was sensational. I'm not convinced that Pollard is a great player, but he hits a ball further than anyone other than Chris Gayle and with his medium pace and tigerish fielding he is a 21st century cricketer, a T20 specialist who can tour the globe picking up hefty cheques in return for a few such performances.
Like the concept or not, it won the game for Somerset yesterday but I was equally impressed by Buttler's improvisation. I would dearly love to see Derbyshire tackle a run chase in such a sparkling manner, but with respect to all concerned think that is a little way off just now.
Today at work we had an ice-breaker prior to a training day. Who would we most like to be and why? We could pick anyone from history and I toyed with the idea of being Andrew Carnegie, who taking into account the various exchange rates and monetary values was the richest man ever. I could help out Chris Grant and bring top names to the County Ground.
In the end though I settled for Garfield Sobers. I could bat brilliantly, bowl left arm fast medium, orthodox slow left arm and chinamen and catch anything that came near me. More to the point, I could make a mint in the IPL with such talents then play every season for Derbyshire (without injury, of course) and turn us into worldbeaters.
Now THAT would be a landmark signing!
Calling Cork?
Regular contributor notoveryet suggested in a comment to a recent article that Dominic Cork could be a worthwhile signing for Derbyshire - if not as a landmark signing, then one to set the T20 DJ scrambling for a copy of the old Peters and Lee hit "Welcome Home".
On the face of it there is some merit. The 'show pony' of Geoff Boycott's description has been replaced by a media-savvy, articulate and smart cricketer and man who has done a good job at Hampshire, captaining them with no little skill and contributing here and there when wickets or runs are required.
It would be unrealistic to expect much more of course. Cork is now 40 and his 22 championship wickets at 35 (albeit in the top division) are decent enough, if not spectacular. He averages over 20 with the bat too, so has obviously got something left in the tank. In the T20 he has captained the team especially well, aided by a wicket that turns more than most and the presence of three gifted spinners in the side. Indeed, seeing him skipper the more mature Shahid Afridi yesterday brought back memories of when he did the same at Derbyshire. I saw Cork very frustrated in Glasgow, when the Pakistani leg spinner bowled absolute tosh on the side of the wicket where Cork had no fielders, irrespective of how that field was set. Cork has only gone for seven an over in the T20 too, leading from the front with the new ball.
I could see him as a positive influence on young players, of which we have many, and with his son in the Academy setup there is additional merit in his potential return. Critics will recall the acrimonious times before he left and the departure for Lancashire, but, like most people, Cork has matured considerably since then. If he stayed fit, a move could be mutually beneficial.
For me there are two, maybe three major stumbling blocks. For one, Hampshire may offer him a new deal and will be able to offer more than us if they do. For another, Cork may decide to quit while he is ahead and in the top flight, then head off for what will surely be a successful media career.
Thirdly, and perhaps most important, time waits for no man. Cork at 40 is a fit bloke with plenty to offer. Yet the history of the game offers plenty of examples of players who went on for a season too long, becoming shadows of their former selves in so doing. Whether 41 year old Cork can still do it on the pitch is a moot point and he doesn't strike me as the sort of bloke who would want to simply go through the motions.
Yet the romance of a return would be interesting. The return of the prodigal son? I'm keen to see your thoughts on that one...
On the face of it there is some merit. The 'show pony' of Geoff Boycott's description has been replaced by a media-savvy, articulate and smart cricketer and man who has done a good job at Hampshire, captaining them with no little skill and contributing here and there when wickets or runs are required.
It would be unrealistic to expect much more of course. Cork is now 40 and his 22 championship wickets at 35 (albeit in the top division) are decent enough, if not spectacular. He averages over 20 with the bat too, so has obviously got something left in the tank. In the T20 he has captained the team especially well, aided by a wicket that turns more than most and the presence of three gifted spinners in the side. Indeed, seeing him skipper the more mature Shahid Afridi yesterday brought back memories of when he did the same at Derbyshire. I saw Cork very frustrated in Glasgow, when the Pakistani leg spinner bowled absolute tosh on the side of the wicket where Cork had no fielders, irrespective of how that field was set. Cork has only gone for seven an over in the T20 too, leading from the front with the new ball.
I could see him as a positive influence on young players, of which we have many, and with his son in the Academy setup there is additional merit in his potential return. Critics will recall the acrimonious times before he left and the departure for Lancashire, but, like most people, Cork has matured considerably since then. If he stayed fit, a move could be mutually beneficial.
For me there are two, maybe three major stumbling blocks. For one, Hampshire may offer him a new deal and will be able to offer more than us if they do. For another, Cork may decide to quit while he is ahead and in the top flight, then head off for what will surely be a successful media career.
Thirdly, and perhaps most important, time waits for no man. Cork at 40 is a fit bloke with plenty to offer. Yet the history of the game offers plenty of examples of players who went on for a season too long, becoming shadows of their former selves in so doing. Whether 41 year old Cork can still do it on the pitch is a moot point and he doesn't strike me as the sort of bloke who would want to simply go through the motions.
Yet the romance of a return would be interesting. The return of the prodigal son? I'm keen to see your thoughts on that one...
Sunday, 7 August 2011
July 1936
In their first game of July 1936, Derbyshire travelled to Worcester and the rain meant that their innings lasted until the afternoon of the second day, when Arthur Richardson declared on 234-8. The odds would have been on a draw at that stage, but Worcestershire slipped to 6-5 before being all out on the third morning for 64. In the second innings they fared even worse, all out 47 as Bill |Copson followed figures of 5-38 with 7-16.
It boded well for the first Chesterfield cricket week, with Warwickshire the first visitors. Mitchell, Copson and Pope bowled out the visitors in two hours for 117, Derbyshire racing to 235-4 by the close thanks to Stan Worthington's century. That total reached 381 and a lead of 264 on the second day, truncated by more rain. On the third, Copson, Alf Pope and Les Townsend bowled them out for 105 and a massive victory. More to the point, this ninth victory of the season saw us move to the top of the table for the first time.
Hampshire were the next visitors after a long journey from Portsmouth, but they were disposed of in 75 minutes for just 88 runs, Pope taking 4-15. Derbyshire responded in style, Townsend making 153 not out by the close with four sixes in a total of 336-8. Little play was possible on day 2, when we declared and Hampshire slipped to 10-2 in reply. The rain washed out the final day and almost certain victory was snatched from our grasp.
The next game at Old Trafford was also drawn, rain washing out the first two days. and this game marked the last time that Derbyshire fielded an entirely locally born side. What followed was a key match, a top of the table match against Kent at Burton.
Rain again restricted the first day, but Derbyshire reached 268 on the second, to which Kent responded with 184. Brisk innings by Townsend and Worthington on the third morning set Kent 289, but they were bowled out for 147 with fine bowling and excellent catching. The final wicket came just before a storm hit the ground and with their nearest rivals drawing, Derbyshire opened up a lead at the top of the table.
A game against the visiting Indians followed, the prelude to a massive game against Yorkshire at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Batting was difficult and we were indebted to a superb innings by Worthington, who opened the innings and made 135 from a total of 216 all out against an attack featuring both Hedley Verity and Bill Bowes. The next highest score was 17...
