Derbyshire v Leicestershire preview

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As I suggested in last night's blog, John Morris has named the same side for tomorrow's East Midlands derby that did such a sterling job at the Oval, with Steffan Jones also included in the twelve. A late decision will be taken on whether we go with an extra seamer or batsman, presumably meaning a straight battle between Jones and Paul Borrington at this stage. With Greg Smith doing a fine job as fourth seamer at the Oval, it may be that Borrington again gets the nod to help combat early season movement and the possibility of batting problems.

As for our visitors, they will be buoyed by their win in the first game and look a useful, rather than impressive side. On their club site, much is being made of the battle between the two skippers, Matthew Hoggard and Chris Rogers, with Hoggard suggesting we may rely more on Buck performing than they do on his wickets. I'm not so sure. If Rogers scores 150 tomorrow the chances are we will be in a good position, but if he doesn't there are plenty of others to step up to the plate. Cricket being the game it is, we shouldn't be surprised if he got a rare failure, but let's leave that as one to see in due course.

Leicestershire will almost certainly name an unchanged side too, which should see a return for Wayne White, Andrew Harris and Tom New to the County Ground. The thinking money is on this side taking the field tomorrow:

Jefferson
Boyce
Nixon
Taylor
Cobb
New
White
Henderson
Buck
Hoggard
Harris

Nixon and Jefferson apart, they have a young batting line up that is counter balanced by some old heads in the attack. Henderson and Peterson will no doubt have a private battle going on for slow left arm bragging rights, both of them enjoying good first games. While Wayne White has done well since his move to Leicester and scored 89 in the first game, I would still be worried if he was number seven in a Derbyshire side.

What we don't know is how the newly aligned pitches will perform, but if the weather stays out of it, I am confident that our strengthened attack and long batting order will be sufficient to get another win from this game. I have not often been bullish about Derbyshire prospects over the years, but I like the look of our Championship side this season. Having demolished the side that are supposedly the best in the division, we have set a benchmark and now need to emulate it on a regular basis.

Go get 'em boys.