Derbyshire v Glamorgan preview

Even if I was Welsh I would struggle to convince myself that Glamorgan were one of the country's top sides, but Robert Croft and Jamie Dalrymple must be looking forward to tomorrow as if it was the night before Christmas. Their respective records against us might suggest that they were taken over by the spirits of Jim Laker and Wally Hammond respectively whenever the Derbyshire fixture was in the offing. While someone suggested on 606 that Croft may not play, I would be stunned if he didn't.

Australian Mark Cosgrove is another to reveal a penchant for our bowling in the past, so anyone expecting an easy win in the game that starts tomorrow will be in for a shock. We may do so, but will need to show better with the bat than against Leicestershire.

One or two players need to find their form, but often this is just a couple off the middle of the bat away. Garry Park will soon be back to his form of last season, while Dan Redfern is rested and the experienced John Sadler comes in to bolster the middle order. Paul Borrington has had three starts in four knocks and did better than most in the second innings at Derby, so deserves further opportunities at this stage.

John Morris may have been tempted to introduce Chesney Hughes after a brilliant 129 against Leicestershire Seconds to win us that game, but the financial penalties for doing so in the Championship may legislate against it at this stage.

As for the bowling, I am sure we are all delighted to see the return of all rounder Graham Wagg, while Mark Footitt and Tim Groenewald are also rested to allow for the return of Tom Lungley and Jake Needham.

The Second XI game also saw a century for Needham and fifty for Lungley. The best way to earn a chance is in doing your stuff in the Seconds, by scoring runs and taking wickets. My guess is that Needham will miss out, leaving a seam attack of Wagg, Jones, Lungley and Smith, with Peterson's slow left arm reassuring for our fans after recent seasons bereft of quality spin.

I hope that we see a return to the Oval Derbyshire tomorrow and for the following days. My hunch is for a draw in this one, but I just hope we're not due to face Mr Croft on the last afternoon...

Derbyshire likely side

Rogers
Madsen
Borrington
Park
Smith
Sadler
Peterson
Wagg
Goddard
Jones/Needham
Lungley

Glamorgan

GP Rees
MJ Cosgrove
MJ Powell
JWM Dalrymple (captain)
BJ Wright
J Allenby
MA Wallace
RDB Croft
DS Harrison
DA Cosker
CP Ashling
HT Waters