Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 3

The reality is that Derbyshire have possibly produced some of their least disciplined bowling of the season against Gloucestershire, but start the final day needing 296 runs to win.

The weather forecast appears OK tomorrow and if it stays dry it is eminently do-able. History is against us, the county having chased 300-plus on only seven occasions in their history. With ten wickets in hand and only three an over required we should go for it, as a win would put recent troubles behind us. Sadly, the bowling today continued to be all over the place.

Even Robin Peterson came in for some stick and we would have given a lot for a Langeveldt at one end when the new ball was being wasted in this match. Of course, had we had him, we wouldn't have had the skipper's ton, so it's a swings and roundabouts affair.

The first session is important tomorrow, but they all are. A good start is imperative, as slipping to 40-3 will leave us a mountain to climb, but we need to do what all good chasers of targets do and pace it. 80-1 at lunch would be fine, 180-200 by tea and then acceleration, if required, into the last hour. Easy does it...

Of course, the Gloucestershire bowlers can hardly bowl worse than ours did, so they must probably start the final day as slight favourites on a wicket that apparently still offers help if the ball is in the right areas. At the same time, runs can be made, as several players have proved so far. We just need a couple of guys to step up to the plate and we can win this one.

I just hope my enthusiasm is justified this time tomorrow night.

One final point from me on a busy blogging day. Looking at that Derbyshire T20 lineup, I'm convinced that someone will really cop it from our batsmen this year. I hope it happens regularly, but I will be very surprised, no disappointed, if we don't set a new team record total with that line up. Beating 195 at Chesterfield would definitely be on.

We've now got a means of defending it too. Welcome back Langers!