A Bigger Challenge: Derbyshire County Cricket Club

[MateGaming]

10th September 2020: Derbyshire vs Worcestershire
Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat first.

van Beek returns from his international duty, in which he made his Test debut for New Zealand against Bangladesh, taking five wickets across both innings, including 4-66 in the second.

XI: Luis Reece, Billy Godleman*, Luke Wells, Wayne Madsen, John Copperfield, Ed Pollock, Steven Davies+, Logan van Beek, Simon Harmer, Chris Bannister, Ravi Rampaul

Worcestershire 1st: 344 (104.4 overs - D'Oliveira 65, Fell 62; van Beek 5-76)
Derbyshire 1st: 237 (74.3 overs - Davies 86; Pennington 4-69, Moeen 3-49)
Worcestershire 2nd: 208 (61 overs - Moeen 60, D'Oliveira 51; Rampaul 4-48, Harmer 3-41)
Derbyshire 2nd: 231 (53.4 overs - van Beek 70; Pennington 5-70)

Worcestershire won by 84 runs
Points: Derbyshire 4, Worcestershire 22
MOTM: Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)

Another generally poor performance. We were very average with the ball, relying heavily on LvB once again, before a collapse with the bat saw us in a tough position, though Davies and Copperfield rescued us somewhat. We were better with the ball second time around, Rampaul stat-padding by removing the tail :P However, another top-order collapse saw us fall short of the target, despite a spirited 70 from van Beek.

[MateGaming]

16th September 2020: Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire
Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bat first.

Youth batsman Gary Bent is awarded a First Class debut, and replaces Wells. Hardwick also comes in for Copperfield.

XI: Luis Reece, Billy Godleman*, Wayne Madsen, Gary Bent, Kevin Hardwick, Ed Pollock, Steven Davies+, Logan van Beek, Simon Harmer, Chris Bannister, Ravi Rampaul

Northamptonshire 1st: 351 (93.3 overs - Keogh 80, Vasconcelos 76; Reece 5-89, van Beek 3-75)
Derbyshire 1st: 391 (130 overs - Pollock 167, Madsen 91; Byrne 4-77)
Northamptonshire 2nd: 285 (82.5 overs - Rossington 87, Newton 74; van Beek 5-70)
Derbyshire 2nd: 205 (75 overs - Pollock 59*, Davies 54*, Reece 50)

Match drawn
Points: Northamptonshire 11, Derbyshire 11
MOTM: Ed Pollock (Derbyshire)

We were punished for losing the toss on a road and conceded a large first innings total, though Reece took a second career five-wicket haul. In reply, our innings was headlined by a stunning 167 from Pollock, his highest individual First Class score. As seems to often be the case, we bowled better second time around, van Beek was outstanding once again with 5-70. We had intentions to chase the score down, but early wickets thwarted that possibility and we comfortably batted for a draw in cloudy conditions.

[MateGaming]

23rd September 2020: Derbyshire vs Glamorgan
Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat first.

In our final game of the 2020 season, three changes are made: Hosein, Agnew and Qadri come in, all playing for a place in the team for next season since they'll all potentially require new contracts over the winter.

XI: Luis Reece, Billy Godleman*, Wayne Madsen, Gary Bent, Ed Pollock, Steven Davies+, Harvey Hosein, Logan van Beek, Chris Bannister, Justin Agnew, Hamidullah Qadri

Glamorgan 1st: 348 (91.4 overs - Root 115, Ingram 58; Agnew 6-95, Qadri 3-66)
Derbyshire 1st: 328 (124 overs - Madsen 73, Godleman 59, Davies 50; de Lange 4-89)
Glamorgan 2nd: 246 (65.3 overs - Lloyd 48; van Beek 3-54)
Derbyshire 2nd: 149 (61.3 overs - Godleman 58; Williams 4-31, de Lange 3-41)

Glamorgan won by 117 runs
Points: Derbyshire 5, Glamorgan 21
MOTM: Billy Root (Glamorgan)

A disappointing way to end the season. Agnew was hugely impressive in the first innings, taking his maiden five-wicket haul on only his second First Class match. There were then general, all-round contributions with the bat, before another good performance with the ball saw us in with a chance of chasing the target. However, after a good start, we completely collapsed and paid the price, suffering a heavy defeat to end the season. However, Logan van Beek finished as the leading wicket taker across both divisions, with a stunning 90 wickets.

