Book Review - A Half-Forgotten Triumph: the Story of Kent's County Championship Title of 1913 by Martin Moseling and Tony Quarrington

OK, from the start I will declare a specific interest in this book, as anything covering the so-called 'Golden Age' prior to the First World War will always arouse my interest.

It was an age of gentility, innocence and huge interest in cricket, with the first-class calendar featuring some of the giants of the game's history. WG had gone, but youngsters like Jack Hobbs and Frank Woolley had emerged to capture the imagination of the large cricketing public. They read about these players, but to see them had to go to games. And did, in large numbers.

Woolley was, of course, a batting genius, subject to periods of fallibility but more often than not a player of extraordinary charm who could make batting look like the easiest thing in the world. By the time his career ended in 1938, he had amassed a staggering 59,000 first-class runs, not mention 2,000 wickets with slow left-arm and over a thousand catches. It is safe to say that we will never see his like again.

He was a poor starter, but once set aimed to dominate the bowling, his carefree attitude accounting for a first-class average that just cleared forty, but ensuring the love and admiration of generations of cricket followers. He was a mainstay of the side at the age of 26 in 1913, but by no means a one-man band.

Opening batsman Wally Hardinge was close to 2,000 runs, one of eighteen occasions on which he passed a thousand runs in stylish manner. James Seymour was an excellent number three and outstanding fielder, while Edward Humphreys was another who, like Seymour, passed 1500 runs in an excellent summer for the 'Garden of England' county.

Like all good sides they  had people down the order who contributed runs when most needed and in Fred Huish had a wicket-keeper worthy of a place in an outstanding lineage through Ames, Evans, Knott and Downton.

Seam bowler Arthur Fielder often made early breakthroughs, but Kent had the greatest slow left arm bowler of the period in Colin Blythe. While his powers were on the wane - and the book points out that he was set to retire from cricket to become a coach after the war in which he was killed - he was still good enough to take 145 wickets at just 15 in the season.

2,500 wickets at 16 in a career. The statistics are extraordinary but reflect a bowler in complete control of his powers. Like Yorkshire's Wilfred Rhodes, his greatest weapon was flight, turning it just enough to beat the middle. He enjoyed success against batsmen who 'took him on' in the spirit of the day, but from a classic action bowled long spells without any diminution of his powers.

The fixture lists of the time meant that counties didn't necessarily play all of the others and Kent's success came despite no fixture against a fairly mediocre Derbyshire side of the time. Common sense dictates that this side may have disposed of us very easily...

This is a terrific read and deserves a far wider audience than Kent fans alone. Martin Moseling is an occasional contributor to the blog and the authors deserve full credit for a book that is an absolute delight from start to finish. Lavishly illustrated, with pictures of players and grounds from the period throughout, I savoured every  turn of the page.

It is a book I have had for some time, but took my time over. Now it is finished, I may just start it all over again. Shortlisted among the cricket books of the year, it certainly makes it into Peakfan's top three.

 A Half-Forgotten Triumph: the Story of Kent's County Championship Title of 1913 by Martin Moseling and Tony Quarrington is published by Sports Books and is available through all good book shops. It  is also available from Martin Moseling by e mailing acricketsortofchap@gmail.com

Derbyshire v Kent day 1

All things considered, that was a bit of a Carlsberg day for Derbyshire today. Granted, the Kent attack wasn't the strongest on the circuit, but you can only play against the team in fromt of you.

Matt Lineker got a score that will do him the world of good, Wes Durston got a century of apparent brilliance, while two young cricketers of massive ability gave it serious humpty at the end of the day, scoring at seven an over as they put tiring bowlers to the sword.

 It's funny, I wrote about them last night and firmly believe these lads could be the real deal. Both average around 40 this season and its not so much the runs they score as the way they make them. Confident strokes, booming drives, towering sixes. It is a pleasure to think of them as Derbyshire players for the next three years at least.