In reply, Yorkshire also struggled, Copson and Pope taking all ten wickets between them as Yorkshire took the important first innings lead points by just two runs. Derbyshire than batted out time and maintained a lead in the title race.
The final game of the month saw the action return to Ilkeston, our 187 just edging first innings lead as Tom Mitchell took six wickets. Then came a batting collapse against Larwood and Voce, with a first wicket stand of 83 being followed by a dire collapse to 125 all out. A target of 131 was reached for the loss of four wickets, although three dropped catches made their task easier.
As the month ended, Derbyshire were top with Nottinghamshire in second place, Kent third and Yorkshire fourth. The next match was an away game in Essex, one that turned out to be a quite remarkable affair...
It boded well for the first Chesterfield cricket week, with Warwickshire the first visitors. Mitchell, Copson and Pope bowled out the visitors in two hours for 117, Derbyshire racing to 235-4 by the close thanks to Stan Worthington's century. That total reached 381 and a lead of 264 on the second day, truncated by more rain. On the third, Copson, Alf Pope and Les Townsend bowled them out for 105 and a massive victory. More to the point, this ninth victory of the season saw us move to the top of the table for the first time.
Hampshire were the next visitors after a long journey from Portsmouth, but they were disposed of in 75 minutes for just 88 runs, Pope taking 4-15. Derbyshire responded in style, Townsend making 153 not out by the close with four sixes in a total of 336-8. Little play was possible on day 2, when we declared and Hampshire slipped to 10-2 in reply. The rain washed out the final day and almost certain victory was snatched from our grasp.
The next game at Old Trafford was also drawn, rain washing out the first two days. and this game marked the last time that Derbyshire fielded an entirely locally born side. What followed was a key match, a top of the table match against Kent at Burton.
Rain again restricted the first day, but Derbyshire reached 268 on the second, to which Kent responded with 184. Brisk innings by Townsend and Worthington on the third morning set Kent 289, but they were bowled out for 147 with fine bowling and excellent catching. The final wicket came just before a storm hit the ground and with their nearest rivals drawing, Derbyshire opened up a lead at the top of the table.
A game against the visiting Indians followed, the prelude to a massive game against Yorkshire at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Batting was difficult and we were indebted to a superb innings by Worthington, who opened the innings and made 135 from a total of 216 all out against an attack featuring both Hedley Verity and Bill Bowes. The next highest score was 17...
In reply, Yorkshire also struggled, Copson and Pope taking all ten wickets between them as Yorkshire took the important first innings lead points by just two runs. Derbyshire than batted out time and maintained a lead in the title race.
The final game of the month saw the action return to Ilkeston, our 187 just edging first innings lead as Tom Mitchell took six wickets. Then came a batting collapse against Larwood and Voce, with a first wicket stand of 83 being followed by a dire collapse to 125 all out. A target of 131 was reached for the loss of four wickets, although three dropped catches made their task easier.
As the month ended, Derbyshire were top with Nottinghamshire in second place, Kent third and Yorkshire fourth. The next match was an away game in Essex, one that turned out to be a quite remarkable affair...
Lineker continues to impress
The comments I have heard against Matt Lineker breaking into the first eleven at Derbyshire are generally of the "he's just a league player" nature.
How do they know?
Turning it around, yesterday Derbyshire's players all appeared in the local leagues, with the exception of Wayne Madsen, who headed north to his old haunts in Lancashire. While there were several decent contributions, the standout was once again Lineker, making 118 for Ockbrook and Borrowash. The player averages a shade under 53 for them this season and since 2008 has 3600 in a very strong league at an average of 48. That's 26 fifties and 7 centuries in 83 innings...
By any standards that is impressive, but especially so when this year, like all county players at league level, he has been a marked man. Players will raise their game against them, especially those who were formerly county players themselves (plenty of them about in the Derbyshire Premier League).
Yesterday saw solid performances by several players - Wes Durston scoring 40 and taking three wickets for Chesterfield, Jake Needham 35 and four wickets, Tony Palladino 3-72 for Alvaston and Boulton - but Lineker was the standout.
Contrast it, if you will, with Chesney Hughes. He has had half a dozen knocks in the DPL this season and only has 30-odd runs to his credit. No one would deny that Hughes is a player of rich potential and considerable talent, but the league players give little away and he has found the going tough as a 'target'.
The Derbyshire Premier League is acknowledged as one of the best in the country and looking at those involved highlights that. For Matt Lineker to have maintained that standard over four seasons is remarkable and for me he should get an opportunity at first team level this year and another contract so we can see if he can translate that to scores at the highest level.
He has already shown that he can make runs against county second teams. I certainly wouldn't bet against him going up another level when the chance comes.
How do they know?
Turning it around, yesterday Derbyshire's players all appeared in the local leagues, with the exception of Wayne Madsen, who headed north to his old haunts in Lancashire. While there were several decent contributions, the standout was once again Lineker, making 118 for Ockbrook and Borrowash. The player averages a shade under 53 for them this season and since 2008 has 3600 in a very strong league at an average of 48. That's 26 fifties and 7 centuries in 83 innings...
By any standards that is impressive, but especially so when this year, like all county players at league level, he has been a marked man. Players will raise their game against them, especially those who were formerly county players themselves (plenty of them about in the Derbyshire Premier League).
Yesterday saw solid performances by several players - Wes Durston scoring 40 and taking three wickets for Chesterfield, Jake Needham 35 and four wickets, Tony Palladino 3-72 for Alvaston and Boulton - but Lineker was the standout.
Contrast it, if you will, with Chesney Hughes. He has had half a dozen knocks in the DPL this season and only has 30-odd runs to his credit. No one would deny that Hughes is a player of rich potential and considerable talent, but the league players give little away and he has found the going tough as a 'target'.
The Derbyshire Premier League is acknowledged as one of the best in the country and looking at those involved highlights that. For Matt Lineker to have maintained that standard over four seasons is remarkable and for me he should get an opportunity at first team level this year and another contract so we can see if he can translate that to scores at the highest level.
He has already shown that he can make runs against county second teams. I certainly wouldn't bet against him going up another level when the chance comes.
Good comments!
I'm always pleased to see your comments and yesterday brought a rich crop. To clarify what I said earlier in the week, and what most people are now doing, please put your name on posts if you don't have a Google ID. I'll not delete those that are making a positive comment, but I'll only allow negative ones if the person is big enough to to add their name and it isn't personal. Blogger allows me to block all comments that aren't from people signed up to the blog or Google members, but that seems a tad draconian at this stage. Hopefully I don't need to go down that path...
John made an excellent point yesterday that we need to replace Steffan Jones and really need two T20 players from overseas next season, as well as replacing Greg Smith. What we do in these areas comes down to budget, of course, and how Karl Krikken sees the development of young players. On the face of it, Smith would need replaced, but I would still like to see Dan Redfern given greater bowling opportunities and we don't know how well Peter Burgoyne will kick on next year. We cannot say, for example, that Jon Clare might not continue to improve and perhaps become the all-rounder at number six. Maybe greater responsibility could be the making of him.
