Derbyshire 47-2 v Glamorgan (Slater 25 not out)
If this was a T20 game, with the teams coming on to the pitch accompanied by an appropriate piece of music, I am unsure which would be the more appropriate for Derbyshire in this game.
The theme to Playschool would be one option, given the age of the side, while another might just be the theme from Casualty...
Already down three players (Durston, Godleman and Guptill) from the game at Bristol, Tony Palladino and Tom Taylor had to pull out with knee injuries. It left the Derbyshire side something akin to The Waltons, with Wayne Madsen and David Wainwright playing the roles of Ma and Pa. The average age of this side is 23, which must be just about the youngest that has ever taken the field for the first eleven in a county championship match.
I suggested last night that this might be a draw, with the weather forecast and I would think that Graeme Welch would take that right now. It will be interesting to see how a young side responds to adversity and one learns a lot from players in such situations.
Ben Slater suddenly looks to be one of the senior players and batted well in the fifteen overs of play possible. The Welsh side's attack, with the on-loan Andy Carter from Nottinghamshire looks solid and they accounted for the returning Chesney Hughes and Wayne Madsen before the close. The skipper is out of touch at present, but I have every confidence that this will return before too long. He is simply too good a player for it not to.
The next three batsmen are Thakor, Hughes and Hosein, so not a great deal of experience there, but the most interesting development of today was the senior debut of 18-year old leg-spinner Matt Critchley.
I have reported on his impressive form for the second team and Academy already, but in his wildest dreams he cannot have expected a senior debut so quickly. He plays his cricket at Wigan and is well-regarded as a player of some potential.
On a wicket expected to turn before the end of the game, he may get his chance to do so against a couple of international batsmen before this game is out.
More from me tomorrow, when hopefully there will be more play.
It must be quite unprecedented to lose 5 players from one game to the next, especially at this early stage of the season. Given that there were known concerns about the fitness of taylor and palladino, is it a bit of a surprise that Wayne white didn't travel with the squad?
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see how Thakor and Alex Hughes cope with the extra responsibility with both bat and ball in this game, as at some point I think they're likely to be competing for the same spot.
Also best of luck to Matt Critchley. hopefully the pitch will turn and he gets a fair crack of the whip. It'll be tempting with 4 other spinners in the side for Madsen to take him off at the first sign of danger but I hope he's strong enough to stick with him. They've clearly seen something in him to be playing him so soon
I think Wayne is injured too Sam. He didnt play for Swarky on Saturday so with Jon Clare working back to fitness we only have Greg Cork and then Will Davis/Harry White in reserve.
ReplyDeleteAt this rate Alex and Shiv will be competing for the new ball...
This is something of a concern to me. I think the question has to be asked as to whether we are pushing some of these players too hard physically. There are obvious benefits to maintaining a level of fitness,no one would dispute that,but are we overdoing it?.
ReplyDeleteThese injuries might just be down to bad luck but then again they might not. To lose Palladino for any length of time would have serious consequences. He and Footit are as close to irreplacable as you can get and it is totally unrealistic to expect or even hope the younger bowlers can do a similar job.
There will be play today but in all probability not much thereafter,so we should at least emerge from this fixture without any more casualties.
I don't think so Marc. Injuries happen, whether in training, in matches or slipping on your front drive. They will be very wary of workloads and it is a more exact science than years ago. Seamers used to bowl over a thousand overs a season, so they're hardly overworked in comparison.
ReplyDeleteIt is not an ideal start though...
In a way,this is my whole point,Peakfan. We are of a similar age and we both remember the days when bowlers bowled far more overs than they do now and often without injury. The three day fixtures were usually back to back without a rest day and bowlers thrived on it. It may be more scientific nowadays but the end result seems to be far more injuries.
ReplyDeletePeakfan, it makes me laugh every time the England lose, everyone starts blaming the county structure. too many counties etc etc. They would only waste the money in increasing these over-rated players contracts anyway, with the spare money they had. I think decrease the players contracts and add a couple of counties, Devon and Cumbria your more likely to find more players the more counties you have.
ReplyDeletePaul.
Our threadbare squad is being shown up now by Glamorgan. We just can't cope with multiple injuries like we're suffering with at present. Think we'll lose this one Peakfan, with Glamorgan's openers already off to a flyer.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any squad could cope with this volume of injuries Mark. Nor could we expect to carry enough experienced hands to step in. They cost money and they wouldn't be happy playing in the seconds.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a draw mate. Forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday isn't great at all and I doubt there will be much play to get near a result.
This Critchley lad seems a bit of a leftfield shout given his inexperience. A leg spinner should be cherished though and if he can turn it with any degree of control he could be something special.
ReplyDeleteLeftfield Tim but one of 13 who travelled and when two were deemed unfit into the team. The lad has done well and can be proud of his senior debut at this stage. It is a long time since we had a leggie worth his salt at Derbyshire...
ReplyDelete