Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 1

Leicestershire 300-7 (Eckersley 73 not, Parkinson 3-64)

v Derbyshire

All things considered, it was a decent first day for Derbyshire.

After Leicestershire won the toss and opted to bat, a fairly depleted attack chipped away all day, led by their debutant slow-left armer, Callum Parkinson, whose twin brother, Matt plays and bowls leg spin for Lancashire. He bowled with exemplary control in taking 3-64 in 26 overs. Good wickets they were too: two Aussies in Cosgrove and McKay, as well as the experienced Neil Dexter.

At nineteen he could scarce be expected to do more and there were good reports about young wicket-keeper Alex Mellor too. Tony Palladino bowled with metronomic efficiency, although Tom Milnes was a little too expensive, despite an early wicket, while Shiv Thakor took another two in what has been an excellent season.

The main talking point was the omission of Hamish Rutherford and it may be that the Kiwi has played his last game for the county. From my perspective, there is little point in selecting a player who is unlikely to play for us next summer, over another who will, when little rests on the game. There is good depth to the Derbyshire batting here, but against an experienced seam attack of McKay, Shreck and Jones we may need that.

Honours even then, at this stage.

Let's see if we can finish them off tomorrow - then bat for a long time.