Weekend warmer

No cricket for Derbyshire this weekend then, which is a crying shame, but with the fixture list drawn up by the ECB, why should we be surprised?

There was a stirring win for the second team at Repton, where after being largely outplayed for much of the game they sealed an unlikely one-wicket win over Durham.

In a textbook 'stake a claim for a first team place' performance, Luis Reece followed 88 in the first innings with 166 in the second. With wicket keeper Harry Caton making an unbeaten 49 with four sixes and the winning boundary, while Josh Lacey of Ockbrook and Borrowash made 53, we chased down a victory target of 343 in 77 overs. 

Caton is an 18-year old from Ramsbottom CC and seems a likely lad, on this performance. With many of the Pathway players doing exams, the side featured a few trialists. 

But Reece must surely come back into the side for the next game. My only concern was that his knee might have flared up when he started limping in his last appearance, but that appears to be fine. 

Mickey Arthur said that he expected him to be bowling for the start of white ball cricket, which isn't far away now. His option of a change of angle will be a huge asset to the attack, as his batting will be to a line up that is doing well anyway. 

Who does he replace? Logically it has to be either Mattie McKiernan or Billy Godleman. The former would be unlucky after a fine century at Leicester, while dropping the captain would be a major decision. Yet so too would leaving out a bloke in such form.

Were it to be Godleman, the likely captain would surely be Shan Masood, who, in answer to various emails I have had on that subject, I expect to be named T20 captain in the coming weeks. 

He is the obvious, logical candidate, with 'previous' in Pakistan. I would be astonished if Billy was in the T20 side, where Reece would likely open with Masood. If that doesn't whet the appetite then nothing will! 

Elsewhere, Ryan Sidebottom's loan has been extended by a further month. For me, this allows bowlers to recover from injury, but also allows Mickey Arthur to have a longer look at him. 

On the basis of his bowling on the last afternoon against Glamorgan, the Warwickshire man might be a canny addition for next summer. A relatively inexperienced attack could do with another man who has been in match situations before and he as outstanding as Glamorgan went on the charge. 

By the end of the month, the Head of Cricket will have a very good idea of the longer term viability of signing him, as he seeks to put his own 'stamp' on the squad. 

As it stands, even with more injuries than would be their preference, they aren't doing too badly, are they? 

Enjoy your weekend!