I agree we may well need to replace Jones as we have only Palladino, Groenewald, Clare, Footitt and Turner. Foottitt has rarely played this summer with injury, Turner has been erratic and young hopes Atif Sheikh and Matt Higginbottom have also, somewhat worryingly, missed most of the campaign. Where we go for that replacement is anyone's guess, though Chris Wright at Essex is out of contract this summer and is sure to attract interest from a few places.
If Burgoyne is going to need a year or couple of years, Jake Needham doesn't recover his lost form and Tom Knight goes to university, a spin option might also be required, but again, we have to realise that players can and will develop over the winter and only the coaching staff have the answers. Again, an all-rounder like David Wainwright might be an option, but we don't want to block the paths of Burgoyne and Knight as Venkat did years ago the career of Bob Swindell. Not that I'm suggesting that the able Wainwright is a spinner in the same bracket as the Indian, you understand...
I don't expect a winter of frenzied activity as the club will primarily go down the youth route, but if there are opportunities for the right players at the right price, our finances are in good hands and the structure is as strong as it has ever been.
The overseas role and the T20 player(s) will take a lot of time though. With the IPL having skewed the market, finding the right player at an affordable price post-IPL must be a nightmare. After six weeks in India at 750K-plus, few of the big names will commit to another month in England for 100K or less, even if their international commitments allowed it.
I am a big fan of Chris Grant and he has shown himself a real leader by accepting the chairman's role post-Amott and in not shying away from awkward issues. His only mistake so far, for me, was in referring to a landmark signing, something I think even this genial and astute businessman will struggle to attract due to circumstances beyond his control.
It won't stop a lot of work in the winter though and I look forward to seeing what he eventually comes up with.
John made an excellent point yesterday that we need to replace Steffan Jones and really need two T20 players from overseas next season, as well as replacing Greg Smith. What we do in these areas comes down to budget, of course, and how Karl Krikken sees the development of young players. On the face of it, Smith would need replaced, but I would still like to see Dan Redfern given greater bowling opportunities and we don't know how well Peter Burgoyne will kick on next year. We cannot say, for example, that Jon Clare might not continue to improve and perhaps become the all-rounder at number six. Maybe greater responsibility could be the making of him.
I agree we may well need to replace Jones as we have only Palladino, Groenewald, Clare, Footitt and Turner. Foottitt has rarely played this summer with injury, Turner has been erratic and young hopes Atif Sheikh and Matt Higginbottom have also, somewhat worryingly, missed most of the campaign. Where we go for that replacement is anyone's guess, though Chris Wright at Essex is out of contract this summer and is sure to attract interest from a few places.
If Burgoyne is going to need a year or couple of years, Jake Needham doesn't recover his lost form and Tom Knight goes to university, a spin option might also be required, but again, we have to realise that players can and will develop over the winter and only the coaching staff have the answers. Again, an all-rounder like David Wainwright might be an option, but we don't want to block the paths of Burgoyne and Knight as Venkat did years ago the career of Bob Swindell. Not that I'm suggesting that the able Wainwright is a spinner in the same bracket as the Indian, you understand...
I don't expect a winter of frenzied activity as the club will primarily go down the youth route, but if there are opportunities for the right players at the right price, our finances are in good hands and the structure is as strong as it has ever been.
The overseas role and the T20 player(s) will take a lot of time though. With the IPL having skewed the market, finding the right player at an affordable price post-IPL must be a nightmare. After six weeks in India at 750K-plus, few of the big names will commit to another month in England for 100K or less, even if their international commitments allowed it.
I am a big fan of Chris Grant and he has shown himself a real leader by accepting the chairman's role post-Amott and in not shying away from awkward issues. His only mistake so far, for me, was in referring to a landmark signing, something I think even this genial and astute businessman will struggle to attract due to circumstances beyond his control.
It won't stop a lot of work in the winter though and I look forward to seeing what he eventually comes up with.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Early thoughts on next season
I had a look at the ICC list of future tours last night, which made fascinating - or scary, if you're in charge of cricket clubs - reading. You can see it at:
http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/DOWNLOAD/0000/0045/ftp_2011_2020.pdf
If you scroll down the list you will see the various countries involved in international cricket during the next cricket season and it highlights how difficult it will be for counties to find an overseas player for the summer.
This year Derbyshire have had mixed fortunes with their selections. Usman Khawaja got a good few starts but played only two real innings of substance, while Martin Guptill had a good T20 and CB40 campaign but has not yet translated that into four day cricket. Both, of course, were new to these shores and it cannot have been totally unexpected, but neither have made a concrete-strong case for retention.
On the basis of his short form campaign, there might be a reason for retaining Guptill for the T20 next year, but New Zealand's tour to the West Indies in July may dictate he is required for a pre-tour training camp at that time. Similarly Khawaja didn't make Australia's recent tour squad, but that could change over the winter and the club may wish to go in a different direction. Certainly neither would be a landmark signing.
Of course, I highlighted the problems with that signing earlier in the week. Looking at the schedule it may be that a county could persuade an Australian to come over for the T20 ahead of the ODIs in June/July, but you'd then miss them for the business end of the tournament. South Africans are also free until mid-July, but then are touring here until September.
Derbyshire will go with the youth policy and as fans we need to accept that there will be a mixture of performances given the youth of the side. I don't see many (any?) signings from elsewhere this winter unless a real gem is to be had at the right price. Assuming that Greg Smith is going - and another county emerges to express interest - our basic side next year looks like being along these lines:
Borrington/Lineker
Madsen
Hughes
Durston
Redfern
Whiteley
Poynton/Sutton
Clare
Groenewald
Palladino
Knight
Others like Burgoyne, Footitt, Turner and Slater may challenge and Jake Needham may re-emerge, but this will be a team in transition. Yes, it would benefit from another experienced head in the middle order, a Darren Stevens-type player perhaps, but such players are going to fade out as county cricket becomes a young man's game.
Why? Because county cricket essentially now exists purely and simply as a means of generating players for the England team. The level of ECB subsidy to the counties is set to increase next season for those playing age-group players and with most counties up to their eyes in debt, the ECB effectively own all of them. Without the subsidy, counties will go bust and Kolpak or non-qualified players, through the stringent penalties, become a very expensive luxury that few can afford.
Whoever signs Greg Smith will have to accept that he will cost them £20,000 next year before they pay him, given his non-qualified status and assuming he plays for them as often as he has for us. Wherever he ends up, his status will see him as one of the last of his kind, as counties have, through the benefits and penalties system, been forced into a corner.
Play young English players or go bust. That is the ultimatum and the straight choice. That Derbyshire side above might look light on experience, but I'd sooner watch it compete next year and in the future than simply remember the days when we had a county side.
With the right overseas player added to it we should play good cricket, but that is a task that could take Chris Grant, Karl Krikken and Luke Sutton a fair amount of time this winter.
