BARBADOS 2012 Tour ends with Derbyshire draw

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There was no hint of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ at North Stars are Yorkshire and Derbyshire played out a 2-day draw to bring the Barbados preseason proceedings to an end for another year.

Derbyshire won the toss and batted on Day 1 reaching 359-7 declared in their 90 overs which saw a tough workout for Yorkshire’s bowlers.

Andrew Gale led an enlarged Yorkshire side but Joe Sayers, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Adil Rashid and Iain Wardlaw were given time off for good behaviour, performances and hard work. The missing men were told to report for training one day and told to enjoy a day away from the ground on the other – the new coaching regime rewarding endeavour.

Derbyshire did well on a good track with Paul Borrington (50), Chesney Hughes (50), Wayne Madsen (31), Wes Durston (50) and Ross Whiteley (22) all retiring to allow their colleagues time at the crease.

The wickets to fall went to Azeem Rafiq who had Lineker leg before for 47 and Dan Redfern caught by Moin Ashraf for 37.

In the field the coaches set targets for good throws into Gerard Brophy’s gloves above the stumps in the morning session and direct hits in the afternoon. The fielding on this trip has been of a very high standard.

The seamers, although wicketless, produced more than tidy displays. Ajmal Shahzad continued his improvement and got through 12 overs, as did Oliver Hannon-Dalby, while Steve Patterson and Moin Ashraf bowled 17 overs.

On Day 2 the heavens opened as we drove to the ground and there was a little more life in the surface as a result.

Anthony McGrath built on impressive Twenty20 displays to score 88 in a little over 3 hours at the crease. Adam Lyth (33) was unfortunate to nick a legside delivery off Whiteley, Joe Root (15) smashed a bad ball from Evans straight to David Wainwright and Andrew Gale (4) went over the top off Tom Knight, but didn’t clear Wainwright at mid-on.
But McGrath showed his quality and alongside Alex Lees (39) added 71 for the 4th wicket. Gerard Brophy nipped in with 32 and Azeem Rafiq was unbeaten on 38 as the game drifted to a draw. Shahzad (11), Randhawa (7) and Patterson (0) fell cheaply, but the hard work had been done.

David Wainwright, of Yorkshire last year and now with Derbyshire, bowled 18 wicketless overs but conceded only 21 runs and seems to be fitting in with his new side well. It was good to see Wainers in Barbados and as long as he restricts his heroics to non-Yorkshire matches we wish him well for the summer.

So the tour ends and Yorkshire have a spring in their step. Self belief, confidence and positivity can take you a long way. The Yorkshire lads have worked very hard over the fortnight’s trip with selection issues and a tremendous response to the new coaching regime producing ample displays of wholeheartedness.

I’m excited at what I’ve seen out here and hope the squad can continue their energy, positivity and a new ruthless streak to give us all plenty to smile about throughout the English summer.

Thanks to Barbados, to Especially Barbados, to Brian who looked after the team so well and Suzanne for providing the scorecards. Thanks to the weather and the travelling support who have seen some excellent cricket. If only the wi-fi at the hotel and the grounds had been so good!

And finally from me in Barbados, thanks to the coaches and players for their interviews and help. They’ve all been a credit to the White Rose in the Caribbean and there’s a trophy to get through customs!!