Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 2

Amazing as it may seem, this is the 299th article that I've written in 2008, on the third last day of the season.

I'd suggest that today was as encouraging a day as we have had all year too, which makes it a pleasure to write.

Notwithstanding the fact that the opposition aren't the best team in the country, you have to be impressed by the way we bowled them out today and then batted ourselves into a strong position by the close of play. All that with a side whose average age is 22...

A key factor was Graham Wagg's removal of Dippenaar and Ackerman in three balls. Last night I was concerned what they might do to a young and inexperienced attack. Well, Dippenaar did what he has done all season - nothing - and Ackerman was bowled second ball.

Nevertheless, Leicestershire were in a strong position at one stage with Smith and Nixon going well, but Jake Needham (pictured) ran through them after lunch with a wonderful spell of off spin bowling that actually earned him 5-24 in 11.2 overs. On the way to new career best figures of 6-49 Needham moved to second place in the Derbyshire bowling averages this season, his 16 wickets coming at just 23 runs each. Added to the fact that he averages the same with the bat and we have a good cricketer in young Needham, who has staked a claim for the spinning berth next year. Given his ability with the bat and in the field, he will be a good asset in 2009.

The irony was, of course, that the man who may be his biggest rival next year, Mark Lawson, was unable to bowl on a track that would have given him a lot of assistance. Had Lawson been able to bowl in tandem with Jake, Leicestershire may have struggled to make 150. The pitch has offered help throughout, with lateral movement and erratic bounce causing all the batsmen problems.

Which makes the efforts of Paul Borrington and Steve Stubbings all the more laudable. To get to stumps at 85-0 after 43 overs was a superb effort by both of them, despite the hosts using all their bowlers in an attempt to break through. It can't have made for exciting viewing, but who cares? After a season in which we have seen players giving their wicket away with careless strokes, it was nice to see two players selling their wickets dearly and having the technique to stay in when conditions were in favour of the bowlers.

Borrington looks set for a long career with the county and is a real find, while Stubbo did what he always does, playing straight and treating the bowling on its merits. In the absence of Chris Rogers, Bozza couldn't have wished for a better partner than Stubbings and it has been a pleasure to see the amiable opener back into the groove in the past two games. I suggest that he still has a lot to offer us next season and should be retained. Borrington's final year at University will occupy him until June and a Rogers/Stubbings opening pair would be a good option to have. He has not had a vintage year, but the distraction of his benefit, allied to struggles with a shoulder injury have been mitigating factors. Had he not waited for it to settle down over the winter, as advised by specialists, rather than having an operation straight away, we may well have seen a different Stubbo this year. I still feel he has much to offer in one day cricket, where I have seen him play a number of crucial knocks.

So, 71 runs ahead and nine wickets in hand. Remember Mark Lawson is unlikely to bat with his broken finger, so the others must bat with the same resolution shown by the openers. I would love to see Stubbo make a big score and also to see Dom Telo make some runs, but we could do with a lead of 250. I would reckon that the hosts will not fancy chasing much more than 200 on this wicket, so every run tomorrow is crucial.

Still, that's another day. Tonight we can enjoy the fact that our youngsters have put on a worthy show and staked a place for regular cricket next season. For what its worth, I have a feeling we could do very well in the Championship next year. While our one day form is in need of a serious overhaul, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful in Derbyshire cricket at the end of 2008.