vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
I've never done the story thing before, and I'm having a bit of a ICC renaissance at the moment with my ICC 2005 game. There also seems to be a lack of story threads about at the moment. Therefore, I thought I might do one.
Background
The season is 2011. Derbyshire has just been promoted from Divison 2 in both forms of the game due to their results in 2010. This is its second run in the top tier in the First Class format, under the rein of Jack McNamara. Last season was it's best ever result in the One Day format. They have won the Twenty20 cup in 2008.
The team has come under much criticism for preparing flat pitches at home, which has seen it secure a lot of draws and gain the most batting points out of any team in the competition last year. Bowling has traditionally been a weak point for the team, and when Kevin Dean has been off, Derby have traditionally struggled to bowl sides out. However, the unearthing of Jack Sherbourne last year was vital, and he looks to be the type of player that the bowling attack can be based around, after taking the most FC wickets at the county in his debut year.
Australian opening batsmen have been kind to Derbys, with Matthew Hayden having two prolific years at the club, including one 2000+ run year. Michael Hussey has also borne fruit, making 8 centuries last season. Shaftab Khalid has been a very handy pickup, also scoring 2000+ runs last season in an almight effort. Alex Loudon retired at the end of 2010, and in doing so the balance of the side is somewhat hurt. Dean Casey, a product of the youth program, averages nearly 50 since being introduced to the side, and is still very young.
This year the imports are Mark Cleary and Michael Hussey is back for his third season at Derby. The first match is a first class fixture against Kent.
Players
Chris Bassano: stayed at club since 2005. Has been forced out of the regular sides by recruits and youth, and has failed to grasp his chances when they have been offered since.
Ben France: dour left hand batsman, who started his career off well, but has stalled since. Still has potential in the FC arena.
James Bryant: Kolpak player. Similar to Bassano in that he started off well, but was forced out of the side. Has performed reasonably well when required in the shorter formats. 35 and nearing retirement.
Vikram Solanki: former captain. Recruited to add more strength to the batting. Has been a very good player at the top of the order for the side.
Shaftab Khalid: super year last year, where he came within 50 runs of the all time record for runs in a season. Versatile middle order player, averaging above 40 in both forms.
Michael Wilcox: averaging nearly 50 in one day cricket. Bats at 5 or 6, where he has the ability to score quickly as soon as he gets to the crease. Has struggled thus far in FC game.
James Pearson: opening batsman whose talent far outweighs results. Should have made the opening position his by now, but has failed to impress far too often.
Michael Hussey: third year at the club, has been very prolific thus far.
Kevin Nethercott: highly rated product of the youth system. First year player.
Lee Goddard: assumed the number one gloveman status from Luke Sutton a few years ago. Averaging 37 with the bat. Place under threat in short format, however.
Luke Sutton: very reliable option as a back-up keeper.
Dean Casey: batting all-rounder. Aggressive with the bat, but bowling needs a lot of work.
Kevin Dean: experienced campaigner coming to the end of his career. Left arm quickie who will play games this season.
Tom Lungley: inconsistent bowler, who when on a roll can dismantle a top order. However, is usually pretty expensive and doesn't have the pace to worry.
Christopher Paget: back-up off-spinner.
Tom Jefferson: some have suggested he's only kept his spot for having such an awesome name. Probably true. Ordinary pace bowler.
Simon Jones: his recruit was a coup for the club. Has done reasonably well, considering the conditions in which he has to bowl most of the time (i.e. flat).
Jack Sherbourne: fast medium bowler with real potential. Looking to base the bowling attack around this man's talents over the long run.
Joseph Stanton: one day specialist leg-spinner at other clubs, but had a good season last year, taking 40 wickets at 27 in County Championship, as well as continuing his proficiency in OD cricket.
Fred Lingham: first year player, straight out of youth department.
Graeme Bridge: recruited last season as an insurance policy for Stanton. One year contract, probably all he'll serve.
