vic's Derbyshire Story

[vic_orthdox]

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.

 

[_Ed_]

Excellent! I like the sound of this.

Good luck for this season.

 

[vic_orthdox]

13th April - County Championship: vs Essex (H)

An a pitch that looked as though it would take spin, Essex won the toss and decided to take first use. Interestingly, neither side selected a specialist spin bowler.

Bat proceeded to dominate ball, as Tom Weatherall notched up a big 100, with support from Alistair Cook. All batsmen except the no. 11 reached double figures, as 504 was put up on the board. Mark Cleary was best for the home side with 4 wickets.

Derby's innings got off to a poor start, with Hussey out early. Despite Casey and Khalid's best efforts, there were no significant partnerships of which to speak of. Terry Collins, who recently made his ODI debut for England, snared 5 as Essex enforced the follow on.

Despite Hussey getting the team off the mark with a maximum, things didn't get too much better in the second innings. Ben France's dour 57 from 233 balls was the only real resistance, as Derbyshire slumped to 5/79, ending up all out for 192. A disappointing first match in the upper realms of County Cricket.

 

[vic_orthdox]

17th April - National League: vs Warwickshire (A)

If the first match of the season wasn't enough for the newly promoted Derbyshire, things weren't improving in a hurry in their first one day game for the year. Having had some success chasing late last season, Derbys inserted their opponents, and after a few streaky shots early could only watch on as Ian Westwood tore them a new one, making 121 off only 98 rocks. Spinner Stantong was especially harshly dealt with, going for over 9 an over from his 36 balls, while Jack Sherbourne battled valiantly amongst the onslaught.

And matters weren't improving after the break, either. Hussey hit the first ball for four, and was out the next. James Pearson retired hurt soon after, and within no time at all, Derby were 5/32 plus Pearson not returning. Luke Goddard, oft-maligned for his one day batting, steadied the ship, along with Mark Cleary - whose form with the bat has been handy thus far. Naqaash Tahir was the cheif destroyer, while off-spinner Christie wound things up at the end.

 

[vic_orthdox]

20th April - County Championship - vs Middlesex (A)

Changes: With James Pearson injured, Vikram Solanki - whom opened for most of last season - comes into the side. Leg-spinner Joseph Stanton also gets a guernsey at the expense of medium pace bowler Tom Lungley.

This time Mike Hussey won the toss, and took first advantage of what looked to be a pretty good surface for batting. Both openers were out early once again, however, with Casey and Khalid this time steadying the ship. Both committed the cardinal sin of going out around a break, and when France and Nethercott failed to go on with starts, things were gloomy once more at 6/199. However, a 124 runs partnership between Cleary and Goddard gave Derby some breathing space, with Goddard the second last man out for 95 - a very well constructed knock.

This left Middlesex with a nasty period of half an hour to negotiate before lunch on the second day, during which Sherbourne secured the important wicket of Strauss. He took a couple more after the break, and with a bit of assistance from his fellow pacers, Middlesex were suddenly 5/67. Ed Smith was up the other end throughout all of this, and eventually found a willing ally in Beckett. However, after they were dismissed close together, Simon Jones ran through the tail to finish proceedings, giving Derbyshire a 123 runs lead right on stumps on day 2.

Rain struck on the morning of the third day, leaving only 7 overs to be bowled for the session, and leaving a quandary for the coaching staff and captain as to when the declaration should come. However, declarations were the last thing on their mind after Middlesex claimed four quick wickets after the break. Casey and second gamer Kevin Nethercott put together an important partnership, but after their dismissal came a flurry of poles, leaving them at 9/155 - a lead of 278. Simon Jones and Jack Sherbourne, however, combined for what could prove to be 40 vital runs.

So Middlesex had a day and 9 overs to chase down 319. This time they got off to a better start, putting on 65 until Sherbourne claimed Strauss and Smith, both for 33. Dalrymple compiled a sensible 50, but when he was dismissed by Sherbourne as well, this left Middlesex 5 down, needing another 154 for victory on a pitch that was taking prodigious turn. Another 54 run partnership developed between Charles Beckett and David Nash, until it was broken by Stanton, and then Cleary claimed Beckett soon after. Boyd Rankin and Sajid Mahmood came together needing 94 to win, and Rankin left with 74 still to chase - Sherbourne again the man responsible. Tea on the third day came and went: the situation necessitating that Derbyshire needed two wickets before Middlesex made 73 runs.

