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An Aussie, A Sri Lankan and an English Game

Writer's picture: Sean SandysSean Sandys

If you hadn't realized by now, I love first class cricket. Why? Because of the countless and numerous possibilities of every match, the thousands of talented and individual unique players, the amount of mini battles within the overall match, the fact its still entertaining even when its a draw and... Well, I could go on but we'd be here for days. Point is, i love the longer form of the game and think that its amazing, and the match from this weeks round of matches which most caught my eye and perfectly summed up my earlier points was Derbyshire vs Glamorgan at the Incora county ground, Derby.





Now, first class cricket is a very traditional English game, isn't it? To this point there is no more traditionally routed and typically English team then Derbyshire. Founded since before the County Championship officially began Derbyshire have only one County Championship trophy (although they lay claim to another but its a long and confusing story from the 1870s so it doesn't really count) and it took place in 1936 where a team which beautifully merged the hard, grit of the coal miners with the elegance and class of the lords and statesmen to win a Championship against the odds and shock the 'big 6' at the time. They have been playing at the same plot of land for over 100 years, have shifted through generation after generation of local cricketers and have a steadily routed, loyal and local fanbase. On the flipside Glamorgan are a somewhat 'radical' side, now when it comes to county cricket nothing and no one is radical per se but Glamorgan's topsy turvey, relocating, brand new stadium, not so local or deep routed fan base and history of bringing in hundreds of overseas cricketers gives them a pretty stern case. So, this in a way, was a battle of the traditional vs radical, typical vs unique, England vs Wales and without a doubt going to be a high caliber and entertaining contest, and this is was...





The Incora county ground welcomed its loyal fan base in their flocks as close to 1,000 fans rolled in on a cold Thursday morning in Derby to watch their side take firm control of the fixture. Their side electing to bat first on a firm wicket and causing due destruction on their way to 285-5 after day one, Brooke Guest impressing the most as the usual wicket keeper donned a different pair of gloves and flourished with quality stroking 109 runs from 251 balls. Derbyshire were bowled out just after lunch on day two having amassed an intimidating total of 368 and looked to continue their form into their bowling innings however, Glamorgan had other ideas. A side so well adept for fighting back and comebacks displayed the full quality of their lineup as captain David Lloyd notched 84 only to be overshadowed by the overseas Aussie Marnus Labuschagne showing up the poms on his way to 130 off just 199 balls. The innings was completed early into day three as this new look, less so traditional Derbyshire team spearheaded a comeback lead by Sri Lankan Seranga Lackmal who took 5, bowling out Glamorgan for 389.



The Derbyshire fans had been quiet with little to cheer about for over a day but this was soon to change as they watched their side obliterate the high class bowling of Neser co. and find themselves on 170/2 over night. Brooke Guest once again showing his class en route to 40 not out by the close, and his quality continued as he motored on, propelled by elegant yet equally ruthless boundaries on his way to twin centauries in the match, a first in the promising young cricketers career. He was joined in his assault by Wayne Madsen as the pair put on a mouth watering 276 for the third wicket setting up a fighting declaration on 349. Glamorgan out of it needing 328 to win in just 60 overs. Yet, as ever a side so ambitious and exciting with countless one day trophies to their name in recent years, Glamorgan failed to be beaten. Galloping along at a ferocious pace which saw both Labuschagne and Northeast accomplish scores in the 80s. Mild contributions including one massive six each from Carlson and Cooke kept the side in the chase, in fact when Carlson darted down the wicket to off spinner Thompson and sent his ball high and into the second tier of the media stand right next to the cameraman the win looked on. Once again Derbyshire's bowlers fought back, this time it was Warwickshire lad Ryan Siddebottom taking four late wickets, slowing the rate and cleaning up the tail. All of a sudden enigmatic, entertaining, destructive and high pace run chase was tamed into a desperate, block-like-your-life-depends-on-it survival bout for Glamorgan and in a matter of ten overs the match had swung from a must win for Glamorgan to a must win for Derbyshire and when Tom Cullen was bowled by Siddebottom it seemed almost a normality. But, yet again, in an incredibly engaging and eye catching game that never stopped to surprise you by delivering comebacks when all hope is lost, it produced one more. Tim van der Gugten and Jamie Harris stood up to become heroes with the bat and batted desperately, defensively, agonizingly but on the whole exempleary and survived the final 4 overs in what was a never endingly astonishing climax.




Glamorgan had done it, survived through to the end of the day, and in doing so secured 6 points apiece for themselves and Derbyshire. The match wasn't a final, nor does it have any great impact on the County Championship division two table, far from that. However, the nail biting, high drama climax, the fact that it was both high scoring but equally wicket taking, all results were still possible right up until the last over and there was a perfect balance of overseas talent and up and coming local youngsters leaves it positioned as one of the games of the season so far and a hallmark of what first class cricket can be and why it is so amazing to watch. So, in short, tune into the County Championship as it is entertaining, engaging and unforgettable, you won't regret it!


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