Derbyshire v Yorkshire - the halfway stage

Yorkshire's 169-5 is certainly a competitive total and on most grounds would make them favourites.

Cynics would say that Derbyshire's batting might put things even further their way, but much will depend on the start we make. Yorkshire were only 5 an over after five, but acceleration came from McGrath once he had worked out the pace of the track. We could have done with someone with the nous to do that against Lancashire, rather than going hell for leather after the bowling to be 25-4.

There are a couple of mysteries about the bowling today. One was why Jake Needham bowled a second over at the same batsman when his first went for 15. His second went for 19 and I can understand encouraging a young bowler but not when there's two big hitters like McGrath and Brophy in residence.

The other was why Wavell Hinds only bowled two when he just went for seven runs. According to teletext (which could be wrong) John Sadler also bowled an over for 13. His career record doesn't suggest a bowler of talent, so I'm hoping these decisions don't come back to haunt us.

It may be too early to be cynical, but if we lose today I don't see us progressing in this competition. I may be wrong, but I can't see us beating Notts twice, so a win today is really important.

Hope you've got those boundaries within range lads...