Yorkshire v Derbyshire day 1

Yorkshire 280-4 (Malan 145*, Tattersall 64* Cohen 2-61)

v Derbyshire

With Derbyshire having put them in to bat, Yorkshire will certainly be the happier of the two sides tonight. They were 280-4 when bad light ended play for the day with twelve overs remaining, recovering from a shaky start and a mid-innings wobble that saw them 106-4 at one stage.

Dawid Malan made a fine century for them, playing some lovely shots through the covers. On another day, however, he could have seen a much earlier return to the pavilion, a couple of very close early  lbw shouts being turned down. He was well supported by Johnny Tattersall, who was on loan with us a few years back and has now carved a niche for himself in this Yorkshire side. They added an unbroken 174 for the fifth wicket in a fine effort. 

In the evening session they put our inexperienced attack to the sword and Malan looked a player of the highest class, better, to my eyes, than some currently holding down England places. 

Ben Aitchison was again the pick of the bowlers, keeping tight lines, a good length and getting plenty of movement, especially before lunch. He will bowl worse and pick up more than one wicket and pre-lunch, no one played him with confidence.

Michael Cohen bowled a poor first spell, getting pulled for two sixes, but came back well and either side of lunch was a real handful. He pitched it up more and got good swing, though again prone to deliveries that enlivened Harvey Hosein's day and later accelerated the scoring. 

The rest were a mixture. Dal started well and took the key wicket of Bairstow, remaining tidy throughout. Melton was less of a threat than at Leicester and leaked the most runs, while Hughes and Critchley were tidy, without looking especially threatening.

The fielding was good. Cohen and Godleman made a series of fine stops, while Wood also did well, sweeping on the boundary. Madsen held a very sharp catch at slip and they worked hard to maintain standards all day. 

The wicket seemed to ease and slow as the day went on, however and with rain forecast to take sizeable chunks from this game, as well as others around the country, a draw at this stage appears the likeliest result.

Which would suit Derbyshire just fine, of course...

Finally, a word about the Yorkshire stream, which was the best I have so far seen. The angle was good, the interchange of cameras professional and the experience generally excellent. 

It did go down after tea, however and I am not alone in thinking it was very short - sighted to publicise its limitation to members only, when cricket fans have been starved of the game all summer. 

The rationale was, I think, to incentivise members donating their subscription to the club, when a raft of social media comments suggest they have only managed to (again) alienate supporters. 

When the link was available all day anyway, it made absolutely no sense as a public relations exercise.

Yorkshire v Derbyshire preview - Bob Willis Trophy

 At the ripe old age of 25, Dustin Melton is set to be the senior member of Derbyshire's seam attack tomorrow against Yorkshire at Headingley.

Michael Cohen (22) and Ben Aitchison (21) look like being the other members of the seam attack, with support from Matt Critchley, who was 24 this week. Alex Hughes will doubtless pitch in with a few overs and ruin the age demographic, almost paternal at the age of 28.

There is no Luis Reece, who is rested for this one, so Tom Wood will likely open in his first first-class appearance since 2016. It is well-deserved, though I am sure that he would have preferred more match action than he has had this summer ahead of his return.

Nevertheless, Tom has an opportunity to show what he can do against the team that is our closest rival in the group. Nils Priestley is also in the squad and I suspect that the final place will come down to a choice between he and Anuj Dal. The latter may edge it by virtue of being another seam option, but the talented Priestley, at 19, would be an intriguing pick as an aggressive batsman of some talent, also capable of a few overs.

Tomorrow's attack could be sponsored by Farley's, with the eleven, bar for Messrs Godleman and Madsen having a very youthful look. It is great and I applaud Dave Houghton for rotating his squad and offering opportunity to young talent. 

That squad:

Godleman, Wood, Madsen, du Plooy, Critchley, Hughes, Hosein, Dal, Priestley, Conners, Cohen, Aitchison, Melton.

There is a Yorkshire return for England man David Willey, while former Derbyshire player Duanne Olivier will make up the other half of a potent new ball pairing.There is a similar youthful look to the home side, although they will hope for runs from the experienced top three of Lyth, Kohler-Cadmore and Bairstow. 

Their fourteen-man squad:

Lyth, Kohler-Cadmore, Bairstow, Brook, Malan, Hill, Leech, Patterson, Shutt, Tattersall, Thompson, Warner, Willey, Olivier.

It will be a tough test for us, but we have a good record against Yorkshire of late and will fear no one in present form.

I look forward to reporting on the events of the first day, later tomorrow.

Go well, lads.

Midweek Musings

We've all had quite a glow in these past few days, eh? Top of the league, Nottinghamshire lost again, we beat Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire lost again.. Sorry, might have said that twice...

It would have been handy had they beaten Yorkshire, but like I wrote a week or so back, they just don't strike me as a team. Eleven talented blokes, on their day, but not a tight unit and when the chips are down, that is what pulls you through. 

With this Derbyshire side, you get the feeling that you take on one, you take on eleven. It is why I don't fear playing anyone, regardless of their reputation. We might be missing several experienced players, but the rest are pulling manfully together. Hats off to the new recruits, who to a man have contributed. I read a tweet by David Griffin, the club's Heritage Officer, this morning that said that we have so far used eleven bowlers in two matches - and every one of them has taken at least one wicket.

Moving on, I have been asked a couple of times recently if I thought we should try to bring Ben Slater back from Trent Bridge. My answer is simple. No. 

For one thing, he is under contract to the end of next year, while for another I suspect he will end up where he is now, at Leicestershire. For a third, and most important, he wouldn't get into the current Derbyshire side. 

Cue protests from Chesterfield, but I am not saying he isn't a good player, his issue is consistency. He averaged 20 last year for Nottinghamshire, with a season-highest of 76. This year, he started at Leicestershire with 170, then followed it with a pair. By definition, as a county player you are among the top one per cent of players in the country, but to get to the national elite needs that little bit more.

How would Ben get into our current top four? Billy is skipper, Wayne and Leus pick themselves, then there's Luis.

