Derbyshire v SACA day one

Derbyshire 293-6d (Lamb 90, Dal 43*, Donald 38, Came 37)

SACA 53-2 (Perera 25*, Chappell 1-6, Dal 1-15)

Derbyshire lead by 240 runs

The first day of cricket of 2024 was overcast and grey, probably not especially warm for the hardy souls who opted to be there rather than in front of the television. But it was a good workout for Derbyshire, against a competitive South Asian Cricket Academy side.

Most of the batters got time in the middle. i especially enjoyed the assertive manner of David Lloyd, before he edged behind to a ball that would likely have dismissed him In prime, mid-season form. Harry Came continued as he left off last season, while Brooke Guest also had the opportunity for time in the middle.

The best batting of the day came from Matt Lamb. He batted splendidly for a run a ball 90, before playinBlairvg around a straight one. He was circumspect at the start, then opened out to show a full range of delightful strokes.

At the other end Nye Donald looked imperious and had taken 20 from the first four balls of an over before getting carried away and lobbing a catch to cover, who made good ground to hold it. He probably felt he had what he needed from the day, but when one considers that Madsen will need to come into this side, he and Lamb appear to be fighting for one place. 

Later, Anuj Dal Did precisely what we have become used to, as Derbyshire reached tea and declared on 293 -6. Alex Thomson also played some pleasing strokes in an entertaining partnership.

When it came SACA's turn to bat, the SIX Derbyshire seamers bowled very well. Chappell took the first wicket of the summer with one that broke back like a brisk off break to be caught by Guest, while Dal completed a professional day's work to bowl Malik for the second.

Interestingly, Savin Pereira, the left-handed opener, made half centuries both for and against Derbyshire's second team last season. He looks a compact, well organised player who knows his game, as one might expect from someone who played alongside Harry Brook and Tom Banton for England under 19s. It shows the talent just outside the professional game and Perera, formerly on the staff at Middlesex, has scored heavily in second team and Minor Counties cricket. A little limited in his strokes, perhaps, but plenty of similar players have enjoyed long county careers and he may find an opportunity somewhere if he continues to rack up the runs.

Finally, a special mention for the pitch. It was on the slow side, like the outfield, which is hardly surprising after the rain of recent weeks. Yet there was movement for bowlers all day and that was a welcome sight, especially for overseas bowlers who will be joining us in the coming weeks.

Play ended slightly early for bad light, allowing the players to retreat to the pavilion, likely for intravenous Bovril. It had been a good workout and they will all be quite pleased with the opportunity. 

Credit to Neil Godrich and his staff for getting it playable for the start of the day.