Derbyshire v Glamorgan day 3

Weather permitting, all is set fair for a cracking final day at the County Ground tomorrow, after the third day followed the first two in the way that it unfolded. Derbyshire ended it 295 ahead with two wickets in hand.

A brilliant century by Chesney Hughes was the stand out, the West Indian emerging from a less productive patch with a career-best 167. Dan Redfern made another composed and classy fifty before being run out, while good support came from Greg Smith, Luke Sutton and Ross Whiteley.

Whiteley and Jon Clare survived until the close and I would guess that the skipper will hope for another 40-50 runs from the hard-hitting pair tomorrow. For what its worth, I would think the visitors might fancy chasing anything under 340 on a wicket that offers help to the bowlers in the opening session each day and with the new ball, but becomes easier to bat on as the day progresses. Derbyshire's attack in this game is not the strongest we have fielded this season and they will need to do better (and certainly catch better) than they did in the first innings without doubt.

I think a word of congratulations is due for the groundstaff. One year after the square was turned they have consistently produced wickets this season that have taken games into exciting final days, giving bowlers encouragement but batsmen due reward for solid techniques and willingness to play shots. If only all county wickets were of a similar standard...

Big day tomorrow then. If we win, it would ignite our promotion aspirations. Losing wouldn't end them, but would leave us needing to string a real run together from here onwards.

Let's get at them boys!