Ben averages 31 in first class cricket, 50-plus in List A and rarely plays T20. Luis averages 33 in first-class and is a key all rounder in all forms. He opened batting and bowling in the last match and taking Ben out of the equation, who else could do that?

Ah but Luis could bat five, you say? No, because he likes and prefers to open. Besides, Critch bats five, or Alex Hughes. Then there's Harvey (or Brooke Guest) and Fynn, besides other options. I don't see it happening and I genuinely don't see how he could get into a first choice side. That is a sure sign of how we have progressed.

I think he made a mistake leaving Derbyshire and may have kicked on with Dave Houghton and Mal Loye as his batting coaches. He hasn't done so at Trent Bridge and I think he will look back on that move in years to come as one where he made the wrong decision or was poorly advised. 

Next, the T20 fixtures are out. No surprises, as we play the same teams every year, but it runs from 27 August to 20 September. You can see the fixtures here

And finally today, in response to emails, my thoughts on the team for Yorkshire. 

There will not be many changes, for me. I think Tony Palladino might be back soon, but not just yet. I don't think they will pick Fynn Hudson-Prentice as they will want to ensure he is right for T20. I also think that Sam Conners will be rested, as he looked tired on Monday and that Yorkshire's loan of Ed Barnes will preclude his involvement. 

With Ravi Rampaul stranded in Trinidad, I expect to see the following eleven at Headingley:

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, Du Plooy, Critchley, Hughes, Hosein, Dal, Cohen, Aitchison, Melton. 

As always, your comments are most welcome!

Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 3

 Leicestershire 199 and 220 (Dearden 47, Azad 40, Critchley 6-73)

Derbyshire 408 and 12-1

Derbyshire won by 9 wickets

Matt Critchley's career-best bowling figures spun Derbyshire to an emphatic nine-wicket win at Leicester today. 

There was early and late resistance from the home side, who went in one crazy session from looking like taking it into a fourth day to looking like being beaten by an innings. Critchley lived up to to pre-season noises from former Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill as one to watch with a fine spell, where he bowled a brilliant line and length, supported by excellent close catching. 

Both Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy held fine catches, the former's quite brilliant, while at the other end Dustin Melton bowled a tight, aggressive spell that kept on the pressure. The South African impressed in this game and deserves praise for match figures of 5-47 from 27 overs. It wasn't easy for the quicks in hot conditions, but he stuck very well to his task.

Earlier Ed Barnes took two wickets in an over to start the ball rolling and did much better in this innings. He accounted for Ben Slater, who went from the joys of a career-best 170 in the last match to a pair in this one, the joy and frustration of cricket clearly defined in those figures. Like the debutants in the last match, he settled well and didn't look out of place at this level.

The other wicket went to Leus du Plooy, who was brought on to bowl just ten minutes after I suggested on Twitter that we should utilise his 'golden arm'. He duly obliged in a spell that showed his all round value to the side.

Yet the day belonged to Critch. His 6-73 was a fine effort and although Callum Parkinson got the wicket of Billy Godleman when we went in (Billy wasn't impressed, nor was I from the replay) the win was a formality. It was all very well saying (as I heard) that 'if they had to chase 120 it would have been a challenge' but we bowled and batted well enough to prevent that. I was impressed, again.

Onward we march. Yorkshire on Saturday, who will either be buoyed by a win over our dear neighbours tomorrow or plumbing the depths of despair. A Nottinghamshire win would likely suit us (it's OK, I said it through gritted teeth) as it would leave us well clear of second place in the group.

Quite frankly, with the kind of cricket that we are playing at the moment, it doesn't matter who we play. It is confident, aggressive, bullish and hugely enjoyable. It is a small but patently tight-knit squad. Whichever eleven takes the field, we know they will be well-prepared and ready to roll their sleeves up for a battle. The greatest compliment of all is that I genuinely couldn't name our strongest eleven right now, because the squad en masse is playing so well.

I like that, a lot.

Altogether now...Derbyshire, la la la...

Brooke Guest signs from Lancashire

The signing of Brooke Guest from Lancashire, a player who will provide much needed competition for Harvey Hosein, is the one that I mentioned recently I had heard of.

It was a chance conversation with a friend, but I didn't reveal the player's identity at the time, as it is not my place to do so. The club had done all the work on the deal and deserved the opportunity to break the news when they were ready.

Harvey Hosein was the only wicket-keeper on the staff and my considered opinion is that competition is only ever healthy. If you are guaranteed your place in any team, regardless of performance, it is not conducive to a sustained high level, as complacency can set in. Harvey Hosein now knows that he has good competition for the role and must maintain standards with bat and ball to retain his place in the side. 

It also affords the opportunity for rotation, which he, like other players, will appreciate. Harvey took a bang on the finger in the first match at Trent Bridge and had that been serious, we would have been looking at emergency loans. A quality wicket-keeper as back up or alternative is exactly what we needed. With games coming thick and fast, this also helps to guard against mental tiredness, which can legislate against sustained performance.

Make no mistake, Brooke Guest, 23, is a talented player, Born in Manchester, he grew up in Australia and played for their under-19 side as well as Western Australia age group sides. He was named in the Australian under-19 World Cup squad for 2016, before security concerns saw them withdraw from the tournament. He has scored a lot of runs for Lancashire Seconds in recent years and is regarded as a 'dynamic' player with bat and gloves, according to those who know him.

I see him as a very good option for one-day cricket, where he has played some games for Lancashire, before leaving to take on what should be greater opportunity with us over the next two years.

Welcome to Derbyshire, Brooke!

Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 2

Leicestershire 199 and 2-0

Derbyshire 408 (Madsen 103, Hosein 66*, Reece 56, du Plooy 55)

Leicestershire trail by 207 runs

Although Derbyshire's batting lost its way a little after the giddy lunch heights of 205-2, they still batted with sufficient skill, consistency and purpose to play themselves into a very strong position by the close, In response to the home side's 199 all out, we were all out for 408, with a token over before the close seen off by night watchman Callum Parkinson.

