Derbyshire 256-7 (Lace 83, Hosein 41, Reece 39, Critchley 39) V Gloucestershire
Both sides will, I think, be reasonably happy with the first day of this game.
Derbyshire may just have thought they had shaded it, before the late dismissals of Harvey Hosein and Matt Critchley edged it for the home side.
It was a day for the cricket purist, fairly attritional at times, and only in the afternoon, when Tom Lace beat his career best for the second successive time, did batting look especially easy.
Most seemed to struggle on a slow pitch with their timing and I lost count of the number of failed drives and cut strokes. In their defence, each batsman worked hard to preserve their wicket on a pitch which encouraged the bowlers throughout.
Lace was a standout. He seems to get into position for his strokes very early, obviously judging the length well. He is especially strong off his pads and it will not be long before he registers that first century. He looks a player of class and we are lucky to have him.
Critchley and Hosein looked in control as the bowlers tired and it was a surprise to lose one, let alone both of them. They capitalised on the earlier resistance of Alex Hughes and Luis Reece, after Godleman and Madsen went early.
The home side stuck to their task well and it will be interesting to see how our own seam attack fares on a wicket that offers assistance.
A little cloud cover tomorrow might make things interesting, but Derbyshire are very much in this game.
If we can make 300 tomorrow, it will be game on.
Good review, Peakfan, and many thanks for all your excellent work on this blog. Having seen a few balls scuttle along the floor in the evening session, I think that bowling last on this wicket might be crucial. 256-7 is a very respectable 1st innings effort and things are looking bright for the next three days, I think. Agree with the comment about Lace's ability off his legs - he looks a class act.
ReplyDeleteI am slightly more positive than you Peakfan I think we are nicely ahead and favourites now. Commentators were talking about 250 being a good score and we should push 300 ideally. And it overcast like they say we have a huge opportunity to get a 1st innings lead again.
ReplyDelete250 is a decent score. The pitch has variable bounce and there is early summer movement. It is competitive if we bowl well. I think Reece will enjoy this, but a good seam attack will do
Delete50/50 that first days play, but well done Tom Lace who is proving me wrong already. I just couldn't see him being a big run scorer but he's more than shown he is today with that knock. Hoping our seamers can get into the Gloucs batting tomorrow, let's get a first innings lead.
ReplyDeleteHe is a class act mate. Stick the new batsman in and this looks a decent batting side, with a lot of length on it
ReplyDeleteAnd do we know who the new batsman is yet?
ReplyDeleteI do, Lion, I worked it out. But because of the sensitivity of it all I won't put a name on a public forum.
ReplyDeleteBased on record, he should become a big asset to us, once used to English wickets
Zubayr Hamza, Peakfan?
ReplyDeleteI really can't say mate. The club has done all the work and deserve full credit when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteBut no, not him
Love guessing games - how about Theunis de bruyn?
ReplyDeleteIncidentally I went to Edgbaston yesterday as part of the Derbyshire season ticket package - they have Tom Milnes back on trial. A tough day for the bowlers there but he was only given 8 overs
No, Lion.
DeleteMilnes is a decent cricketer but that bad ball an over was a struggle for him. Decent bat too.
Hi Peakfan, can you confirm whether the new batsman has signed for us yet and we are just waiting for permits or to be announced or whether discussions are ongoing?
ReplyDeleteThanks and keep up the great work!!
Gareth
Hi Gareth, my understanding is that he has signed, but has commitments back home to honour before it can be confirmed
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