 405 in 86 overs is some going and set me thinking. How are we going to fit another overseas batsman into the side? Paul Borrington failed today, as did Dan Redfern, but we have Chesney Hughes and Garry Park outside this side, with Ben Slater and Hamza Siddique in the vanguard of the next generation. Eight batsmen have exceeded 500 runs this summer, as well as the outstanding Wes Durston, deservedly player of the year. Such a team approach to run scoring is tribute to a fine team spirit engendered by captain Luke Sutton and Karl Krikken.

Sutton has had his critics this summer, but 500 runs is a decent return from the skipper, who will probably drop down a place next summer, allowing Clare greater opportunity. If Tom Poynton continues to improve the skipper could well ease back on his playing commitments too, but we'll see about that.

Talking of next season, if I'm honest, the best overseas player that I can think of would be Danish Kaneria. His hearing in Pakistan is now at the end of this month and if, as seems likely, he is cleared of any irregularities, he will be free to return to their Test side and to county cricket. The former may be problematic, but Kaneria is a world-class performer who would strengthen any county side.

Mike Newell of Nottinghamshire has today said that they may go without one next year as the shrinking, IPL-skewed market makes signing someone decent increasingly problematic. Kaneria won't play IPL as Pakistani players simply don't get picked, but I would be very surprised if he was not near the top of Derbyshire's shortlist.

 I know we have a young Tom Knight and Peter Burgoyne on the staff, but at 18 and 17 they could be key members of a vibrant, locally-reared side for 15 years or more. As young spinners they could learn a massive amount from a world-class cricketer who has well over a thousand wickets in the first-class game, working with him in the nets and bowling alongside him in one day games, a strategy proven to work. In the Championship, the dry tracks that we have seen at times this season could see him bowl at one end when the shine is off the new ball.

 World class? Without a doubt. Derbyshire's next overseas star? I hope so. Right now I can't think of a single player in his league who would be available for the summer.

Monday musings

According to a contributor on the Forum, we're now being linked with Kent's Martin Van Jaarsveld. As a concept it is sound and as a player he would improve our side, even though he's had a poor season by his lofty standards. A player with international experience, Van Jaarsveld has been a run machine for Kent and would doubtless contribute for anyone else. Married to a northern girl, I could buy into the rumour and the idea that she wanted a move north.

Would he come to Derbyshire? I don't know, it would depend on various factors. If he was available, I doubt we alone would be interested (always assuming we are, of course...) I am unaware of his qualification status, but suspect he is qualified by either residency or marriage by now. Picking him up would also be a major signing and with Chesney Hughes and Wayne Madsen qualified next summer, fielding VJ and an overseas player would still leave us within the terms of the blueprint, playing nine English-qualified players per game - and many of them under 26. Mind you, that assumes that Greg Smith doesn't stay, in which case he would be the non-qualified. Given the choice, who would you rather have?

Still, its all supposition and rumour, nowt more than that. Today's game is farewell to the CB40 for this year and I was interested to see Paul Farbrace of Kent say that they were not beaten by a better team at Derby and that they had been their own worst enemy this season with some performances. He could have been talking about us, to be fair and it shows how a handful of performances can tarnish a season when you consider that we could easily finish third bottom in the CB40 and Championship with a poor finish.

Derbyshire have produced a lot of solid, competitive, aggressive and entertaining displays this season, but a handful of games where the intensity or skill level dropped have cost us. Worcestershire in the CB40 and T20 at home, Netherlands home and away in today's competition, Northamptonshire - these are the games that have spoilt an otherwise good season, when we have mixed it with the big boys  and given as good as we've got against all but Nottinghamshire.

With no overseas player, today will be a tough one to end positively, but I'm sure the players will give 100% as always. Win and third place is ours. Lose and third bottom will be.

More later.

Kent v Derbyshire day 1

An impressive batting display by Derbyshire at Canterbury today saw them amass 370-3 against Kent, with Wayne Madsen and Usman Khawaja reeling off impressive centuries to put us in the driving seat.

