Middlesex v Derbyshire day 1

Middlesex 307-4 (Eskinazi 118, De Caires 80, Lakmal 2-77) 

v Derbyshire 

On what turned out to be a very good batting track all day, I can only assume that, on winning the toss we thought any help would be early.

As it turned out there was little lateral movement and the home side progressed serenely all day. The cause wasn't helped by Ryan Sidebottom seemingly doing a hamstring seven balls in, which left four bowlers to do the bulk of the bowling all day. 

They stuck well to their task, supported well in the field where the ground fielding was excellent. Lakmal and Conners will bowl better but stuck at it, while Dal can seldom have bowled as many overs. Add in his fielding at point and he put in a good shift today. 

Again I thought Thomson excellent and bowling with good rhythm, fully deserving his late wicket with the assistance of a good catch from Conners. He was unlucky with a pre-lunch lbw shout too, when it was hard to see what the ball was missing. 

Eskinasi made a fine century, while De Caires, son of Mike Atherton, made his first half century in Middlesex colours. Both looked very organised players and the home side will be very happy tonight. 

Not the all - conquering start we hoped for, then, but we fought hard to the end. There appear no demons in the wicket and while bowling Middlesex out with four bowlers seems unlikely, we should make a decent fist of batting on this surface.

In closing, commiserations to Ryan Sidebottom, whose loan spell is almost certainly over at the end of this match. Mickey Arthur will likely be on the phone again to look at options.

We go again tomorrow