You could tell it was high summer, because it brought with it another century of charm and class by Wayne Madsen. It was his 30th for the county, drawing him level with Denis Smith on the all time list, with only John Morris and Kim Barnett ahead of him. There were shots all around the wicket, from the textbook to the improvised and there appear to be plenty more runs in the tank.

Luis Reece gave away his promising overnight position with a needless attempted run on the arm of Klein, but du Plooy was quickly into his stride and the runs mounted as the two matched each other stroke for stroke before lunch.

It was a surprise when Leus, having been badly dropped by Swindells earlier, was adjudged caught down the leg side from Klein's bowling. Madsen reached his century, but was then bowled by Davis, who put in a good afternoon spell against his old county.  Critchley again looked in good touch, before being caught behind, while Hughes was outwitted by Ackermann, as he came down the pitch after playing some nice shots.

Hosein's feet were moving well from the start and his timing was good as he, with the fleet-footed Anuj Dal, took the total to a fourth batting bonus point. The latter was leg before to Klein, who bowled well with the second new ball, but contributed well to the growing total, the running between the wickets, as you might expect, especially noteworthy.

Thereafter the only question was whether maximum batting points could be achieved, but after the quick dismissal of Barnes, Conners came in to play an innings of old fashioned tail end 'humpty', carving the ball repeatedly over the leg side in an innings diametrically opposed to the one he played at Trent Bridge.

Hosein finishing unbeaten on 66 and did a good job for his side today.

Although the  home side reached the close with ten wickets in hand, they are 207 runs behind and have a mountain to climb to save this match.

As for Derbyshire. they couldn't have scripted the day better and will hope to push for an impressive victory tomorrow.

Well played, gentlemen.

Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 1

Leicestershire 199 (Dearden 70, Melton 4-22, Reece 3-51)

Derbyshire 101-1 (Reece 50* Madsen 37*)

Derbyshire trail by 98 runs

It was entirely appropriate that, on a day of soaring temperatures, the Derbyshire bowling effort should be led by a man named Melton..

Dustin of that name didn't make the most of his few senior appearances last year, perhaps being overawed by the experience, but today he made amends. After winter ankle surgery and hard work on his bowling he looked a completely different player, his line and length impeccable, his pace brisk as he blew away the home side's middle order.

Three were bowled, one caught at slip and he could have had another, du Plooy failing to cling on to a fast one, up to his left. This was the Melton I had seen in second team displays, hostile and accurate. His figures of 13-5-22-4 did not flatter him. 

It was an excellent effort by the strapping quick, who was well supported by Luis Reece and Sam Conners, who again impressed, though a little jaded in his final spell. Ed Barnes bowled some good balls in his spells, but a tendency to a loose one an over was to the detriment of his figures.

Harvey Hosein had a good day too, looking much tidier in his work than at Trent Bridge. His excellent stumping of the talented Azad from all of 20 yards built on the early dismissal of Ben Slater and he later held a good catch off Alex Hughes, standing up. I would love to see a good knock from him now, to build on it. 

Only Harry Dearden lasted for long. He played some fine shots, but a tendency to play across his front pad always gave encouragement to the Derbyshire bowlers. Dogged late resistance from Will Davis promised a batting bonus point, but Reece prevented that with a run to spare. 

Luis then completed the rare feat of opening both bowling and batting on the same day and breezed to an unbeaten half century by the close, well supported by the classy Wayne Madsen, who looked equally good as the score chugged along at five an over. Reece is a unique commodity, one of huge value to his captain, who got a good ball from Chris Wright before he got going.

Closing at 101-1, just 98 runs behind, tomorrow's task is to bat all day and build a lead so we do not have to bat again. There is sufficient talent there to do so and in this battle of the table-toppers, Derbyshire looked a very good side today.

The Leicestershire stream was appreciated, though there were lagging issues with the pictures and also sound problems. It was oddly parochial too. There were replays of squirts through gulley for two, but none of wickets, or chances missed in the home innings. Nor any replays at all when we batted.

It was as if they were in denial... 

Let's bat them out of the game tomorrow, lads.

Leciestershire v Derbyshire preview

 As he promised he would do after the win at Trent Bridge earlier this week, Dave Houghton has rotated his squad for the visit to Leicestershire, starting tomorrow.

Ben Aitchison, who did a lot of bowling in that game, steps down while both Dustin Melton and new recruit Ed Barnes join the other eleven that saw duty at Trent Bridge.

Ben bowled 41-7-114-4 in that match, more than any other Derbyshire bowler, so will sit this one out and doubtless return for the next one. Like most of you I was very impressed with the way that he handled the step up and he looks a good bet for a contract for next year.

If Melton gets the nod tomorrow, he and Michael Cohen will make up a lively pairing, but there may also be an opportunity for Anuj Dal. Alex Hughes will also be raring to go, so I'll not attempt to name a final eleven from this thirteen-man squad:

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, du Plooy, Hughes, Critchley, Hosein, Dal, McKiernan, Barnes, Conners, Melton, Cohen.

There is no news at this stage of the home squad, though they signed James Weighell on loan from Durham this week. With Ben Slater on loan from Nottinghamshire, they have three former Derbyshire players in their side (Tom Taylor and Callum Parkinson the others) and shouldn't be too far away from this twelve:

Azad, Slater, Dearden, Ackermann, Rhodes, Taylor, Swindells, Mike, Klein. Parkinson, Wright, Weighell.

First plays second, to the victor, the spoils. Losing will not end the hopes of either side, but winning will put that team firmly in the driving seat of the group. 

If we can replicate the intensity and team spirit of the last game, this one is winnable. There are quality players throughout this Derbyshire squad and whichever eleven takes the field will ensure that they acquit themselves well. 

As always, your thoughts are appreciated!

Derbyshire sign Yorkshire all-rounder Ed Barnes on loan

 Ed Barnes, a former England under-19 player, is perhaps more accurately described as a seam bowler who knows how to bat, rather than an established all-rounder. Perhaps more, at this stage, a Michael Cohen than a Fynn Hudson-Prentice, but a welcome addition all the same. Fynn Hudson-Prentice may be rested to get over his leg injury from Trent Bridge, very much a player we want fully fit for the T20.