Chesney Hughes got the innings off to a flyer, but the 231 run stand for the second wicket gave us a stranglehold on this game.

Where it goes from now will be interesting. We have scored at almost four an over and will presumably be looking to declare before tea tomorrow, unless things go pear-shaped in the morning. Anything over 500 is a psychological barrier, with 550 leaving the opposition 400 to simply save the follow on.

Of course, we must suppose that batting conditions are pretty good and that their talented line-up will also enjoy a hit on such a track. Bowling them out twice to win the game will not be easy and I have a feeling that young Mr Rafiq may have a role to play before the game is out.

Still, that's all for the future. For now, let's enjoy as competent, confident batting display and another good effort from our boys.

Once again in what is turning out a pretty decent season, we couldn't have asked for more.

Kent v Derbyshire

A squad of fourteen has headed down to the Garden of England for the clash against Kent. Hope its drier than the garden of Peakfan, which is currently wind and rain lashed after winds registering 110mph at times. Unreal...

With a doubt over Dan Redfern's knee, Paul Borrington could make a delayed season debut, while there will be a decision to make over the seamers, with Mark Footitt raring to go. My guess is that we'll narrow it down to the following 12:

Wayne Madsen, Paul Borrington, Chesney Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Wes Durston, Greg Smith, Luke Sutton (Captain), Jonathan Clare, Azeem Rafiq, Tim Groenewald, Tony Palladino and Mark Footitt.

There's a tough call. The extra pace of Footitt or the established trio of Clare, Dino and Timmy G? Do you play all four and drop the increasingly impressive Rafiq? It will, as always, depend on the state of the wicket.

Kent have had a nightmare start in this competition, which is hard to believe with the likes of Key, Jones, Van Jaarsveld, Tredwell, Denly and "I'm in a dancing" Mahmood in the side. If that was the Derbyshire side, can you imagine the fuss at under achievement?

Denly returns from injury in the following Kent side:

Key, Denly, Northeast, van Jaarsveld, Jones, Stevens, Mahmood, Tredwell, Coles, Shaw, Saker.

I've seen it described as crucial or season-defining. A win would certainly take us up the table and another good one against Surrey would send us into the T20 having had a good first half of season. Second in the pro 40 and midway in the Championship is a world better than last year.

C'mon the shire. Lets go get 'em!

Derbyshire v Kent day 4

A frustrating, but not entirely unexpected final day as we took only one wicket before a draw was agreed between the skippers.

There's the (expected) comment of "something lacking" and "not ramming home advantage" on 606, but let's be honest, to win on this sort of wicket you need an outstanding bowler. A Michael Holding might have made something happen, but there's none like him around at present.

The bottom line is that if we make 586-4 there's nothing wrong with the track. The only way we could win today was if the atmosphere had been muggy and the ball had swung. With nothing in the wicket, the game looked a draw from 11.30am this morning. Key, Jones and Van Jaarsveld are all international players and international players drink at the well when conditions are there for them.

I agree with "Peter" on 606 tonight. Another year in this division will be no bad thing and we'll be a stronger side next year. If we could pick up another spinner (Middlebrook?) another seamer (hands up if you fancy Kabir Ali coming here...) and maybe another batsman to replace those who have left, we'll have a good side next season. If Yorkshire join Worcestershire in the relegation places, there'd be no one I would especially fear next season, though Surrey must surely be better than this year.

I still think that Essex will gatecrash the second promotion place, though will need to win their next games as I fear the last game at Derby will be like this, a high scoring draw.

For me, that's the essential for next season, to get more pace in the tracks and make them more bowler friendly while not enough to fall foul of the pitch inspectors. Durham have a fine side, but its no coincidence that their Chester-le-Street track usually helps the bowlers and therefore brings a positive result. The preparation of such pitches is a fine art, but our current seam attack would take advantage of a helpful wicket more often than not, while we bat low enough to put on a total regularly.