[MateGaming]

Specsavers County Championship Review

Form: LLWLLWWDLLLLLL
Points: 118
Position: 8 / 8 (D2), 18 / 18 (overall)

Somerset won the County Championship with 220 points. Hampshire and Warwickshire were relegated to Division Two. Durham won Division Two and were promoted, along with Northamptonshire.

Top Performers (Batting):
Wayne Madsen: 28 innings, 991 runs @ 38.12, HS 141, 4x50, 2x100
Billy Godleman: 27 innings, 856 runs @ 32.92, HS 135, 5x50, 1x100
Ed Pollock: 22 innings, 823 runs @ 45.72, HS 157, 4x50, 2x100
Luis Reece: 28 innings, 817 runs @ 31.42, HS 121, 3x50, 1x100

Top Performers (Bowling):
Logan van Beek: 13 matches, 90 wickets @ 19.77, BB 8-66, 9x5i, 3x10m
Chris Bannister: 14 matches, 42 wickets @ 38.69, BB 5-66, 1x5i
Luis Reece: 14 matches, 33 wickets @ 35.82, BB 5-89, 1x5i
Simon Harmer: 12 matches, 28 wickets @ 45.18, BB 5-169, 1x5i

Records:
Highest Total: 426 vs Northamptonshire, Derby (career record)
Lowest Total: 127 vs Worcestershire, Worcester (career record)
Highest Individual Innings: Ed Pollock, 167 vs Northamptonshire, Northampton (career record)
Best Bowling (Innings): Logan van Beek, 8-66 vs Durham, Co Durham (career record)
Best Bowling (Match): Logan van Beek, 12-113 vs Essex, Derby (career record)
Most Runs: Wayne Madsen, 991 (career record)
Most Wickets: Logan van Beek, 90 (career record)

Partnerships:
1st: 180, Billy Godleman & Luis Reece vs Glamorgan, Cardiff (career record)
2nd: 142, Billy Godleman & Wayne Madsen vs Gloucestershire, Derby (career record)
3rd: 67, John Copperfield & Luis Reece vs Gloucestershire, Derby
4th: 128, John Copperfield & Wayne Madsen vs Glamorgan, Cardiff (career record)
5th: 184, Wayne Madsen & Ed Pollock vs Northamptonshire, Northampton (career record)
6th: 188, Steven Davies & Wayne Madsen vs Gloucestershire, Bristol
7th: 102, Logan van Beek & Alex Hughes vs Lancashire, Derby
8th: 124, Logan van Beek & Daryn Smit vs Lancashire, Manchester (career record)
9th: 43, Simon Harmer & Chris Bannister vs Gloucestershire, Derby
10th: 38, James Taylor & Steven Davies vs Durham, Co Durham (career record)

Summary:
On paper, this Championship campaign was much less successful than last year's. However, I believe that our batting has improved tremendously and it was our bowling that let us down this yeal; van Beek was absolutely brilliant again, but was the only bowler to pass fifty wickets for the season. I must ensure that I bring in suitable bowlers for next year, as well as a spinner, since Harmer was slightly disappointing. Contracts to follow...

[MateGaming]

CONTRACTS

EXTENSIONS: Agnew (2yrs), van Beek (main), Milne (20ovr), Qadri (2yrs)
RELEASED: Brodrick, Hosein, Smit, Critchley, Rampaul, Bent
RETIRED: Harmer
IN: Delport (1yr), Gregory (2yrs - Somerset), Brown (2yrs - Worcestershire)

In the end, not too unhappy with that. We've certainly strengthened our bowling, bringing in the highly-rated Lewis Gregory (fun fact - I am extremely distantly related to him) as well as Pat Brown, who has very impressive in-game stats at the age of just 22. Cameron Delport adds batting depth, as well as a reliable option in limited overs matches. Surprisingly, Harmer retired, leaving Qadri and McKiernan as the only spinners at the club. Brodrick, Hosein, Smit, Critchley, Rampaul and Bent were all deemed surplus to requirements and were released. After impressing toward the back-end of last season, Agnew was rewarded with a 2-year deal; Qadri also received the same contract length. After both performing well last season, our two overseas players were retained.

[MateGaming]

1st April 2021: Derbyshire vs Loughborough MCCU

Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat first.

