Derbyshire set to bounce back in T20

Derbyshire Cricket Club captain Wayne Madsen says he was encouraged with Derbyshire’s battling display against the Nottinghamshire Outlaws despite the Falcons defeat.
Derbyshire Cricket 2014, captain Wayne MadsenDerbyshire Cricket 2014, captain Wayne Madsen
Derbyshire Cricket 2014, captain Wayne Madsen

But he accepts that his side must start producing results as they prepare to face Worcestershire on Friday.

Knocks from Marcus North (57 off 47 balls), Wayne Madsen (36 off 27 balls) and Scott Elstone (17 off 10 balls) helped the Falcons recover from 23-3 to 164-7, but a brutal 63 off 32 balls from Alex Hales guided Nottinghamshire to a five-wicket win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Madsen says the squad is determined to bounce back this Friday when they welcome North Division leaders Worcestershire to The 3aaa County Ground.

He said: “We showed good character to fight back from the position we were in, but we were obviously disappointed not to get the win.

“We didn’t get off to the best of starts with the bat against Notts. It was a little bit slow at first, but we stuck at it, battled hard and were pretty chuffed to get up to the total we did. But Notts came out, chanced their arm and played some very good cricket. And after the start they had, it was always difficult to play catch up.

“There were some encouraging signs and we are playing good cricket in patches, but we must put this all together and start getting results.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We still have nine matches in the competition and if we can get some momentum, you never know what could happen. We’re all working hard and are determined to get our campaign off the ground on Friday against Worcestershire.

“They have had a very good start to the competition, but if we perform as we know we can, we’re confident we can get the win. We had great support on Friday against Notts and hopefully another big crowd will be at The 3aaa County Ground to get behind us.”

Leave

Derbyshire player Tim Groenewald has advised the club of his intention to leave at the end of the season.

The club has waived its right under ECB rules for 28 days’ notice to allow the player to speak to other counties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 30-year-old has played 72 first-class matches for Derbyshire and taken 229 wickets, at an average of 29.

He has also taken 103 wickets in limited-overs formats and was capped by the Club in 2011.

Elite Performance Director Graeme Welch said: “Tim has been a terrific player for Derbyshire and we respect his decision to move on.

“We are absolutely committed to our long-term vision for success and we have an exciting crop of young seam bowling talent coming through with the likes of Ben Cotton, Tom Taylor, Matt Higginbottom and Greg Cork.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Tim’s decision creates a terrific opportunity for these lads and we will continue to build for the future by providing these young lads with first team experience, which can only be good for them and the future of Derbyshire cricket.”

Future

In building for the future, Derbyshire aims to target experienced match-winners to help support youth development at the club. Elite performance director Graeme Welch will be backed – at the end of the season – with funds to shape the squad.

Chairman Chris Grant says the required finances will be available for Welch to recruit seasoned professionals who can be match-winners and lead the club’s young talent.

Grant said: “When Graeme was appointed and his coaching team assembled, he was given a very clear objective by the supervisory board.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Objectives included establishing a team able to compete in the First Division of the LV=County Championship and both one-day competitions whilst providing England players and a strong locally produced talent, capable of sustained success.

Grant added: “Clearly, the board was aware that - for Graeme to achieve this objective - he would require two things - time and additional financial resources. Firstly, time to put in place his own coaching methods. Secondly, time to evaluate his players ‘strengths and weaknesses and characters - and thirdly, time to re-shape the squad.

“Graeme has already learned a huge amount about the squad he has inherited and that process continues. He sees huge potential in some of our home-produced youngsters and is confident he has a core of senior players that can take the club forward. However, he will have an opportunity to make changes to his playing squad, either at the end of this season or next. The club will ensure Graeme is given every support on the financial side to allow him to recruit high-calibre players.

“The increased income generated by the sterling efforts of the off-field team in 2013 allowed us to invest an extra £224,811 in the cricket side of the club, with the vast majority invested in our playing budget. A spend that has been maintained for the current campaign. As Graeme appraises his squad at the end of the season, he will have more than sufficient financial resources to secure the services of new players who can be match-winners.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This requires careful management and will take time as the right players need to become available, buy into our vision and have the ability and willingness to develop our home-grown players. Our vision couldn’t be clearer and I urge every member and supporter to lend Graeme and his team wholehearted support.”

Related topics: