Derbyshire v Gloucestershire day 2

Derbyshire 130-5 (Came 59*, du Plooy 37) 

v Gloucestershire

Day 2

After day one of this game was washed out by rain that would have had Noah phoning his local B and Q for building materials, it was patently clear that whoever won the toss today was going to have a bowl. It was equally clear, at first sight of the wicket, that they might enjoy it.

And so it transpired that Gloucestershire called correctly and Derbyshire were asked to bat.

I am still not convinced at the wisdom of asking Haider Ali to open in the current English conditions. I don't think it is doing the lad any favours and there would be greater merit in him dropping down the order, to allow Luis Reece to open with Harry Came.

He didn't last long, nor did Brooke Guest, who appears a little loose this year. But then batting across the country is considerably different to last season. Yesterday I watched Yorkshire against Durham and Shan Masood was much less dominant than he appeared last season, with the ball zipping around and making stroke play an uncertain exercise. He has also gone cheaply again today, so when a player of his obvious quality is finding it harder, lesser lights are likely to do so.

Wayne Madsen got a very good ball that would have been a problem when well set, while Leus du Plooy looked good before tea, before falling soon after the resumption, much as he did in the last match.

Mitch Wagstaff came in for his championship debut and had a tough time before edging behind. He probably awoke this morning expecting to be 12th man, but Matt Lamb had a back spasm and with the Vitality Blast around the corner, Mickey Arthur erred on the side of caution. His time will come again, hopefully in conditions more conducive to batters.

Through it all, Harry Came batted solidly. I have to admit being impressed by him this season. At the end of last year he played a couple of good innings and he offers what I could best call a 'busy solidity' to the top of the innings. He is very strong off his legs and while he had his share of luck, which all batters need in such conditions, he worked very hard to offer resistance and stability, getting the county to a reasonable position by the close.

By that time, accelerated by what looked gloomy on TV and was likely worse at the ground, he had been joined by Luis Reece. Hopefully they can push the score along tomorrow and then our own seam attack can find conditions equally to their liking.

For the visitors, Taylor and Singh-Dale bowled well in helpful conditions, though de Lange, while quick, struggled with his length and line and was more heavily punished.

Fascinating cricket then. Just good to be watching some after the rains of yesterday...