CrawlingFox

Looks like we bat down to 10 so got to hope we can rack up a huge score. Last couple of years at the least the Derby pitch has done very, very little so the scoreboard pressure might help when it comes to getting them out. Expecting a draw.

Could be a good signing I reckon. He's a good bowler and a good bat but just hasn't broken into what is generally a strong red ball side for Somerset. Maybe just too much of an all rounder given they have Gregory for that role. He's key for their white ball sides though and from what I've seen has a bit about him and is a leader. Could add some steel and agression to our side for the next 3 CC games. Can open as well so interesting to see where he fits in.

23 tons scored in this round of fixtures (and a couple more to come imminently!) so far!

We have Walker too though aside from running through India's test lineup in a friendly I don't think he's ever done anything.

Scrivo had 39 at 23 in 12 games last season and was getting better with every game in the run in. Mulder had 26 at 17 in 10 games and I think didn't bowl for a chunk of those. Can't recall how much he's available this season though. Salisbury and Currie admittedly more the supporting act with Hull still young and unknown how quickly he'll start realising the potential. Compare to a couple years ago when it was Wright plus some of Griffiths, Davis, Evans, Sakande and so on... We also have Mike who can be anything from unplayable to unwatchable! I think this is the best our attack has looked for some years, still much stronger with Wright in it of course though.

Wright missing is bad but would have been a disaster at the start of last season. Scriven has since emerged and Salisbury looked solid enough once fit last year too. Currie looks OK as a rotation option and Hull will be back fit soon. And Mike was our most economical bowler and took the most wickets last week so hopefully he's been working hard ahead of a consistent Summer... And we have Mulder to come in too. I really hope all is well with Wright and he's back soon. This could be the first season in a few where he can lead an attack instead of carrying it.

Great days work from Ben Mike with bat and ball. If he and Scrivo can continue to bat like that then they'll be batting higher up the order before the season is out. Showed good ability and mental strength.

I disagree with this. On paper I think Harris makes our top 6 better than last years in the same game. Though not much in it. 2024 - 2023 Patel - Patel Harris - Budinger Kimber - Hill Hill - Ackermann Handsomb - Mulder Ahmed - Ahmed We'll obviously see as the season goes on though. When Harris leaves we'll probably also be without Ahmed so Mulder will go in at 6. Budinger or Evans weaker at the top so hopefully one has a great season...

I feel Kimber has batted at 3 before, maybe opened as well but then we've had musical chairs at times in our batting order. Hill did well at 3 last season though so bit strange.

Welch is the only other I can think of though I think he was released earlier to go and play in Zimbabwe.

Yeah Wright is the heartbeat of the side. Big loss. Scriven has a good opportunity now though to step up and lead the attack. Salisbury will need to provide the experienced head too. I really think Mike has much more potential as a batter than a bowler as he's just so expensive so had hoped if we saw him then it wouldn't be with as much pressure as he'll have as a front line bowler (though as a bat he doesn't make the top 6 in this format I suppose). Then again every now and then when conditions help he can bowl unplayable spells. Would love to see him bowling more economically now he's entering his prime years.

I think you may be right and wouldn't surprise me. For me though Patel and Harris is a rock solid opening pair and if there is a platform set then Hill, Ahmed, Kimber and Mike actually could all make hay and score rapidly. Handscomb obviously a top drawer bat in any situation.

Predictions for the first class lineup? Patel Harris Hill Handscomb Kimber Ahmed Cox Mike Scriven Currie Salisbury Perhaps? Hopefully we get Ben Mike bowling some of his good spells not some of his spells that go for 6 or more an over. Think Yorkshire only got the latter so he must have saved the former up for his return!

Mulder himself seems in good knick. 3 50s in the South African t20 and a ton in the first four day game.

Last season Cobb played 8 games in the Blast for Northants and averaged 10.85 at a s/r of 115 with the bat. Bowled 7 overs and went wicketless with an economy of 10.57. He was a shadow of the player of the previous season so it would be a gamble.

And Walker.

A go at the 4 day starting XI with alternatives/backups the other side of the /: Patel Budinger/Evans Hill/Kimber Handscomb/Swindells Mulder Ahmed/Trevaskis Cox Mike/Walker Scriven/Wood Wright Salisbury/Hull I think Mike probably does make the first XI unless Kimber or someone comes in to the batting and Cox drops to 8? Probably don't need 6 bowlers really but then Scriven is a steady bat all the way down at 9 too with those 6 in.

Ben Mike of his last season with us is a good addition. His spell at Yorks was a disaster but I do think Thomas and Taylor are building an atmosphere that will help give him confidence and get the best out of him. Needs to tighten up his bowling economy significantly across all formats though as that was always his biggest weakness.

Sam Wood is 19 and is an academy prospect... Nijjar is 29.

Looking at his second xi stats that sounds about right. Took 13 wickets at 23 in 12 innings. Only Walker and Davis bowled more overs so he was used a fair bit. Averaged 8 with the bat but he did hit a 50 and managed 35 the prior season so can bat a bit it seems. Didn't bowl in the second xi t20.

Any names who could he in the frame from players released elsewhere? Or actually does Sam Wood fill this gap for a bowling all rounder.

I agree on both points. Would give us: Batters: Patel, Budinger, Evans, Hill, Swindells, Kimber, Handscomb (wk), Cox (wk) All Rounders: Mulder, Ahmed, Trevaskis Bowlers: Wright, Scriven, Walker, Hull, Salisbury + 1 (Ramji was only announced on a short term deal but is still on the squad page too...) Assuming one other bowler gives us a squad of 17 or 18 depending on Ramji. Reckon we could see another overseas signing for the Blast, Handscomb has a pretty average t20 record? Be handy if Budinger turned up in t20 next season and I think Kimber will go well again so we do have hitters though. It's an exciting squad though, looks strong for 4 day and t20. And I think only 4 players over 30 which is an interesting contrast with Derbyshire's dad's army. Also 4 or 5 academy lads which is nice.

5 of the top 6 picks itself with the exception of who partners Patel opening and Cox will keep likely at 7: Patel Budinger/Evans Hill Handscomb Mulder - Cox Kimber, Swindells, Trevaskis and Ahmed competing for a spot at 5 or 6 with Mulder in the other spot? Though given Mulder and Ahmed both bat and bowl we could drop Cox to 8 and fit two of them in. Or Hill opens with Patel which makes more room. Frankly this may make sense as I think Swindells could offer a better balance than either ultra attacking Budinger or super slow Evans.

Great news for Patel, very well deserved.

When Azad first came in to the team he scored heavily, averaged 45 or something and frequently gave us a great platform. Last season for Northants he played 9 games, averaged 19 and only scored a single 50 with an eye bleeding strike rate of 36.8. That was in division one obviously but it feels like he's been figured out and failed to adapt his game to add more scoring shots. He's also no closer to playing any white ball games. I'm not sure Sam Evans is any better really but he doesn't look any worse at this point and even has a 50 in a white ball final under his belt now and you only need one of these players really.