Derbyshire v Kent Metro Bank one-day cup game 7

Derbyshire 206 (Guest 85, Moore 40, Parkinson 3-23)

Kent 207-7 (Leaning 81*, Stewart 48, Patel 3-30)

Kent won by three wickets

Derbyshire blew an opportunity to move forward in the one day cup today, with a largely anaemic display in defeat against the Kent Spitfires.

It was a day when, with the squad ravaged by injury, the senior players really needed to lead by example and do the heavy lifting. With the exception of the admirable Brooke Guest, they failed to do so. I have been critical of Mickey Arthur this season, but he didn't make the decisions that cost the wickets of key members of the batting lineup, when they could least afford to lose them. 

I have no idea why Luis Reece attempted a quick single that would have challenged Usain Bolt, to be dismissed in only the seventh over of the earnings. Nor is there any explanation, with three wickets down in only the 19th over, for Anuj Dal hitting one down the throat of long on. Then Samit Patel, in an aggressive innings that never suggested permanence, slapped a delivery from Parkinson to cover and we were five wickets down before the halfway mark, with little batting to follow.

It is this sort of thing that frustrate supporters, certainly yours truly. We know there is talent in this side, but clarity of thought and understanding of match situations should be much better than it is at this level. That the county set a reasonable total was down to Guest, who batted with trademark skill and sound technique, aided by Moore, who once again confirmed his considerable promise. But at 125-7 and with 20 overs to go, you are engaged in damage limitation only. Twenty-one balls were unused at the end of the innings, all of them opportunities to score runs, as Bob Woolmer used to stress as a coach. A good bowling performance was required to defend only 206, albeit more than looked likely.

For a while it looked possible. It could be argued that the game turned when Leaning, who anchored the visiting reply with an excellent unbeaten 81, was given not out by the umpire, the only man who didn't appear to hear a nick with the bat a long way from the body. He had only just come in at that point, but while wickets fell steadily, the required support eventually came from the bucolic Stewart, before an excellent juggling catch by Moore (who else?)  removed him. 

The bowling was OK, Patel the pick of them, but Dupavillon was disappointing and erratic, bowling only five overs for 41 runs. It hasn't worked out for him at Derbyshire, despite a whole-hearted approach and his returns have been disappointing in that so-crucial overseas role. His captain's lack of confidence in him was clear, with the seventeen-year old Moore given the new ball in preference. 

With Came forced off the field he wasn't expected to be on with a hamstring strain, the injuries and absentees have largely cost Derbyshire after a promising start to this competition.

But decision-making has to be better than this. We were not up against a strong Kent side here and the overriding feeling is that this was one that not so much got away, but was allowed to.

Overall, a singularly disappointing end to white ball cricket at home, in a season that has had way too much of that for comfort.