"In yesterday's game, a partnership between Garry Park (82 not out) and Greg Smith (75 not out) took Derbyshire to 230-4 and they bowled the island side out for 140, with Jake Needham taking three wickets".
No, I'll not go overboard and get excited about beating the Isle of Wight, but I am encouraged that three players who we need to do well in 2009 all started in good fettle yesterday.
We all know (or should do) that there'll be a decent or better return on the investment in Chris Rogers, Wavell Hinds and Charl Langeveldt. I'd be confident that James Pipe and Graham Wagg will also do well this season as they always do.
As I said in this blog a couple of weeks ago, our success will be determined by the lesser or younger lights stepping up and becoming good county players, rather than simply players of promise. Greg Smith has looked a talent for several years now but has thrilled and infuriated with equal measure. Garry Park must have hoped to score early runs for his new county and has done so, while Jake Needham should get a lot of bowling this season as our uncontested first choice spinner.
That all three of them came up with the goods is encouraging. It doesn't make them world-beaters, but let's just say if any of them replicate that when the serious stuff starts (and especially in a Lords final!) we'll be pretty pleased...
The cynics might say that the other 4 batsmen only got 70-odd between them, which is slightly worrying, but let's err on the side of optimism. A win's a win and no bad habit to get into, irrespective of the opposition.
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