After slowly moving toward the total, Mahmood was dismissed, and soon after Stanton claimed Aamer to wrap up proceedings and give Derbyshire their first win for the season.

 

[vic_orthdox]

24th April - National League: vs Hampshire (H)

No changes to the outfit that lost against Warwickshire, and this time the Derby boys were inserted. A slow start (Hussey was at one stage 4 from 32 balls, and after 9 overs Derbyshire were 0/18) was further exacerbated when both Hussey and Solanki were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Derby 2/69 in the 22nd over. From there, things didn't improve, with a steady chain of wickets - only three partnerships worth double figures for the innings - leading to the team being all out for 143 in the second last over, Peter Moss chipping in with 3 middle order wickets.

Hampshire didn't get off to the best start, with Sherbourne claiming some early ones, and when Clearly dismissed Pietersen, the Derby boys thought they were a sniff with Hamps 3/38. A solid partnership took them to 107, however three quick wickets gave Derbyshire a glimmer of hope. However, Wall and Tremlett saw their side home for a four wicket victory.

 

[vic_orthdox]

1st May - National League: vs Sussex (H)

Changes: Nethercott is to be rested, having struggled with the step-up thus far. Chris Bassano will slot into the number 5 position, and Wilcox will slide down to 6.

Up against a quality bowling line-up in Sussex, Derbyshire won the toss and decided to bat first. Once again the top order mis-fired - an issue with which action will probably have to be taken upon. When Bassano was out for a torrid 2 from 24 deliveries, the score was 4/46. However, Casey and Wilcox came together, and in a partnership in which Wilcox dominated, they put on over 100 until Casey was dismissed for 49. Wilcox ended up making 76 from 72, and Goddard batted till the end and with help from Cleary and Stanton helped set Sussex 212 to win. England representative in the short formate Terry Ruttles was the best of the bowlers.

After an early breakthrough, the partnership between Simon Kelly and Matt Prior was the difference, as once Prior was dismissed, the required rate was well below 4. Cleary and Casey were the ones to cop the stick, and while the spinners were reasonably effective, it wasn't enough to prevent victory.

 

[vic_orthdox]

4th May - Challenge Trophy: vs Buckinghamshire

Changes: the decision was made to rest Khalid, allowing the selection panel a look at both Bryant and Bassano, to decide whom should take the number 3 spot, with a view of pushing Khalid back down to his normal number 4 position, and Casey back to 5 once Khalid returns. Fred Lingham was brought in for his debut in place of Mark Cleary, who was rested.

Hoping to get some valuable time in the middle for his batsman, Mike Hussey was relieved after losing the toss but still being put into bat. He made the most of it, compiling a brisk 60-odd, but after his dismissal there looked to be trouble again for Derbyshire at 4/129. However, once again Casey and Wilcox (46 from 39) came together and dismantled an attack, with Casey putting on further runs with Goddard as he finished 82* from 80 rocks as Derby set a formidable total.

Simon Jones set the tone in defence of the total, as he took 2 wickets before Bucks got off the mark, and also claimed the first five wickets to fall. He continued on, ending up with 7 as Lingham grabbed a couple on debut to really embarrass their competitors, cruising into the second round.

 

[_Ed_]

Bit of a belting there. Good stuff.

Sherbourne looks handy, he's been the best bowler in almost every innings!

 

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, he's going to be a real player.

In other news, Tom Lungley and Mike Hussey are both out for three weeks. Lungley's not a huge loss, I have a few bowlers who are at a similar level to him. But Hussey's pretty devastating - he hasn't really given me much to this point, and just as he gets a score to get himself in some form, he goes and gets injured.

 

[Hoggy31]

Goddard was always **** for me.

 

[vic_orthdox]

6th May - County Championship: vs Gloucestershire (H)

Changes: James Bryant has been brought in to open the batting in place of Hussey, and Chris Bassano will bat at 6 and let Nethercott get some form in the 2nds before playing again, if all works well. Khalid and Casey will move down a spot each, to 4 and 5 respectively.