With the return of Ravi Rampaul from Trinidad delayed for the time being through Covid-19 travel restrictions, as well as Tony Palladino being out for foreseeable future, we will perforce have to continue with the rotation of our young bowlers in the Bob Willis Trophy. We don't want to get to the Vitality Blast and find ourselves with a couple of them burned out too, so swapping them in and out looks like the way to go.

I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming.

Although, given that the Yorkshire player was due to play his club cricket for Barnard Castle this summer, its established credentials for assessing optical ability should have ensured that I did..

I don't know much about Ed Barnes, other than his having taken a lot of wickets for the Yorkshire Academy and second team. He went on loan to Sussex last year, but didn't play any games for them, though I suspect he will get game time with us.

It could be mutually beneficial. The player is one of twelve who are out of contract at the white rose county come the end of season and good displays with us could either persuade them that he is worth another deal, or make him an option for us to look at.

I am sure that he is known to Steve Kirby and Dave Houghton and descriptions I have seen say that he is tall, lively and gets a lot of bounce. 

They sound like handy starting points for any bowler and I look forward to seeing him in action in the next week or two.

Nottinghamshire thoughts and the new guys

Wasn't it great to wake up this morning and think back to that game?

I apologise if my euphoria post-win was over the top for anyone, but if you can't get excited over a game that good, you had best get a doctor to check your pulse.

It was, as I said last night, a genuine team effort, as much down to Sam Conners' gritty defiance in the first innings as the headline-grabbing feats. Were it not for that last wicket stand, our hosts would have been out of sight. 

Speaking of which, our opponents always seem to me to be eleven talented (but desperately under-achieving) blokes, but not a team. In contrast, the closeness of our squad is tangible. From Leus du Plooy pounding his chest after his sublime first innings century, to the jump for joy of Michael Cohen and Fynn Hudson-Prentice as they completed the final two runs, then the comments of the latter at the end of the game. Derbyshire is more than a club, it is a family, the interaction of players with supporters always appreciated. 

So too your interaction with this blog. I love to see them and they are a useful barometer for me as to how you are all feeling about things. Do please remain involved and for those new to posting, I always vet prior to publication, though this is more down to blocking the spammers who attempt to link to sex sites and the like. Your comments will always appear as soon as I see them and get the chance to do something about it.

It is always especially exciting when the club signs new players. The game just finished afforded an early opportunity to look at three young men, all 21 (when the game started), who may just hold the future of our club's seam bowling in their hands.

The one we knew best, of course, was Sam Conners. I have previously written that he looked a talent, even a couple of years back, but the ubiquitous back issues of the young seamer held him back a little, until his physiology caught up with his undoubted talent.

There's a touch of Harold Rhodes in his action, which can't be a bad thing. He is tall, whippy, gets plenty of bounce and swing and is likely to be a very potent force in the next couple of years. His spell of 3-19 on the second evening combined both hostility and skill and while he has a quicker ball, he isn't fixated on pace, which I think is the correct thing. There are plenty of people already taking notice of Sam, who also showed himself no mug with the bat in his support of Leus du Plooy on the second afternoon. I don't think he will bat eleven for long, and his self-effacing support was all the more laudable when you consider that he has played some punishing knocks for the second team.

I thought Ben Aitchison looked better with every spell he bowled. I got the impression on the first morning that he was trying to bowl too quickly, to the detriment of his line and length. He isn't that kind of bowler, but when he reduced his pace he got bounce, swing and lateral movement, becoming a far more tricky proposition. On the third day he bowled beautifully and was treated with respect by the Nottinghamshire batsmen, picking up good wickets in the process. A bowler in the Matt Mason/Terry Alderman mould, I predict a very bright future.

Indeed, I saw enough of Ben in that game to justify a two-year deal immediately and I could see him taking a lot of wickets in the years ahead. Definitely one to watch - and he again looked no mug with the bat, either. A shot through the covers in the first innings suggested he knew what he was doing.

Michael Cohen? Very few are blessed with the natural assets to bowl quickly, which sets him apart from the outset. His pace disconcerted the batsmen, when he got it right, but he will know that raw pace and poor direction will not be a long-term wicket machine. Yet his line also improved as the game went on and, as they so often are, a bowler with that change up in pace transforms an attack. He got five wickets in the match, most of them beating good players for pace. 

He is not tall, more Larwood and Marshall than Ambrose and Walsh, so shouldn't be putting so much strain on his back.Once he locks on the radar, with greater experience, he will be a real handful, as he was at times here. I liked his personality, which bubbled through with regular smiles and an almost coltish enthusiasm in the field. 

With the bat I suspect he will become a fan favourite. In the first innings he was animated, with exaggerated held poses, plenty of movement around the crease and expansive shouts of 'Wait!' accompanied by a pointed bat almost thrust at the non-striker. He looked organised, but it didn't suggest what he produced in the second innings.

A South African friend messaged me on Twitter last night to say that he had never seen him bat like that over there. On which basis we must assume he has worked very hard on his batting over the winter, because he was not at all fazed by the situation. As he pinged a couple to the cover boundary, I wondered if we had sent in du Plooy a second time...

All three will benefit from having bowled at a team where you have someone like Samit Patel in at eight. In many teams you are getting to the dead men at that point, but Samit showed his class in both innings and punished them as they tired and the ball got old. 

They will also benefit from an older head alongside them, like Ravi Rampaul or Tony Palladino, players who have been through that stage and become respected, professional bowlers. 

With Ravi presumably back for Saturday's game, team selection will need careful consideration. One will need to drop out, while I suspect either Alex Hughes or Tom Wood may replace Mattie McKiernan. Again, that would be no reflection on his performance, as he caught well, took two quick wickets in a short first innings bowl and contributed valuable runs yesterday. I just feel the greater team need is for an extra batsman, with both Alex and Tom excellent in the slip cordon too.

There's genuine potential in that squad of ours. 

I look forward to seeing its development in the years ahead.

Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire day 4

Nottinghamshire 324 and 279

Derbyshire 239 and 365-7 (Hudson-Prentice 91*, Godleman 86)

Derbyshire won by three wickets

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow...

