The strategy has seemed off all season, this just has the showings of a team with no confidence in itself.

Only Burgess and Lamb have a strike rate over 50 of our batsmen and you can only add Hain and Sibley to those two who have an average over 40. Looking at the bowling figures is just plain depressing, without OHD we would be absolutely nowhere.

A player will always want the best for themselves which is completely understandable, however I can see the club questioning the value of offering Hose and Stone full contracts. One hasn’t shone when given the chance with the red ball and one is injured/away with England and may not play red ball cricket again, if you believe what you hear. We are obviously not aware of what the financial details are with their current and offered contracts which will have some bearings on the discussions.

However, I can definitely see why there might be issues established players will have when others come in on, apparently, big money but are not performing but constantly backed.

I definitely think Lamb should be retained though, I think he has more than proved himself to be an effective part of the squad.

I’ve been rather disappointed this year with the lack of visibility from both the director of cricket and the coach. I may just be missing things but they seemed more active last year in communicating with the members and the fans. I wonder if there is something going on in the background?

Losing Pop again has been a massive blow! The bowling all season, across both formats, has not been at the level it reached last season and that can’t be a coincidence.

A good article, particularly interesting to hear his thoughts about his contract renewal and ambitions to play the red ball format. It would appear he doesn’t see himself as a white ball specialist which could make those contract talks tricky.

I would have preferred the signing of Mahmoud to be honest as I feel we are lacking on the pace bowling front. As a white ball only contract we will see him a bit which is fair enough, I guess he replaces the two oversees spots this year as an aggressive batsmen and an all rounder.

I agree Paulbear, whilst I don’t think he necessary owes us anything, we certainly gave Sibley a lot of time to settle and ultimately get into the England squad. I can remember he really struggled initially and there were lots of questions about his technique and ability.

I think Lamb has demonstrated enough to be offered a contract, if he hasn't already, as he has been a very useful multi formatted squad player.

Hose is only seen as a white ball player and has not exactly shown any red ball credentials in the opportunities he has been given. If he wants to move to get them then fair play to him. He has made some terrific knocks in the blast recently though.

I’d be frustrated too if I couldn’t get into a side ahead of the non scoring Stirling!

That’s disappointing, although we do seem to be flush with guys who can/have opened. Perhaps Yates will move back to the top of the order and Benjamin will move to number 3 next season?

For moment I was worried that meant Burgess was injured, I’ve just seen that they have swapped roles. Very good.

Has anything been said about why Miles is not bowling?

Young Bethell is certainly having a tough baptism this season.

To be fair to the club, that’s probably why Davies was brought in as an opener. It just hasn’t quite worked out as planned.

The lower order can, and have, scored runs quite quickly but I agree we do seem to be always fighting to get back into the game rather than dictating it.

Whilst it was indeed a poor result, Derbyshire have not by any stretch been one of the weakest teams to play against this season! Mickey Arthur has been a great appointment for them and he has managed to get overseas players in who have not only contributed but have changed the entire dynamic of their side. Something we could certainly not say about ours….

Yates clearly has talent, I remember Hain similarly struggling in the seasons immediately after his first year where he had piled the runs on, but this is surely a situation where being taken out of the firing line would do some good. It’s just not working for him.

How many chances will Davies and Yates get in this batting line up? It’s just not working, something has to be changed surely!?

Another failure for Stirling.

Yes Stirling isn’t really having the impact his first match suggested. However it’s not uncommon with big hitters. I seem to remember (but my mind often plays tricks with my memory) the new England coach had one fantastic innings for us without really doing much in his other games.

GerryShedd wrote:

I think Mark Cosgrove was one who liked batting but wasn't too keen on fielding.
And going back to 2005, Ricky Ponting had something to say about being run out by Gary Pratt.

Ah yes, how silly of me. Definitely Mr Cosgrove.

Wasn’t it Levi of Northants who famously (infamously?) would field the first over and then disappear for the rest of the innings but appear again to bat?

What a finish