Well, in the end the result was a fairly predictable draw on a pitch that didn't offer enough for Derbyshire to force the issue, but even the most cynical of Derbyshire fans would have to be impressed by the fighting spirit shown by our lads.
There wasn't a world record partnership either, but nor should that detract from a magnificent effort by Wayne Madsen and Tom Poynton. We can count ourselves lucky that such a partnership happened in our lifetimes, as you won't see the like of it too often, that's for sure.
With Hampshire eventually going down to Leicestershire after lunch, Derbyshire pulled away at the top of the table as I said last night. While the last wicket stand for Hampshire made the scores respectable, the lunch break was always going to be the partnership breaker and so it transpired. It was the same as at Northampton. Had Madsen and Poynton had an extra half hour last night I am sure that the record would have gone and they may have taken it past 300, but starting again is always a tough task. You need to get your eyes, hands and feet in synch again and hope that you don't get the "jaffa" while you are doing so. While Hampshire's last wicket stand raised my eyebrows I never thought for a minute that they would save, nor win the game.
There have been a few comments about a lack of edge to our bowling in the last couple of matches, but I don't subscribe to the view at all. Neither wicket has been what I would deem especially bowler-friendly and I maintain that in Palladino, Groenewald and Clare we have the best seam attack in the division. Wainwright is the best spinner in the league too, so it is not unduly surprising that we are in poll position at the top of the table.
With two of our last three matches at home, I expect pitches that should allow for a result, just as long as the weather stays out of things. David Masters and Graham Napier may be a threat next week, but a powerful Essex order will have to work hard against our attack and it then comes down to the batting firing.
There have again been calls to restore Chesney Hughes to the side at the top of the order, but again I am less convinced. Borrington and Lineker have yet to cement a place at the top of the order, yet are coming into the side on the back of good runs in Second XI and league cricket. To my knowledge, Chesney has no such form to draw on, so his task would be doubly difficult. We all know he has produced several innings of brilliance over the past couple of summers, but it hasn't, for some reason, happened for him this year. Hopefully a winter of work in the nets will see him rediscover his footwork and confidence as we could use a prime form Chesney.
At the end of it all, no one will be better aware of the readiness of each player to score runs at first class level than Dave Houghton, who will see them in the nets, watch how they are moving and make recommendations from there. By the same token, he can't get the runs for them in the middle. More's the pity, because Houghton could bat, that's for sure...
Next up is Northamptonshire at Derby in the final CB40 of the season at the weekend, then that pretty important game against Essex.
More on that over the weekend. Enjoy!
The last two days has produced probably the most gripping cricket I've experienced without actually being there and watching it.
ReplyDeleteDerbyshire's amazing recovery from the brink of following on to being within a wicket of a match winning position was staggering, and says all we need to know about fight, spirit, and determination. It's been there in spades throughout the last three matches, where we have recovered from the brink of disaster to pull it back to a win and two draws. Again and again, people have stepped up to the plate and delivered in near-impossible situations.
But I don't have to be a cynic to say that if we have to keep this up for three more matches, it's asking more than is reasonable from a small squad that is starting to show the inevitable signs of wear and tear.
As games go by, it gets harder and harder for others to catch us, but not impossible. As someone on FF points out, we have the hardest run in. Kent nearly beat us a couple of weeks ago, and while I think they may have imploded now, they have the strongest incentive they could have for one last big effort against us.
Essex decimated Kent with ease the week after we had to fight them to the wire to win. They lack consistency but not quality and have a score to settle for the humiliating defeat they suffered in May.
And Hampshire in the last match. If I hadn't been gripped by Derbyshire's performance, I would have been transfixed by the last wicket partnership of 159 against Leicestershire. If anything could put Madsen and Poynton's partnership in the shade, it was this extraordinary effort from two genuine tailenders in the most lost of lost causes.
Any of these three might beat us, and we can't rely on continued heroics against the odds to keep pulling us back from the brink of defeat for three more matches against dangerous opponents. If two of them do beat us, then we will depend on results elsewhere to see us safe.
