Were it not for the weather forecast and the fact that Leicestershire always seemingly play better against us than anyone else, I would have little hesitation in predicting a Derbyshire win in this game.
Realistically we need to do it in less than three days if the forecasts I have seen become reality and I don't see that happening, Wayne White turns into Jacques Kallis when he plays us, while Josh Cobb, a young player of talent but only modest record, generally becomes AB de Villiers when faced with our attack.
This is, it must be said, a Leicestershire side of modest means and they are currently being linked with every Scots player who knows the way to the M1 right now, first Berrington, then Mommsen and now Matt Parker being tipped for a switch to the Foxes. They have had injury problems but the Derbyshire side of the first six or seven Championship games would have no problems with them.
The question is whether we can regroup as a batting side after two poor displays at Bristol (or one and a half, my final offer...) and a limp one today against an albeit far superior Warwickshire side.
There is no team news at present, but given Martin Guptill missed today's game it is unlikely that he will make tomorrow's, so Derbyshire look set to go with an opening pairing that has struggled for runs thus far. I'm still far from convinced that Chesney Hughes has any real form behind him and his first ball duck today dictates my selection of Messrs Borrington and Lineker as openers.
The rest of the side pretty much picks itself, so I see this Derbyshire side taking the field between showers:
Borrington, Lineker, Madsen, Durston, Redfern, Whiteley, Wainwright, Clare, Poynton, Groenewald, Palladino.
My prediction for the game is a draw - not the worst thing in the world, as long as the rain is as bad elsewhere. If we go into the T20 with a sizeable lead, we will have the bit between our teeth at the business stage of the season.
More tomorrow.
Borrington or Hughes. Mmmm...not easy. Hughes still looks like his feet are set in concrete and Borrington plays like his hands are.
ReplyDeleteHow about we re-instate Madsen as opener and play Park at his old number3 slot. Durston and Redfern are automatic. Whiteley did his usual trick today by getting in and then gives short mid wicket a bit of catching practice. He has to play though,in the hope his old self is still in there somewhere and not least because there is no one else.
Seven through eleven are self explanatory,though a few runs from Wainwright would be welcomed by all.
We really do need a win,but i fear the weather will be the real winner. If we do get some cricket let,s hope we can rediscover our early season vibrancy. All fingers crossed.