Nice win guys!

I know its only another friendly but today's comfortable win over Somerset at Taunton augured well for the coming season.

The home side made a challenging 276-8, although we all know that Taunton is a fast scoring ground with short boundaries. It maybe that they will miss the mid-innings impetus this season that Ian Blackwell gave them for so many years, as they didn't seem to capitalise on the brisk start given by Justin Langer and Craig Kieswetter. Maybe today's tactics were a sign of things to come as the hosts were slowed by the spin bowlers - Dan Redfern, Jake Needham and Mark Lawson.

Short boundaries, good track or not, I've seen plenty of Derbyshire sides that would have folded in the face of such a total and the way we set about the reply was encouraging. Dan Redfern hitting Andrew Caddick for two sixes in his second over in a quick 42, Stuart Law scoring an equally quick 39 and then Dom Telo hitting close to a run a ball in making 51 before being run out chasing the winning run.

Top of the list is Steve Stubbings, who batted throughout in making an unbeaten 135 from 141 balls. The BBC 606 boards have had people writing him off in recent weeks but personally I love the bloke. He's been a good servant to Derbyshire and can grit it out or play the shots, depending on the greater need. Yesterday he ground out an unbeaten 47 in two sessions - such is the measure of the man.

The great thing about the pre-season is that a number of players have stated their case. Dom Telo is the latest and maybe this will be the springboard for the South African to show us what he can do. 277-3 and a win with four overs in hand is good going and gave no chance to Garry Park or Greg Smith to show their talents. Let's also remember that Chris Rogers and Wavell Hinds need to slot into this side too!

So John Morris now has a very nice dilemma as we approach the season, although he's some four day games before the one day campaign begins. Who opens with Rogers - Stubbings or Redfern? Or is Dan Birch worthy of inclusion instead - or maybe even Dom Telo? I'd previously got Redfern down to open with the skipper, Law at three, Hinds, Park, Smith at 4-6.

Be fair though, Stubbo has staked a claim and thrown down the gauntlet. If similar competition develops throughout the side I reckon we'll be alright this year.