Sussex v Derbyshire day 1

Derbyshire 371-5 (Madsen 111, Critchley 85, Godleman 52, Came 45, Guest 30*)

v Sussex

Relatively speaking, there haven't been too many days in our long history where Derbyshire have made batting look easy, but today was one of them.

It was like the Derbyshire in the time of Wright and Kirsten, or when the 'Million Dollar Quartet' of Barnett, Bowler, Morris and Adams were in their pomp. The score rattled along at four an over all day to see us to the close at a commanding 371-5.

The home side's attack stuck to it all day, but truth be told they were far from experienced nor penetrative on a wicket that was largely blameless. The odd ball moved off the surface, but I suspect our two leg spinners might get some bowling on the final day.

We mustn't forget that this was bottom v next to bottom, but you can only play the side in front of you and at least we batted well for one of the few times this summer. 

Came and Godleman set off like trains, aided and abetted by bowling that redefined erratic and accounted for 43 extras by the end of the day. I thought Came looked good and the end only came with a leg before verdict against him that looked like it might have hit an extra leg stump, but not the real one. That tendency to play across the line needs work, because he looks good when he plays straighter and there were some nice shots to enjoy. 

Sadly Leus du Plooy got his eighth duck of a disappointing summer and the manner of dismissal suggested a bloke needing a break. Is he over-thinking it? He looks a shadow of the player who arrived here and perhaps needs the new Head of Cricket to strip his game back and play in the way he has been successful.

Thereafter it was nice to see Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen bat in characteristic fashion, the former nurdles, nudges and the odd cover drive, the latter the Madsen of old. It wouldn't have been right for him to go into the winter with a highest of 76 and here he proceeded to a delightful century, packed with trademark strokes and looking a million dollars.

Billy was far from happy with being given out caught behind, soon after reaching his half century, but thereafter Critchley and  Madsen added 123, which Dave Griffin later revealed to be the first century stand against Sussex at Hove for the fourth wicket EVER. Since they started there in 1880, that is some statistic..

Both went before the close. Madsen was caught at deep square leg for 111, while Critchley, who batted imperiously, was out for 85, still fifteen more needed to reach his thousand for the summer.

By then the damage was done. Guest and Dal saw it through to the close and may yet inflict more damage on a young attack tomorrow. 

If only there were more days like this, eh?