Shiv is Derbys’ all-action hero
RECOVERY is the key to finding success in the gruelling One-Day Cup schedule – that’s according to Shiv Thakor.
Thakor and Derbyshire travel to Stanley Park, Blackpool, today to take on Lancashire in their second of four matches in the space of six days.
And 23-year-old, who got his season with the bat off to a fine start with 130 runs against Northamptonshire, is well aware of the fact that the frequency of matches could take its toll on the squad.
“Recovery is always vital with it being such a long season but now, more so than ever, with games coming thick and fast,” said Thakor.
“This week we need to put ourselves in the best possible shape to perform well. We have been training well but we just have to move on and the games come thick and fast.
“So we need to take the positives and keep moving forward to the next game.
“We scored 300 in three consecutive games, which is no mean feat, and that shows the batting unit has been doing really well.
“Each time we have put a big score on, it has been different people who have been contributing which just shows that the batting unit is working really well together.
“That is a huge positive for us to take.We are playing very good cricket, we just want to put the last losses behind us and move on to the next game.”
Thakor has been given the opportunity to bat at three on several occasions this season and, as he eyes further runs on today’s trip to Lancashire, he is enjoying the return to a position he frequently batted during his younger years.
“I batted at No.3 growing up and there was an opportunity to do that,” said Thakor.
“It’s great to bat that high because you have a chance to impact games and contribute winning performances.
“I want to test myself at No.3 and if I have aspirations in the game I’ve got to do it up there and make significant runs because that’s where you can help the team. It was something I really wanted to do and I was very lucky the club decided to support me.”
Lancashire and Derbyshire have both secured just one win from their opening four matches in the One-Day Cup North Group and Thakor realises the importance of getting one over on their rivals, who have been bolstered by the runs of Liam Livingstone, at such a pivotal time in the season.
But the former Leicestershire man is under no illusion as to how tough the competition will be.
“It is very important to get wins over sides that are around us in the table, we are fully aware that all the sides in the competition are good sides with quality players,” he added.
“The thought behind each game stays the same and we are fully confident that if we play our best we can beat any team.
“We are just focused on what we can do and trying to perform our best.”