Billy Godleman took plenty of positives from last week’s season opener against Northamptonshire and believes the team can get a positive result at Kent, starting on Friday 21 April at 11am.
Derbyshire were narrowly defeated by three wickets in the Specsavers County Championship versus Northamptonshire at The 3aaa County Ground last week, but, despite the result, Godleman believes there were a number of positives to take from the season opener.
Godleman said: “Over the next six months we will call upon the experiences from Northamptonshire. As a bowling unit and a team we are even clearer in what we need to execute in order to win matches.
“The way Luis Reece played in both innings and saw off the new ball showed good technique and mental ability.
“Similarly, Gary Wilson’s performance with the bat in the first innings, particularly in a tricky situation, to play a counter-attacking innings was excellent. But it’s not just on the field, he is also adding wisdom in the dressing room.
“The slip catching was excellent. Daryn Smit and Wayne Madsen and Alex Hughes either side of him were excellent and at times that kept us in the game.”
Fast bowler Hardus Viljoen, who missed the season opener with a recurrence of a previous injury, remains unavailable for the trip to Canterbury, but he is now working with the Club’s medical team to work back up to match fitness.
“The medical team are working with Hardus to get him back to full fitness as soon as possible. He will miss the Kent trip, but we hope it’s not too long before he’s back.” added Godleman.
“But as a squad we have depth in the team and a bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets in this fixture.
“Will Davis has always been a dangerous bowler and he proved that against Northamptonshire. He has the ability to bowl a sequence of wicket-taking deliveries and as he is still young – this is brilliant for us.
“For Jeevan Mendis to take five wickets in the match on his debut for the Club was a real positive point as we look ahead to Kent.
“We have prepared in the best way we can. We go into the fixture with a well informed plan and whether we are batting or bowling on the first day we have to play the situation. When we go out there we have to make sure our plans are well executed.”
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