Palladino lauds Wainwright contribution

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Tony Palladino has hailed the impact David Wainwright has had on Derbyshire’s outstanding early-season progress.

The 27-year-old spinning all-rounder chose to relaunch his career with Derbyshire after growing frustrated at his attempts to secure a first-team place at home county Yorkshire due to the presence of Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq.

And after the first seven games of the LV= County Championship Division Two season, Wainwright, who joined Karl Krikken’s side on loan last July before being recalled without playing a match, has shown his capabilities as a genuine all-round cricketer.

He has contributed 27 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls, and 150 runs with the bat to help Derbyshire move 26 points clear at the top of Division Two following four wins and three draws.

“Wainers has been massive,” Palladino told ecb.co.uk.

“What we missed last year was a frontline spinner who could take some pressure off the team and he is exactly what we asked for.

“He has come in and bowled a lot of overs, gone at under three an over and also taken wickets. You couldn’t ask for more from him and he’s scored some valuable runs as well.”

Not only has Wainwright taken vital wickets, he has also held up an end in order to accommodate his fellow bowlers, something that seamer Palladino appreciates.

“That means we don't have to bowl as many overs in a short space of time,” he said.

"We can rotate from one end while he ties up another end and when the wicket is turning, he can be the attacker.

“He’s been really good and it’s been good to have him here.”

"What we missed last year was a frontline spinner who could take some pressure off the team and he is exactly what we asked for," Tony Palladino said of new Derbyshire team-mate David Wainwright

Another player to have made excellent contributions to Derbyshire’s cause this term is opening batsman Martin Guptill.

The New Zealand international is currently the second top run-scorer in the second tier with 537 at an average of 53.

Palladino admits Guptill is a player that can frighten oppositions.

“He’s a world-class player, he’s been brilliant,” he said.

“When you have got a guy like that who is hard to bowl at, he puts the opposition on the back foot straight away.

“I’ve bowled at him a few times in the nets and it’s not too fun.”

Former Essex bowler Palladino has enjoyed a fruitful start to the season, despite having two operations on his jaw in the winter.

He has taken 23 wickets and fully understands the role Krikken has given him.

“I had a chat with Krik and he lined up what he wanted me to do,” the 28-year-old added.

“To try and bowl overs, keep things tight and bowl straight and that's what I have been trying to do. There are always little things you try and work on between games to keep on top of things.

“I’m just really pleased I’m actually starting the season. I had a couple of operations leading into the season so I’m really pleased they haven’t been a pain for me.”

With conditions favouring seam bowlers at this time of year, Palladino knows the importance of cashing in on wickets early.

“It’s been good and bad. Because of the cold it has taken 20 minutes longer to warm up, but we have played on some wickets that have done a bit,” he explained.

“Generally at Derby they have played pretty well. We played at Glamorgan and it did quite a bit and was a low scoring game.

“You always try and get a high percentage of wickets early season because you know when the sun comes out and wickets get flatter, it’s going to be harder and the spinners may come into it a lot more.

“I’ve been really pleased with how I’ve started and looking forward to carrying that on.”

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