Derbyshire V Leeds/Bradford MCCU day 2

Derbyshire 398-5 and 95-1 (Reece 43*)

Leeds/Bradford MCCU 200 (Taylor 3-48, Reece 3-49)

Derbyshire lead by 293 runs

Just as there was on day one, day two of the game against Leeds/Bradford MCCU gave Derbyshire supporters a glimpse of our promising young talent, as well as reassurance in the old guard.

What struck me, as Ravi Rampaul open the bowling this morning, was how much fitter he looked. Last season, with respect, he looked an ageing cricketer. Today, in his demeanor and his bowling, he looked like the leader of the attack that Dave Houghton wants him to be.

His opening spell was splendid. He made the batsmen play, produced some very good balls and looked like an international bowler.

It was very reassuring.

The other thing that struck me was the increased pace of Luis Reece. I would previously have reckoned him a medium pace bowler, where now he is most definitely fast medium. He took three wickets today, but would not have been flattered with six.

He had the ball moving both ways and I lost count of the number of moral victories he had. An opening batsman who can bowl first change is a huge asset to any side. We are lucky to have him and if his fitness holds he will be a massive player this summer.

Both James Taylor and Sam Conners were among the wickets, the former taking three. There were good balls, a few erratic ones and front foot problems that conceded too many no balls for comfort from Taylor. That was the only disappointment of the day, to be fair.

Both looked young players of talent, however and their time will come this summer.  I especially liked the look of Conners, whose whippy action generated both pace and bounce.

A last wicket stand gave a semblance of respect to the opposition innings, which ended on 200 all out. Matt Critchley took the final wicket, as a change of pace so often does.

When Derbyshire went in again, both openers confirmed their first innings form, Godleman being dismissed for 39 from a bucolic swipe after a good stand with Reece.

Luis ended the day unbeaten on 43, with Alex Hughes, elevated to get time in the middle, with him on 9.

293 ahead going into the last day, the county can be quite happy with the first two days of what should be an exciting summer.

So too can supporters