I walked to my car in the Gateway car park tonight and put on my sun glasses. Not just because of the glorious, late evening sunshine, though it was an extraordinary day for late September, but for witnessing a Derbyshire performance of utter dominance. Bright future? You gotta wear shades, my friends...
If this was a boxing match, it would have been stopped at tea. Quite honestly, the Derbyshire side I saw today look the best side in the division and may well have been promoted had their run started a little earlier.
The side bowled with purpose and fielded with an intensity that was refreshing to see. A fine opening attack of Footitt and Palladino was backed up by an equally impressive back up in White and Cotton. Alex Hughes also bowled well and the side caught impressively.
Footitt celebrated his call up to England Lions camp with some deliveries of searing pace, while Palladino bowled beautifully and completely outfoxed Dan Redfern with a fine delivery that saw a stump cartwheeling. It wasn't the happiest of returns for Redfern and a side that looked short of talent and spirit.
Ben Cotton impresses me more with every viewing and his batting namesake Mr Slater looks totally at home at this level. I also thought Harvey Hosein a keeper of remarkable talent.
I reckon we will bat till mid afternoon tomorrow then set Leicestershire a notional 450-odd to win.
They'll not get close. Not playing this sort of cricket.
A poor opposition notwithstanding, if we play like this next season we will be promoted. Simple as that.
More of the same tomorrow lads...I look forward to it immensely. A second ton for Slats and a viewing of Pujara will suit me nicely...
It was a good performance with bat and ball which has put us in an unassailable position. No team in the country has a better record over recent weeks and it certainly augers well for the future.
ReplyDeleteExcellent seam bowling from the off never really gave Leicestershire a chance to settle and any chance they were going to give us a game was over long before lunch. All the quicks deserve a pat on the back.
Slater and Madsen rubbed salt in their wounds and it would be fitting if both recorded centuries before we declare. It could be argued we were batting under minimal pressure but the counter argument is that little pressure can lead to complacency and sudden collapses.
We don,t need to bat for too long today,particularly in view of the likelihood of some rain arriving. It would be a shame if the elements were to deny us a thoroughly deserved victory.