In short? We should have been able to take three wickets after lunch at Leicester and Northamptonshire should definitely have been beaten at Chesterfield. Today there is no shame after outplaying Kent for most of the game, as we did indeed at Canterbury. Two wins in the last two games could still keep it tight at the top, but its not going to happen. I can see us beating a poor Middlesex (especially without Shah) but not Essex.

One problem today was the loss of Chris Rogers with what looked like an ankle injury. Hopefully it won't keep him out for long, but the chances are he'll miss tomorrow's game at Edgbaston in the Pro 40. The hosts have named a strong looking squad, with England hero Jonathan Trott back in their side. The squad is:

Trott
Carter
Bell
Troughton
Ambrose (wkt)
Westwood (captain)
Clarke
Botha
Barker
Piolet
Sreesanth
Ord
Rankin

With three ex-Derbyshire men in the side there'll be a little extra spice and I'm sure Graham Wagg and Tim Groenewald will want to play against their old side. Maybe we should have kept Dan Birch and Dom Telo on and it could have been an Edgbaston trial for them...

No news on our side at this stage, but I'm guessing that Morris may give Ian Hunter and Chesney Hughes an outing. Assuming Rogers misses the game, Madsen has club commitments to fulfil and Poynton gets more experience, the side could well be:

Sadler
Park
Smith
Hinds
Redfern
Hughes
Wagg
Poynton
Groenewald
Jones
Hunter

I can't think there's any point in playing Lawson and Needham seems out of form and favour. There's plenty of bowling options and should be a decnet match, even if one with little at stake.

See you tomorrow!

Derbyshire v Kent day 2

Wow...

There seems to have been a bit of a positive surge in the poll for this week, somewhat emphatically backed by today's performance.

In a nutshell, there can have been few days in recent, or indeed distant memory where Derbyshire have so thoroughly dominated very good opposition as they have today.

Last night I suggested that early wickets might change things a little and Derbyshire ripped through the Kent lower order as an overnight 232-5 became 281 all out. The Jones boy 20 overs for 35 runs and five wickets. That's Les Jackson territory, hostility and accuracy and confirmation that we really do need to sign this chap for next year. He was well supported by Tom Lungley's three wickets while Graham Wagg and Tim Groenewald got one each.

Then it was time for the skipper to come out with a biggie and he responded in fine style. I wrote a couple of weeks ago that I thought Rogers and Madsen could be an outstanding opening pair, yet this was our first opening stand of a century this season. Extraordinary! Should they get to 200 tomorrow it would be only the twelfth time in the club's history that an opening pair has reached that milestone. Extraordinary to the power ten...

At the close we were 186-0, just 95 runs behind and Chris Rogers (pictured) is just 32 runs away from completing his 1,000 for the season. He and Madsen have an interesting competition going on for top of the averages, with the skipper at 60 and the so-impressive Madsen just under 59 per innings.

What now for the game? Well, the next two days look good weather-wise, so tomorrow we'll hope to be ahead by lunch, flogging it before tea and having them in again before stumps. Key to it all again (deja vu anyone?) is bowling them out a second time. They're top of the league because they've played consistently good cricket this year, but in six days against them we've probably only lost 2 sessions. Yesterday after lunch they got away a bit, and after lunch on the last day at Canterbury they did the same, before we hit back, too late, after tea.

The only down side about the day was that Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire both did well. Still, no point worrying about what you can't affect. This was a terrific day for Derbyshire cricket and its fans.

It was topped off by the news late tonight that John Morris has signed a new two-year deal at the club. Regular readers will know I think Morris is going in the right direction, and tonight 80% of those in the poll seem to think the same.

Well done guys!

Derbyshire v Kent preview

"The business end of the season" Greg Smith calls it on the official site today and I hope that Derbyshire are set to be business-like in their remaining games after a break that should have recharged their batteries.