At 234-6, with all the senior players gone, most Derbyshire supporters will have given up on winning this game. 131 still to get, a bloke with a sore leg the senior player left, after just twelve appearances, A debutant in next and a man making only his second appearance on his way to the wicket.

Who credited Fynn Hudson-Prentice, a man who lives in Nottingham, with playing such a superb unbeaten innings of 91? We knew he could bat, but this was an innings of genuine quality, innate common sense and superb game awareness. Credit to to Mattie McKiernan too, who lent crucial support in a stand of 65, before looking crestfallen on his dismissal, after a stand of 65.

Sixty-six to get and down to the debutants. Not to worry... 

Michael Cohen, previous career-best 23, came in on his 22nd birthday and started spanking the ball through the covers like a latter day Graeme Pollock. His first innings hadn't really suggested that was in there, but his unbeaten 30 was impressive, brave and bolshie. Typical of the new Derbyshire in many ways, standing toe to toe and slugging it out with one of the 'bigger' counties. No more Mr Nice Guy. The way they batted, there were likely fifties in Ben Aitchison and Sam Conners too...

Michael's off side play was a revelation, but when he tucked one off his legs from Jake Ball and they ran the winning two, even my non-cricket fan wife jumped off the couch in excitement with me. We wait four months for a game of cricket and then get one that we will remember for the rest of our days. 

There were records broken along the way, but I can only doff my cap to a team that just kept going and paced their massive run chase to perfection.

I am thrilled for all of them, but especially Fynn Hudson-Prentice. He came to Derbyshire after rejection at Sussex and has made himself a fixture in the side. His bowling was limited in this match with injury, his first innings hampered by the same. Today, he was simply sensational and has entered county legend, as they all have.

To win, I thought that one of our top four had to score big. Truth is that once Billy Godleman and Leus du Plooy had gone, much depended on Wayne Madsen, who can seldom have batted so long for so few. 43 in almost four hours tells that it was far from easy and his departure, closely followed by Harvey Hosein, looked like game over. 192-5, still 173 needed.

Maybe we could bat out time for the draw points? Matt Critchley again looked in good nick and seems to be playing much straighter, but for the second time in the match rather gave it away when he had done all the hard work. At 234-6, 131 needed from 35 overs, it seemed like a case of how long we could last.

Fynn, Mattie and Michael had other ideas. Tonight, gentlemen I salute you all. It was a genuine team effort, from first to last day. I could likely live another fifty years and not see another game of cricket that ended in such a special manner. Who said four-day cricket was boring?

I didn't have a lot of time for the home side's appealing as the game got tighter. Twice Hameed ran in from mid wicket to the umpire to appeal for leg before wicket. Next time, you can have your guard from there, son, if you can see so clearly...

But I digress. This was wonderful stuff. The only disappointment being that their supporters have taken to social media tonight to berate their side, rather than giving credit to a side that were better, over the piece.

By crikey, we'll enjoy tonight.

Special stuff, Derbyshire. Well done!

Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire day 3

Nottinghamshire 324 and 279 (Patel 80, Hameed 52, Mullaney 48, Aitchison 3-55, Connor 3-63

Derbyshire 239 and 129-1 (Godleman 69*, Madsen 27*) 

Derbyshire need 236 runs to win

At the end of an absorbing day's cricket, Derbyshire left the field at Trent Bridge needing 236 runs run to win with nine wickets in hand. 

It would be an improbable, extraordinary win, as we appeared out of the game at tea, after being in it at lunch. Ben Aitchison bowled splendidly, but in the post-lunch session Samit Patel again took the game by the scruff of the neck. He twice batted beautifully here, no doubt keen to extend his contract past its current end of season.

His presence at eight showed the difference in experience between the sides, our eleven containing a bottom five of next to none. 

Hampered by the injury to Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Reece and Aitchison were the go to bowlers to keep things in check, that being praiseworthy for the latter's debut. It wasn't ideal when Reece had also to open the batting, of course, but in the absence of Rampaul and Palladino, the skipper could only use what he had available. I thought Aitchison outstanding today, troubling the batsmen throughout. 

Before lunch the wickets went down steadily. There were good catches held and better lines bowled, before Patel took charge. Habeeb made another fifty, though he looks full of idiosyncrasies at the crease. The batsman we all hope is there could return, but his dismissal, after almost two hours of self-denial before lunch, was an odd one, a lazy poke at the type of ball he had left all morning.

Evison confirmed the good impression of the first innings and helped Patel get the home side in a good position, as did Ball. Critchley then trapped Patel leg before when a century was beckoning and Cohen got a quick throat ball spearing in at Ball to leave 365 in 4 sessions to win. 

Reece set off as if we had to get them in 50 overs, but was sadly caught at mid on when he failed to get over a drive. 

Yet that was as good as it got for Nottinghamshire, because Godleman and Madsen played with eminent good sense, considerable class and lots of skill in taking bite-sized chunks from the total by the close, which Derbyshire reached at 129-1.

We have only once exceeded 365 as a winning total in our 150 year history. With a bottom five of negligible experience, logic suggests we shouldn't, but the reality is this.

Tomorrow, with nine wickets in hand, we need 236 in the day. We have done that plenty of times. 

What a day of cricket it looks set to be. 

Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire day 2

Nottinghamshire 324 and 84-3

Derbyshire 239 (du Plooy 130)

Nottinghamshire lead by 169 runs

A magnificent innings of 130 from Leus du Plooy helped Derbyshire stay in the game against Nottinghamshire today, despite an otherwise anaemic batting display that saw them all out for 239.

Honourable exception can be made for Matt Critchley, who batted well before lunch for 45, before inexplicably going for a quick single first ball afterwards. It was his call, but unnecessary at that juncture and he failed to make it back when du Plooy declined the single. 

Earlier Reece got a good one, Godleman didn't seem to think he hit one and Madsen played loosely to see three quick wickets fall in the first half hour, all of them to Jake Ball. Thereafter, du Plooy and Critchley batted with common sense and skill to take us to lunch at 114-3.

