Derbyshire innings - first 25 overs

Derbyshire began their innings chasing over 300, a total achieved only four times against first-class sides in our history and never in a run chase. The portents were not good and someone had to do something special for us to get there.

Yet Slater and Godleman began well, trading boundaries and scoring at five an over from the first four, bowled by Buck and Azharullah. I always enjoy watching Slater, a busy player and one rapier-like cut shot had the crowd murmuring appreciatively. Godleman too was on the offensive, whipping one through mid on before carving another over point, both for boundaries.

Slater brought up the 50 from the second ball of the eighth over, a glorious extra cover drive, then greeted the arrival of Keogh into the attack with four more. After a loose first over, Miles Richardson, in his first List A game, brought things back before Godleman drove delightfully through extra cover for four and then forced through point for four more.

After ten overs, Derbyshire were 68-0, compared to the visitors 71-1

Disaster struck in the next over, when Slater set off for a quick single, was sent back after a smart bit of fielding and was run out for an excellent 30, despite a desperate dive for the crease.

Enter Shiv Thakor. There was greater circumspection for a while, but a thick edge was followed by a text book sweep for boundaries to Shiv. Two more brought up the hundred in the fifteenth over, two overs quicker than the visitors. Godleman's fifty followed, a well-compiled and professional effort by the skipper.

The introduction of White to the attack slowed Derbyshire, but a free hit brought a straight four to the Derbyshire skipper and the second wicket pair continued to work the ball around. Godleman nearly ran himself out with a chancy single to cover and was well short had the fielder hit.

At the halfway point, Derbyshire had reached an impressive 149-1. 159 from 25 overs and you would probably fancy such a chase in a 20-over game.

The mental side will win or lose this from here.