First up tonight, serious congratulations to Derbyshire's physio team who have got Graham Wagg fit again. I thought we'd seen the last of Waggy for this year and he must have had a lot of work to do to get himself back so quickly. Whether he is back as the fast medium version or as solely the slow left armer we'll need to wait and see, but there's little doubt that he has a talismanic effect on the side and it will be good to have him back.

Hello again to Tom Lungley, after we sent him off to our nursery club, Lancashire, to regain form and fitness. He'll be the first to admit that it has not been a vintage year, but he could go a long way towards redeeming himself if he rediscovers his old skills in the run in.

There's also a return for John Sadler after a season of consistently good returns in the Second XI. He replaces Dan Redfern, who has had a long first season and is rested. In most other seasons in the last ten years Sadler would have walked into the batting line up, but the top six have done the business this year. They've all had barren spells but have come out of them before it became critical.

The Derbyshire side in full is:

Chris Rogers (captain)
Wayne Madsen
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Wavell Hinds
John Sadler
James Pipe
Graham Wagg
Tim Groenewald
Tom Lungley
Steffan Jones
Nantie Hayward

Given that Nantie Hayward hasn't really fired, I'd expect the top eleven to be the side taking the field.

Kent will miss Joe Denly after his England 20/20 selection, but still come with a strong side. Given that they've beaten us with their Firsts and Seconds in recent weeks, the cynics might say that it doesn't matter who they bring along, but I'm sure that Derbyshire will be up for this one.

The Kent squad of 13 is:

Key
Northeast
Jones (W)
van Jaarsveld
Stevens
Kemp
Blake
Tredwell
Cook
Khan
Edwards
Ferley
Coles

John Morris said yesterday that if we win two out of the last three we could still go up and I'd agree, but we'd need to make sure that we don't lose to Essex in among that. For me they're the rivals and if we could (somehow) beat Kent then go to Uxbridge and win, the last game would be a real belter.

First things first. Can we beat Kent? Of course we can. Will we? I'm not so sure we're quite there yet, but sincerely hope I'm wrong.

Finally tonight, I said yesterday that someone could/should take a chance on Herath of Sri Lanka. Lo and behold, Surrey sign him today for the remainder of the season. So while I'm in the zone, I think we should sign Jacques Kallis or JP Duminy for next season.

Now, where's that lucky white heather...

Derbyshire v Kent preview

It was good to see the national press praising a good cricket wicket at Chesterfield and if there were more around the counties like it the four day game would be a far greater spectacle for many.

Of course the down side is that this game finished in three and clubs will not fancy losing additional days revenue on a regular basis. It is a far greater base from which to judge a player, however. David Willey and Dan Redfern, two young players of whom much is expected, both spent good time in the middle in this match and their runs were worth a far higher score on a better batting track. They'll both have learned from the experience though and will go on to better things I'm sure.

Tomorrow the focus switches to the Pro 40. There's been suggestions from various quarters that we should rest senior players and give youngsters a game. I'm less sure that we should make wholesale changes, especially as there's a week's rest after this one for the side.

It may be that Wayne Madsen returns to his club commitments tomorrow, which would leave a place for John Sadler, while we may see Ian Hunter and Jon Clare back in the side, allowing Steffan Jones and Tim Groenewald a rest. It could also be that Chesney Hughes gets his first team debut, having been in the squad for the Northamptonshire game after good displays for the Seconds. For what its worth, my team for the game would be:

Chris Rogers
Garry Park
Greg Smith
John Sadler
Wavell Hinds
Dan Redfern
James Pipe
Jon Clare
Chesney Hughes
Ian Hunter
Nantie Hayward

Maybe I was a little harsh on Hayward yesterday and I know that a lot of the runs from him came off the edge. Quick bowlers on small grounds and that can happen. Yet I've seen Alan Ward, Harold Rhodes, Ian Bishop, Devon Malcolm and Michael Holding on this ground - all as quick or quicker than Hayward - and rarely going for seven an over. Even Devon, who could be expensive on occasions, would have been unlikely to go for 62 off 9 and it is almost laughable to consider the others doing so. And no, I'm not turning into an old fogey...

