Derbyshire v Warwickshire preview

Assuming that the current weather relents and allows it to actually take place, tomorrow's game between Derbyshire and Warwickshire in the T20 could be an excellent match for TV viewers, as well as those at the ground.

The visitors will have England men Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott available for selection, as well as limited overs pinch-hitting danger man Neil Carter. There is also the additional spice of three ex-Derbyshire players potentially being in their line up, with Rikki Clarke and Ant Botha likely starters. Boyd Rankin is less likely to play, but Derbyshire fans will have mixed feelings about the trio.

Rankin was given an opportunity by Derbyshire but chose to continue his development at Edgbaston, where he has been a qualified success. Clarke has done better than he did at Derby, but to be fair would have struggled to do worse. Botha was a player we would have preferred to retain, even though he seldom ran through sides in helpful conditions as Robin Peterson did yesterday. Limited overs cricket was usually his forte and there will be few easy runs from him tomorrow.

As for Derbyshire, we go into the game unbeaten at the head of the table. A triumvirate of quality South Africans in Bosman, Peterson and Langeveldt (visa permitting) underpins the side, but look a much stronger side than in previous T20 campaigns. There is good depth in batting, a range of bowlers who can take the pace off the ball and a captain who, in his outings thus far, has impressed with his field placing and bowling changes.

No news on the sides yet, but I would expect the following Derbyshire XI to take to the field:

Bosman
Hughes
Smith
Durston
Peterson
Sadler
Redfern
Park
Goddard
Jones
Langeveldt

Wes Durston made a useful unbeaten 32 on Monday as Derbyshire 2nds beat Lancashire on Duckworth/Lewis at Glossop.

The game was a Quarter-Final tie in the ECB's new 2-innings 40-over one-day competition.

Lancashire had posted 91 for 4 in their first batch of 20 overs, with Paul Horton making 43 and Gareth Cross 25. We were going well at 72 for 2 when rain ended proceedings after 12 overs, and the teams never got back out on the pitch.

Lancashire 91-4 (20 overs) Paul Horton 43, Gareth Cross 25
Derbyshire 72-2 (12 overs) Wes Durston 32*

We now play Somerset, a side with some exciting young batsmen, at the County Ground in the semi final. I'd have thought that Wes will be keen to play in that one!