21-year-old Matt Critchley claimed match figures of 10-194 as he spun Derbyshire to victory over Northamptonshire at Queen’s Park, but the young all-rounder hopes this is just the start of match-winning performances.
Critchley’s 6-106 on the final morning sealed the 39-run after earlier in the match he took 4-88 and also hit a half-century.
Wayne Madsen made a fine 116 on Day Three and wickets across the bowling unit capped a good team performance from Derbyshire in Chesterfield.
Critchley said: “The way Wayne [Madsen] played the spinners was incredible. There’s no one better in the country and I wouldn’t like to bowl to him.
“Me and Hamid [Qadri] were perhaps a bit disappointed with how we bowled last night, but this morning we got on a bit of a roll and it’s a fantastic win and for me and Hamid, me being 21 and him only 17, it’s a good effort.”
“We saw with the fields that Billy [Godleman] set, we knew that if we bowled enough good balls and didn’t let them get on top then we’d have chances.”
He added: “I just want to keep taking it forward. I’m only 21 and I want to get myself in more situations to try and bowl in the last innings and get wickets.
“I suppose there’s no better way to get into those positions than to bat well myself; one helps the other in a way.
“I want to be someone who affects matches. I know it won’t go my way every time, but I like to think that I can contribute.
“If I can continue batting at six and lock down a position as first or second spinner, then I can open up more options for the team and contribute.”
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