A funny sort of day at the County Ground, at the end of which I would say, considering positions in other games, that we look to be in a position to be promoted, though not as champions. Kent would have hoped for better against Glamorgan (you're a saint, Jimmy Allenby) while Yorkshire have fought hard against Essex (how the heck does Sidebottom score those runs?)
Derbyshire? Well, we need runs tomorrow, pure and simple. The top order failed (a copy and paste job, that one...) but in their defence, the first 20 overs with a new ball at Derby is tough. If we can get through the first half hour or so tomorrow unscathed, there is still a good chance of runs in this track. Bounce was variable, with Ross Whiteley's broad shoulders getting some to lift from a length, but the bowlers did a good, disciplined job, conceding few extras.
Tony Palladino's opening spell was excellent, and I was glad I made the early start to see it. Tim Groenewald wasn't quite his usual parsimonious self, but Mark Turner bowled with real pace and had James Vince in early trouble before the Hampshire batsman completed an excellent century. He had time to play his shots and looked a class act, before giving it away. Prior to that Sean Ervine also batted well, though had a strong candidate for worst/most unnecessary shot of the season with an attempted reverse sweep that went hideously wrong. He and Vince had us on the rack and full credit to Derbyshire for fighting back well, with David Wainwright bowling a lovely spell.
Credit to Usman Khawaja too for two very good low catches at slip, but the Australian, who looked pretty good as the evening shadows lengthened, needs a big score tomorrow to take us to parity and preferably ahead.
Time to cross those fingers again...
Looks like a bit of a Groundhog Day after the last few matches. Bowl first (whether by our choice or not) and Essex 245, Derbyshire 28-3; Kent 261, Derbyshire 32-1; and Hampshire 272, Derbyshire 50-3. We know how Essex and Kent finished, so I'm not sure why we persist with a tactic that (whatever its success earlier in the season, as I pointed out in a previous comment) hasn't been successful recently. If, as I strongly believe, history is the best predictor of the future, I don't think we can expect much better than 130-7 by lunch tomorrow, and another game to chase (or more likely save) from behind.
ReplyDeleteThis time, the draw may not be enough unless Glamorgan can carry on as they've started. I didn't expect team changes but I was disappointed that we simply seem to have stuck to a tactical pattern that has only won one game out of eight. As I feared, it might be a case of "Do as you've always done, get what you've always got".
We can't do anything now but hope and (for those of us who are there at one stage or another) support the team. I have a horrible feeling, however, that we are going to be dependent on our Glamorgan and Essex friends unless Hampshire lose their focus over the next couple of days.
Containing the visitors to a sub-300 score is a good effort on our bowlers part, even if we seem to have the habbit of letting the young promising batsmen in the opposition ranks go off and parade his talents (think Cobb, think Northeast). As you state Peakfan, we pulled it back after the visitors got away from us for a while.
ReplyDeleteSo far, so good. Then we bat. Well, as notoveryet has commented, we appear to have trodden a familiar path gain, but we still have the means to determine a different outcome from late IF we get through the early stages tomorrow relatively unscathed and Usman and co. can go on to build a few decent partnerships.
We really cannot afford to fall too short of Hampshire's score and then chase a challenging fourth innings target. If we do, we will have to bat far better than we have done recently, even if Dawson is the only serious spinner in the visitor's ranks.
So, tomorrow is a very important day for us. We have plenty of time, so let's not get silly, keep focus, take our time and accumulate.
MASTERVILLAIN
All out for under 200 today, that's my prediction.
ReplyDeleteWHEN are derbyshire going to realise chesney could do a much better job than borrington ?
ReplyDeletetime and time he fails but still keeps his place ?
chris.
250 is an important score for our first innings (hopefully on the way to a bigger total!) as that's the score which means we have enough points so Kent have to win their match in order to overhaul us however our game finishes.
ReplyDeleteThe same situation is achieved if Kent take only six of eight bonus points in their game but it would be nice to do at least this much ourselves.
SR.
The way the weather has been this morning in South Wales, I think Kent are playing something close to a three day game now. It that good or bad?
ReplyDeleteGlammy want to get off the bottom of the table, but I hope we do not get a declaration akin to the one Hamish Marshall set Yorkshire recently.
MASTERVILLAIN
Fair comments gents. Mark, Hughes needed runs at Second XI level to get a game, or show them in the nets that he was sorting out technical weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteHe hasn't. So...
I'm rather worried, we can't win promotion today but we can definitely lose it if the middle order fail yet again. We need 300 to ensure Kent require a win to stop us going up. At 50/3 it looks a mile away unless Khawaja can score what I believe would be his first century at Derby
ReplyDeleteI,m not going to say too much until we have completed our innings. There were certain things that disappointed me yesterday,most of which shouldn,t be too hard to guess.
ReplyDeleteWe are precariously balanced. Which way it goes is still debatable,though recent history suggests we all have reason to be worried.
Palladino bowled some good stuff yesterday,but lacked assistance from the other end. We should really have had them bnack in the hutch for 200. Anyway,let,s see what today brings. Unfortunately i will miss the morning session. I just hope we are still batting by the time I arrive.
Having added my two-penneth during the Kent match at St Lawrence, I thought I would try to add some perspective today having spent yesterday at Cardiff where, as you say, Jim Allenby did Derbyshire a huge favour.
ReplyDeleteKent had a strange sort of day going for 133 runs in the pre-lunch session and didn't really seem able to stem the tide on a wicket which is usually slower and stickier than was used yesterday. The afternoon was Kent's however and it looked as if they would polish off Glamorgan for well under 300 after all. The final session of the day turned out to be very much Glamorgan's who, I have to say, didn't look as if they should be propping up the other 17 counties. Kent will need to score quickly once they had finished Glamorgan but today's forecast for Cardiff is roughly the same as for Derby and this will put more pressure on Kent which, if history is anything to go by, they aren't the best at handling. The good thing however, is that the rain looks as if it will be quite heavy at Chelmsford. Such a shame!!
Anyway, good luck for the rest of the match and I look forward to next years encounters - in Division One !
I certainly wouldn,t rule you out of winning your game Martin. Glamorgan have a habit of imploding when it comes to their second innings. I would like to see Kent join us in division one. Today is important for all of us and by tonight things may be a little clearer. Then again.......
ReplyDelete