Seconds start their campaign

Our second team start their season today, with a three-day game against Northamptonshire at Northampton.

I am sure that we will field a strong side, given the number of talented players outside the eleven, while our hosts have a lot of experience themselves.

Kyle Coetzer, the standout Scotland player in the World Cup and Steven Crook  are joined by the likes of Rob Newton, David Murphy and Ben Duckett, while paceman Maurice Chambers also has a run-out as he returns from injury.

A number of trialists - including fast bowler Gemaal Hussain, who enjoyed one very good season with Gloucestershire before moving to the less friendly bowling conditions of Taunton and not doing so well - are involved too, so opposition will be strong.

Good luck to them.

Finally, for now, Nathan Rimmington made his debut for Plumtree this weekend and eased himself back into the game with a fine all-round performance in a friendly.

He took 1-10 in six overs (love that economy rate!) before hitting an unbeaten 76 as his side won by four wickets. Not bad for someone easing back into match fitness after not playing for several weeks since the end of the Aussie season.

It augurs well.

Now, let's hope for seam-friendly conditions at Derby in the first session today...then settling down for the rest of the day...