Nor, in yesterday's blog did I pay tribute to "Deano" - Steffan Jones, nicknamed after his Australian batting namesake following his recent exploits. His whole hearted efforts yet again came close to bringing dividends. As I said the other day, I'd love to see him here next year and I'm pleased that his loan has again been extended, this time to the end of the season. He's also a top bloke, and we could rely on Steffan to bowl and bowl, usually with considerable accuracy and pace.

Back to tomorrow and Kent last week played most of their second string in the Pro 40 although the presence of the likes of Kemp, Mahmood, Tredwell and Khan made them more than a match for Leicestershire. They are likely to do the same tomorrow, though there is, as yet, no news on their side.

Whether this is the end of the Pro 40 or not, Derbyshire will want to keep a good, positive habits and a win would go some way to erasing the memories of the recent 4-day traumas. It will be a good game and I'll certainly be following it closely.

Kent v Derbyshire Day One

There were a number of things worthy of note about day one of the Clash of the Titans today. OK, that's maybe overdoing it, but you get my gist...

First up, Derbyshire ended their innings having posted a competitive score and once again one that didn't look likely in the early afternoon. At 127-5 we were looking down a barrel of a score less than 200 and no batting points. To close with three in an all out score of 303 was a considerable achievement.

Once again Chris Rogers got us off to a flyer, but again got out just after reaching a fine 50. Wayne Madsen failed for once, but everyone does from time to time. Nor did the middle order make much impression, although Dan Redfern promised much in his 29 that contained seven boundaries.

It was again Wavell who held us together. He had four sixes by the time he had reached 40 and played a fine hand with his 74. 233-9 still looked vulnerable, however and we were again indebted to the late order and Jones the bat in particular. Steffan must be the best number 11 we've ever had and with successive fifties now must be looking for all rounder status...

It was again indicative of the fighting spirit instilled in the side by John Morris and Derbyshire would be quite satisfied with their final tally, especially when four wickets went to off spinner James Tredwell and Kent should have to bat last on this track. Jake Needham also did well at the other end, but his may well turn out to be a starring role as the game progresses.

It was interesting to see that Nantie Hayward was left out of the starting line up today. He's not yet hit his straps since his arrival, while Wagg, Jones and Groenewald have bowled consistently in recent matches. I'm sure his time will come, but it was a tough decision and full credit to the coach for making it.

Groenewald struck a telling blow with the last ball of the day after three expensive overs, when he tempted Denly into fishing outside his off stump and edging to the safe hands of Chris Rogers at slip. Kent closed at 49-1 and tomorrow is set to be a fascinating day's cricket. Early wickets are crucial for Derbyshire as the hosts will resume with in-form skipper Rob Key accompanied by overseas star Martin Van Jaarsveld. Get through that pair quickly and we're ahead in a very even game. If we don't. there's a lot of leather chasing in prospect.

Kent v Derbyshire preview

Over achievers or genuine promotion contenders? It is probably safe to say that one game will not change anything substantially, but we'll get a better idea of Derbyshire's credentials by the end of this weekend's top of the table clash at Canterbury against Kent.

Top of the table clash. That's right, Derbyshire in a top of the table clash. Who'd have "thunk" it? The disappointments of the Twenty/20 are consigned to the dustbin of history as Derbyshire have shown themselves a decent side at "proper" cricket. We're still unbeaten and now in the second half of the Championship season.

The signing of Wayne Madsen appears to have given us that rarity of Derbyshire cricket, a good opening pair. I'd probably go back to the Barnett/Bowler combo to find a good, as opposed to decent, opening pair. Wayne currently sits with a Bradmanesque average of 97, while the skipper is averaging mid-40's without having produced the really big score that we know he is capable of.