Have a good weekend.
http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/DOWNLOAD/0000/0045/ftp_2011_2020.pdf
If you scroll down the list you will see the various countries involved in international cricket during the next cricket season and it highlights how difficult it will be for counties to find an overseas player for the summer.
This year Derbyshire have had mixed fortunes with their selections. Usman Khawaja got a good few starts but played only two real innings of substance, while Martin Guptill had a good T20 and CB40 campaign but has not yet translated that into four day cricket. Both, of course, were new to these shores and it cannot have been totally unexpected, but neither have made a concrete-strong case for retention.
On the basis of his short form campaign, there might be a reason for retaining Guptill for the T20 next year, but New Zealand's tour to the West Indies in July may dictate he is required for a pre-tour training camp at that time. Similarly Khawaja didn't make Australia's recent tour squad, but that could change over the winter and the club may wish to go in a different direction. Certainly neither would be a landmark signing.
Of course, I highlighted the problems with that signing earlier in the week. Looking at the schedule it may be that a county could persuade an Australian to come over for the T20 ahead of the ODIs in June/July, but you'd then miss them for the business end of the tournament. South Africans are also free until mid-July, but then are touring here until September.
Derbyshire will go with the youth policy and as fans we need to accept that there will be a mixture of performances given the youth of the side. I don't see many (any?) signings from elsewhere this winter unless a real gem is to be had at the right price. Assuming that Greg Smith is going - and another county emerges to express interest - our basic side next year looks like being along these lines:
Borrington/Lineker
Madsen
Hughes
Durston
Redfern
Whiteley
Poynton/Sutton
Clare
Groenewald
Palladino
Knight
Others like Burgoyne, Footitt, Turner and Slater may challenge and Jake Needham may re-emerge, but this will be a team in transition. Yes, it would benefit from another experienced head in the middle order, a Darren Stevens-type player perhaps, but such players are going to fade out as county cricket becomes a young man's game.
Why? Because county cricket essentially now exists purely and simply as a means of generating players for the England team. The level of ECB subsidy to the counties is set to increase next season for those playing age-group players and with most counties up to their eyes in debt, the ECB effectively own all of them. Without the subsidy, counties will go bust and Kolpak or non-qualified players, through the stringent penalties, become a very expensive luxury that few can afford.
Whoever signs Greg Smith will have to accept that he will cost them £20,000 next year before they pay him, given his non-qualified status and assuming he plays for them as often as he has for us. Wherever he ends up, his status will see him as one of the last of his kind, as counties have, through the benefits and penalties system, been forced into a corner.
Play young English players or go bust. That is the ultimatum and the straight choice. That Derbyshire side above might look light on experience, but I'd sooner watch it compete next year and in the future than simply remember the days when we had a county side.
With the right overseas player added to it we should play good cricket, but that is a task that could take Chris Grant, Karl Krikken and Luke Sutton a fair amount of time this winter.
Have a good weekend.
Friday, 5 August 2011
Collingwood stays with Durham
No surprise that eh? As I said the other night, I don't think he ever intended to come and simply used our interest as a stepping stone to a better contract.
Funny how time slips away...
My lovely wife Sylvia, or Mrs P as I like to call her on this blog, came up to me last night when I was typing the blog and put her arms around me.
In her normal, lovely, gorgeous way she kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear.
"Do you remember what happened 25 years ago this weekend?" she asked.
"Of course I do," I replied with a smile, having made sure to check earlier in the evening. I looked into her eyes.
"We lost a three-day game against Sussex at Eastbourne, despite "Bud" Hill scoring an unbeaten century in the first innings..."
She laughed at my little jape. We've been married 25 years on Sunday, so this weekend is a cavalcade of festivities, meals and celebration. Its quite a feat, though still some 33 years behind my parents, who are still going strong after 58 years of marriage.
To be fair, Derbyshire have come out at the other end in better shape than they started our marriage. Barnett, Hill, Morris, Miller and Malcolm were joined by lesser names such as Finney, Roberts (good batsman, poor starter), Warner (steady stalwart) Sharma and Marples. We lost that game by three wickets and I didn't find out until we got home two weeks later to our new house, where the paper boy had thoughtfully left all the papers as I'd forgotten to cancel them...
The intervening years have seen more bad years than good at the cricket, but lots of good times marriage-wise. If the Derbyshire batting line-up had been as reliable as Mrs P we'd have done a lot better. If the side had been as much fun as the kids we'd have 5,000-plus members...
Yet still I follow their fortunes. I'll never love Derbyshire cricket as much as my family, but they come a pretty good second. I don't think any of them will follow in my footsteps of following the county through thick and thin, but it doesn't matter that much.
Here's to the next 25 years of marriage, all being well. If the cricket club manages to give me as much enjoyment and fun over the forthcoming years I reckon it will be a blast!
In her normal, lovely, gorgeous way she kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear.
"Do you remember what happened 25 years ago this weekend?" she asked.
"Of course I do," I replied with a smile, having made sure to check earlier in the evening. I looked into her eyes.
"We lost a three-day game against Sussex at Eastbourne, despite "Bud" Hill scoring an unbeaten century in the first innings..."
She laughed at my little jape. We've been married 25 years on Sunday, so this weekend is a cavalcade of festivities, meals and celebration. Its quite a feat, though still some 33 years behind my parents, who are still going strong after 58 years of marriage.
To be fair, Derbyshire have come out at the other end in better shape than they started our marriage. Barnett, Hill, Morris, Miller and Malcolm were joined by lesser names such as Finney, Roberts (good batsman, poor starter), Warner (steady stalwart) Sharma and Marples. We lost that game by three wickets and I didn't find out until we got home two weeks later to our new house, where the paper boy had thoughtfully left all the papers as I'd forgotten to cancel them...
The intervening years have seen more bad years than good at the cricket, but lots of good times marriage-wise. If the Derbyshire batting line-up had been as reliable as Mrs P we'd have done a lot better. If the side had been as much fun as the kids we'd have 5,000-plus members...
Yet still I follow their fortunes. I'll never love Derbyshire cricket as much as my family, but they come a pretty good second. I don't think any of them will follow in my footsteps of following the county through thick and thin, but it doesn't matter that much.
Here's to the next 25 years of marriage, all being well. If the cricket club manages to give me as much enjoyment and fun over the forthcoming years I reckon it will be a blast!
New contracts for Clare and Durston
Last week I wrote that Derbyshire would be busy offering contracts to players right now. Karl Krikken will have identified players that he wants to retain and those negotiations will be undertaken and concluded by Chris Grant.
Today comes news that Jonathan Clare has signed a three-year deal, while Wes Durston has signed for two years. Both are good news for me. Clare showed last night that his confidence in his shoulder now allows him to bowl at nearly 90mph, while Durston batted and bowled well in the match, as well as fielding with his customary brilliance.
It was just a shame that collectively we lost it last night. As a contributor says below, Mark Turner was again wildly erratic and has a lot of work to do in the winter. Guptill's batting made me wonder why he had such travails in the Championship this year, but the way in which both he and Durston gave it away when they were coasting the game was disappointing.