In an attempt to get our batsmen in-form, we prepared an absolute road for our MCC University Match against Loughborough MCCU. Madsen has been named as captain for all three formats. Delport, Gregory and Brown all make their Derbyshire debuts.

XI: Luis Reece, Billy Godleman, Luke Wells, Wayne Madsen*, Cameron Delport, Ed Pollock, Steven Davies+, Lewis Gregory, Chris Bannister, Hamidullah Qadri, Pat Brown

Derbyshire 1st: 461 (127.3 overs - Gregory 153, Godleman 71, Madsen 66; Hitchens 4-103)
Loughborough MCCU 1st: 253 (80.1 overs - Radford 70; Reece 6-64)
Loughborough MCCU 2nd (f/o): 284-6 (86 overs - Vernon 92*, Richards 79)

Match drawn
MOTM: Lewis Gregory (Somerset)

A promising start with the bat, but a less than impressive bowling performance overall. There were multiple contributions with the bat, including a stunning career-best 153 from new signing Gregory, backed up by Reece's 6-64 with the ball. However, in inserting them again, we were unable to take regular wickets and the match petered out into a draw.

[DaveRobbo]

Tough end to the season, your squad is starting to shape up nicely though. Got a good feeling for you this upcoming season.

Great you managed to keep LvB as well, was slightly concerned you could have lost him now the international call-ups are coming. What a season he had!

[GrahamB]

Looking forward to following the new season for you.
Hopefully van Beek will get better support from other bowlers.

[MateGaming]

Tough end to the season, your squad is starting to shape up nicely though. Got a good feeling for you this upcoming season.

Great you managed to keep LvB as well, was slightly concerned you could have lost him now the international call-ups are coming. What a season he had!

Squad looks much stronger this year, although we may have to forget about spin altogether and field an all-pace attack. Keeping LvB was huge, he seemed to be available for the majority of the season and it seemed foolish to not keep him - he’s been absolutely outstanding both seasons and let’s hope it continues!

[MateGaming]

Looking forward to following the new season for you.
Hopefully van Beek will get better support from other bowlers.

Thanks Graham.
Hopefully both Gregory and Brown can step up and we can have one of the most formidable attacks in Division Two. Combine that with solid batting and suddenly we’re competing for promotion!

[MateGaming]

Derbyshire 2020 Squad Confirmed

Openers: Billy Godleman, Luis Reece, Luke Wells
Batsmen: Alex Hughes, Wayne Madsen, Kevin Hardwick, Ed Pollock, Cameron Delport
WK: Steven Davies, John Copperfield
All-Rounders: Anuj Dal, Lewis Gregory, Logan van Beek
Bowlers: Sam Conners, Mattie McKiernan, Hamidullah Qadri, James Taylor, Chris Bannister, Adam Milne, Justin Agnew, Pat Brown

Wayne Madsen was appointed as club captain in all formats. Billy Godleman is now the vice-captain.

[MateGaming]

5th April 2021: Warwickshire vs Derbyshire
Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat first.

LvB returns from his minor injury and replaces Qadri in our opening 2021 fixture.

XI: Luis Reece, Billy Godleman, Luke Wells, Wayne Madsen*, Cameron Delport, Ed Pollock, Steven Davies+, Lewis Gregory, Logan van Beek, Chris Bannister, Pat Brown

Warwickshire 1st: 415 (132.1 overs - Hain 108, Sibley 67; Reece 4-90, Brown 4-103)
Derbyshire 1st: 294 (95 overs - Pollock 85*, Reece 50; Miles 7-92)
Warwickshire 2nd: 234-7d (62 overs - Dearman 61*, Friend 52; Reece 3-42)
Derbyshire 2nd: 104 (31.1 overs - Norwell 4-26, Stone 3-31)

Warwickshire won by 251 runs
Points: Warwickshire 22, Derbyshire 4
MOTM: Craig Miles (Warwickshire)

An awful start to a season in which we had high hopes for. We bowled well first innings with little reward, restricting their runs until after the second new ball was taken. In reply, many batsmen got starts but failed to push on, and we conceded a large lead. Warwickshire then scored quicker, with Reece impressing again with the ball, as they set us a target of around 350. Our attempt was embarrassing and we were skittled for just 104, our lowest total in a First Class match so far in this career.

[MateGaming]

11th April 2021: Worcestershire vs Derbyshire
Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat first.

Agnew replaces Bannister in our solitary change from the defeat against Warwickshire.

