In 1926, England recalled the veteran Wilfred Rhodes for the crucial final Test at the Oval and he played a leading part in their victory over Australia to win the Ashes.
In 1956, they recalled the veteran Cyril Washbrook to bolster the batting and again the decision produced dividends as he made 98 at Headingley when England claimed a huge win.
Is it beyond the realms of possibility that England should this year recall Robert Croft for the first Test at Cardiff?
No, I've not taken leave of my senses. I know the little spinner isn't the most lithe of players these days, but his batting can still prove obdurate and no one will convince me that he is not still the best spinner available to England. Graeme Swann bowled well in the winter and is probably now our first choice ahead of Monty Panesar and Adil Rashid, but I know who I'd fancy, on his home turf, to give the Australian left handers some grief in the first Test match. If England win that match it could set the tone for the series. There is little to choose between the seam attacks, but the Australians don't have a spinner worthy of the name, hence the inclusion of Marcus North as middle order all rounder. Many will recall North as a useful, but no more than that, bowler for Derbyshire a season or two back, but no one would put £50 on him winning Australia a Test match in England.
Croft just might. He knows the Cardiff track well and again today produced a master class in off spin to put the brakes on our second innings and his side in the box seat going into tomorrow's final day. Greg Smith and Graham Wagg did well for Derbyshire but Cosker, Dalrymple and Croft are a far more threatening combination and it would appear that we erred in omitting Mark Lawson from this side on a wearing pitch. The leggie may have been in his element tomorrow, but for us to have a realistic chance our last four wickets need to take us up to a lead of 200. Less than that and I think we've had it. Sorry.
Given that Dalrymple could probably bring an ice lolly stick out with him tomorrow and score 50, we'd have to bowl exceptionally well and catch everything. It is hard to see us dismissing Cosgrove, Powell and Wallace cheaply twice, so heroics are required from somewhere.
Wavell is still in there, but needs to stay in as his run out of Greg Smith turned the game this afternoon, just when it appeared we were gaining the ascendancy. He and Steve Stubbings had turned around the loss of three early wickets and the loss of Stubbo and Smith in quick succession changed the direction of the game.
I'm always concerned when Buck goes off like a train, as he seldom scores heavily when he does do. It's strange how we never seem to bat well against Glamorgan. They don't have a great attack on paper, but usually seem to have enough for us. OK, they've got a tubby little off spinner - what else do they need?
The weather may be a factor in tomorrow's cricket, but I have to say that at this stage I can only see one winner. Breaking it gently, it ain't us...
On the up side, we at least figured out how to dismiss Jamie Dalrymple this morning. A long hop worked like a charm. Let's hope that he displays similar carelessness in the second innings.
I agree with all that you say! Croft for England!!! It was a bad decision by Morris not to have at least one recognised spinner in the side, and I am also beginning to wonder if part of Jake Needham's contract is that he has to carry drinks for 90% of the season before he gets a game.
ReplyDeleteWe were outplayed in every part of the game today. You have to say well done to the Glamorgan side, and being an old fashioned kind of dude, it was pleasing to see three spinners operating for most of an innings.
As far as Derbyshire is concerned, an extended drinks break did for us again. I felt sorry for Stubbo, as he had played a defiant knock till then. My, he was a tad cross with himself when he was out, you could tell that by the speed at which he walked off, not the usual slow, head down, kind of walk, but faster and kicking the ground several times along the way. He had deserved at least a 50, but to fall one run short must have been somewhat galling.
I also have to congratulate Wavel. he got his head down, and got stuck in, the slow patient innings that was needed under the circumstances. It was not spectacular to watch, but a good professional performance from him (apart from the run out).
By the way, is Ken Clark MP a Derbyshire supporter? I'm sure he was at the game today. Or does he just like cricket?
Nice comments Derbyshire Forever. Croft is certainly still a class act. I'd only pick him for one Test, but horses for courses - look how many times picking a form seamer at Headingley has worked!
ReplyDeleteMight well have seen Kenneth Clarke. He's a former president and fan of Nottinghamshire but probably decided he was fed up slumming it:o)