Gloucs dominated from the outset, with no Derby bowlers ever looking like getting a wicket. There were some masterful knocks amongst them, although a few dropped chances did help their cause. Jones and Cleary really leaked runs, while Stanton was exceptionally ineffectual - his spot in the side really is under question on anything that isn't a bunsen.

The depleted batting line-up didn't get off to the greatest of starts either, and at the end of Day 2, 5/112 - still 485 behind - was not where the Derbyshire boys wanted to be. Khalid and Bryant threw away starts. The next morning, a solid partnership between France and Cleary steered the team out of embarrassing territory, but it still wasn't enough as, despite their half centuries and Jones' 49*, 289 was all that could be mustered.

Restarting 320 in arrears, the last thing that was needed was for Bryant to go out first ball - but he did. At 2/94, things looked OK, until again the scourge of quick wickets followed. Resistance from Khalid and France followed, but heading into the final day, Derby were still 120 behind with only 5 in hand. The good news was that Khalid was 75*.

The bad news was that he was to only make one more before being dismissed the next morning. Following that was an epic partnership, as Cleary followed up his half century with another and Lee Goddard went on to make the first hundred of the season for the club. However, in a cruel twist of fate, and somewhat expected considering the season to this point, Cleary mis-timed a drive and was caught on 99. At the time of his dismissal, there was a session plus half an hour in which Derby needed to survive, and were 96 runs ahead.

Goddard had decided that the time had come to farm the strike. However, 12 minutes before lunch, disaster struck, and he received a somewhat dubious LBW decision, and with that surely any chance of saving the game had gone. Jones also fell before tea having played a few loose strokes in his short stay. Then Stanton fell, and Derbyshire found themselves defending 120 in one session.

Gloucs, however, had no problems chasing down the total. And to add insult to injury, was another injury; this time to Sherbourne in the last few overs before the game finished. Fortuantely, he's only out for 5 days, but it's a bowl we could have done without.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Ladders as of 10th May

 

[vic_orthdox]

11th May - County Championship: vs Yorkshire (A)

Changes: Kevin Dean comes in for the injured Jack Sherbourne.

In typical Headingly pitch and conditions, Derbys were sent in to bat. Solanki continued his dismal run of form with a gozza, and with Bassano and Khalid following soonafter, 3/7 doesn't usually let you score big totals. Bryant's 50 ball 6 coming to an end saw Derbyshire at 5/50 halfway through the session. After a mini-fightback, disaster struck again just before the break, and France was bowled. Stanton and Cleary put on a few, but as soon as 200 looked a chance, the last three wickets were lost in a hurry, and once more a substandard score was established in the first innings. Despite Lawson taking the most poles, it was Ferraby whom did the early damage.

In reply, Yorkshire lost Vaughan early, and while never establishing any partnerships of real substance, got to stumps on day 1 at 3/116. On the second day, it was Joseph Sayers whom ensured that the lead would be substantial and, apart from being dropped on 81, was in sublime touch. Kevin Dean was promising in his return to first team cricket, while the other bowlers (bar Jones) failed to provide enough support. With a 156 run lead, Yorkshire were right in the box seat.

The top 4 all got starts, yet once again when they had been dismissed, Derby were in dire straits, 5/70 with nearly two whole days remaining. France and Goddard combined to get the score to a more respectable 155 at lunch, until Goddard was knocked over nearly straight after the interval. Stanton came out all guns blazing, before being trapped for 26 (16). Jones did a great job of supporting France, until the latter was nipped out for a patient 91. Derby ended up only 100 in front, and another inevitable loss awaited them.

Yorkshire chased down the target easily, with the loss of Chilton being the only hiccup. Much soul-searching to be done down Derby way.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Goddard was always **** for me.

I was reluctant to replace Sutton with him, because Sutton seemed to be doing a pretty good job, but Goddard hasn't done much wrong at all in County games since he's gotten the job.

 

[vic_orthdox]

15th May - National League: vs Lancashire (H)

Changes: Bryant moved up to opening with Solanki. Bassano stays at 3, while Khalid comes in for the injured Hussey and slides in at 4. Bridge has replaced Stanton, and Dean is in for Sherbourne.

