Derbyshire v Durham preview

More changes for Derbyshire for the game starting against Durham tomorrow.

Luis Reece is out for a period of rehabilitation on a knee injury, which is only fair to the player. Billy Stanlake is also out with injury, which scarce bodes well for the long summer ahead.

Brooke Guest looks like he finds himself another new role as Billy Godleman's opening partner, while there are welcome returns to the squad for Mikey Cohen, Ben Aitchison and Sam Conners.

I suspect the final decision in the announced twelve will be between Melton and Cohen as Derbyshire go into the game with this squad:

Godleman, Guest, Madsen, du Plooy, Critchley, Hughes, Hosein, Hudson-Prentice, Cohen, Aitchison, Conners, Melton.

There is a better look to that order and for me, I hope Guest makes a good fist of opening. I feel Luis Reece would be better off down the order, but I would also like to see Alex Hughes do well. It is a team of square pegs in square holes, which is always better than the alternative.

They will need to be at their best, because Durham are pretty much at full strength. England man Mark Wood will open with Chris Rushworth, who became the county's record wicket-taker in the last game. With Ben Raine also in the side, it forms a potent attack, while Aussie Cameron Bancroft returns to bolster the batting.

Their squad :

Bancroft, Bedingham, Borthwick, Burnham, Carse, Coughlin, Eckersley, Raine, Rushworth, Lees, Poynter, Salisbury, Trevaskis, Wood.

The forecast isn't great and on recent form it is the only reason that I predict a draw in this game. We have to play with greater confidence all round before I can show greater positivity in the result.

Yet there is talent in this side and a good few players with reputations to enhance. No better time to do that than on their own turf in front of their own supporters.

Here's hoping we can turn it around soon.