Worcestershire V Derbyshire preview

We have at last reached the stage of the season where Dave Houghton has a selection dilemma, ahead of the trip to Kidderminster to play Worcestershire, starting on Sunday.

My understanding is that Wayne Madsen is fully recovered from his sprained ankle and so should come straight back into the side.

After registering a pair against Middlesex, Alex Hughes would appear likely to miss out on this occasion, with Tom Lace and Anuj Dal competing for his place in the order. If only so that it allows Luis Reece to drop to the middle order, I expect Lace to get the nod.

It is a shame for Anuj, who has done little wrong this season. I expect him to play a full part in the T20 and I hope he is able to build on some impressive performances.

With a view to the T20, I think this to be the right time to rest Ravi Rampaul. If we are not going to have a second overseas player, his fitness and form for that competition is critical. More on that, in a separate piece, over the weekend, but I expect the following side to take the field:

Godleman
Lace
Madsen
du Plooy
Reece
Hudson-Prentice
Hosein
Critchley
Conners
van Beek
Palladino

That would give Billy Godleman five seamers and three spinners, which would be enough for any captain.

The home side has not yet been announced, but injuries appear to dictate not too many changes from the last match, against Glamorgan, when the following side took the field:

Daryl Mitchell
Joshua Dell
Callum Ferguson
Riki Wessels
Ross Whiteley
Ed Barnard
Brett D'Oliveira
Ben Cox(wk)
Joe Leach(c)
Charlie Morris
Adam Finch

It is a powerful batting line-up, but the bowling looks less impressive. Perhaps they are saying the same about us, but this is a game that both sides, very much in contention for promotion, will want to win.

I think that Derbyshire can do it. Perhaps this is the game, as the leader of the attack, when Logan van Beek shows his true colours. I hope so, because there is no one trying harder than the genial Kiwi.

What are your thoughts?