There are some good players in the Derbyshire side, ones who have scored heavily and taken wickets in good standard league cricket and across the age groups.
But today brought a reality check, as they slipped from their overnight 112-2 to 156 all out. Harry Conway ripped out the middle order of Khushi, Khunti and Naeem this morning, as he has to several county sides this summer, with good support from Weatherall, Louw and Kimber - good, experienced cricketers all.
Then Ricardo Vasconcelos got stuck into Matt Stewart and Will Rogers, as Northamptonshire reached 252-2 by the close.
It is unrealistic to expect young players to continue to dominate as they move through the age groups into county cricket, of course. Some, the REAL elite can do so, but for most it is a slow and gradual process. There are those who will fall by the wayside, but the cream will always, in time, rise to the top.
One who continues to shine is Theo Brown, who as Daryn Smit highlighted in his excellent interview yesterday, has had a fine season. In contrast to his peers, who are themselves talented players, Brown is scoring runs and winning matches in the tough Derbyshire Premier League, as well as taking under-18 cricket in his stride, at just 15 years of age.
Today he top scored with 75 as the Midlands were beaten by the North in the ECB Super Fours. To put the innings in context, the next highest score in his side was ten, in a total of 135 (although there were 23 extras)
I suspect he will be the first of the 'next generation' to break through, if he continues on his current trajectory. Obviously schooling takes precedence right now, as it does for most of his age, but I am sure his progress will be well-watched and carefully monitored.
For the rest - as well as Theo - the hard work to establish themselves as contenders, then as first team cricketers, goes on.
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