Derbyshire v Lancashire day 2

Lancashire 161 and 140-6 (Harris 57* Jones 29, Aitchison 3-25, Haydon 3-38)

Derbyshire 364 (Aitchison 75, Madsen 41, Dal 41, Stanley 5-80

Derbyshire lead by 63 runs

It was another glorious day at Queen's Park. Perhaps less warm than yesterday, but with a pleasant breeze and intermittent cloud that kept things comfortable.

It was less comfortable for Lancashire, who finished the day 63 behind with only four wickets left at the close.

Of course, Derbyshire supporters will recall outplaying them at Old Trafford, only to finish on the wrong end of the result, so there will be no chicken counting going on just yet.

After an excellent first day, Derbyshire continued to dominate on the second. Resuming their innings this morning, they took their lead to 203 with some enterprising stroke play. The highlight was an aggressive 75 from Ben Aitchison, well-supported by Anuj Dal, who made 41. Both played splendidly in their differing styles, with Aitchison taking a liking to the bowling of Jimmy Anderson (something not many have said over the years).

Lancashire had a mountain to climb but started well, before Jennings was dismissed by Haydon, who again impressed here. He has a lovely, lithe run up and action, the vitality of youth personified. He was a constant threat, but it was Aitchison who removed Bohannon, well caught by Guest, standing up. When Haydon then removed Jones - another catch for Guest  - a few people might have thought the game could finish tonight. 

Harris and Singh then dug in, for a stand of 59 in 23 overs, in which the latter scored only 12 in 58 balls. It was gritty, attritional stuff, symbolic of the importance of this game to both counties. There were a few edges, showing the ball was still moving, but they held on until Singh left one from Haydon and was bowled by one that came back a long way. 

There were plenty of appeals, some more convincing than others, but no upraised finger was forthcoming, until the recalled Aitchison found the edge of Livingstone's bat and a routine catch was again pouched by Guest. The former England all-rounder looked like someone who hadn't played red ball cricket in a long time and was never convincing in his 22-ball stay.

Mitchell Stanley was sent in as night watchman, but the perennially-effective Aitchison had him palpably peg before and Lancashire were six down. 

They got through to the close with no further loss and with the admirable Harris unbeaten on 51. Their hopes of parity seem to lie on him tomorrow but Derbyshire should wrap up a win, probably sometime tomorrow morning.

Lancashire have looked a disjointed, dispirited side here, but they have a fine fast bowling prospect in Mitchell Stanley, who was hostile throughout, while 17-year old Joe Moores looks a tremendous prospect behind the stumps.

They will cling on to the Old Trafford result and feel they can still put Derbyshire under pressure in the final innings, but they really shouldn't. 

In closing, a word for Mohammad Abbas. I thought he was terrific here and 0-32 in sixteen overs in no way reflects his bowling and the effect of it on the game.

I think both Ben Aitchison and Rory Haydon are helped with the pressure that he applies and Derbyshire have looked a pretty good side here.

If they held a greater percentage of half chances that comes their way, they could be very good.

Postscript: I don't know about anyone else, but someone has to do something extraordinary in the second half of the summer to prevent Ben Aitchison being player of the year. 

Another special day in a very special season for him. He looks a serious cricketer in all facets of the game.