Is this Derbyshire's Season?

So what of Derbyshire this season? A new vibrant exciting future at the County Ground is a possibility, ups and downs a certainty. The signs that things were changing at Derby were apparent with the removal of former player and coach, John Morris. A vote of no confidence in the coaching staff led by former captain Luke Sutton, who has now retired, saw new chairman, Chris Grant, consult the players which resulted in Morris being relieved of his duties.

Chris Grant, a retired city investment banker, was voted in as Chairman and immediately brought in Derbyshire legend Karl Krikken, who was on the coaching staff already, but given the job of head coach to revive the ailing counties fortunes.

Fifth place in the County Championship second division is not normally greeted with such optimism from members and supporters alike, however in Derbyshire’s case this proved that something in the wind was changing. Derbyshire had finished bottom of Division Two, prior to last season, four times in the previous ten seasons.

Last season though, Derbyshire felt they needed to compete more at least in the four day game and with Australian international Usman Khawaja joining the fray, the Falcons made sure they managed to keep there or there abouts, with regards to results. When New Zealand international Martin Guptill joined just prior to the start of the T20 campaign, Derbyshire looked to try to get to 2^nd place in the CC, however defeats to eventual champions and runner up Surrey and Middlesex twice, plus a defeat at Queens Park, Chesterfield by the ever improving Northamptonshire saw any challenge that Derbyshire have, evaporate.

If the two London counties were tough nuts to crack last season, Yorkshire and Hampshire will provide even tougher games for this fledgling side. Add Essex and Kent to the equation, plus outsiders Northamptonshire, then Derbyshire’s task of getting out of Division Two for the first time since the County Championship split into the two divisions, is even tougher. Finishing third in their Pro 40 group was an area of optimism, which included a double wins over Yorkshire.

As Snow hits North Derbyshire, all cricket fans in the county will have a close eye on the events at County Ground tomorrow as the season kicks off with perennial foes Northants, and not least the weather. Karl Krikken & new skipper Wayne Madsen have named their squad with the side very heavy on seam bowling, but with David Wainwright in the squad, a winter signing from Yorkshire, there is an option for spin in a squad of fourteen.Although, with Wes Durston and Chesney Hughes an option for Madsen in the spin department, Derbyshire may go with a strong seam attack.   

I caught up with Head Coach, Karl Krikken, at the Clubs Media Day. Click on the link here

There are no delusions at the County Ground, and Derbyshire once again made a slight profit and with only one loss in the past six years, the insult from a leading cricket commentator and former player that clubs such as Derbyshire should go to minor counties standard is frankly becoming absurd, with the blend of youth and experience the Falcons have got, there is plenty of promise.