Sussex v Derbyshire day 4

Sussex 440 and 343-6

Derbyshire 389 and 161 (Slater 40, Dal 25)

Sussex won by 243 runs

There was little to encourage Derbyshire from the final day of their game against Sussex.

Perhaps it was inevitable after a game when Harvey Hosein dislocated a finger before it, leaving Daryn Smit a long drive down to replace him. Then Ravi Rampaul suffered breathing difficulties and had to leave the field, then the match. Nottinghamshire revealed they had signed Ben Slater, then deleted the tweet when they realised he was playing for us and finally Slater had to leave the field after a blow on the helmet and played no further part. It was less a game of championship cricket than a rejected script for an episode of Casualty.

I joke, of course and wish all the ill and injured a swift recovery, but it was expecting a lot for Derbyshire to rise above that and take the game into the final session.

The loss of Billy Godleman to a fine in swinger knocked on the head any idea of a run chase, if that was ever entertained, while the fourth ball dismissal of Wayne Madsen consigned it to the stuff of fairy tale. It was a fine yorker from Chris Jordan, but I watched the replay several times and came to the conclusion that he got the wicket for the skill of the delivery. He beat Wayne for pace and his front foot was still on leg stump as the ball swerved in.

It was the type of 'big banana swinger' that Ian Buxton used to bowl, but at three times the pace and looked to me to be going down leg side. Still, the score book says out and that was it. Thereafter Alex Hughes resisted for an hour and a half but got little support from the rest of the top order. It wasn't a debut to remember for Sean Ervine, but we'll not judge anyone on two innings.

Then came Anuj Dal, the permitted substitute for Ben Slater. He survived ninety balls, scoring 25 runs and showing another side to his game which further suggested his talent. With Ben Slater, top scorer with 40 before retiring hurt, having played his last game for us, Dal should be given the rest of the summer to make a claim for a contract in 2019.

He will need to do more, of course. There are no prizes for dogged twenties for anyone other than inexperienced players. Nor can he expect a deal on the back of that and some inventive stroke play in the Vitality Blast. I have watched him a few times in the seconds and he looked the classiest player on display, but that counts for little if you don't get the runs on the board. He can look to his skipper for an example of a man who makes the most of his talent, as Billy Godleman would win no prizes for aesthetics. Yet he is a battler and uses a limited range of shots to full effect.

If Dal can combine his obvious talent with weight of runs he might be worth a full time contract next summer. That is one for the new Head of Cricket, of course. Any offer would depend on the available budget and who else is available who may be better.

Tony Palladino remained not out at the end. How many times has that doughty fighter worked for runs for the cause? He has gone from a bit part to very useful tail end batsman, interestingly one who credits Dave Houghton with the improvement in his batting, especially on the pull shot.

And speaking of Dave, to repeat my comment of the other day for the many people who are getting in touch on Twitter and by email - I would expect the role to be filled in the early part of September, at the latest.

I have no idea who is on the short list, apart from Dave Houghton, as revealed by David Hopps on Cricinfo the other day. His presence is, however, a useful benchmark, as his CV is extensive. Whoever beats him to the job must have a better track record and greater experience. I  wondered whether former Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes may apply, or be of interest to us. He left that county over a disciplinary matter and made a serious error of judgement, but he is a very good coach with a track record of bringing through young talent.

If there are better people than Dave Houghton on the short list, that will do me fine. Equally, I could think of many worse options than his return to the club.

My money is on the news breaking inside the next two weeks or so. Then whoever gets the job can either watch or monitor performances before the end of the summer. Far better to take on a job from a position of relative strength, I think.

Its just a good job that we have a week before Kent visit the 3aaa County Ground, as we are fast running out of players for them to watch...