Glamorgan v Derbyshire day 1

Glamorgan 237 (Carlson 74, Thomson 7-65, Tickner 2-57, Conners 1-51)

Derbyshire 46-1 (Lloyd 35*, Came 11*)

Derbyshire trail by 191 runs

Career best bowling figures of 7-56 by Alex Thomson put Derbyshire into a strong position at the end of the first innings of this game. An off spinner. In April...

Thomson bowled superbly, flighting the ball beautifully and getting significant turn from the start of his spell. Perhaps the only concern was that Derbyshire, having won the toss, had opted to bat last on this pitch and omitted Jack Morley the second spinner. Whether Mason Crane and Kiran Carlson cause similar issues remains to be seen, but they will struggle to better the bowling of the tall Derbyshire man today. 

It was perhaps the best spell of bowlng I have seen by a Derbyshire spinner in years. He kept an excellent line and length throughout, keeping the short leg cordon both safe and prepared for things to happen. 

Edwin Smith once told me that the hardest part of being a bowler was bowling when conditions were in your favour and the expectation was that you would bowl them out. Alex did that admirably today. 

The first sighting of Blair Tickner was very positive. An all-action bowler, functional rather than aesthetically pleasing, he got considerable movement and also bounce. He plays with a smile on his face, yet an obviously combative attitude. I like him, a lot. I think he will prove a very astute signing.

Zak Chappell bowled with good control but no luck, and after reaching a good position in early afternoon, thanks to Carlson, Glamorgan collapsed thereafter as Thomson worked his way through the batting. David Lloyd held a fine catch at leg slip and captained the side astutely, while Brooke Guest was excellent behind the stumps. Indeed, Derbyshire conceded only six extras in 78 overs, a very good, disciplined effort. 

When it came our time to bat, things were far from easy. Luis Reece played too soon at Harris and pulled onto his stumps, while I couldn't see how Harry Came survived a strong appeal for lbw. David Lloyd also survived as Hamza and pretty much everyone else went up for a catch behind.

But both men were still there at the close, the skipper, on his return to Cardiff, having played some very pleasing strokes.

Hopefully the team can bat a long time tomorrow.

But that was a good day's work and excellent to watch.