Graeme Welch reflects on the LV= County Championship defeat to Essex as he was left rueing a lack of first innings runs.
Derbyshire were bowled out for 148 on the first day after losing the toss at Chelmsford. Essex responded with 473 which proved to be match winning, despite standout performances from Wayne White (6-113), who claimed his second successive six-wicket haul, Chesney Hughes, who hit 80, and Captain Wayne Madsen who scored his first century of the season.
Elite Performance Director, Welch said: “The toss was crucial. The first hour and a half at Essex was overcast, dark and the lights were on. The new ball nipped around and obviously at 25-5 we are always struggling.
“The lads bowled really well on the second day, they left everything out there on the field. We then needed to bat for two days and the Captain and Chesney Hughes batted well in the afternoon, but unfortunately we fell away – so it was a disappointing three days.
“This is the senior squad at the moment, these are players who have got to stand up. We have to step up as a squad and pull out the performances.
“We have taken one or two of the younger players out of the firing line for the time being, other people have their opportunities. Harvey Hosein is a young lad learning his trade, which is the same for Matthew Critchley, but they have had games which will build their experience.
Welch added: “There were still a few positives to come from the game. Wayne Madsen scored a hundred, Wayne White got his second six-wicket haul and Wes Durston also bowled very well with his spin against a good side.
“If we were able to get some first innings runs, which was very difficult in the conditions, it would have been a good game of cricket.
“The team are progressing well. Mark Footitt is very close to playing for England, Ben Slater has got over 1000 runs in the last year or so and Billy Godleman is having the season of his life.
“We have had a lot of injuries, we’ve had three broken fingers and two side strains, they sound like excuses but they have to be taken into consideration.
“We’ve played Lancashire, who are beating everybody, twice in the first six games and we were also very close to beating Northamptonshire. We’ve won two games and the league is still very tight for us.
“It’s now important that we respond well this week with two NatWest T20 Blast fixture before the four day game with Surrey.”
Derbyshire are back in home NatWest T20 Blast action on Thursday 18 June when they welcome Leicestershire Foxes to The 3aaa County Ground.