The middle order too have all done well. Garry Park has scored steadily in his first full season, as has Dan Redfern. A lot of people will not understand the mental demands of first class cricket and these two young players have done well. Wavell has been a great success this year, while Greg Smith has emerged from being a "nearly" player to a fine cricketer after several years of knocking at the door.

To that established top six can tomorrow be added Freddie Klokker, who is preferred to Tom Poynton. Poynton is one for the future, but we know Klokker is steady behind the stumps and a fair batsman too, eminently capable of a score at number seven. With Graham Wagg at eight, John Morris then has a decision to make on the bowling front.

It is any three from five with Tim Groenewald, Jake Needham, Steffan Jones, Ian Hunter and Nantie Hayward in the 13-man squad. Much will depend on the pitch, but with James Tredwell taking regular wickets for Kent, one assumes the ball may turn so Jake Needham could get an outing here. Steffan Jones has bowled well since his return, so the final place may well be between Ian Hunter, Tim Groenewald and Nantie Hayward.

Hunter has done well this season but has dropped back in the pecking order lately. Groenewald has got steadily better and bowled very well at Cheltenham, while his batting improves with every game. Hayward hasn't yet really fired, but how do you leave out a Test bowler of some reputation? This could be the big occasion that will spark him into life. Morris may ease the dilemma by playing Groenewald AND Hayward while leaving the spin to Wagg, Smith and Redfern. We should also remember that Madsen is an off spinner of some ability with first class wickets in South Africa to his name.

The key to success will be making inroads into a much vaunted top order, where Joe Denly and Rob Key score heavily, paving the way for prolific South African Martin Van Jaarsveld and Geraint Jones. Indeed, the game could become a fair old battle of the Saffers, with Smith, Park, Groenewald, Madsen and Hayward on our side and Van Jaarsveld, Justin Kemp, Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell on theirs.

There's no news of Kent's side at this stage, although with veteran Pakistani all rounder Azhar Mahmood in the side they bat long and bowl well. It promises to be a battle royal, so here's hoping that the weather keeps out of it and the best team wins.

And its us...

Kent v Derbyshire preview

Sunday and no cricket.

It's rubbish, it really is. I reckon that we need a modern day Leonard Sachs, the old compere from The Good Old Days, to sort out cricket for a Sunday on regular basis.

Tomorrow we play Kent in the Pro 40 and I know that they were in a Lords Final yesterday but one has to ask how many can go down there for a Monday afternoon game? I remember Derbyshire having to play a Sunday game after their Lords finals which can't have been fun with the inevitable hangovers, but there has to be a balance between supporting the players and playing fair by supporters (nice play on words there!)

The weather continue to be horrible and it will be interesting to see how it goes down in the "Garden of England" as they like to be known around those parts. Kent didn't really perform yesterday and Kemp, Mahmood and Arafat were all injury doubts prior to the game and presumably not at 100%. They are a talented unit and are well led by Robert Key.

Derbyshire are presumably going to go with the same side that played against Middlesex, unles one of the spinners comes in to replace Ian Hunter. There must be a temptation to rest Charl Langeveldt to ensure his knee niggle does not flare up to jeopardise our Championship hopes.

After two defeats in three matches, it is unlikely that we will be in the hunt for the Pro 40 and the South African is so important to this side that he may get a break, unless of course his knee problem has eased. It is unlikely that this willing workhorse would rest unless specifically asked to do so and I would expect to see something along these lines take the field down there:

Rogers
Birch
Hinds
Smith
Clarke
New
Wagg
Clare
Needham
Langeveldt
Dean

Paul Borrington is unlikely to feature and perhaps Dom Telo may be due a game, but Rikki Clarke's ankle problem makes him an unlikely bowler meaning a possible place for Kevin Dean.
I hope we continue our recent resurgence and give a good game to one of the better sides in the country. See you tomorrow to discuss how it went!