So what sort of challenge will the Championship pose for the Foxes this season, or perhaps more appropriate what challenge will the foxes pose? The first thing to say is how amazing it was to see such a good track produced, for the first game. With the weather we have suffered this 'spring' the prospect of the away side wanting to bat first was quite frankly remarkable; well done Andy Ward & team. Muhammad Abbas looks every inch a quality bowler (England beware) and offers that nagging accuracy so badly missing for long periods of seasons past, just a shame we will have to wait until August to see him again. Lets hope that his replacement Varun Aaron is from a similar mould. The highlight was undoubtedly the batting on Saturday & Sunday of Colin Ackermann. We only saw glimpses of this mans talent last year, lets hope that in his 2nd season he feels more at home both with the schedule and the regime now in place, because this was an early season innings of the highest quality. Cozzie was, well Cozzie. I am sure everyone breathed a big sigh of relief that he looks to have returned showing no ill effects from the Captaincy saga at the end of last season. Do we have the resources to bowl sides out twice and actually win a match, on flat pitches in the summer maybe not. Oh hold on a minute we don't play Championship cricket in the summer any more do we. So with early and late season movement we may just have enough to take 20 wickets. It was clear to see Matt Mason's influence on both Gav Griffiths and Parky who both bowled with a greater maturity than we have seen before. I remain nervous about our batting and the ability to consistently make big scores. If anything disappointed a little about game 1 it was our reluctance to press on for an additional batting point when the opportunity presented itself.  And so to round 2 and a Derbyshire side flush with the success of a first home win since 2014. We have named 12 and with Ned Eckersley fit again I suspect the choice will come down to playing an extra batter in Hill with Klein missing out or Klein plays and Lewis is the one to carry the water.
With the forecast as depressing as anything seen to date I suspect we will have to wait until saturday for that decision and I wouldn't expect anything other than the foxes being 'invited' to bat, leaving the way clear for our old friend Wayne Madsen to get his customary 100 when conditions improve a little. Pack you blankets, flasks of hot soup and hand warmers, put on your fleece lined long johns as when it does dry up expect it to be a good 10 to 15 degrees colder than last Saturday Comments are closed.
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June 2023
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