Mark Cleary: recruited this season because of freedom in the salaries, bowling prowess and his ability to bat at 8 - has been a bit of a problem over the past few seasons.
Background
The season is 2011. Derbyshire has just been promoted from Divison 2 in both forms of the game due to their results in 2010. This is its second run in the top tier in the First Class format, under the rein of Jack McNamara. Last season was it's best ever result in the One Day format. They have won the Twenty20 cup in 2008.
The team has come under much criticism for preparing flat pitches at home, which has seen it secure a lot of draws and gain the most batting points out of any team in the competition last year. Bowling has traditionally been a weak point for the team, and when Kevin Dean has been off, Derby have traditionally struggled to bowl sides out. However, the unearthing of Jack Sherbourne last year was vital, and he looks to be the type of player that the bowling attack can be based around, after taking the most FC wickets at the county in his debut year.
Australian opening batsmen have been kind to Derbys, with Matthew Hayden having two prolific years at the club, including one 2000+ run year. Michael Hussey has also borne fruit, making 8 centuries last season. Shaftab Khalid has been a very handy pickup, also scoring 2000+ runs last season in an almight effort. Alex Loudon retired at the end of 2010, and in doing so the balance of the side is somewhat hurt. Dean Casey, a product of the youth program, averages nearly 50 since being introduced to the side, and is still very young.
This year the imports are Mark Cleary and Michael Hussey is back for his third season at Derby. The first match is a first class fixture against Kent.
Players
Chris Bassano: stayed at club since 2005. Has been forced out of the regular sides by recruits and youth, and has failed to grasp his chances when they have been offered since.
Ben France: dour left hand batsman, who started his career off well, but has stalled since. Still has potential in the FC arena.
James Bryant: Kolpak player. Similar to Bassano in that he started off well, but was forced out of the side. Has performed reasonably well when required in the shorter formats. 35 and nearing retirement.
Vikram Solanki: former captain. Recruited to add more strength to the batting. Has been a very good player at the top of the order for the side.
Shaftab Khalid: super year last year, where he came within 50 runs of the all time record for runs in a season. Versatile middle order player, averaging above 40 in both forms.
Michael Wilcox: averaging nearly 50 in one day cricket. Bats at 5 or 6, where he has the ability to score quickly as soon as he gets to the crease. Has struggled thus far in FC game.
James Pearson: opening batsman whose talent far outweighs results. Should have made the opening position his by now, but has failed to impress far too often.
Michael Hussey: third year at the club, has been very prolific thus far.
Kevin Nethercott: highly rated product of the youth system. First year player.
Lee Goddard: assumed the number one gloveman status from Luke Sutton a few years ago. Averaging 37 with the bat. Place under threat in short format, however.
Luke Sutton: very reliable option as a back-up keeper.
Dean Casey: batting all-rounder. Aggressive with the bat, but bowling needs a lot of work.
Kevin Dean: experienced campaigner coming to the end of his career. Left arm quickie who will play games this season.
Tom Lungley: inconsistent bowler, who when on a roll can dismantle a top order. However, is usually pretty expensive and doesn't have the pace to worry.
Christopher Paget: back-up off-spinner.
Tom Jefferson: some have suggested he's only kept his spot for having such an awesome name. Probably true. Ordinary pace bowler.
Simon Jones: his recruit was a coup for the club. Has done reasonably well, considering the conditions in which he has to bowl most of the time (i.e. flat).
Jack Sherbourne: fast medium bowler with real potential. Looking to base the bowling attack around this man's talents over the long run.
Joseph Stanton: one day specialist leg-spinner at other clubs, but had a good season last year, taking 40 wickets at 27 in County Championship, as well as continuing his proficiency in OD cricket.
Fred Lingham: first year player, straight out of youth department.
Graeme Bridge: recruited last season as an insurance policy for Stanton. One year contract, probably all he'll serve.
Mark Cleary: recruited this season because of freedom in the salaries, bowling prowess and his ability to bat at 8 - has been a bit of a problem over the past few seasons.
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