Looking ahead to Essex

After the nerves and stress of the final day of Derby County's football season, the cricket this week will come as a welcome relief.

I expect a change or two in the Derbyshire side to play Essex, with Billy Stanlake likely to make his debut. I think we might see Dustin Melton too against the reigning champions, obviously a very good side.

There will likely have been discussion about the batting order, as one assumes Billy Godleman will be fit to return. Will Tom Wood bat three, or will he drop out again, with du Plooy going in at first drop?

If Michael Cohen is also in contention, there is the potential for the fastest Derbyshire attack in twenty years. I would expect Ben Aitchison to play, after a good game against Nottinghamshire and my eleven, obviously without seeing them in the nets, would be as follows:

Godleman

Reece

Wood

du Plooy

Madsen

Critchley

Hosein

Hudson-Prentice

Aitchison

Stanlake 

Melton

It would be tough on Sam Conners, who has bowled well so far, but was off kilter against our neighbours, but the seamers will be rotated and we have five in that side, as well as the extra batsman. 

There is as much of a case for Alex Hughes or Anuj Dal to be in the side, of course and it will be interesting to see if Dave Houghton's squad comes close to the one named above. 

As always, I welcome your thoughts..