The contract news continues apace at Derbyshire, with Wayne Madsen now signing a three-year deal at the club, keeping him in our batting line-up until the end of 2014.
I'm delighted. While the player has struggled in the long form of the game this season, he has had his best one day campaign and will bounce back next year without doubt.
More later, but that's a great start to the day!
Good news that Wayne has signed on for longer. He is a quality player. He will be disappointed that he has not been at his best in some of the Championship games this season but including the one day games he has scored almost 1500runs for us already this season despite missing the last two Championship games. He has done well as captain aswell in the one day games and I would like to see him captain our side in the last two Championship games.
ReplyDeleteBen
Excellent news.
ReplyDeleteThe big question for me now is whether Wayne should play at the top of the batting order in the championship or come in a little lower. The potential next poser would then be based around who would fill the opening births if he slotted into the middle order.
Is there any way Redfern could be considered as an opener. I've seen him open in club cricket but always thought he was better in the middle order.
ReplyDeleteIn reality all our main batsmen are more suited to the middle order:
Durston
Redfern
Hughes
Madsen (possibly)
Whiteley
I would say Borrington is the only one who's definitely an opener, and Lineker if he stays. Also don't forget the possibility of Greg Smith staying.
On another matter, the overseas player, how about Steve Smith, a solid batsman and someone who can also offer another spin option. A replacement and improvement on Greg Smith.
On Madsen, I would say, like Hughes, he is better coming in about number 4 this is why the club must sign a quality opener for next season. Hopefully we will get Guptil again for some of the season.
ReplyDeleteBen
Mmmm not sure i would have given Madsen a 3 year deal. I agree his form should return next season,but what if it doesn,t?. I wouldn,t be tempted to bat him lower down the order in four day games. I can,t really see what it would prove. For a start he,s too slow and batting in the middle order requires adaptability,which im not convinced Madsen is capable of. Im not totally convinced he,s a number four in one day cricket.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad thought Washy about Steve Smith. Any Smith would be preferable to the one we have now.
Delighted to see Madsen's new contract. He is, without question, our top-class batting act. Another good season will bolt Wes Durston and Dan Redfern alongside him, but for now, he's the most important batting asset we have. I've made no secret of the fact that I thought dropping him was the one poor call our Sutken management team has made - the old cliche that class is permanent form is temporary should have prevailed with him - but more credit to him that it hasn't resulted in a prolonged pout.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand this clamour for him batting down the order, though. Perhaps one of the advocates of this can show the evidence of his superior performance in the middle order compared to his performance as an opener? The argument about his ability to play spin well is specious. He is also the most composed player we have against the new ball, and a Madsen at 75 not out after lunch is going to be in a much better position to take advantage of spinners than a Madsen coming in at 20-2 in the middle of the morning session.
His average as an opener (and his conversion rate to big centuries) speaks for itself. Another cliche to finish with - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!