Another day, another defeat and one that, like yesterday, was pretty much decided by the toss.
Derbyshire limped along for the first half of their innings and barely exceeded 2.5 runs per over for that time. It was only through the sterling efforts of Wavell Hinds, again playing an excellent and, until the advent of Greg Smith, lone hand, that we eventually set a reasonable target.
Although Essex were strangled in the middle of the innings by some excellent bowling by Garry Park and Jon Clare, the truth is that the conditions had eased . The wicket was never conducive to expansive stroke play, but Essex are a side that bats deep and are one of the best one day sides in the country. They never looked like losing after Park and Clare were surprisingly removed from the attack and the runs came at a canter towards the end.
Again though, we should not be too harsh on Derbyshire. The competitive element was there, but what they now need to do is win a few tosses, as all too often matches are decided by the coin in the early part of the season. They also need to score more quickly at the start of the innings. In a 50 over match, three an over in the first half and six an over in the second half will get you 225, a target that always seems attainable. We need to score more quickly and perhaps the imminent arrival of Chris Rogers may help in this quest.
Two defeats then. The group always looked as though Lancashire and Essex were the teams to beat. With a full team and the luck of the toss things may have been different. We now have a few days to regroup before playing Northamptonshire. All things being equal, Buck Rogers should be here for that one and will probably take the place of Steve Stubbings, who has seemed stuck in second gear in the last couple of matches.
Are we despondent? A little bit, but we can feel a whole lot better with a return to winning ways soon.
Not sure if this was transmitted succesfully, so here goes again.
ReplyDeleteWhoever won the toss yesterday was always going to be in the driving seat. The overcast conditions were ideal to win the toss and put the opposition in, which Essex did with considerable success. You could see quite a bit of green on the wicket as well (at the start anyway). I sat in the seats just in front of the Gateway, frozen for most of the day, hands almost turning blue it was that cold.
Whether JM had asked him to be a little bit more adventurous I don't know, but Stubbo tried to do what does not come naturally and perished in the attempt. Dan Redfern, brillant prospect that he is, is not an opener, with pushing Groenwald up the order (not checked the spelling), it was always going to be 'death or glory' and after one superbly struck four, sadly it was death!
Park continues to impress, in all aspects of his game. I was surpised that Pipe put a leg spinner on, and not surprisingly he got clattered.
Was Wavel actually out? Yes, according to the umpire, it was actually quiet a brilliant throw, but Wavel hung around a long time, and did not seem to think he should walk, so not sure whether he should have gone or not.
The main thing that frustrated me though was this mickey-mouse tinkering with the rules. Powerplay, I ask you! What will they think of next? You just knew what Essex were going to do, and when Napier came in they did it to perfection. Why can't they just play proper cricket?
Great comments and please, keep them coming!
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