The decline to 159-9 was painful to watch, last night's assertion on here that we were a batsman light proving correct. They all seemed to be batting a place too high and the game appeared to be gone.

Then came Conners, looking a more solid bat than Cohen and Aitchison, who preceded him. Assaying no shots, he made 5 from 55 balls as he and du Plooy added 80 for the last wicket, a new record against Nottinghamshire. I was there when Alan Ward and Harold Rhodes set the previous record, at Ilkeston in 1969, but neither played shots like du Plooy! 

Switching from four-day to one-day mode, he shrugged off a couple of painful blows to score all around the ground. The boundaries flowed, even with nine fielders around it, as he reached his century with a six and clumped two more before he was eventually dismissed. We are very lucky to have a player of such talent and it was heartening to see him pumping the badge on his chest as he reached his century.

We were still 85 behind when the innings ended to a fine catch by Evison, who bowled well, but that was a long way from the 165 behind when they came together.

After tea the home side extended their lead to 169, despite a fine spell of 3-19 by Conners, who had a memorable day. Aitchison also bowled more accurately than in the first innings and the two appear to be fine prospects. 

Nottinghamshire on top at the close, but a big first session ahead tomorrow. 

Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire day 1

Nottinghamshire 324 (Cohen 3-47, McKiernan 2-3 Reece 2-45) 

Derbyshire 9-0

After putting Nottinghamshire in on winning the toss, Billy Godleman will have hoped for greater control from his rookie attack than was shown before lunch today.

Both Ben Aitchison and Sam Conners bowled good deliveries, but both were errant in line and length too often for peak county supporters and the opening pair of Hameed and Nash were able to score with relative ease. Greater control only came with the advent of Reece and Hudson-Prentice.

Aitchison seems to get a lot of bounce and has a quicker ball that caused Harvey Hosein to require treatment in his second spell. There is certainly a bowler there and I thought he bowled better as the day went on. 

I understand our wanting to have a look at all three young seamers, but it meant that Michael Cohen, reputedly the quickest, didn't bowl before lunch. Perhaps his 'skiddy' nature is deemed better suited to an older ball, which will bounce lower, but five seamers appeared overload, an extra batsman perhaps more useful, especially with several spinners available. 

Lunch came with the home side a largely untroubled 109-0.

Conners was the morning pick of the bowlers and quickly took the wicket of Nash, palpably leg before, after lunch. When Aitchison took his first, squaring Duckett up to be nicely caught by du Plooy at slip, things looked a little better. 

It became a session diametrically opposed to the one that preceded it. The answer to why Cohen didn't bowl in the morning appeared to be that his pace brings a risk of varied line, which we already had, but his advent tore the heart from the home batting. 

Reece took two in an over, the second a brilliant catch by McKiernan, while the young South African was too quick for Clarke and Trego, both caught behind by Hosein. On first viewing he is a bowler of serious pace and potential, one who will only get better with experience.

Moores was also gone before tea, edging Hudson-Prentice to Hosein, who shortly before put down a catch from him that should have been held, or left for Madsen at first slip. The interval came with Nottinghamshire 209-7, the game even 

Heavy rain delayed the restart but sterling work by the groundstaff saw only six overs lost. Patel then batted beautifully, aided by bowling that again lacked length and direction. Both Conners and Cohen took stiff punishment, before the latter took his third wicket, a routine catch to Madsen at slip.

Ball and Evison then took their side to slight ascendancy with a merry partnership that took the score to 321, before the belated introduction of McKiernan saw him take the last two wickets in eight balls. The innings ended at 324, with Derbyshire left to face four overs.

This was safely negotiated by Godleman and Reece, as Derbyshire finished 9-0.

In closing, a word of praise for the Nottinghamshire stream. They didn't always get the angle right (being on the midwicket camera for Habeeb's dismissal) but it improved as the day went on, in what was its first use. It was a big improvement on what it was, which was already appreciated. 

Well done, guys. 

Nottinghamshire v Derbyshire preview - Bob Willis Trophy

Don't know about all of you, but I couldn't be more excited tonight if I had met Santa coming down the chimney of my house with the keys to a new car. Which would be a great trick, as we don't have a chimney...

Cricket, at last, at the start of August is here. More specifically, DERBYSHIRE cricket. I watched England, like many of you in recent weeks, but will always watch  my county on a stream over the national side. Weird, maybe, but I am unfailingly a county cricket supporter and will be so until I shuffle off this mortal coil.

There were a few things learned from the two-day friendly between Derbyshire and Lancashire this week, even if the batting and bowling was limited to ninety overs each.

Firstly, our top four seem in rude health. Luis Reece got out in both innings, but had valuable time in the middle and will benefit from that. Meanwhile, Billy Godleman, Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy built nice knocks and got some early, if non-first class, runs on the board.

Leus also confirmed that he could be a handy spin bowling option for us with two wickets, as did Matt Critchley, while Sam Conners and Ben Aitchison got on the board too. Both seamers are named for the four-day game that starts at Trent Bridge tomorrow, along with Michael Cohen. It makes sense, because while we want to do well in the Bob Willis Trophy, we also need to see if this trio could be an attack to take us into the future. With Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Luis Reece in support, Billy Godleman will have NINE bowlers to choose from, whichever eleven takes the field tomorrow. 

There is a chance, of course, that Matty McKiernan could make the eleven at the expense of one of them, but with du Plooy and Madsen to support Matt Critchley in that department, it would seem the less likely scenario, unless the wicket starts dry.

That Derbyshire squad:

Godleman, Reece, Madsen, du Plooy, Hughes, Hosein, Critchley, Hudson-Prentice, McKiernan, Cohen, Conners, Aitchison

Our hosts have a side that looks a little different after the travails of last summer. Ben Slater has today moved on loan to Leicestershire for a couple of weeks, and they go in with a few new faces. Peter Trego has arrived from Somerset, Tom Barber from Middlesex and Haseeb Hameed from Lancashire, all doubtless keen to make an early impression. There's no Luke Fletcher, so their twelve-man squad is:

Nash, Hameed, Duckett, Clarke, Patel, Mullaney, Moores, Trego, Chappell, Ball, Barber, Evison.

