So Gloucestershire enter the final day needing 120-odd runs with nine wickets in hand.
Logic suggests the hosts should do it easily, but a couple of early wickets tomorrow might put the squeeze on, as happened last year. Overcast conditions encouraging swing would do nicely...
Today was a mixed bag. Early wickets went down, Chesney Hughes started a revival, then Greg Smith played the sort of innings that he can when the mood is on him. He had his share of luck, but on such a wicket where the bowlers have had enough to keep them interested, a batsman needs that kind of thing.
The skipper dug in well and there was a cameo from Jon Clare, but there were a few failures along the way, with Wes Durston and Garry Park not enjoying the best of starts to the season.
My gut feeling is a defeat tomorrow, but I'm encouraged by the fighting spirit and the fact that we've taken the game into a fifth day. That, at least, is something to build on.
Ending on a high note, there was a maiden century today for Derbyshire youngster Hamza Siddique for Cardiff UCCE against Somerset. Having broken all the school batting records at Repton, Siddique has looked a talent for a year or two, but this breakthrough will stand him in good stead when he returns to the club after the University term.
The encouraging early season performances by the likes of Ben Slater, Matt Higginbottom, Ross Whiteley and Paul Borrington suggest that the next generation of Derbyshire players is making good progress.
They may put pressure on the ones in possession before the season is out.
On paper paper this was the worst Gloucestershire team I have ever seen and they beat us easily which is a huge worry!
ReplyDeleteYes, after all the talk of us playing youngsters to get the ECB money we played a very experienced team and got hammered by a team of YTS kids!
ReplyDeleteI suppose some consolation is Glamorgan lost their Division One game!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am sure that Waggy said he was leaving us to play in Division One with Glamorgan, LOL.
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