Overall a good day for Derbyshire, although the recovery of Essex from 76-5 to their closing 269-9 will be seen as a missed opportunity.
It was almost totally down to Ravi Bopara, who staked an early claim for an England place with a second successive century, finishing on 133 not out.
All the bowlers were in the wickets, with special mention for John Clare who produced another eye-catching spell to match those at the end of last season in taking 3-40 in 15 overs.
Derbyshire will hope to dismiss either Bopara or Andre Nel, the last man, tomorrow first thing and then build an innings that could force a victory. There is plenty of depth to the batting, with Clare at 9 and Lungley at 10, but it is vital that the top order see off the onslaught from Nel and David Masters, who often bowled well against us when with Leicestershire. If the wicket eases on day 2 (and Bopara has shown it is by no means a bad track), then we can look forward to the rest of this game.
One cautionary note - I just hope Rikki Clarke isn't going to try and do everything himself.
Good bowler though he is, I don't see him as a new ball bowler, and his batting is too important for him to tire himself out with bowling all the time.
I have to agree with you on the new ball issue. Waggy was given the new ball and took a wicket. Waggy doesn't seem to bowl well with the "older" ball as well, whereas Clarke does. Good day overall, shame it was somewhat overshadowed by a brilliant century from Bopara.
ReplyDeletePush the field back to let Bopara get the one and if not shoot him with a large calibre rifle from the boundary lol
ReplyDelete