The old cricketing adage of 'runs on the board' is perhaps most apposite at the end of a topsy-turvy first day at Southport.
From the lofty heights of 141-0, then 238-2, Derbyshire will be a little disappointed with the final tally, although with the ball already lifting and turning at times, we will not know how well we have batted until Lancashire have a go on it.
As it is, Billy Godleman (pictured) got the first part of captaincy right when he won the toss, then followed it by batting through to lunch with Ben Slater. The pair are developing into an excellent partnership and gave us a fine platform. It was slightly ruined by both going within a few overs of the resumption, but Chesney Hughes continued his recent good form and Hashim Amla held the innings together as the rest folded somewhat disappointingly in the period after tea.
Shiv Thakor is struggling for runs at present and went first ball, although Harvey Hosein stuck around for an hour and Tom Taylor hit merrily in the day's closing overs. Meanwhile, Matt Critchley took his first-class average to 158 with an unbeaten 13, ahead of what appears likely to be a lot of bowling as this match progresses.
"Derbyshire have better of opening day" says the Derby Telegraph tonight, while "Lancs bowlers frustrate Derbyshire on opening day" is the Bolton News headline. You pays your money and takes your choice, I suppose, but for my money we are ahead at this point.
Assuming we bowl anywhere near what we can do and field much better than we did against Northamptonshire, we could press on and take the initiative tomorrow. Much will depend on Messrs Prince and Petersen, but there's nothing to be ashamed of in that first day against the team currently top of the table.
What happens next?
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