Billy Godleman was left bitterly disappointed with Derbyshire’s six-wicket defeat to Leicestershire and wants his squad to come back stronger after a block of Vitality Blast cricket.
Matt Critchley hit 86 on the final afternoon, but Leicestershire, led by Pakistan Test bowler Mohammad Abbas’ 6-54, claimed victory on the third day.
Godleman said: “I’m bitterly disappointed with the result. In my eyes a couple of crucial parts when we lost a cluster of wickets in both innings and they out-bowled us with their new bowlers as well.
“The period just before lunch on Day One and that period after the interval. You wouldn’t expect three of your top five batsman to be dismissed in a handful of balls on the first morning. The lack of runs from that spell really hurt us.
“I think with the ball on Day Two, having not bowled very well the evening before, we came back brilliantly and showed a lot of heart and character.
“It was the one section of the game with the ball when the guys bowled a little fuller and straighter and made sure when we took a cluster of wickets.
“We had quite a lot of grass on the wicket, so I think it would have done a bit with a red ball as well.
“Looking at it objectively, it did do quite a bit, but it was by no means impossible to bat.”
Critchley was the pick of the batsman on the final day, while Wayne Madsen hit 80 in the first innings and Duanne Olivier finished his stint with the Club with 31 first-class wickets.
Godleman added: “Matt [Critchley] is a real ball-striker, but I think he also showed his nous and he batted properly with the number nine and 10 and when the last wicket came in he farmed the strike well.
“Duanne [Olivier] has been fantastic. It’s my 14th year as a professional and I’ve had the privilege to play with some of the greatest overseas players in world cricket, and Duanne belongs right at the top of that list for me.
“I’d love to have him back, he’s an excellent bowler and a fine person as well.
“We transition into Twenty20 cricket now, which we’re all really excited about. We’re looking forward to having John [Wright] and Dominic [Cork] back with us.
“But my mind is always thinking about the next game of red ball cricket.
“My mid-season view is one of slight disappointment. We’ve played good enough cricket at times to have won more than one game and for me that is obviously disappointing.
“On a broader perspective, I do know that we are developing as a group and come the end of the season I am very confident we will have more than one victory.”
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons host seven Twenty20 games this July and August. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
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