Derby won the toss and decided to bat. Without boring you with all the detail - all of a sudden we were 3/22, and at the 14th over we were going along at less than 3 an over - as per usual. Casey and Khalid put on a few, and then Wilcox and Cleary got us up to a competitive total with quick run-a-ball cameos at the end.

Needing 211 to win, the reply came down to the last over. But with wickets in hand the whole way, Lancashire could afford to increase the run-rate whenever they wanted to, and ended up with a pretty comfortable win. Solanki bowled well for the home side, while Bridge got a bit of tap on debut for his new side.

 

[vic_orthdox]

18th May - Challenge Trophy: vs Durham (A)

Changes: Pearson returns from injury, and replaces Solanki at the top of the order. Sherbourne also returns, and takes Bridge from the side, leaving it without a specialist spinner.

Durham won the toss and chose to bat first, on a pitch that looks as though it will only get worse as the day goes on, and doesn't look all that great to start with. In what was the most impressive performance with the ball in a while for the Derbyshire outfit, a few early wickets allowed Sherbourne to come on at first change and rip through the middle order. A bit of a partnership was put on for the 7th wicket, but Jones and Dean combined at the end to bundle out Durham for 140.

Once again though, things looked shaky. A few early poles to the vaunted Durham attack, consisting of Plunkett, Harmison, Scott and Davies, and it looked like panic could set in. However, a change in mindset saw Pearson and Casey set about the bowlers, in launching a counterattack that made the game safe. When Pearson went out, only a few were needed, and Wilcox stayed with Casey to ensure that the game was won.

 

[vic_orthdox]

20th May - County Championship: vs Kent

Changes: Pearson in for Solanki. Sherbourne in for Stanton, thus no specialist spinner, and backing ourselves with the four prong pace attack on what should be a flat wicket.

After winning the toss, Derbys - shock, horror! - didn't lose an early wicket. However, with Bassano hitting one to midwicket just before lunch, the score was 2/113, Bryant 56*.

Bryant was dismissed soonafter, but what proceeded was unexpected by all. Dean Casey and Shaftab Khalid showed some of the form of the previous years, as they broke the Derbyshire 4th wicket record partnership in putting on 377. When Casey fell, the side was 4/512, and in batting on to get Khalid his 200, there were a flurry of wickets, something that may in fact give the Derby bowlers a little bit of heart.

The main resistance in reply came from Keller, but it was Denly and Joseph whom in combination ensured that the follow on could not be enforced, and in doing so made a draw the most likely outcome. Simon Jones was most impressive with the cod in hand, while Sherbourne struggled in his return from injury.

With their 14 remaining overs, however, Derbyshire showed positive intent, losing only Bryant for 33 from 30, as they went into the last day 1/69, a lead of 173. Still chancing their arm in the morning session, they went into lunch with a lead of 279, 5 in hand with a view of batting for about 15-30mins, and seeing if they could cause some havoc after that. Eventually the declaration came, offering 320 to win - probably batting too well after lunch, and putting the total out of Kent's reach.

In the end, despite Dean snaring first innings century maker Keller for a golden, it was too little time and too many runs for Kent to take an interest in, and the game petered out to a draw. Even without winning, the batting was a real positive, and just as important as getting the two century makers into form, was seeing Bassano and Bryant do a better job during the match.

 

[PY]

Great read Jack.

Got an assignment due?

 

[vic_orthdox]

24th May - National League: vs Yorkshire (A)

Changes: Mark Cleary, in poor form with the ball, is making way for Stanton, whom can hold a stick and hopefully take a few poles on a surface that might give him some help.

Once more in a one day game, there was a slow start by the Derby boys after choosing to bat first. Trotting along at less than 3 an over until around the 15th over again is a problem which the team is finding hard to fix, and tends to make it hard to score anything over 230. Bassano and Casey put together a good score, but neither could score at a pace quick enough to push the total into the upper regions of the testing range for the opposition, and Lawson played a big part in keeping us down to that score with his probing leg spin during the middle overs.

The Yorkshire side got off to a steady start, and managing to take 45 off the first 10 for the loss of only one wicket was the big difference in the game. Marcus North got off to a blistering start, and at one point was 58 from 53 balls, before settling knowing that the only way the side could lose the game was to be bowled out. The game was stretched into the second last over, but it was never really in doubt. Classier top order batting was the difference. Sherbourne was promising with the ball.