Lancashire v Derbyshire Vitality Blast

Lancashire 178 -6 (Salt 44, Livingstone 35, Chappell 3-23)

Derbyshire  136-6 (Madsen 53, Chappell 34*, Wood 3-25, Green 2-16) 

Lancashire won by 42 runs

Derbyshire slipped to the expected defeat at Old Trafford today, losing to Lancashire by 42 runs.

I thought they bowled and fielded pretty well in this game. Had this standard been attained in earlier matches, I have no doubt that our position in the table would be more favourable than it currently is. 

Pat Brown and Zak Chappell were almost back to their T20 best, Patel was canny and removed Buttler with his first ball, Ghazanfar needed watched and Martin Andersson was again under-utilised. Having watched him this summer, I feel he could do a similar job for us in the future to that done by Steven Mullaney and Dan Christian for Nottinghamshire in the past. Why he hasn't bowled more this summer is one of those mysteries, as he has rarely been collared.

Only Ben Aitchison was off his best, but he probably wasn't lined up to play too much in this format and likely needs to hone his skills over the winter.

In the field, Ross Whiteley was excellent, as was Pat Brown. Lancashire were never allowed to get away and the eventual target was certainly within range, if we batted well. Yet when big-hitting international players struggled for timing, I feared the worst.

And we didn't bat well. Caleb Jewell drove, leaden-footed, at Luke Wood and edged to slip, while Andersson got a yorker that was nigh-unplayable, first ball. Two down after two balls and Donald was almost run out in identical fashion to this week's second team game, backing up too far. It was hard to get away from the fact that Wood and Mahmood, international bowlers both, were too good for our top order. The feeling was reinforced when Donald played an unnecessary shot at Wood, just as he and Madsen were getting the innings back on track, and lobbed a simple catch to short fine leg.

Guest and Madsen got the innings back on track but Brooke struggled with his timing and it was no surprise when he holed out to long on. Patel didn't last long either and after a good fifty, Madsen was caught at cover, which was pretty much the end, bar for some sparky strokes from Chappell.

It was reminiscent of the defeat at Birmingham and again I ask why we opted to bat second, on a ground where the pitches often start slow and get slower. Also why, in a competition when so few batters have shown form, Ross Whiteley is kept back until we need 94 from six overs.

All very puzzling.

And hugely disappointing, like most of this tournament has been.