Derbyshire 197 and 334 (Hosein 62, Lace 61, Critchley 51)
Durham 171 and 10-0
Durham need another 351 to win
In a day of dogged, defiant and at times dazzling batting, Derbyshire would appear to have batted Durham out of any chance of winning this game.
To do so, the visitors will need to overcome the vagaries of the wicket, score more quickly than has been managed so far and make the second highest score in a successful run chase at the ground. That is a tall order, and we will need to bowl badly to lose this one.
Judging by the attritional way that they handled the Derbyshire opening bowlers, as the effects of the roller were wearing off, it is likely to be a day of toil tomorrow.
Derbyshire will keep one wary eye on the weather, with light showers predicted from mid/late afternoon, but will hope to make inroads tomorrow morning.
They did very well today, with consistent batting down the order ensuring that hopes of winning this opening fixture remain high.
Tom Lace and Alex Hughes did remarkably well in the morning session. Their powers of concentration ensured that the ball was older and the bowlers tired when Harvey Hosein and Matt Critchley came in. They took full advantage and the lead quickly moved past 300.
Hosein looks a very special player, well-organized and with an increased range of strokes, while Critchley has enviable timing. Any fears over the Derbyshire batting would appear to have been allayed by this performance, as well as the news going around the ground of the new batsman, believed to be from South Africa, coming in this week.
As the innings came to a climax, the crowd and those watching the excellent stream were treated to a lovely cameo by Ravi Rampaul. He hit two huge sixes and a reverse swept four in recording his highest score for the county.
It made for excellent viewing and while the result is still to be decided, those who wrote off the home side's chances this year may well be having second thoughts.
It was a tough day for the visitors, who again let themselves down with fielding and catching that was at times very poor.
If Derbyshire can improve on that tomorrow, and the chances will come, we may just have a little celebration on our hands.
Any idea of the supposed new batsman Peakfan?
ReplyDeleteHarvey Hosein, what a future star we have here, quality. Here's hoping we get the job done today.
I don't think he will be known here, or an international for that matter.
ReplyDeleteDH wants players with reputations to make, not those after a last pay day.
I can't fault that rationale so expect it to be a player of good record and even better potential
Are you going to say who you thought it was Peakfan? As I think you burned it was someone from Australia / NZ assume that’s not the case now if rumours are saying South Africa. Fingers crossed. Today has started badly. No wickets in almost the first hour.
ReplyDeleteMy original thought was Behardien, but then the financial figures were released which blew that idea apart!
ReplyDeleteLogically with John Wright scouting in NZ it would be somewhere from there or Oz,
But we have good South African connections and rumour is that it is someone from there.
Thanks Peakfan. Sorry to have bugged you about this. I love gossip as you might tell.
ReplyDeleteDavid Miller please.
ReplyDeleteCome on Derbyshire one more wicket.
ReplyDeleteDavid Miller would be brilliant just what we need to finish white ball games especially but I doubt it. Would be well chuffed if it is him and shocked reckon Peakfan is on the money it will be someone up and coming
ReplyDeleteWon't be Miller. He has a national contract and we could never afford him, nice as the thought is!
ReplyDeleteUp and coming Saffer, my thoughts now.
Which ‘financial figures’ are you referencing above?
ReplyDeletehttp://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/derbyshire-announce-financial-results/
ReplyDelete