Derbyshire v Essex - next up

All things considered, Derbyshire did pretty well in their first game.
Certainly, the first day was a shambles, but the way that the team fought back with the bat in the second innings augured well.

Most would consider Gloucester to have one of the best batting line ups in the division. Ali is OK, but Spearman, Marshall, North and Gidman are all very fine players and we did a fair job of getting through them.

I'd be surprised if we saw either Kevin Dean or Greg Smith in this game (or indeed at the weekend against Yorkshire) so to some extent there's a little balance left the team. It was good to read that both John Clare and Wayne White took wickets for the seconds, and I'd be inclined to give Clare his first game of the season, especially after his solid innings secured a draw against Lancashire 2nds. He has a lot of potential, and is worth a run in the absence of the equally promising Smith.

For what its worth, my eleven for Essex would be:

Rogers
Stubbings
Sadler
Telo
Clarke
Pipe
Wagg
Clare
Lungley
Hunter
Doshi

Much will depend on the wicket, as always. Dan Redfern would be my number six if available as he is a supremely talented bat and a useful off-spinner, but he may well have school commitments. If the wicket is anything like it has been pre-season, I'd be inclined to play an extra batsman as five seamers would be unnecessary.
Essex have men in excellent form in Gallian, Pettini and Bopara, but the attack (Andre Nel apart) doesn't look overly dangerous. Having said that David Masters normally does well against us, and this will be another test of the competitive edge of Morris' side.