Zimbabwe Select XI 126-8 (Chari 42, McKiernan 2-25)
Derbyshire won by 48 runs
What a pleasure it is to be writing about Derbyshire cricket again after the long winter!
How long it lasts, of course, is down to circumstances beyond cricket control, but the fielded eleven did all that could have been expected in their tour opener, played over 20 overs.
There was a touch of deja vu in the performances. After the early loss of Critchley and Reece, the openers, Madsen breezed to 44 from just 28 balls, before Leus du Plooy played in the accustomed manner for an unbeaten 79 from just 51 balls, with 6 sixes and 3 fours. He got fine support from Anuj Dal , who made an unbeaten 22 as the pair added 83 from the last seven overs.
du Plooy hit three successive sixes at one stage and it whets the appetite of supporters quite nicely.
The Zimbabwe XI lost two early wickets to Ravi Rampaul and Mattie McKiernan, before a third wicket stand gave a little hope. They were never up with the rate, however and a flurry of wickets towards the end gave the innings a lopsided look.
Rampaul once again was a standout, with 2-14 in his four overs, while credit goes to McKiernan, who opened and closed the bowling after missing most of last summer. Two leggies in the side was interesting to see, and McKiernan, like Rampaul, bowled sixteen dot balls. Tony Palladino played but didn't bowl, Billy Godleman didn't play and Alex Hughes skippered the side.
The only concern was Sam Conners not finishing his fourth over, but hopefully he did so as a precaution, rather than anything serious.
We'll not read too much into it, but it is always good to get a win, something they accomplished with a lot to spare.
PS Conners was later revealed to have had cramp in his foot, so nothing serious!
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