Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire day 1

Derbyshire 91-5 (Critchley 23, du Plooy 21*, Fletcher 2-28) in 47 overs

v Nottinghamshire 

It was tough going at Trent Bridge today.

Whichever captain won the toss was going to bowl, with the wicket akin to what we used to see at Derby back in the day. Back then, we bowled teams out by early afternoon, or they put us in to bat, rubbing hands with glee, ahead of Kim Barnett hitting them to all parts.

The wicket two across from the one used here looked a better bet, but this was always going to be a tough gig for the batting side.

So of course, Matt Critchley lost the toss. Neither Luis Reece nor Tom Wood lasted long, the latter likely very disappointed at such a wicket when he needs to impress in the remainder of the season. Guest and du Plooy battled hard around rain breaks, before the former played a shot he will want to forget.

Critchley also worked hard and unveiled one or two fine strokes before edging to slip, while Hosein was in and out quickly, trapped leg before on the crease.

Through it all du Plooy had shown admirable self control, subjugating his natural attack instincts in a long vigil that saw, him to the close on an unbeaten 21, made in 32 overs of attrition. He should have been caught, offering a relatively straight forward catch to the wicket keeper on 14, but Hudson-Prentice kept him company until the early close. There is much to do tomorrow.

No complaints tonight though. Batting was far from easy and our seamers would have enjoyed the conditions as much as theirs did.

We battled, which was pleasing to see.