With rain forecast tomorrow and Tuesday afternoon. the ball will need to be considerably on top of the bat for a positive result. Both sides have lengthy batting and logic dictates that a draw is the likely outcome here.

Then again, when did logic ever play too big a role in professional sport? I can't wait to see it and will be back with my thoughts on the first day tomorrow evening.

As always, your comments are appreciated!

Season Preview

I have been doing a season preview for Derbyshire County Cricket Club since 2009, but I have never before written it at the end of July. Come to think of it, I never expect to again, either.

It is frustrating, because I was (and am) very bullish about our prospects. Yes, I am a perennial optimist, as those who have been with me over the years will testify, but I think that optimism is shared with most of the fan base these days.

It would have been even higher had things gone to plan and we were adding Ben McDermott and Sean Abbott to the squad. Both are still on the playing staff, according to the club site, but we must wait until next season (hopefully) to see them in the county colours.

That same web site fuels my enthusiasm, especially where our prospects lie for the Vitality Blast. It lists only four of the playing staff as out and out batsmen, with two of those being Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy. Since they have both turned their arms over to good effect, one could justifiably add them to the impressive collection of seven all-rounders listed. This depth offers much in one-day cricket, both in variety with the ball and depth in batting. With the services of talented young players secured for the coming seasons, there is every right to be positive, especially when few, if any counties will be bolstered by overseas players this time around.

The top four of Godleman, Reece, Madsen and du Plooy is as good as there is anywhere, with three left-handers ensuring bowlers need to adjust their natural lines. All can score quickly, but have proven that they can dig in when the need arises. The limitation on first innings to 120 overs in the Bob Willis trophy will see a first innings conclude at lunch on the second day, if not before, with ninety overs maximum in a day.

The likely first choice engine room may be Hughes, Critchley and Hosein, who as the only keeper on the staff will likely play all formats. There will be opportunities for Tom Wood to show what he has to offer, while Nils Priestley is likely get a game or two in the T20. Expect Fynn Hudson-Prentice to push up the order too, building on an excellent first season impression, while Anuj Dal is a likely fixture in the T20, offering brilliant fielding, fast running between the wickets and useful medium pace. Mattie McKiernan will also push for inclusion, with his leg spin a dangerous option on the right tracks and his batting capable of adding quick runs.

As for the bowling, it is a likely last hurrah for Ravi Rampaul, whose Kolpak status will end with the season. We could engage him as the permitted second overseas for next year, but whether he or we would consider that in twelve months time is a moot point. Tony Palladino will again let no one down and will remain as metronomically accurate as ever.

Perhaps the greatest excitement and curiosity is in the seam attack. Dustin Melton will also become an overseas player at the end of the summer, but if his pace can harness greater accuracy he will keep batsmen hopping around, while Michael Cohen's left arm seam has reportedly been measured in excess of 90mph. They don't like it up 'em...

Then there is the bounce and movement one would expect from the tall Sam Conners, fresh from his new contract award, and Ben Aitchison, engaged to the end of the summer but with every possibility of a considerably longer stay after impressing in Australia and in the Minor Counties.

Another reason for optimism is that I couldn't honestly call our strongest side just now. We haven't seen them in action or in the nets and the eighteen-man playing squad could line up in plenty of ways. More important is that it gives pointers for 2021 and I would love to see what the short-term recruits could potentially do for the future.

With Rampaul not back from Trinidad in time for the first game, I will hazard a guess at the following line up for Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Saturday, barring injuries in the friendly that starts against Lancashire tomorrow:

Godleman
Reece
Madsen
du Plooy
Hughes
Hosein
Critchley
Hudson-Prentice
Palladino
Connors
Cohen

Love to hear your thoughts on that team and your thoughts on prospects. It is a one-season four-day trophy, with a five-day final between the two teams finishing on the most points. We have a tough group, with Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, Warwickshire and Worcestershire all having home advantage on us, with the Incora County Ground in use by England Ladies.

It is worth winning though and my final sign of progress is that I look at those counties and fear no one.

Bring it on.

Now Conners signs 2-year deal

It has been quite a week for Derbyshire supporters.

Following on from the deals for Tom Wood and Ben Aitchison, we heard that Matt Critchley had signed a two-year deal with the club.

Today the news breaks that Sam Conners has also signed a two-year deal, just reward for a lot of hard work.

For me, Sam always looked the most likely of the young seamers we had a couple of years ago to break, through. While James Taylor has moved to Surrey and Alfie Gleadall has left the staff, Sam seemed to have the height, bounce and whip that the top seamers have. He has performed well in sporadic appearances but I expect him to now be pushing for a more regular place in the attack. 

He has faced his issues with injury, which have hampered his progress, but he will now be fit and raring to go for this and the next two summers. 

He has a good coach in Steve Kirkby and I am confident that he and Michael Cohen will prove a very useful and lively attack. He can handle a bat too, and supporters have every right to be optimistic after the events of the past week. 

It is all up to them, now.

Congratulations, Sam. 

Go well!

Critchley signs new two-year deal

Hot on the heels of this week's short-term contracts for Tom Wood and Ben Aitchison, today's news of a new deal for Matt Critchley is one to gladden the heart of county supporters.

The deal, which will see him remain with the county until at least the end of the 2022 season, is one which was hoped for, but there is always concern that the circling wolves might come in with a 'better' offer. It doesn't always work out so, of course, and the club's history of the past 25 years contains more players whose best days were with us than those who went elsewhere to better things.

At 23 Matt Critchley has time on his side to make such a move in the future, but he has the opportunity to fully realise his undoubted talent with the county that gave him opportunity. Watching from the boundary edge and from afar, I got the impression that Matt wanted to be part of a stable, positive environment that could enable his cricket to kick on to the level that we all know it can be. Prior to the arrival of Dave Houghton, who has created one that is massively appreciated by all of the players, things changed too much for the development of a young player of talent. There was no consistency in coaching, too great a turnover of them and a spell where they were left to their own devices, to some extent.

