Derbyshire v Northamptonshire day three

Derbyshire 307 and 202-3 (Jewell 71, Madsen 62*, Leech 2-54)

Northamptonshire 500-8 declared (Procter 150, Zaib 105)

Derbyshire lead by 9 runs

Looking at the forecast for tomorrow, the weather should save Derbyshire from defeat in this game. You can never discount possibilities, of course, but there should be harsh words if they don't get draw points from this fixture, with a 50% chance of rain pretty much throughout the day likely to reduce the number of overs.

Northamptonshire progressed serenely to 500 before declaring, not really encountering any demons other than the desire to overstretch themselves. None of the Derbyshire bowlers looked especially dangerous, which suggested a draw should be within their compass when the time came to bat. 

Luke Procter took his innings to an admirable 150 before being well caught by Andersson from the bowling of Tickner. He looked very nervous early in the morning, before reaching his century and the leg before appeal from Reece when he was on 98 looked very, very close. Zaib also recorded a century, his at faster than a run a ball, in another fine display.

David Lloyd again, as is his wont, set off like a train but was derailed before his innings became anything other than useful. His 23 was a season highest, but it is worrying for an opening bat to be so short of runs. 

Harry Came got going but was another to fail to kick on, his dogged innings ending leg before to the impressive Leech, after a stand of 63 with Jewell.

The Australian again looked imperious and his stand with Madsen offered some of the best in batting. He registered his fifth half century in six innings, which is an impressive return, but again, he failed to turn his score into a big one. I am currently getting Lawrence Rowe vibes, another player delightful to watch but who, for all his charm at the crease, failed to register the BIG scores his side needed. 

I am hopeful that Jewell will do so before the summer is out, because the Australian selectors will not be overly impressed with a succession of fifties, no matter how breezily and classily they are made. His dismissal today, a slash at a ball he didn't need to play, was careless and unnecessary, given the match situation.

As the shadows lengthened, Northamptonshire pressed for another wicket, Harrison bowling an impressively accurate spell of leg spin from the City End and Guthrie bowling quickly at his old school friend, Guest, at the other. It was good, tense, PROPER cricket, the two most technically correct players in our side, against two contrasting bowling styles. 

At the other end was Madsen, of course. I am running out of superlatives for him, seemingly on a quest to be in the middle for most of his year as captain. He was unbeaten on 62 at the close, taking his season average to 96.5 in six innings. He is playing so straight, so late at times, an object lesson for anyone. His footwork is sure and he just looks on a different plane.

Eight runs ahead at the close with seven wickets in hand. I would hope we can see this one out amid the promised rainfall. 

After all, where there's Wayne, there's hope.

Anyway, we are off tomorrow on one of our three breaks this summer to delightful Berwick upon Tweed. I won't see much of the final day, but will post the final score for your comments.

Hopefully we are all of sound mind by then!