I'd have to hope that the last ditch rescue efforts that we've seen in the last three matches would see us through if we didn't have any options. But Hughes is an option, and the persistence with Borrington and Lineker as openers is incomprehensible to me. It isn't an attack on the efforts of the individuals concerned to say that averages of 22 and 18 tell their own story. Second 11 and league runs have never translated into first class runs for them, and hoping that they will is like hoping we'll always score 260 for our 9th wicket partnership. Neither have made a significant individual contribution, unlike any other member of the team, and we know from his record that Hughes can. Peakfan is right that it hasn't happened for him this year (in the one innings he has had) but we know it might. There's no such evidence of this from Borrington or Lineker. Hughes might not do better than them across the six innings remaining (but wouldn't do a lot worse) but he brings the potential for a match winning performance, and that, ultimately, is all we need to make sure.
I've also been one of those wondering if the steam is going out of the bowling powerhouse. The pitches for the last two matches don't help but I still think it might be (and who would be surprised by this after the herculean efforts they've had to put in this year in game after game). I'm not suggesting changes (though Clare and Whiteley bowling a handful of overs between them today suggests that we might have to) but they have to be supported by more runs on the board, and again Hughes offers the bst opportunity of that.
Hats off to the Skipper but to Tom Poynton in particular.There must have been increased pressure with one fifty to his name to date and a capable Richard Johnson waiting in the wings, his century was excellent. He is one of this season's success stories.
ReplyDeleteCometh the hour Cometh the Man.
Natwest 81
A draw was always on the cards,for reasons we have all stated. A very creditable draw nontheless.
ReplyDeleteA couple of very interesting pieces from Notoveryet,many point which I agree with. Without wishing to detract from our own achievements we have,perhaps,been slightly fortunate that those around us have failed to take advantage of our own blips.
This has,of course,been a huge bonus to ourselves as we have always been able to maintain clear daylight between ourselves and the pack and no team has been able to pressurise us to any great extent.
We must look for the two wins which would guarantee us our reward. Of course,we might not need two wins,we might not need any,but that senario is unlikely.
As for the team,well,,,I too have questioned why Hughes has not played more often over the season. He is now so far down the pecking order I think Krikken has probably forgotton he exists. His fielding is woeful and though this might be a million miles from the truth, he presents a couldn,t care less attitude to those watching. If this is one of the reasons for his absence,then i can understand it.
With three games left I am now of the opinion we should leave the team more or less as it stands,assuming fitness. The only slight question for me is whether to play an all seam attack,with Durston as the sole spinner.
Wainwright has done very well this season,especiall when one considers the wet weather has not helped him,or indeed any other spinner around the country. I rate the lad highly and I,m sure in future years he will be a prize asset on anything like a turning pitch. At present though,pitches are not turning,even on days 3 and 4.
This has been reflected in recent times by the fact he has quite often only bowled a relatively small number of overs and has been less productive,in terms of wickets,than the seamers. I understand Krikkens reluctance to leave him out but there have been occasions we would have been better served with an extra seamer. Maybe pitches in the remaining games may suit him,I dont know.
Finally,I think our leaders must give serious consideration to batting first,should we have the choice. We have struggled more often than not when batting second. We have used our "get out of jail" card too frquently and whilst it underlines the undoubted spirit and fighting qualities we have,it might be better if we could avoid it. We have to back ourselves to do the business first up and do to the opposition what they have done to us in recent times.
I am confident we will prevail,but a wion against Essex would relieve so much pressure. If possible,we want the Hampshire game to be meaningless.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have read all the comments regarding Derbyshire's position at the top of Div 2 with interest.
At present we have a 17 point lead over Hants, 30 point lead over Yorks and 45 over Kent.
Remembering that Hants don't play this week - the other three have a game in hand which is used this week -, a draw against Essex shouldn't be a bad result.
All of the top four average 5 or 6 bonus points so far this season, meaning that a draw for Derbyshire will increase their lead to about 25 points.
Should Derbyshire outscore Yorkshire by 18 points and Kent by 15 points this week, they will be promoted.
If all three games (Derbyshire v Essex, Yorks v Glamorgan and Leics v Kent) are drawn, then we are almost there as to pull back 30+ plus points would be highly unlikely.
Looking at this week's forecast, this seems the most likely situation.
As regards Essex's win over Kent, I feel that Kent were probably deflated after losing to us and that going to a partially re-junvinated Leics might be more difficult than one would think.
Also, as I write, the T20 is about to start - I have a feeling that the loser of the final (Hants v Yorks) will not go up with Derbyshire from Div 2 -.