2009 Season Review - September

Date: Monday 22 February 2010

In the last part of our season review, we take a look at the final month of the season – September.

The first game of the final month of the campaign was a draw with Glamorgan that was ruined by the weather.

In County’s first-innings, Claude Henderson made an excellent unbeaten 79 and Wayne White made a maiden first-class half-century. He made a high-quality 68 and the duo’s efforts recovered a situation after former Fox Garnett Kruger and James Harris both bowled impressively.

Henderson and James Benning then both bowled well in Glamorgan’s innings as they were bowled out for 218. Benning took a first-class career-best 3-43, and Henderson also snared three victims during a typically economical spell.

However, the match ultimately ended with disappointment as James Taylor was unbeaten on 96 when the draw had to be agreed – it was a shame for him to miss out on another century.

The rain kept away on the Sunday though, which marked an important day for Taylor and Tom New, who were both capped by the club.

New, who signed a three-year deal before the match started, has impressed since taking over from Paul Nixon behind the stumps. Nixon has been fully supportive of the decision, and no doubt his help and encouragement over the years has been appreciated by New.

Taylor had an outstanding year and became the youngest capped player since George Dawkes took the honour in 1938. It was a good day for the club, particularly as the team also won.

That was largely down to a great all-round contribution by White, who claimed career-bests with bat (46*) and ball (4-36). It was a great performance to follow on from an equally promising Championship game for the young all-rounder.

A poor defeat in front of the television cameras at Derby followed in Pro40, which was a disappointment.

Benning held the innings together with a half-century and White and Jigar Naik both batted well, but Chris Rogers, Wayne Madsen and Greg Smith knocked the runs off comfortably.

County bounced back from that disappointment to draw against Kent in the game where they became second division champions.

It needed another strong second-innings display to ensure that, with Nixon making a majestic career best 173* against his former club.

Boyce was agonisingly close to registering 100 in the second dig, and the duo’s opening stand repelled a home attack who scented victory after Martin van Jaarsveld and Geraint Jones had batted well for Kent.

Earlier in the game, Dippenaar had passed 1,000 Championship runs for the season during the first innings so it turned out to be a decent game in all despite a dreadful start.

That left two games to go and both ended in defeat. A poor all-round showing at Northants ensured the hosts won inside three days, although their win was not enough to clinch promotion.

Surrey, meanwhile, recovered to win the Pro40 match at Grace Road despite the Foxes getting well on top. It was a disappointing way to end the season, but a fine innings from Taylor in that game was a fitting way to finish proceedings.

Final record: Championship: P16 W2 D11 L3

FPT: P8 W2 L4 A2

T20: P10 W5 L5

Pro40: P8 W2 L5 A1

Player of the month: Wayne White

Player of the season: James Taylor