Greg Smith played a strange shot, Whiteley got one that turned ad bounced and Poynton had too much to do when he came in. Having said that, I thought he kept tidily and held a good catch, while keeping the team on their toes with his encouragement. Clare cold have worked it around, rather than giving it the long handle and the batting showed inexperience and naivety in the closing stages. A well timed and placed shot allows two when the field is back and Wayne Madsen simply had to much to do.
Disappointing, but we move on. More contract news I fully expect in the next week.
Today comes news that Jonathan Clare has signed a three-year deal, while Wes Durston has signed for two years. Both are good news for me. Clare showed last night that his confidence in his shoulder now allows him to bowl at nearly 90mph, while Durston batted and bowled well in the match, as well as fielding with his customary brilliance.
It was just a shame that collectively we lost it last night. As a contributor says below, Mark Turner was again wildly erratic and has a lot of work to do in the winter. Guptill's batting made me wonder why he had such travails in the Championship this year, but the way in which both he and Durston gave it away when they were coasting the game was disappointing.
Greg Smith played a strange shot, Whiteley got one that turned ad bounced and Poynton had too much to do when he came in. Having said that, I thought he kept tidily and held a good catch, while keeping the team on their toes with his encouragement. Clare cold have worked it around, rather than giving it the long handle and the batting showed inexperience and naivety in the closing stages. A well timed and placed shot allows two when the field is back and Wayne Madsen simply had to much to do.
Disappointing, but we move on. More contract news I fully expect in the next week.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Derbyshire v Worcestershire
You'd have to say that, all things considered, we made a real mess of that tonight.
After fighting back well in the last overs of the visitors innings, then making a good start to our reply, one by one batsmen got themselves out with silly and unnecessary shots. Senior players too, ones who should know better. Well as Guptill and Durston played, they gave it away when they should have used their heads. You can't get away from that, I'm afraid. It was like my club side would do.
The youngsters found things a bit too much for them tonight too, the wiles of the experienced Ajmal too great. It was good to see Wayne Madsen get a few in the middle of the bat again, but this was inescapably a poor show by Derbyshire.
I'm not sure what it is about the visitors, They didn't look a side but we seem to make Moeen Ali look like Jim Laker and it was poor stuff at the end. Listening to the commentators was not the most fun in the world either, especially Bob Willis.
Hope we do better than that tomorrow.
After fighting back well in the last overs of the visitors innings, then making a good start to our reply, one by one batsmen got themselves out with silly and unnecessary shots. Senior players too, ones who should know better. Well as Guptill and Durston played, they gave it away when they should have used their heads. You can't get away from that, I'm afraid. It was like my club side would do.
The youngsters found things a bit too much for them tonight too, the wiles of the experienced Ajmal too great. It was good to see Wayne Madsen get a few in the middle of the bat again, but this was inescapably a poor show by Derbyshire.
I'm not sure what it is about the visitors, They didn't look a side but we seem to make Moeen Ali look like Jim Laker and it was poor stuff at the end. Listening to the commentators was not the most fun in the world either, especially Bob Willis.
Hope we do better than that tomorrow.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Random stuff
There was an interesting day at Belper today for the Second XI, with Wayne Madsen, Matt Lineker and Paul Borrington in the Derbyshire line up, all vying for a place in the side against Gloucestershire on Friday.
As it turned out, Lineker top scored between the three with thirty-odd, while Ben Slater grafted hard on an awkward pitch for 47. Had that been Michael, his ex-Aussie Test namesake, he'd have slogged 20 in three overs, then hit one up in the air...
There's a couple of interesting articles 'out there' today, one on Peter Burgoyne, which you can see (and hear) at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/14392215.stm
The other is on a lad I know little about, but who sounds quite promising, Johnny Marsden of Buxton CC.
http://menmedia.co.uk/macclesfieldexpress/sport/cricket/s/1454483_kings-paceman-picked-for-county
Good to see young men attracting media attention from the club, as well as the club's net continuing to be cast far and wide.
On to more serious matters and I have to say that I am introducing a name only policy for comments/posts on the blog. If a post doesn't have a name on it - used consistently from that IP address - I will have to delete it.
Why? Because I am increasingly concerned about the comments from what appears to be two people billing themselves as 'Anon' with regard to John Morris and Andrew Brown, but especially with regard to Derbyshire's chairman, Chris Grant. Not to mention anything to do with the club that doesn't result in a win.
The former is old hat and, unless anything newsworthy arises from that quarter, the issue will not be mentioned again on here. It is yesterday's news, pure and simple.
The latter is of more concern to me. I don't know if Derbyshire's chairman ever reads this blog - I doubt it, to be honest - but if he did he would, I'm sure, be disappointed with some of the comments of people who seem to be either jealous of his success, petty, or both.
I had the pleasure - I use the word advisedly - of twenty minutes with Mr Grant earlier in the season and what struck me was his passion for the game, and for Derbyshire cricket in particular, as well as his enthusiasm and desire to turn things around. It needed little of that time to convince me that he was exactly the right man to take charge of the club and that he would work tirelessly - and well - on our behalf.
He could, of course, have carried on doing what he did in the city, making a lot of money. I asked him that day what exactly he did, and essentially he transformed the fortunes of businesses (my words, not his) with his business acumen and made them successful after a roots and branches overhaul. That is exactly the sort of work he has started to do at Derbyshire, without, it has to be stressed, taking a penny from the club in return. He also did substantial contractual work with young traders and business analysts in the city, something that must have stood him in good stead in recent weeks. Surely it would be remiss of the club not to use the skills of a man with such expertise?
Make no mistake, we are very lucky to have someone with his ability, someone with the club's interests at heart and with the financial know how to ensure that we stay on the right path. I know no more than anyone else what happened with John Morris, but Mr Grant acted with commendable speed to avert what appeared to be an issue. Similarly, the facts about Greg Smith will no doubt come out in due course, when we find out where he is going.
Paul Collingwood? The word from the north east is that the player had little intention in coming to Derbyshire and simply used our interest to better an existing deal at his home county. The figure mentioned, £150,000, also emanated from that area and I have serious doubts that we would offer that kind of money. Again, Mr Grant is a shrewd businessman and I simply cannot see him authorising such a spend on a player of Collingwood's age with our limited budget. It doesn't add up with paying people fair salaries without breaking the bank, which is what he's doing with everyone else.
If we didn't have Chris Grant, a man, don't forget, elected as chairman by a committee itself elected by members, we would be in a difficult situation. He has generously helped the club out on several occasions and no doubt will do so again when it is appropriate to do so, while he has a network of friends and business associates to call on too. Given that the worthy Don Amott is happy to take a back seat now, there are no viable alternatives out there, nor should we want one. As Rod Bransgrove has done for Hampshire, so could our chairman, given time and support, do for us, though following a far more sensible business model.
As the person responsible for this blog, I would hate for it to have any part in him deciding, at some point, that the backbiting was too much. So please, keep your comments on cricket matters and avoid personal ones. Constructive criticism, like many regulars is fine, but perennial moaners do no one any favours.
