Leicestershire v Derbyshire One Day Cup

Leicestershire 312-5 (Patel 94, Hill 93)

Derbyshire 312 (Came 67, Chappell 49, Montgomery 47, Dal 45, Green 5-64)

Tie

A pulsating day's cricket at Leicester saw a fine game end in a tie, a result that was probably no use to either side in the grand scheme of things.

Leicestershire batted well, although during the second wicket stand between Patel and Hill their tally looked likely to be closer to 350. At 180-1 in the 33rd over they would have hoped for more than 312, but the pitch seemed to get slower and the Derbyshire fielding was very good in the latter stages. Ross Whiteley was especially good in the deep, although that is taken for granted these days.

The bowling was handicapped by the early loss through injury of Rory Haydon, who was only able to bowl three overs. With Amrit Basra ruled out of the game through illness, it wasn't the best of days for the short term contract players. The wickets were shared around, with Ben Aitchison the pick of the attack today.

For a while Derbyshire looked comfortable, with Jewell and Came leading off well, the latter playing some lovely strokes before being dismissed very tamely, spooning a catch to mid off. Montgomery also batted well, though clearly inconvenienced by a hand injury that he repeatedly flexed. When he was dismissed by a quick bouncer from Mike, the balance of the game began to change and boundaries began to dry up. Guest, Andersson and Whiteley were dismissed by the giant Green, who looks an excellent prospect, the latter's (also tame) dismissal seemingly ending the hopes of the visiting side.

Dal and Chappell revived Derbyshire hopes with a stand of 64, both playing some fine strokes and running hard. Fifty were needed from the last six, then 40 from 5, 34 from 4, 22 from 3, as Chappell hit Mike for a remarkable one-handed straight six. Then fifteen were needed from the last two, after Dal was run out, backing up.  

Aitchison's dismissal to an excellent catch by Trevaskis, who earlier had bowled well, gave the prolific Green his fourth wicket , quickly followed by his fifth, with Morley held at point by Budinger.  Green ended with 5-64 and looks the latest excellent prospect from a long assembly line.

A six, two and four from the first three balls of the final over left it at two from three, but Scriven held his nerve (after a wide) and Chappell was run out from the final ball to leave the game as a tie. 

It was a terrific effort from Zak, but he couldn't quite take us over the line. Again though, questions need to be asked of those higher in the order, who should have handled the situation better than they did.

Again, that was a run chase that should have been comfortable. 108 from the last fifteen overs with seven wickets in hand is an equation most sides would fancy.

Sadly, not Derbyshire. They need to win their last three matches now and keep their fingers crossed. They should beat a much-weakened Surrey, but Hampshire and Essex will be much tougher matches.

The thinking money is not in our favour, I'm afraid.

PS Mickey Arthur wasn't there again today. Presumably he is at Lord's...