Derbyshire V Durham day 2

Derbyshire 197 and 107-3 (Lace 41*)

Durham 171 (Reece 5-47, Rampaul 3-47)

Derbyshire lead by 133 runs

Derbyshire's bowlers bowled as a unit today and hunted like a pack.

They were well supported in the field and the outcome is, halfway through this opening game of the season, that we have a very good chance of winning it.

With two days to go, we are 133 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand. On the basis of the first two days, the visitors will not fancy their chances of chasing anything much over 200. The further above that we can push the total, the greater our chances of winning on a fourth day pitch. Anything less and it is wide open.

They all bowled well today, and with discipline. That was not a word often associated with our bowling last year, when the pressure was released too often at one end.

The lines were better and, after his opening two overs, Logan van Beek's length was better. The off stump was probed with a pleasing monotony and when the edge was found, the catches were held.

There were five wickets for Luis Reece and three for a resurgent Ravi Rampaul. Only Jack Burnham, returning to the side after a year's ban, looked like he might get away, but it was a disciplined performance by Derbyshire and heartening to see.

A lead of 26 runs on such a track was precious and our second innings was no more easy than the first. Our cause was again helped by some generous Durham fielding, several chances being dropped. It was hard work out there and both openers were gone inside the opening eleven overs.

Then came a 50 stand between Wayne Madsen, who looked in fine touch, and Tom Lace, who batted extremely well. After a couple of imperious strokes, Wayne was held by Alex Lees at slip, a catch diametrically opposed from some of the other fielding.

It may well turn out to be a match- defining stand, but Lace and Alex Hughes took us through to stumps in adding a further 24, without being parted.

There was a claim for a catch at second slip near the close of play, but the umpire adjudged the ball to have bounced and Alex lived to fight another day.

Lace is three runs away from a personal best score. He may well play many major innings in the years ahead, but would savour fifty here as something quite special. His technique was well tested today, and he was not found wanting.

There is much work to be done and as we all know, winning matches at four-day cricket is all about winning one session at a time.

We have only lost the first session so far. If we win the next, tomorrow morning, we will be a very good position to win this game. 

I have been highly impressed by every aspect of this Derbyshire side so far.

Hopefully, I am still saying that at the end of the game.

If we maintain discipline and focus, I will be.