With a man like Chris Grant at the helm, Derbyshire cricket is in safe hands. It is the obligation of everyone who purports to be a fan to ensure that the current healthy promise within the club flowers in due course.
Get behind them, through thick and thin. And thanks to the vast majority of you for your insightful and interesting comments.
As it turned out, Lineker top scored between the three with thirty-odd, while Ben Slater grafted hard on an awkward pitch for 47. Had that been Michael, his ex-Aussie Test namesake, he'd have slogged 20 in three overs, then hit one up in the air...
There's a couple of interesting articles 'out there' today, one on Peter Burgoyne, which you can see (and hear) at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/14392215.stm
The other is on a lad I know little about, but who sounds quite promising, Johnny Marsden of Buxton CC.
http://menmedia.co.uk/macclesfieldexpress/sport/cricket/s/1454483_kings-paceman-picked-for-county
Good to see young men attracting media attention from the club, as well as the club's net continuing to be cast far and wide.
On to more serious matters and I have to say that I am introducing a name only policy for comments/posts on the blog. If a post doesn't have a name on it - used consistently from that IP address - I will have to delete it.
Why? Because I am increasingly concerned about the comments from what appears to be two people billing themselves as 'Anon' with regard to John Morris and Andrew Brown, but especially with regard to Derbyshire's chairman, Chris Grant. Not to mention anything to do with the club that doesn't result in a win.
The former is old hat and, unless anything newsworthy arises from that quarter, the issue will not be mentioned again on here. It is yesterday's news, pure and simple.
The latter is of more concern to me. I don't know if Derbyshire's chairman ever reads this blog - I doubt it, to be honest - but if he did he would, I'm sure, be disappointed with some of the comments of people who seem to be either jealous of his success, petty, or both.
I had the pleasure - I use the word advisedly - of twenty minutes with Mr Grant earlier in the season and what struck me was his passion for the game, and for Derbyshire cricket in particular, as well as his enthusiasm and desire to turn things around. It needed little of that time to convince me that he was exactly the right man to take charge of the club and that he would work tirelessly - and well - on our behalf.
He could, of course, have carried on doing what he did in the city, making a lot of money. I asked him that day what exactly he did, and essentially he transformed the fortunes of businesses (my words, not his) with his business acumen and made them successful after a roots and branches overhaul. That is exactly the sort of work he has started to do at Derbyshire, without, it has to be stressed, taking a penny from the club in return. He also did substantial contractual work with young traders and business analysts in the city, something that must have stood him in good stead in recent weeks. Surely it would be remiss of the club not to use the skills of a man with such expertise?
Make no mistake, we are very lucky to have someone with his ability, someone with the club's interests at heart and with the financial know how to ensure that we stay on the right path. I know no more than anyone else what happened with John Morris, but Mr Grant acted with commendable speed to avert what appeared to be an issue. Similarly, the facts about Greg Smith will no doubt come out in due course, when we find out where he is going.
Paul Collingwood? The word from the north east is that the player had little intention in coming to Derbyshire and simply used our interest to better an existing deal at his home county. The figure mentioned, £150,000, also emanated from that area and I have serious doubts that we would offer that kind of money. Again, Mr Grant is a shrewd businessman and I simply cannot see him authorising such a spend on a player of Collingwood's age with our limited budget. It doesn't add up with paying people fair salaries without breaking the bank, which is what he's doing with everyone else.
If we didn't have Chris Grant, a man, don't forget, elected as chairman by a committee itself elected by members, we would be in a difficult situation. He has generously helped the club out on several occasions and no doubt will do so again when it is appropriate to do so, while he has a network of friends and business associates to call on too. Given that the worthy Don Amott is happy to take a back seat now, there are no viable alternatives out there, nor should we want one. As Rod Bransgrove has done for Hampshire, so could our chairman, given time and support, do for us, though following a far more sensible business model.
As the person responsible for this blog, I would hate for it to have any part in him deciding, at some point, that the backbiting was too much. So please, keep your comments on cricket matters and avoid personal ones. Constructive criticism, like many regulars is fine, but perennial moaners do no one any favours.
With a man like Chris Grant at the helm, Derbyshire cricket is in safe hands. It is the obligation of everyone who purports to be a fan to ensure that the current healthy promise within the club flowers in due course.
Get behind them, through thick and thin. And thanks to the vast majority of you for your insightful and interesting comments.
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Greg Smith (continued)
Comments on the Falcons Forum tonight suggested that I made a 'disgraceful personal attack' on Greg Smith last night, which is nonsense.
I simply pointed out the inaccuracies of the player's account of recent events in comparison to what actually happened. It was not 'personal' because I don't 'do' personal. I am a fan of the club and by extension the players within it - and that includes Greg Smith.
I have seen Greg bat brilliantly on occasions. Against Kent at Derby in a Sunday fixture in 2007 he made a superb 88 and repeatedly hit the bowlers over their heads, bisecting long off and long on and keeping us in a match that we seemed set to lose until he ran out of partners. His strokeplay around the wicket was brilliant, by any standards. At that point he looked set for the big time, but such innings have been too sporadic for the player to make the next step, at least as far as I'm concerned. Four years later, it remains his highest score in List A matches.
If I heard that Smith had a change of heart and was staying I would be delighted. As someone pointed out last night, he may be a late developer, like Paul Collingwood. His versatility as a bowler is useful, although wickets have not come his way, especially in one day cricket, as often as they perhaps should for a player of his undoubted talent.
He IS capable of scoring a thousand runs a season, but after six seasons has not done so. He started this year like a train, but has, to continue the metaphor, run out of steam lately. The Middlesex game was a microcosm of the player - two sparkling knocks, the second given away when the innings cried out for someone to keep their head down. Maybe batting him higher might give him additional responsibility or then again might expose fallibilities in his technique. Dropping him down to seven is, in my opinion, too low.
One of last nights comments suggested he was a fine one day player, which got me on the research trail.
His 68 last weekend against Kent was his first List A fifty since 2009, which was itself his first since 2007, when he made two. That's five half centuries in six seasons for a top six batsman. As for bowling, in 2009 he took 21 wickets at 25, his best, but last year had 7 wickets at 47 and this year three at 56. Only once in six years has he taken four wickets in an innings.
What about T20? There was that century at Headingley, which we all remember, though it was in 2008. Apart from that there have been four fifties, none since 2009. Last year he averaged 16, this year just under eight.
Bowling? He took 13 wickets last season and did OK with the ball, but has otherwise taken seven wickets in his career at the club in T20.
My point is that he has not yet produced the statistics to justify a serious salary hike. If, like Paul Collingwood, he is a late developer, then his next contract at 30-31 could well be the biggie he craves. One thing is for sure though - he will have to get himself qualified for England, or he will struggle to find anyone to take him on. That is not criticism of the player but a comment on a system that doubles the pressure to perform after a player is 26 and no longer earns his club ECB money, let alone costs them a fair amount.