That works for some players, but others need that coaching input to set them on the right road again, when things get tough. Houghton has created an excellent group of coaches and it is no coincidence that we looked a very good side for a lot of last summer. Yes, there are still days when the intensity dropped and the performance suffered, but in having a small first team squad, everyone knew that opportunity would come their way. With such positivity generally comes productivity.

The club has been good to him. There have been spin clinics with Shane Warne, trips to India, the recruitment of bowlers like Tahir and Mendis to learn from. He has travelled to Australia to work on his game there with Stuart MacGill, who earlier this year said he rated him highly and backed him to play for England.

He is a very good cricketer who will undoubtedly get better still. As a bowler he is developing a lovely loop to his leg spin, which proved a very valuable asset in last year's T20 campaign. He also has a greater accuracy, without which the art can be an expensive one. As a fielder he is excellent, while his batting will come again after challenges. He isn't always the best starter of an innings, but I watched a knock of both charm and class at Chester-le-Street last summer which confirmed his ability as a genuine all rounder. He may not open in T20 cricket these days, as he did with success as a designated pinch-hitter, but he has the power and timing to add crucial late innings 'oomph' in one-day cricket, as well as being able to rebuild should it be required. I have every confidence that he will add to his three first-class centuries in the not too distant future, a stronger batting unit giving him better situations in which to arrive at the crease.

Above all he is a lovely lad. He pays tribute to the support of 'coaches, players and supporters' in today's press release and to that positive environment at the club.

I am thrilled to bits with this announcement and look forward to seeing his continued development at the county in the years ahead.

Derbyshire sign young seam bowler, Ben Aitchison

I have been very reassured in the past few days, especially with the return of county cricket in the very near future.

Today came news that a short-term contract for the remainder of this season has been offered to former Lancashire and Cheshire seam bowler Ben Aitchison, 21. He had limited opportunity at his home county but has done so well in Australian grade cricket over the past two winters that they appear to have been keen to have another look. He also performed well for Cheshire in the Minor Counties, while playing with distinction for his home club at Formby.

Sussex were reportedly keen, as were other counties, but Derbyshire got in first for a tall seamer (pictured bowling for Formby) who almost without precedent was playing first grade while unsigned by a county in this country. Only eleven bowlers in the division took more wickets and he now has the opportunity to make a case for a longer-term deal.

Interestingly, he played his grade cricket in Australia for the same side, Parramatta, as Sean Abbott, so there is a nice link there. He will undoubtedly get opportunity in what remains of this summer, alongside other young bowlers, Michael Cohen and Sam Conners. The future of the county lies in discovering and developing such young players and it is encouraging to see that Steve Kirby's recent words along those lines are being adhered to. With Luis Reece and Fynn Hudson-Prentice to lend all round support, the seam bowling seems to be in very good hands, with perhaps an overseas professional and the evergreen Tony Palladino to set the standards.

Those young bowlers have a fine coach in Steve Kirby. I have heard only good things about the bowling coach and like how he speaks in the interviews produced by the club. A fine and competitive bowler himself in his heyday, the youngsters have an excellent role model in Kirbs and I look forward to seeing their development in the years ahead.

Also encouraging is that TomWood blazed yet another century for Ticknall last weekend, making an unbeaten 131 out of 281-1 against Alvaston and Boulton. Their top four looks very powerful, with Paul Borrington making 82 and Joss Morgan, Wayne Madsen's brother-in-law, adding an unbeaten 39. With Greg Cork due in at four, few sides will fancy bowling at them this season.

I would love to see Tom get a crack at county level, as I have said on this blog many times over the years. His misfortune is that our top four of Godleman, Reece, Madsen and du Plooy is of similar quality to the legendary Barnett, Bowler, Adams, and Morris. Alex Hughes offers all round balance at five but Tom can only keep scoring runs and knocking at the door.

I also heard from a friend that we have picked up another very good young cricketer for next season. It hasn't been announced as yet and the name may not mean a lot to some people, but the player in question is also young and with a reputation to build upon after impressing in limited opportunities for his existing county. He also offers competition in an area that is needed, and is a player of terrific potential.

I am not going to announce the name, because having done all the work the club is entitled to break the news whenever it suits them to do so. But it proves that our coaching staff are starting to extend our traditional hunting grounds of Derbyshire and Staffordshire for talent.

As well as confirming that we are not sitting back on our laurels after last season's Finals Day.

That may well turn out to be just the beginning...

Postscript: just after I published this news came that Tom Wood has been awarded a similar contract for the remainder of the season. This comes, according to Dave Houghton, after 'looking sharp and impressing in training.'

I wish him well. People just need opportunity in life. Let's see what he makes of it. 

No cricket at home this summer

After the success of hosting the Pakistan touring squad at Derby in recent weeks, Derbyshire announced today that the England Ladies squad will be based at Derby in the weeks ahead, with all of their summer cricket played at the Incora County Ground.

It makes sense, of course. With a hotel on site, the environment is as bio-secure as it could be and the importance of top level cricket, to safeguard funding for the professional and recreational game is obvious.

It means of course that any cricket played by Derbyshire this summer will be away from home, something that the players and coaching staff are OK with. So too should be supporters and members, because we wouldn't have been able to attend matches anyway.

The club will be making very useful money from both of these ventures, which when one considers the loss to its off-field income in recent and coming months is of paramount importance. County finances will be very tricky this season and Ryan Duckett and his team are to be congratulated in securing two such prestigious 'gigs' for the club.

Hopefully we weather the financial storm and things can return to a semblance of normality for the 2021 season. That would be the 150th playing anniversary of its first match and for me more important than that of its creation. Any merchandise produced to mark it will be equally relevant next year and I will be sure to buy my share to plough cash back into the club coffers.

I am sure that Dave Houghton has been looking at the squad and is already planning for next summer, regardless of what cricket is played this year. With uncertainty over international travel and fixtures, he will need to plan for various eventualities. In the coming weeks the retained lists will be published and I feel for those who have had no opportunity to impress in the final year of deals across the country.

Some will have their final year honoured, perhaps, but for others it will represent opportunity lost, which is a real shame.