August 2008 Archives

Warwickshire 365 for 5. Rogers 87, New 8.

Ladies and gentlemen, my illustrious laptop has just imploded, wiping out several thousand words of saved copy and turning a hitherto straightforward afternoon into a complicated and difficult one so this will be the last post until, all being well, Worcester on Tuesday.

BFN!

Tea: Derbyshire 307 for 3 (86 overs). Rogers 160, Smith 7.

Sorry about the belated update ladies and gentlemen, I was called away, but I am reliably informed that Redfern edged Martin in regulation fashion to Maddy at slip and Hinds, having struck Frost and Salisbury for sixes, was caught by Woakes at long-on off the latter.

I have just asked my colleagues to describe for me the Bears' bowling this afternoon.

The replies: Inconsistent. Hot and cold. Erratic. Dull.

Lunch. Derbyshire 178 for 1 (53 overs). Rogers 97, Redfern 0,

His mind unhinged by Frost's spin-maestroship, Borrington missed a full-toss from Salisbury and was lbw for 62 bringing to a close an opening stand of 176 in 50 overs.

We are now enjoying a recitation of the price-list from the club shop over the public address system.

Derbyshire 176 for 0 (50 overs). Rogers 95, Borrington 62.

To cries of "are you taking this seriously?" from the crowd, Maddy has just thrown the ball to Frost. The derision from the stands melted instantly when the permed one's first ball, a leg-spinner, ripped past Borrington's outside-edge!

Frost 1-0-2-0.

Derbyshire 174 for 0 (48 overs). Rogers 94, Borrington 61.

At 158 this became the highest opening partnership anywhere in either division of the championship this season.

Salisbury and Troughton are now having a twirl. Botha delivered one over this morning but, during it, tweaked a hip flexor and hobbled off.

Nobody in press box quite sure what a hip flexor is. We think it might be something to do with the fetlock.

Derbyshire 135 for 0 (39 overs). Rogers 69, Borrington 51.

Sadly, this has all the hallmarks of another stale-mate.

Rogers was on 65 for 36 minutes.

Martin and Rankin had a go. Woakes and Botha now bowling.

When Warwickshire played Derbyshire at Glossop in 1900, that match too drifted to a rain-affected draw. Harry Bagshaw scored 15 for the home side as they replied to the Bears' 118 all out (Bagshaw 4 for 16) with 67 for 5.

The ball always does a bit at Glossop.

Derbyshire 110 for 0 (28 overs). Rogers 65, Borrington 34.

Rankin and Martin are doing the bowllng. Rankin rattled Borrington with a ball that lifted at him off a length but the batters are not in too much discomfort.

Interesting prospect, Rankin.

"There's plenty there," a sage from Derbyshire has just commented. "He can bowl very well but on other occasions bowls crap. The key to Rankin is to get his attention."

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, it's much the brightest day of the match so far so let's hope the second half of this match reflects the sunny outlook.

Every championship match at Edgbaston this season having been drawn, and most of them having hit stale-mate from a long way out, we could do with this one evolving into a gripping contest.

The last thing the spectators need, quite frankly, is a repeat of the impasse of Derbyshire's visit here in 1900 when the Bears piled up 635 (Harry Bagshaw two for 89) then Derbyshire replied with 344 (Bagshaw 61) and then, following on, saved the match with ease, finishing on 202 for four (Bagshaw 23).

Close: Derbyshire 83 for 0 (22 overs). Rogers 51, Borrington 25.

Few alarms for the openers as Warwickshire tried six bowlers. Rather surprising that Salisbury was only given two overs, the last two from the Pavilion End.

Darren Maddy's captaincy. Discuss.

Derbyshire 57 for 0 (14 overs) Rogers 31, Borrington 21.

Not too much encouragement for the Bears so far. Martin and Woakes yielded no breakthrough so the attack has passed to Rankin, whose second over contained one of the widest wides seen on the ground in many a year, and Maddy.