In the annals of massive games, this is King Kong versus Godzilla. Not so much from the perspective of the merits of the two sides, but in relation to the significance of the result.
It is possible that by next Friday we could be hailing promoted Derbyshire, one game away from achieving their first silverware in way too long. Conversely, we could have had a nightmare and be looking up at Yorkshire and back at the ever-closer Hampshire and Kent. It is THAT close and any number of scenarios are possible. Which is why, of course, County Championship cricket is still the best, purest form of the game. Two points for a win in a one-day league is easy. Chuck in a bonus points and draw points scenario and the permutations are many, varied and fascinating.
We will all, of course, be following events at Southampton and Leeds more than ever before. Why, I might even get myself some leeks at the supermarket if I thought it would help the Welsh cause at Headingley. Let's hope former Derbyshire alumni North and Wagg do their bit for the cause.
As I wrote the other day, Derbyshire control their own destiny, which is a nice position to be in. If they play to potential, bowl with discipline, hold their catches and bat with application and self-belief, they will get a result. If they don't, we risk blowing it. It's as simple as that.
Much will depend on the toss. Kent supporter Martin Moseling suggested in a comment on this blog the other day that the wicket would be "slow and sticky or slow and flat" depending on which end of the square was used. Given the circumstances, I suspect that our hosts will want a result track, thus maximising their chances of success. A draw is of minimal use to them, again depending on results elsewhere and the gamble of a result track may be worthwhile - always assuming they don't fall foul of pitch inspectors, of course. They may leave grass on to help the seamers, or shave it extra close in the hope of the sort of turn seen at Lords today.
While the first morning pitch inspection will dictate what we do, it would be nice to see Derbyshire command the game, bat and get serious runs on the board. While the absence of James Tredwell with England might legislate against the preparation of a turner, Karl Krikken could take an extra spinner with him, just in case. Whether he opts for a second slow left-armer in Tom Knight or the variation of Peter Burgoyne's off-spin is the question.
It would be good to see Jonathan Clare fit and firing, especially as he adds depth to the batting, and how Derbyshire would welcome an innings from Usman Khawaja such as he played in Kent last summer. The Australian hasn't scored the runs we might have hoped for, but a big innings here would certainly not go amiss.
Kent are worthy opponents and have additional incentives to do well, with a number of players whose contracts are up at season-end. Geraint Jones, Darren Stevens, Sam
Northeast and Ben Harmison are all playing for new deals, the latter perhaps the one with most to fear. They are a side of far greater experience than Derbyshire and in Charlie Shreck have a bowler who has always been a bit of a bete noir for us, whoever he has played for. Brendan Nash has done well in the overseas role and Stevens has been a very good county cricketer for well over a decade.
It will be a tough game, without doubt. That's what you get when you're at the top of the table. At this stage in far too many seasons that I'd care to count we have been playing for pride alone - and sometimes not very well at that. I hope that our young side doesn't freeze in sight of the finishing line and goes out to play the adventurous, aggressive cricket that has served them so well in 2012. We are not top (and clear) by accident, but because we have won more games than anyone else. If we can win this one, depending on results elsewhere, the Hampshire game could be a party, as we could already be champions. If we draw, we will still be in a very good place at the start of next week.
I don't want to think about a loss at this stage. When we were following the fortunes in the pre-season tour to Barbados, back in March, few people would have expected this position with two games to go.
We're here now and full credit to all concerned. There has been a new-found self-belief in Derbyshire's cricket this summer and that's why I am going to stick my neck out and suggest we will come away with at least a draw in this one.
Depending on that all-important toss, maybe, just maybe, something more.
Team news tomorrow, enjoy your week!
Postscript - Marcus North has headed back to Perth, James Harris isn't selected and nor is Robert Croft for Glamorgan. I hope they have decent reserves...
The last thing we should be doing is worrying about other counties at this stage. We cannot influence other results,only our own. We can,of course hope and indeed expect other teams to play fair,but beyond that it is out of our hands.
ReplyDeleteThe weather looks pretty good for the week,so any delays will be minimal. Given the choice we simply must bat and back ourselves to put some serious runs on the board. It is obvious the decision to bowl first has,for some time,been a deliberate ploy. Whatever the reasons and thinking behind it may be,it hasn,t worked and now is the time to change tact. We must be positive as much in mind as in body and go all out to win this game. 400 plus in the first innings will put us in the box seat and that alone should be enough to dispell any thoughts of defeat.
Im not sure Krikken will risk Knight or Burgoyne in this game Peakfan. In saying that,I can see some logic in it,should the wicket take spin. In reality,he will probably feel Wainwright and Durston are sufficient to meet our needs. I hope Durston is utilised more than he has been recently.
I,m not convinced Clare is fully fit and hasn,t been for a little while. If he isn,t we can,t afford to play him and for my money we go for Turner.
After due consideration,I would continue with Borrington so long as someone tells him we are looking to win the game and once he gets himself in,runs are the name of the game. He must have the confidence to play some shots and impose himself on the bowlers. My team,in batting order is as follows.
1 )Borrington
2 )Khawaja
3 )Whiteley
4 )Durston
5 )Redfern
6 )Madsen
7 )Wainwright
8 )Poynton
9 )Groenewald
10)Palladino
11)Turner/Clare(8)if fit.
Don't see any changes either Marc - we have a solid side and it is too late to experiment at this crucial stage.
ReplyDeleteAgree fully with everything you say!
I agree too. I would have picked Chesney to open in the last game but Bozza cannot be dropped after his gritty 42. Fingers crossed we tie it up this week. I'm in Burma next week where t'internet access is somewhat limited! Incidentally peakfan your answer to the spinner query is that ant Botha took 51 wickets in 2007.
ReplyDeleteSpireite Tim
Robin Peterson took 51 first class wickets for Derbyshire in 2010 but not sure if all were in championship games. Brew
ReplyDeleteQuite right brew, and the good book (aka wisden) tells me it was all championship games so my mistake. I suppose the lesson is that spin is but one element in a successful team.
ReplyDeleteSpireite Tim
Good spot guys!
ReplyDeleteYou say "Given the circumstances, I suspect that our hosts will want a result track, thus maximising their chances of success. A draw is of minimal use to them,"
ReplyDeleteKent prepared a "result track against Essex last season and ended up with a points fine for a substandard wicket and are unlikely to risk that again!
Also, because of the low, slow and potentially flat nature of the St Lawrence wickets, over the past 8 seasons, Kent have won 40% less matches at St Lawrence than they have away from home so, for them, "home advantage" is, in fact a disadvantage.