Derbyshire v Sussex day 4

Sussex 100 and 84-3

Derbyshire 229-6d (Reece 86, Lamb 37, Hunt 3-59)

Mathc drawn

So despite their best efforts, Derbyshire's last home game of the summer ended in a somewhat predictable draw. Having lost the first two days to rain, more time was taken out of today and there was just too much for the home side to do.

That was despite the best efforts of the batters and bowlers. Luis Reece again batted at his sparking best, while Matt Lamb hinted at what might be next year when he can hopefully rely on his back more than is currently the case. He is obviously hindered at the crease, but played some fine shots in a pleasant cameo. There was time for a trademark du Plooy drive over extra cover for six before he fell, but Derbyshire declared at lunch, 129 runs ahead.

They chipped away at the visiting batting, but when rain came they were 84-3 second time around.

Sussex were dreadful in the field, the ground fielding and catching poor, the body language even worse. 

As for Derbyshire, I thought the four seamers bowled very well here and it was good to see them work as a unit. Special mention goes to Pat Brown, who I think will be a very handy all-format bowler. He will best be used, I think, as a strike bowler, mixing it up, dropping in the odd fast bouncer and keeping the batters on their toes. I liked what I saw here and he will only get better.

Conners and Chappell also did well and with Amir and Aitchison to help out next year, seaming wickets will be very much in our favour. I think we would handle them well and, while the end result wasn't as we hoped for, I think the last game showed hope for next year. No overseas player in sight, but we played good, purposeful cricket. With Reece and Dal to help out and another overseas bowler/all rounder likely to arrive, our attack should be more potent next summer 

And so to Wales, where I anticipate the end of the game will see the ceremonial carriage of David Lloyd from the home to away dressing room, marking his new role in an appropriate style. 

Wayne Madsen will miss that one, but his finger injury has been assessed as not requiring surgery, which is good news for the player and his family. Hopefully he will be fit for the return to the gym in due course, after the players have had a well-earned break.

We are four days from the end of another season. Though a long winter lies ahead, we should content ourselves that, with the expected recruitment, we should hopefully have things to cheer when Spring comes again.