Derbyshire v Surrey day 2

What a difference a day makes.

After yesterday's fun and frolics when there was almost a committee meeting to debate installing a revolving door on the pavilion to speed up the incoming batsmen, today was almost wholly in the batsman's favour.

Maybe the pivotal moment of an absorbing game was the wicket taken by Garry Park, his first for the county, when he removed Surrey centurion Scott Newman with one that he edged through to James Pipe.

Up until that point I had visions of men around the county wondering how they were going to excuse themselves from that promised shopping trip on Saturday, safe in the knowledge that the game would be finished by then.

Last night I hoped we would edge to 200. To exceed 250 was astonishing and full marks to Greg Smith, Graham Wagg and Ian Hunter for their efforts in ensuring we got a big lead.

Hunter in particular showed nigh unprecedented levels of talent with the bat as he almost reached his first 50 for the county. He matched Smith stroke for stroke, yet as they found batting increasingly easy there was a feeling that the visitors could do likewise.

So it proved, with Scott Newman, who looked a future Test player when he burst on the scene a few years back, batting sedately until he was settled then unleashing a range of strokes to accelerate towards his century.

70 runs on then with two days to go. Who knows what will happen from here? Tomorrow we need to remove danger man Afzaal early then dig out Batty and the tail. Schofield is another to show adhesive qualities and at this stage I would guess we will be chasing 200-250 in the final innings. With a little cloud cover it could be less, but the wicket seems to be getting easier all the time and Surrey's spinners are not exactly Laker and Lock...

I still think we can and should win this game, but much will revolve around the fitness of Graham Wagg and Andre Nel for their respective sides. Both have spent time off the field in this game and their bowling over the next couple of days could be a factor in deciding the winner of this contest. With Saturday's forecast less favourable, Derbyshire will hope for early inroads tomorrow. The second new ball is not too far away either and we could yet be celebrating at the end of this game.

Finally, a word of recognition for Greg Smith. In these first two matches he has produced innings that hinted of a more controlled and composed batsman. He has always had talent and perhaps this is the year that this bursts into full flower. With his steady seam as another string to his bow and brilliant fielding thrown in, maybe Smith could be as valid a contender for England recognition in the future as Graham Wagg.

Big effort tomorrow lads. Let's do it!

Essex v Derbyshire day three

While the weather may well turn out to be the winner in this game, Derbyshire's performance has been highly impressive and professional.

Having bowled out Essex for 194 and a first innings lead of 132, they extended that by a further six runs before the close for the loss of Steve Stubbings.

It is hard to see where a result can come from in this match as runs have not been easy to come by and there appears to have been help for the seam bowlers throughout, so full marks to John Morris for reading the track correctly.

Serious kudos tonight go to Ian Hunter (pictured). When I mentioned our seam bowling strength pre-season I highlighted the abilities of Langeveldt, Wagg and Clare, mentioned the return to fitness of Tom Lungley and the support available from Greg Smith. Yet I neglected Hunter, which did the man a disservice and I apologise for that.

Earlier in his Derbyshire career he looked quick but tended to be erratic. Then he went through a spell where he struggled with injury and looked to be on his way out. Last season he was far from a regular but I saw him bowl a beautiful spell against Glamorgan in the Pro 40 last year and he looked to have a better control over his line and length than I remember.

Today's figures - 5-46 from 23 overs would have had Cliff and Les purring at the parsimony and the penetration. Praise is also due to Jon Clare for what is becoming his customary tight spell and it was good to see Greg Smith pitch in with wickets, including the important one of Matt Walker just before lunch.

At one point it looked like we could enforce the follow on, but Foster and Masters took them out of immediate danger. The former is an unlucky player and has been as good a wicket keeper batsman as any on the circuit over recent years, yet seems to be penalised for a premature and unimpressive England call up before he was ready. Masters is a canny bowler and has been a good County pro for some seasons now.

Only Tom Lungley struggled for us, going for 5 an over, but he will benefit from the overs and will come back again. He may have to, as there was no sign of Graham Wagg in the field. Presumably he picked up a knock when batting, or pulled a muscle, but there's been no reference to it in the usual sources. If he has a slight niggle it makes sense at this stage to let him take it easy, as there's sure to be a lot of bowling to do before September.

Elsewhere in our division Leicestershire made heavy weather of replying to Northants total of 387 and were 147-8 at the close, with only Jim Allenby (another player I like) keeping them afloat with a battling unbeaten 49. Meanwhile Surrey and Gloucestershire look set for a draw as rain hasn't allowed more than eleven overs in the game's second innings. Looking at the Surrey line-up, I won't be losing sleep
over their visit to the County ground on Wednesday.

As for us, a draw seems likely. I suspect we may declare mid-afternoon tomorrow, perhaps setting a notional 300 or so, but with a bowler short Morris won't want to risk their batting making a better fist of things in the second dig. Still, good work guys - all in all a promising day's cricket.