Whether there are yet more twists in this saga I don't know. A fit and in form Greg Smith, registered for England, is undoubtedly better than we'll pick up elsewhere this winter and would be an asset to the side - as long as he was realistic in his demands. It is, after all, a team game and the team, for me, is all important.
Keep your eyes on this one.
On a different tack, in answer to another comment, Karl Krikken does the coaching at the club and Chris Grant, a man with a strong financial background, does the contracts. That's a logical way of handling things for me and undoubtedly the right way forward. Krikk identifies who he wants, the Chairman does the deal. No problems.
Finally, Mark Eklid today has suggested that Matt Lineker and/or Paul Borrington may make the team later in the week for the Championship match. Much will depend on the televised game on Thursday night, when runs for both Wayne Madsen and Martin Guptill might earn them a reprieve.
We'll doubtless see soon enough.
I simply pointed out the inaccuracies of the player's account of recent events in comparison to what actually happened. It was not 'personal' because I don't 'do' personal. I am a fan of the club and by extension the players within it - and that includes Greg Smith.
I have seen Greg bat brilliantly on occasions. Against Kent at Derby in a Sunday fixture in 2007 he made a superb 88 and repeatedly hit the bowlers over their heads, bisecting long off and long on and keeping us in a match that we seemed set to lose until he ran out of partners. His strokeplay around the wicket was brilliant, by any standards. At that point he looked set for the big time, but such innings have been too sporadic for the player to make the next step, at least as far as I'm concerned. Four years later, it remains his highest score in List A matches.
If I heard that Smith had a change of heart and was staying I would be delighted. As someone pointed out last night, he may be a late developer, like Paul Collingwood. His versatility as a bowler is useful, although wickets have not come his way, especially in one day cricket, as often as they perhaps should for a player of his undoubted talent.
He IS capable of scoring a thousand runs a season, but after six seasons has not done so. He started this year like a train, but has, to continue the metaphor, run out of steam lately. The Middlesex game was a microcosm of the player - two sparkling knocks, the second given away when the innings cried out for someone to keep their head down. Maybe batting him higher might give him additional responsibility or then again might expose fallibilities in his technique. Dropping him down to seven is, in my opinion, too low.
One of last nights comments suggested he was a fine one day player, which got me on the research trail.
His 68 last weekend against Kent was his first List A fifty since 2009, which was itself his first since 2007, when he made two. That's five half centuries in six seasons for a top six batsman. As for bowling, in 2009 he took 21 wickets at 25, his best, but last year had 7 wickets at 47 and this year three at 56. Only once in six years has he taken four wickets in an innings.
What about T20? There was that century at Headingley, which we all remember, though it was in 2008. Apart from that there have been four fifties, none since 2009. Last year he averaged 16, this year just under eight.
Bowling? He took 13 wickets last season and did OK with the ball, but has otherwise taken seven wickets in his career at the club in T20.
My point is that he has not yet produced the statistics to justify a serious salary hike. If, like Paul Collingwood, he is a late developer, then his next contract at 30-31 could well be the biggie he craves. One thing is for sure though - he will have to get himself qualified for England, or he will struggle to find anyone to take him on. That is not criticism of the player but a comment on a system that doubles the pressure to perform after a player is 26 and no longer earns his club ECB money, let alone costs them a fair amount.
Whether there are yet more twists in this saga I don't know. A fit and in form Greg Smith, registered for England, is undoubtedly better than we'll pick up elsewhere this winter and would be an asset to the side - as long as he was realistic in his demands. It is, after all, a team game and the team, for me, is all important.
Keep your eyes on this one.
On a different tack, in answer to another comment, Karl Krikken does the coaching at the club and Chris Grant, a man with a strong financial background, does the contracts. That's a logical way of handling things for me and undoubtedly the right way forward. Krikk identifies who he wants, the Chairman does the deal. No problems.
Finally, Mark Eklid today has suggested that Matt Lineker and/or Paul Borrington may make the team later in the week for the Championship match. Much will depend on the televised game on Thursday night, when runs for both Wayne Madsen and Martin Guptill might earn them a reprieve.
We'll doubtless see soon enough.
Monday, 1 August 2011
A funny old day...
I sat at my desk at work today and almost burst out laughing.
I was reading the DET account of Greg Smith's departure from Derbyshire and read the following:
""I was looking to stay and I told them I wanted to stay but they have told me they are not going to renew my contract," said Smith.
They said the money I was looking for was too much, which I don't think was the case because I know what other people have signed for.
I've had a few counties interested. I made no secret that people wanted to talk to me but I kept them on hold because I told them I wanted to stay at Derby and see how things were going here but it hasn't worked out that way.
They are looking at people like Collingwood, who are coming to the end of their careers and would be on a lot more money than me, but I'm just coming to my peak.
Fair enough, if that's the way they want to go but it's disappointing because the chairman has said the club is trying to keep its best players and I consider myself one of the best players in the side for the last couple or three years. I haven't asked for any more money than the contract I was offered by John."
There's a strange old rationale in the argument there. For one thing, I'm not sure Smith is one of the best players in the side. If you asked me about least expendable players and who I'd be sad to see go, Smith wouldn't be in the top eight. As I've said before, he rarely influences games, scores quick thirties/forties then gives it away and can be infuriatingly erratic in his bowling at times. Yes, he can score quickly, yes he can take wickets, but he doesn't do either in sufficient quantities to make a real contribution.
Let's not forget a few factual issues either. We offered him a long term contract at the end of last season which he refused. It was then felt that we could not give him the captaincy if he was going to be looking elsewhere this season and he went public to the DET about his ambitions, putting in 28 days notice on the club two months ago.
After SIX seasons he is still not English qualified and costs us money every time he plays. Having made his debut for us at age 22, he struggled badly for two or three seasons but we stuck with him, despite nigh-annual stories that he was off to Kent/Surrey/Essex - wherever. Since 2006 he has scored one century a season, taken forty wickets once and thirty once. Twice he has taken five in an innings. See what I mean about influencing matches?
He said that he was not asking for any more money than the contract offered by John Morris, which poses the question as to why he turned that down. He had the opportunity of an extended contract AND the captaincy, yet still said no. One is left with the impression, rightly or wrongly, that he turned it down because he wanted to use Derbyshire as leverage to get a better offer elsewhere.
Turning it on its head, you could read into it that he now "really wants to stay" because other counties have cooled their interest in him, feeling that in this economic climate his record doesn't justify such an outlay, one that I understand is in the same bracket as that sought by Graham Wagg last year.
If anyone out there thinks that Glamorgan did well out of signing Wagg - and previously Jim Allenby - on such money, look at the state of the Welsh county, who we hammered twice. Morale is supposedly poor because of the disparity in salaries there and it can be little coincidence that their chairman, Paul Russell, has retired through ill-health. The club spent big in the hope that they would coin it in from staging international cricket and it hasn't come off at all.
For what its worth, I think Chris Grant has played a stormer in retracting Derbyshire contract offer. If a potential suitor is having second thoughts, Smith could be left without a county and feel that Derbyshire's best offer remains his preference. Having been messed about, we then end up paying over the score ourselves, having tried our best to make a deal. If Smith comes back - which I don't think will happen - it should be on our terms, not his.