XI: Luis Reece, Billy Godleman, Luke Wells, Wayne Madsen*, Cameron Delport, Ed Pollock, Steven Davies+, Lewis Gregory, Logan van Beek, Justin Agnew, Pat Brown

Derbyshire 1st: 444 (162.4 overs - Godleman 179, Reece 83, Wells 55; Tongue 4-46)
Worcestershire 1st: 240 (61.1 overs - Ferguson 71; Brown 4-50, van Beek 3-60)
Worcestershire 2nd (f/o): 185 (53.5 overs - Moeen 84; van Beek 6-39)

Derbyshire won by an innings and 19 runs
Points: Worcestershire 1, Derbyshire 21
MOTM: Billy Godleman (Derbyshire)

That's more like it! After choosing to bat first, we took a cautious approach and focused on scoring as highly as possible. In stark contrast to the last game, this time we reached our highest total of the save so far, a promising sign. The openers surpassed their record partnership for the save too, though there was little contribution from anyone outside the top three. With the ball, Brown and LvB shone, as we first dismissed them for 240. We then enforced the follow on, and a magical van Beek spell saw Worcs reduced to 25-5, and from that point onwards, the result was never in doubt, as we wrapped up the victory late on Day 3.

[MarksNotts]

Nice to see your still going with your save Mate, hopefully third time lucky for promotion. How has young Anuj Dal progressed? I see he is still on your staff, In real life he was at Notts academy before moving to Derbyshire.

[MateGaming]

Royal London One Day Cup Review

Results:
19/04: Derbyshire beat Northamptonshire by 8 wickets
21/04: Nottinghamshire beat Derbyshire by 7 wickets
24/04: Leicestershire beat Derbyshire by 104 runs
26/04: Yorkshire beat Derbyshire by 202 runs
28/04: Derbyshire beat Durham by 185 runs
30/04: Warwickshire beat Derbyshire by 24 runs
02/05: Lancashire beat Derbyshire by 6 wickets
06/05: Worcestershire beat Derbyshire by 44 runs

Form: WLLLWLLL
Points: 4 / 16
Position: 7 / 9

Top Performers (Batting):
Billy Godleman: 8 innings, 440 runs @ 73.33, HS 149*, 3x50, 1x100, SR 71.9
John Copperfield: 8 innings, 337 runs @ 56.17, HS 101*, 2x50, 1x100, SR 90.8
Wayne Madsen: 8 innings, 309 runs @ 38.63, HS 99, 1x50, SR 88.3

Top Performers (Bowling):
Pat Brown: 8 matches, 22 wickets @ 16.64, BB 5-27, 2x5i, economy 5.05, SR 19.8
Logan van Beek: 8 matches, 11 wickets @ 31.55, BB 3-54, economy 5.18, SR 36.5
Lewis Gregory: 8 matches, 11 wickets @ 38.73, BB 4-68, economy 6.71, SR 34.6

Season Records:
Highest Total: 286 vs Durham
Lowest Total: 158 vs Yorkshire (career record)
Highest Innings: Billy Godleman, 149
Best Bowling: Pat Brown, 5-27 (career record)
Most Runs: Billy Godleman, 440
Most Wickets: Pat Brown, 22 (career record)

Partnerships:
1st: 70, Ed Pollock & Billy Godleman
2nd: 80, Wayne Madsen & Billy Godleman
3rd: 145, Billy Godleman & John Copperfield
4th: 59, Cameron Delport & John Copperfield
5th: 105, Ed Pollock & Cameron Delport (career record)
6th: 23, Kevin Hardwick & Ed Pollock
7th: 37, Luis Reece & Lewis Gregory
8th: 53, Logan van Beek & Lewis Gregory (career record)
9th: 50*, Hamidullah Qadri & Billy Godleman (career record)
10th: 4, Logan van Beek & Pat Brown

Summary:
As expected, another poor showing in a limited overs competition, although we seem to be making small progress: for the first time in the save, we have avoided finishing bottom of the group! Godleman and Copperfield were most impressive with the bat, but there weren't many significant contributions from other batsmen. LvB greatly appreciated having pressure taken off him by Pat Brown, who was absolutely outstanding throughout. However, economy rates were generally high and led to us conceding large totals and having great difficulty in failing to chase them down. Back to the Championship now as we look to try and push for promotion if possible.