Derbyshire v Durham day 1

Derbyshire 197 (Hosein 78)

Durham 41-3 (Reece 2-15)

Derbyshire lead  by 156 runs

After going to lunch at 68-5, Derbyshire can be pleased to have reached a total of 197 all out today.

That they did so was largely due to a masterclass of batting from Harvey Hosein. Apart from two loose strokes, one of which was dropped, he showed great technique, admirable footwork and no little style. It was an innings of class that kept his side in the match.

Dave Houghton said before the season that he wanted 6 mm of grass left on the wickets at Derby. This seems certain to produce results, based on today's cricket.

Twitter was awash with comments suggesting that Billy Godleman had got it wrong on winning the toss. Those comments, however, ignored the fact that Durham had not taken their opportunity to bowl and would have batted too. The presence of some turn in the afternoon reinforced the skipper's call, as the ball zipped around all day.

Luis Reece and Wayne Madsen were both gone in the first three balls of the innings, as Chris Rushworth appeared to have the ball on a piece of elastic. He bowled beautifully and deserved far more than two wickets. A journeyman professional, there are few better new ball bowlers in the county game. He was well supported by the returning Ben Raine and batting was never easy.

Credit is due to the Derbyshire lower order, who showed sound technique and a willingness to battle that will serve them well this summer. They will bat on easier wickets and have a chance to score the runs that were hard-fought today.

When Durham went in, there was a strong appeal for caught  behind from Rampaul 's first delivery, but Ravi bowled a little too wide, though  finding the edge on two or three occasions.

It was the advent of Luis Reece into the attack that saw the breakthrough, the first with the assistance of a stunning catch by Alex Hughes at second slip, an early contender for 'grab of the season'.

An in swinger took the second and he looked very dangerous, as did Tony Palladino, niggling away around off stump.

Supporters got one brief glimpse of Logan van Beek before the close and his second ball hurried on to Michael Richardson, who looped a catch to Tom Lace. He will bowl better overs this summer, but an early wicket will settle him nicely.

The visitors were 41-3 when bad light stopped play early, their captain Alex Lees showing grit for an unbeaten 12 in 18 overs of graft.

It will be hard work for them tomorrow morning, with the traditional first session movement at Derby awaiting them. If we bowl better lines than this evening, a first innings lead is a distinct possibility.

That seemed long way off at lunch today and the players are to be commended for a battling effort.