Thoughts on the Old Trafford double header for the twos..

Won one and lost one for Derbyshire at Old Trafford today, as both sides tinkered with the squads ahead of the Vitality Blast opener on Saturday at Edgbaston.

There were good runs for fringe players. Tom Wood was the standout in the first game and may now be under consideration for the weekend. His 66 from 41 deliveries gave great initial impetus and with Madsen and du Plooy making brisk 30s, it was left to Anuj Dal to play a sparkling unbeaten 45 from just 22 deliveries to take Derbyshire past 200.

Lancashire didn't really get close, the best bowler being Ben Aitchison, with 3-34. Chappell, Thomson and McKiernan all bowled economically, but worryingly Suranga Lakmal's four overs went for 54.

In the second game, Luke Wells' 120 took the home side to 227-4, with Nick Potts the best bowler, taking 3-29. Both Mark Watt and George Scrimshaw went around the park, though neither were perhaps, like the Lancashire counterparts, putting everything into it.

Our reply was solid, posting a. Respectable 204-6. Again it was fringe players, Came and McKiernan, who top scored, though Reece and Ali again led off well.

Which leaves me somewhat unsure of the best side on Saturday. Wood may come in for Lamb, especially if the latter's back is still a concern. Then again, Came could do so. 

In the bowling, I would be reluctant to omit Chappell and a brave call would be the exclusion of Lakmal, who looked far from impressive today. I suspect that will not happen, but the side for Saturday will make for intriguing reading.

My best guess would be:

Ali

Reece

Madsen

du Plooy

Donald

Wood/Came/Lamb

McKiernan

Chappell

Watt

Scrimshaw

Lakmal/Aitchison

As always, I am more than happy to see your thoughts. The batting appears to be pretty much on point, but the bowling has got to keep our opposition within range. 

The arrival of Zaman Khan cannot come soon enough.