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Godleman hoping to lead Derbyshire fightback

Wednesday 21st September 2016
& News
Written by Danny Painter

Billy Godleman insists he has every intention of batting at his best in response to Worcestershire’s ascendancy on Day Two of the Specsavers County Championship match at New Road. 

The Derbyshire captain will look to engineer his team’s first innings at the top of the order as they reached 15 for no loss, in reply to the host’s declaration of 475-7 declared. 

“Once you do a whole day in the field, sometimes runs can leak in the first hour on the second morning and that’s what happened,” said Godleman. 

“I think we could of exploited the conditions in the first session on day one better – I thought we bowled a little bit wide and short. 

“However, a young attack led by Tony Palladino came back excellently in the last session in the evening to keep us in the game.”

“It’s a great opportunity for the young guys to go out and show what they can do at first-class level and gain experience.”

At the start of the day, Godleman and his fellow county men took to the field with the home side on 246-6. First day centurion Joe Clarke, together with Joe Leach, unrelentingly led the charge against the young seam attack as they forged a 157-run partnership. 

Wayne Madsen took the only wicket to fall on the day, when, looking to close in on a maiden double century, Clarke was caught in the deep on 194. Leach remained unbeaten on 107. 

The Worcestershire pair were not alone in frustrating the visitors, as rain and bad light interrupted play; eventually paving the way for a premature end to day two. 

“They’re my worst conditions,” admitted Godleman, “We came on and off a couple of times. It’s not the first time it’s happened and it won’t be the last. In that case you’ve got to go with what happens and play the next ball as best as you can.”

“For me personally, I’m very aware that I could be coming off but I just try and play the ball coming down at me as best I can with the intent to score.”

“It was nice to get a good shot in early and if I am still playing that shot at 5pm on day three I’ll be even more happy.” 

“If the sun is out and the wicket gets a bit dry then it will be a good surface to bat on,” added Godleman. 

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