"After luncheon, the ball began to swing..."

This Saturday's dead Pro40 game at Derby might not appear to have much going for it but get there if you can - momentous fare may well await.
The venue is positively dripping with Bears history. It wouldn't be at all surprising if something historic - a Rikki Clarke first-knock-for-Warwickshire 150, perhaps - occurs.
The maligned old ground is, by the way, unique in English sport as the only venue ever to have been simultaneously home to a first-class cricket county, a Football League club and a racecourse.
And it was also on that hallowed East Midlands plot that...

* In 1908, the great Frank Foster made his first-class debut for Warwickshire and chalked up figures of 36.4-15-52-6.

* In 1937, Bill Copson took eight for 11 to skittle the Bears for 28, a moderate total which included no double-figure contributions but was adorned by one precious, glittering, face-saving leg-bye.

* In 1938, Copson this time lost out in a psychologial battle. Aware that the Derbyshire paceman hated any comemnts about his red hair, John Buckingham reached the crease and said loudly to partner Tom Dollery: "Don't worry about Ginger, I'll deal with him." Copson's spell promptly yielded increasing pace and diminishing accuracy and Buckingham and Dollery added 220 to pave the way to victory.

*In 1980, in a John Player League match reduced to 38 overs per side, TA.Lloyd batted all through the innings for 58 not out. The Bears lost.

*In 1987, Warwickshire's batting was unpicked by the unlikely combination of a West Indian and a Dane. Holding and Mortensen.

*In 1988, Tony Merrick delivered a burst of six wickets for no run in ten balls.

* In 2001, Charlie Dagnell ended his Bears career with a match-winning, promotion-clinching 6 for 50 and gave an utterly charming interview in which he confided that: "After luncheon, the ball began to swing..."

* In 2008, Rikki Clarke gave Warwickshire's promotion hopes a boost when, as Derbyshire captain, he delayed a declaration for yonks to allow Freddie Klokker to inch to a maiden century. The Bears thus slipped off the hook and salvaged a draw having been second-best for two three days.