Leicestershire v Derbyshire day four

Leicestershire 484 and 357-9 declared (Tickner 3-82, Morley 3-84)

Derbyshire 393 and 305-4 (Madsen 96, Jewell 73, Guest 68* Reece 38*) 

Match drawn

What could have been a fascinating final day at Leicester was ruined by the negative mindset of the home side. 

They could have declared overnight, or after three or four overs this morning, but instead opted to bat Derbyshire completely out of the game and then attempt to bowl them out in 86 overs. 

Perhaps they thought there would be a collapse, or that the pitch would suddenly misbehave. But it was a flawed idea, because for Derbyshire to go for the runs and potentially lose wickets in the process, there needed to be a carrot, or incentive. They even had boundary riders from the outset, so were not overly aggressive with field settings.

It was a case of batting out time. Perhaps briefly, when Wayne Madsen and Caleb Jewell were together, there was a brief consideration of a chase, but the dismissal of the Australian made the draw points the prize.

Jewell made his fourth half century in as many innings and again looked a very fine player. For me, his next challenge is to go on to a match defining century, because red ball cricket is rarely won by fifties, regardless of how stylish and enjoyable they are. As one old professional once said to me, when you have that many on the board you are seeing it like a football and should be 'drinking at the well' while the eye is in. There will be plenty of days when it isn't, for anyone.

Madsen again led from the front with a stylish innings, the only surprise being when he missed out on yet another century. But he can be proud of how his team battled in this game and how once again he has shown himself one of the all-time greats of the county. As well as a nigh-perennial problem for Leicestershire, averaging over sixty against them throughout his career 

It was left to Brooke Guest and Luis Reece to find batting form and steer Derbyshire to a comfortable draw. There were a couple of loud appeals against the former, though more indicative of a lack of understanding of the lbw law, as viewed from short leg, in the second instance.

In the end, both sides will be happy with the draw. Derbyshire showed that they will be prepared to graft this summer and will be very satisfied, from the position that they were in on day two. 

Leicestershire? A good side, but unless they show greater willingness to risk defeat in going for a win, I don't see enough variation in their attack to really challenge for promotion at the end of the summer. They missed Chris Wright here and cannot depend on his body holding together throughout the summer.

In closing, Derbyshire's second team are in action tomorrow and I suspect that David Lloyd might fancy a bat in that fixture. He seems to be pushing at the ball at present, never a good move as an opener. He remains the best option for us in that position, because we cannot burden Luis Reece, with greater responsibility than he already has in opening the bowling. 

I think David will come again and his importance to the balance of the Derbyshire side is clear. But Mitch Wagstaff will also aim to impress and offers a similar skill set, if required.

But a good effort. I don't think anyone can deny that.

Unbeaten, going into game three. We would have taken that in advance, I think?