I have said before and will do so again. No player is bigger than a club. Boycott, perhaps the closest I saw in my lifetime, wasn't bigger than Yorkshire, Botham wasn't bigger than Somerset. Smith isn't in the same league as a player, so as far as I am concerned, the club have done exactly the right thing.
Greg Smith may be right. Perhaps he is coming to his peak. Maybe a move will galvanise him into scoring a thousand runs, the benchmark of a good player and still to be attained by him. Maybe he will go on to better things, playing a prominent role in success at another club.
Or maybe he could go the way of plenty of others who thought the grass would be greener elsewhere. Matt Cassar, Adrian Rollins, Robin Weston and Graham Wagg will vouch for the fact that isn't always the case.
Time will tell, but no tears from me on this one.
PS We lost today, despite a fighting finish. Credit to the boys for that. But as Scarlett O'Hara said, tomorrow is another day.
PPS Those less expendable players? Try Redfern, Madsen, Whiteley, Knight, Groenewald, Palladino, Hughes, Clare, Durston. That's nine for starters...
I was reading the DET account of Greg Smith's departure from Derbyshire and read the following:
""I was looking to stay and I told them I wanted to stay but they have told me they are not going to renew my contract," said Smith.
They said the money I was looking for was too much, which I don't think was the case because I know what other people have signed for.
I've had a few counties interested. I made no secret that people wanted to talk to me but I kept them on hold because I told them I wanted to stay at Derby and see how things were going here but it hasn't worked out that way.
They are looking at people like Collingwood, who are coming to the end of their careers and would be on a lot more money than me, but I'm just coming to my peak.
Fair enough, if that's the way they want to go but it's disappointing because the chairman has said the club is trying to keep its best players and I consider myself one of the best players in the side for the last couple or three years. I haven't asked for any more money than the contract I was offered by John."
There's a strange old rationale in the argument there. For one thing, I'm not sure Smith is one of the best players in the side. If you asked me about least expendable players and who I'd be sad to see go, Smith wouldn't be in the top eight. As I've said before, he rarely influences games, scores quick thirties/forties then gives it away and can be infuriatingly erratic in his bowling at times. Yes, he can score quickly, yes he can take wickets, but he doesn't do either in sufficient quantities to make a real contribution.
Let's not forget a few factual issues either. We offered him a long term contract at the end of last season which he refused. It was then felt that we could not give him the captaincy if he was going to be looking elsewhere this season and he went public to the DET about his ambitions, putting in 28 days notice on the club two months ago.
After SIX seasons he is still not English qualified and costs us money every time he plays. Having made his debut for us at age 22, he struggled badly for two or three seasons but we stuck with him, despite nigh-annual stories that he was off to Kent/Surrey/Essex - wherever. Since 2006 he has scored one century a season, taken forty wickets once and thirty once. Twice he has taken five in an innings. See what I mean about influencing matches?
He said that he was not asking for any more money than the contract offered by John Morris, which poses the question as to why he turned that down. He had the opportunity of an extended contract AND the captaincy, yet still said no. One is left with the impression, rightly or wrongly, that he turned it down because he wanted to use Derbyshire as leverage to get a better offer elsewhere.
Turning it on its head, you could read into it that he now "really wants to stay" because other counties have cooled their interest in him, feeling that in this economic climate his record doesn't justify such an outlay, one that I understand is in the same bracket as that sought by Graham Wagg last year.
If anyone out there thinks that Glamorgan did well out of signing Wagg - and previously Jim Allenby - on such money, look at the state of the Welsh county, who we hammered twice. Morale is supposedly poor because of the disparity in salaries there and it can be little coincidence that their chairman, Paul Russell, has retired through ill-health. The club spent big in the hope that they would coin it in from staging international cricket and it hasn't come off at all.
For what its worth, I think Chris Grant has played a stormer in retracting Derbyshire contract offer. If a potential suitor is having second thoughts, Smith could be left without a county and feel that Derbyshire's best offer remains his preference. Having been messed about, we then end up paying over the score ourselves, having tried our best to make a deal. If Smith comes back - which I don't think will happen - it should be on our terms, not his.
I have said before and will do so again. No player is bigger than a club. Boycott, perhaps the closest I saw in my lifetime, wasn't bigger than Yorkshire, Botham wasn't bigger than Somerset. Smith isn't in the same league as a player, so as far as I am concerned, the club have done exactly the right thing.
Greg Smith may be right. Perhaps he is coming to his peak. Maybe a move will galvanise him into scoring a thousand runs, the benchmark of a good player and still to be attained by him. Maybe he will go on to better things, playing a prominent role in success at another club.
Or maybe he could go the way of plenty of others who thought the grass would be greener elsewhere. Matt Cassar, Adrian Rollins, Robin Weston and Graham Wagg will vouch for the fact that isn't always the case.
Time will tell, but no tears from me on this one.
PS We lost today, despite a fighting finish. Credit to the boys for that. But as Scarlett O'Hara said, tomorrow is another day.
PPS Those less expendable players? Try Redfern, Madsen, Whiteley, Knight, Groenewald, Palladino, Hughes, Clare, Durston. That's nine for starters...
Smith to leave
What most people have suspected will happen at the end of the season - Greg Smith will leave Derbyshire to pursue a career elsewhere, almost certainly in the south.
I've heard suggestions that the player's agent was looking for around 90-100K for next season. The veracity of those figures I'm unsure about, but if true I fail to see how anyone could feel the player justified it on performances over the past seasons.
A batting average of 31 and bowling equivalent of 36 simply doesn't justify such a sum. If anyone out there thinks it does that's fine, but I'd sooner sign four of our young players on worthwhile deals than pay over the odds for a player of average ability and commitment.
Good luck to Smith. For what its worth, unless Karl Krikken thinks we can still progress in the Championship, I'd let him go now. As I said last week, Dan Redfern could and should do more off spin bowling, Peter Burgoyne may well push for the side next year and we have plenty of seam options.
Had Tim Groenewald left, which I never thought would happen, I would have been disappointed. Smith leaves with my good wishes for the future, but there was such an air of inevitability about it that, quite frankly, I'm past the point of caring.
I've heard suggestions that the player's agent was looking for around 90-100K for next season. The veracity of those figures I'm unsure about, but if true I fail to see how anyone could feel the player justified it on performances over the past seasons.
A batting average of 31 and bowling equivalent of 36 simply doesn't justify such a sum. If anyone out there thinks it does that's fine, but I'd sooner sign four of our young players on worthwhile deals than pay over the odds for a player of average ability and commitment.
Good luck to Smith. For what its worth, unless Karl Krikken thinks we can still progress in the Championship, I'd let him go now. As I said last week, Dan Redfern could and should do more off spin bowling, Peter Burgoyne may well push for the side next year and we have plenty of seam options.
Had Tim Groenewald left, which I never thought would happen, I would have been disappointed. Smith leaves with my good wishes for the future, but there was such an air of inevitability about it that, quite frankly, I'm past the point of caring.
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