Monday musings

Warwickshire at Edgbaston to start the season...no problem there, then...

Yes, Derbyshire's return to division one sees our season neatly book ended by games against the reigning champions, while we follow that first match, starting on April 17 with an away game against Middlesex and then the first home match, against Nottinghamshire on April 29.

Thankfully a semblance of normality and sanity has returned and there is no repeat of last year's opening in March. There may not be that much difference in the temperatures, but starting the season in March seems ludicrous and increases the likelihood of early injury and especially muscle strains.

There's no Yorkshire fixture at Scarborough (boo...) and as yet no clarification of the venue for the eagerly-awaited (by me, anyway) game against Scotland on Monday, May 27. Cricket Scotland has still to finalise venues with the host clubs, though I suspect the choice will come down to either The Grange in Edinburgh, Uddington (outside Glasgow) and Aberdeen. The latter adds around two hours to the journey time of away sides, so I can't see many counties favouring that (let alone me...) Edinburgh is fine, though Uddingston would be my preference, not least  because its less than fifteen minutes from my house.

I don't worry too much about who we play and when, to be honest. Having been promoted, we knew we'd be playing the big guns at some point, so why not first up? If we play well, we'll hold our own at the very least, if we don't, we won't. Simple as that. There will be a lot of work done, on and off the pitch, between now and April to ensure that we are as ready as we can be.

Elsewhere in the world of cricket, Usman Khawaja must have missed Test selection for Australia by a whisker, while the highly talented Faf du Plessis ensured that South Africa emerged with a draw that they barely deserved. I've extolled the virtues of the South African for some time, but today he showed a more controlled side to his game, being better known for his T20 exploits for Lancashire and in the IPL. Fine player, du Plessis.

Anyway, I'll be back in midweek. Between times, keep well and keep in touch.