Another quiet day...

What's this - mid cricket season and nothing much happening?

Well, Nottinghamshire played and fairly comfortably beat Leicestershire, who have not got going in this format this year. Here's hoping that they don't against us...

Tomorrow's game is crucial and we'll do very well to repeat the win from Trent Bridge. I looked at Notts batting tonight and it is very deep and strong. When they were in a little trouble with four wickets down they still had Chris Cairns and Chris Read at the crease and then Mark Ealham to follow. I feel that Lancashire and Yorkshire are more beatable than them, while Durham are equally long in batting with Morkel at six and Pollock at seven.

I can't see any changes to our side from what has played throughout the competition, though I'd still play Stubbo at the top of the order. We are second bottom in the group and that's about right for how we've played - inconsistently. Having said that, a win tomorrow and another against Leicestershire and it is all back in the melting pot again.

On a different tack, I'll be down in God's own county in a week or so and unfortunately won't get to see the first team in action as it coincides with an away fixture. I will, however get to see the Seconds play Yorkshire in a Trophy match at Denby which promises to be a good game. We have had a talented young Zimbabwean playing recently named Stephan Marillier (younger brother of all-rounder Doug, who some may remember for some excellent one day performances a few years back and especially an extraordinary shot called the scoop or shovel that lofted the ball over fine leg. Stephan has been playing in the Birmingham League and has produced good performances in the Seconds, including a century in the recent draw against Scotland A.

Also playing well is former England Under 19 opener Chris Thompson (pictured). He was on Surrey's staff but has been playing with us and has made a good impression with an unbeaten century against Yorkshire recently. Twenty years old, he couldn't break through in a strong Surrey batting line-up and time will tell if he has what it takes to secure a contract at Derby. With Dan Redfern and Akhil Patel, as well as Paul Borrington all likely to be available, we should field a strong side and I'm hoping that the weather is kind to the game.

Finally, I can't close this evening without a mention for my Village side who produced a remarkable performance last night in a 20/20 match against a Clackmannanshire County side. In 20 overs we posted a remarkable 211-3 with some remarkable hitting, before bowling out our opponents for just 104. If John Morris happens to read this, I can negotiate a god deal for our batsmen to play for Derbyshire - keep 'em plied with tea and sticky buns and they'll play for anyone...

Until tomorrow evening, farewell. I hope that this time tomorrow there's good news to impart!