Derbyshire v Lancashire preview

Cloudy, spots of rain, possible thundery showers.

That's the forecast for tomorrow and not especially exciting. It would be good for Derbyshire to win the toss and dictate the game for once as the wins for Lancashire and Essex have put them, for one day at least, in the box seat.

It's astonishing the difference that one player in the batting line up makes, as Chris Rogers arrival gives the top order a sense of permanence we've not had for a good few years. I think the issue of who his best partner is will run and run, at least until someone makes a score in the role. I'm not totally convinced with Danny Redfern as an opener, but understand the rationale that if he stays in for a while he'll be batting with three experienced international players which is a great learning opportunity. I'm sure he'll bat lower in the 20/20, where it is rumoured that Graham Wagg may pinch hit, but Redfern is a fine talent with bat and ball, where his off spin gives useful variety on a slow pitch.

That variety is the reason why Mark Lawson currently seems to be the first choice spinner. With Redfern and Smith able to bowl off spin, the ball turning away presents a different challenge. I'm sure Jake will be back, but the all round strength of the side is keeping him out for now. Goodness knows what will happen when Langeveldt gets here, but there are worse problems for the coach.

As for tomorrow, we have a squad of 13, namely Chris Rogers (captain), Dan Redfern, Stuart Law, Wavell Hinds, Garry Park, Greg Smith, James Pipe, Graham Wagg, Tim Groenewald, Jonathan Clare, Jake Needham, Ian Hunter and Mark Lawson.

Assuming they're all fit, my guess would be we play the same side that won so well on Sunday, with Needham and Clare missing out. The bowlers all did pretty well, although we missed a fit Wagg in the field, and you can't argue with a batting side that racks up 280 in 50 overs.

Lancashire should be similarly unchanged and travel with the following squad:

Paul Horton, Tom Smith, Ashwell Prince, Francois du Plessis, Steven Croft, Luke Sutton, Kyle Hogg, Glen Chapple (captain), Mark Chilton, Sajid Mahmood, Gary Keedy, Oliver Newby and Stephen Parry.

My guess would be the last two will miss out. Lancashire do bat long, but if we could get Horton and Prince early, I feel they are vulnerable. The wicket is likely to be slow and what happens to the ball under the lights as the evening progresses is anyone's guess.

Elsewhere, the Second XI recorded a fine 5 run win over Worcestershire in a one day trophy match at Kidderminster. We scored 286-4 in 50 overs with John Sadler scoring an unbeaten 115 and Dan Birch 85. Then the hosts made 281, with wickets for Ross Whiteley and Atif Sheikh. It augurs well, with pressure on the guys wearing the first team shirts from those behind them in the pecking order at present. Thanks to the guys on In Morris We Trust for the information. Great dedication boys!

Remember to support the seconds if the firsts are away from home. There's some really good players coming through and we play on some delightful grounds. Who knows, you may spot the next big talent before anyone else. I thoroughly enjoyed a day at Denby last year with glorious weather, a stunning ground and a cracking game.

I suspect tomorrow will be truncated at Derby and just hope we can get it on, as a draw is more use to other teams than us. I'll miss the game on Sky, sadly, but will content myself with playing on a ground that is like a snooker table. The former groundsman and coach at the school we play at is Lee Spendlove, who many readers will know from his sterling ground and coaching work in and around Derbyshire. Lovely bloke, and he turned the school grounds into something really special. The outfield is better than most tracks we get to play on, so with fair weather forecast I'm expecting a good, high scoring game and not my best bowling figures ever!

Bit like Scotland at Taunton yesterday. Apparently the wicket had nothing for bowlers and the astonishing thing is that Scotland put Somerset in...

Here's hoping we do better tomorrow night. I may get to report on it later tomorrow, but if we get a result (either of my teams) it could be party time!