Another encouraging display at Edgbaston

Since the last time I posted, we have learned that Martin Guptill has become the latest to 'fall' to the curse of the county contract. Admittedly it is a good curse, one which has seen him recalled to the New Zealand Test setup. It hardly came as a surprise to those of us who know who good 'The Gup' can be, nor to Derbyshire, who had contingency plans in place for such an eventuality - as we knew they would, of course.

The thinking money is on Tillakaratne Dilshan coming over early, though there are, according to media reports, other options available. However it pans out, it looks like they will be joining up with a squad that is high in confidence and playing some good cricket.

Today we made 241-4 in 60 overs against Warwickshire, with Ben Slater and Wayne Madsen recording fifties and everyone else getting some time in the middle and runs under their belt. The side that took the field was very similar to the one I suggested the other night, but whether one reads too much into that at this stage is anyone's guess.

Warwickshire passed the hundred mark for the loss of two wickets in reply, with Ben Cotton and Mark Footitt taking a wicket apiece. This isn't the time to be firing on all cylinders; rather ensuring that all cylinders are well greased and ready to slip into top gear when circumstances allow and dictate it. I am quietly confident in the goings-on down at the 3aaa County Ground and feel we could see some terrific cricket this summer.

I was amused tonight to read Wales Online and how Mark Cosgrove is in 'ominous form' ahead of his return to Wales as Leicestershire skipper. Cosgrove scored 92 from 90 balls as our neighbours made 303 against Cambridge University. Useful as time in the middle is, I get the impression that the various university attacks are not the most potent of forces. Not too many first-class batsmen will lose sleep over facing them, unless the wicket is a bit of a minefield, which might not be far from the truth at this stage of the summer.

We play Cambridge next and although their bowling is opened by 'Pollock' I expect our batsmen to get some balls on the bat and make an early impression. A final case to state for an opening berth, maybe a seam bowler's place, the wicket-keeping role...all very interesting and we will all watch developments...

Decisions, decisions...