Notts v Derbyshire

Well, a good start to tonight's game, with Derbyshire restricting Nottinghamshire to 144-9 in 20 overs, a gettable target one would have thought.

Having said that there's no Greg Smith tonight and our batting isn't the strongest suit. We have two very good 20/20 bowlers in Doshi and Langeveldt and a good one in Wagg, who will always take wickets. After that we're more variable, with Clarke, Needham and Hinds capable of tight or expensive spells. It should be remembered, however that we are playing this tournament technically without an overseas player. I know that we have Langeveldt and Hinds, but Notts, as an example, have Adams and Cairns as well as Voges. It was a good effort tonight to limit a powerful batting side as they did and full credit for the effort after yesterday's effort at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Nor were there any inexplicable bowling changes today. Sadler may be a player of some merit, but he's not a bowler and to bring him on in any game smacks less of inspiration than desperation.

The success of Greg Smith in this competition enthuses me for the Pro 40 ahead, if for no other reason than we play some different, and beatable sides. Smith opening with Chris Rogers whets the appetite and we may show improved form against some different sides - the northern section of the 20/20 being especially strong.

I would really love to see Rikki Clarke start to make runs. He did well pre-season but since then has struggled with the bat and his form is crucial in what can be a brittle middle order. I think Dominic Telo and Dan Redfern will establish themselves there in the medium to long term, but I would love to see us sign either Alex Gidman or David Sales in the winter, both of them out of contract but sure to be chased by a number of counties. Someone of that stature is important for our continued development.

Anyway, must go, our reply has started and according to Teletext Greg Smith is opening the batting. Cricinfo is the same and both stated that he wasn't in the eleven. What's wrong with these people? It's easy to confuse Stubbo and Smith, in the dark, with a blindfold on they must look very similar...