Derbyshire v Sussex

"Are you sure they're not a good one-day side Dad? They look pretty good to me."

Thus spoke Peakfan junior at the County Ground this evening, as he watched, seriously impressed, as Derbyshire easily beat the previously undefeated Sussex in a 40-over game.

You will have seen it on Sky, no doubt (and so avoided the sunburn I got...) and hopefully were as impressed as we were by a brilliant Derbyshire fielding display in which Ross Whiteley and Wes Durston were excellent. So too, apart from one early fumble, was wicket-keeper Richard Johnson, who showed a good pair of hands and an alert mind, especially with the unusual but brilliant stumping of Machan. Durston again showed his value with the ball, while David Wainwright showed why his new four-year contract represents another highly encouraging move by the county with a lovely spell of slow left arm. The lad is a class act and for me there are few better spinners in the country. James Tredwell, for some reason currently playing for England Lions, isn't in the same league, quite frankly.

Usman Khawaja was also in good fielding form on the boundary with some agile work and it was such a shame when he was needlessly run out from the first ball of Derbyshire's reply. Chesney Hughes played a couple of firm strokes without suggesting permanence against the hostile pace of Amjad Khan and the game was in the balance when Wayne Madsen joined Wes Durston. The latter played beautifully once more before being strangled down the leg side, having looked in little trouble, but his dismissal brought in the sumptuously talented Dan Redfern, like Wainwright justifiably awarded his county cap today.

Redfern was in great touch and hits the ball so cleanly that Derbyshire were always up with the asking rate. Meanwhile, Wayne Madsen at the other end played a captain's innings, watchful at first but then opening out with some delightful strokes. Redfern went for 49 just before the end, but Derbyshire were clear and worthy winners in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The positive atmosphere around the club was almost tangible tonight, with the team buzzing after the championship win against Kent. Mark Turner and Tim Groenewald both bowled well with the new ball, Turner being especially quick while Groenewald did what he always does - bowling accurately and with decent pace. They are fine bowlers and I was also impressed by young Alex Hughes, who is a busy bowler, nipping it around off the seam and causing problems for all the batsmen. For me, he is one to watch and I wouldn't be surprised to see him progress from a summer contract to a full time deal next year. After his batting at Chesterfield, Hughes looks a cricketer with a future.

It was, in short, a fine team performance and the only pity is that we didn't produce such excellent all-round cricket earlier in the one-day campaign. When you're good enough to beat - with ease - a top of the table, unbeaten side like Sussex, fans have a right to wonder "if only".

This team can, on the basis of tonight's performance, play one-day cricket. Next summer we need to show that we can do so on a regular basis, especially in front of TV cameras.

Next, the South Africans. Then back to the championship and Yorkshire at Headingley. The climax to the season is bubbling up nicely...