Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman believes his side have made improvements in 2018, but highlights the need to be more consistent as the Club targets further progress next summer.
The opening batsman spoke after Derbyshire’s narrow two-wicket defeat to Gloucestershire in the final Specsavers County Championship match of the year.
He praised the development of his players over the course of the season, but now wants Derbyshire to be challenging for promotion in red ball cricket and pushing for knockout-round cricket in the white ball competitions in 2019.
He said: “It was a great game of cricket to be involved in, but you want to win those. It was disappointing as I think we had more than one opportunity to put the game to bed.
“I think the conditions today were the best for batting that they have been over the three days. The ball didn’t swing at all this morning, so that meant the total seemed a bit easier.
“But fair play to Gloucestershire, they chased down a low total on a tricky surface and they did deserve to win the game.”
Godleman added: “It highlights in periods of games what we’ve been good at at what we need to improve.
“We’ve shown character and skill in periods over the last two games to claw our way back, but we need to start games of cricket better with bat and ball.
“If we can do that more consistently then we will build foundations for winning games of cricket and hopefully four wins is turned into more next year.
“Like I said to the guys in the changing rooms, I’m not sugar-coating our 12 months, but without a shadow of a doubt we have improved and we’ve developed. But we’re still quite a way off what we’re playing for, which is to get to the final stages of white ball competitions and be in contention for promotion.”
Thank you for your support this season. Club Membership for 2019 will go on sale in October. We hope to see you at The 3aaa County Ground next summer.
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