Weekend thoughts.

I don't know who "Anon" is, but I agree with him/her with regard to Derbyshire's first choice side at present.

Anyone who is a regular reader of this blog (go back to 25 March, Championship Preview) will know that before the season started I suggested that we had a strong top four in Rogers,Madsen, Park and Smith. The only question was who batted five and six and in what order. At that time I suggested that it might be an idea to have someone like Paul Borrington come in at six to hopefully face the second new ball.

It has not worked out that way. Borrington has had his struggles this season (but no more than others) and some would argue that he is in at the best place and there's nothing much between opening and batting at three. It is nonsense. Three is a specialist position and the preserve of some very good players, but ask yourself - would Ponting open? Did Viv Richards? Or Ian Chappell? Peter Kirsten?

Nor, apart from in a few one day matches, did John Morris, yet we've got a young opener batting in a critical and foreign position. Borrington's path into first class cricket might have been easier had he walked to the wicket a few times at 240-3 against an old ball, especially on early season tracks and when Park did the job so well last year.

It is, of course, just my opinion. John Morris is good at his job and knows his players and their capabilities, but perhaps now is the time to go back to what worked last season. Logic suggests Hughes should be at five or six on current form, with the final batting place a straight fight between Redfern, Borrington and Sadler. None are in sparkling form, so that's not one that I would attempt to call and would leave to the man in charge.

There may be a question over whether Robin Peterson should move up in the order to six, splitting two young and inexperienced players. The South African has been an excellent signing and done well with bat and ball. He is well on course to do the 500 runs/50 wickets double that is the benchmark of a fine player these days. While a better bowler than batsman, his nous at the crease might be beneficially used right now.

We're also missing the late middle order input from James Pipe and Graham Wagg. How many times in recent seasons have they launched a counter-attack when things have gone wrong? With one retired and the other injured, our wicket-keeper/Tom Lungley pairing isn't in the same league. I still think Goddard a good batsman, but he needs to start showing it. There are a lot of good wicket-keeper batsmen around, and while Goddard is good behind the stumps, he needs to contribute with the bat. Poynton is a fine prospect, but needs more experience for me.

There's still a lot of cricket to be played in this Championship season, with two games against Sussex, at one time runaway leaders and possibly still the team to beat. I'd concur with Anon, my Championship team, assuming fitness of all concerned, being:

Rogers
Madsen
Park
Smith
Redfern/Borrington
Hughes
Peterson
Wagg
Goddard
Groenewald
Footitt/Jones

The big question is - how will John Morris call it - starting next week?