Gloucestershire v Derbyshire Metro Bank Cup preview

There are two ways that Derbyshire can approach the Metro Bank Cup, that starts tomorrow.

In the absence of any second team cricket this month, they could offer opportunity to some of the promising younger players on the staff, like Potts, Harrison and Wagstaff. Or they could put out the strongest team from the players that are left, after The Hundred and injury has somewhat ravaged the squad.

I suspect that we will go with the latter, given that we won the Second Eleven T20 in fielding the club captain. Doing well in this competition is important, when looking back on the season as a whole.

The arrival of David Lloyd is welcome, especially so if he is able to bowl a few overs of medium pace. Derbyshire could then go with a side reminiscent of India when they won the World Cup in 1983, a combination of spin and medium pace with Sam Conners as our Kapil Dev..

I would like to see Lloyd at three, allowing Haider Ali to move to four. If he is fit to bowl a few overs, it would be possible to accommodate both Wood and Lamb, who themselves can offer spin options. By my calculation that would offer seven or eight bowlers and a very long batting lineup.

Reece

Came

Lloyd

Ali

Wood

Lamb

Guest

Dal

McKiernan

Thomson/Watt

Conners

Also in thirteen: Nick Potts

Gloucestershire are another county not overly affected by losses to that 'other' competition and they have recruited the Irish international Harry Tector to bolster their ranks.

Their 14-man squad:

Akhtar, Bracey, Charlesworth, Dent, Gohar, van Meekeren, Phillips, Singh Dale, Shaw, Smith, Price, Taylor, Tector, Wells

It should make for an excellent game on one of the most scenic grounds, Cheltenham, on the county circuit. I would like to think that Derbyshire have a good chance, both in the game and the competition overall.

Remember, the top sides from each group qualify for the semi-final, and second plays third from the other group to decide their opponents.

Can Derbyshire make at least top three? 

I think so, but it is down to them to prove me correct.