Glamorgan v Derbyshire day one

Derbyshire 308-2 (Reece 139*, Reece 96, Came 32, du Plooy 22*)

v Glamorgan

After a dominant display in the last game against Sussex, which would almost certainly have resulted in a win had the game gone its full course, Derbyshire produced another excellent, dominant display on the first day at Cardiff.

They had reached 308-2 by the close of play, this after being put into bat on a pitch roughly the same colour as the outfield.

Luis Reece ended the day unbeaten on 139, his sixth successive score in excess of 50 in a sequence of 54*, 131, 201*, 77, 86, 139* - 688 runs (and counting) in his last six innings, equalling the club record. He has now recorded his most successful summer in the county colours, going past the 1579 runs he made in 2019. (Figures courtesy David Griffin).

Good job we tied him to a new deal, eh? 

At the other end, Brooke Guest batted beautifully once again and was unlucky to be dismissed for 96. He really is a player of the highest quality - as is Reece, of course - and the side for next year is taking shape quite nicely.

Luis currently averages just under 85 in four-day cricket, while his captain averages a run more. Tomorrow morning promises to be interesting in the (friendly) battle to top the averages!

Speaking of next year's team, I had several messages this afternoon regarding the commentary, which referred to rumours of Derbyshire chasing the services of Aneurin Donald of Hampshire for next season.

I first heard the stories a few weeks back and it would make sense to have a dynamic, middle order bat replacing Leus du Plooy, as well as offering backup to Brooke Guest behind the stumps. Donald is a very fine player, coming to his peak and there was an opportunity for the two parties to have a look at each other when he came in on loan at the start of the Vitality Blast. 

My understanding is that it is not yet a done deal. He is in division one and is contracted to the end of next season. We will see if Derbyshire are able to get this one over the line and if Hampshire allow them to do so, but what a signing it would be. A real 'statement of intent', as would that of Patel be.

I have heard numerous stories in recent weeks. I would give greater credibility to this one than Josh Cobb coming to the Incora County Ground, although I understand we missed out on another player fairly recently.

Finally, to answer a question I was asked a few times today, I would be surprised were we to move for Jake Ball, who has been released by Nottinghamshire. I think he is a very good bowler, but his last two seasons have been ravaged by injury. At 32 he has a few seasons on his side and if he can stay fit someone will get a very good player.

But if I was chasing another bowler from Nottinghamshire, I would be more interested in Toby Pettman than Ball, not least because he would be more affordable and offer less risk. 

Mickey Arthur has changed a lot around in recent weeks and I fully expect the Derbyshire side of 2024 vintage to be much enhanced on this year's model. It cannot come soon enough!

As always I welcome your thoughts.