Much better!

Nice to read of the emphatic win over Northamptonshire on the club web site today.
After a major doing on Wednesday, today was payback time and Derbyshire won easily by 42 runs having endured difficult batting conditions.

When you've done and said all, these games were only friendlies, but a win is a win and to quote from that old Chicago classic, winning is a hard habit to break. OK, they weren't singing about cricket, but stay with me here...

Earlier in the week Northants enjoyed a better track with a short leg side boundary. They also got some less disciplined Derbyshire bowling and a total of 300-plus will always take some beating. With the exception of Stubbo, we capitulated and lost by a hundred and plenty.

Today's 261-6 was based around a lightning partnership of 122 in just under 12 overs by James Pipe and Tim Groenewald. Dan Redfern and John Sadler battled earlier in the day, with Redfern's 47 being especially worthy of note. We all know what Pipe can do but this should post notice of Groenewald's explosive qualities down the order as his 63 from 40 balls saw the ball disappear to all parts.

Then it was time for the bowlers and Tom Lungley and Jake Needham both took four wickets as Northants never recovered from a slow start and early wickets. I said the other night that a fit Tom Lungley is capable of filling the gap left by Charl Langeveldt and figures of 4-23 and 4-19 respectively are indicative of both accuracy and penetration. Needham took a brilliant caught and bowled in another telling spell that followed his efforts earlier in the week. Good prospect is Jake, and he should benefit from being first choice spinner this season.

It should also be noted that neither game featured Chris Rogers, Stuart Law or Wavell Hinds, so there is much more firepower to come in this side. Next up is a 2-day game against Somerset, starting on Monday, followed by a one-day game on Wednesday.

Not long till the serious stuff starts - nice to see plans taking shape. Well done guys...