September cricket is not everyone's favourite, especially groundsmen I suspect but on days like yesterday there is particular pleasure in enjoying the last rays of summer and the ECB will probably be thinking they have just about got away with the latest ever finish to the county championship.
For what will probably be my last taste of first class cricket this season I took the train to Derby for their match with Warwickshire which afforded the home team a slim chance of avoiding relegation, although this would depend on the outcome of events at Trent Bridge, just a half hour along the A52.By the time I had got to Sheffield the sun was out and so it remained throughout a beautiful September day. I had not been in the ground more than a couple of minutes when I met Tony Hutton and we took seats at The Racecourse end among a group of Bears' supporters. This contingent was increased by the arrival of a lady who brought the news that Yorkshire or Lancashire had signed Jos Buttler. A man resisting the opportunity to use the playground taunt, 'tell us news not history', was able to confirm it was Lancashire. It appears that this is not quite a done deal yet but the announcement that Gareth Cross is 'free to seek further opportunities' suggests it soon will be. After eight years with his native county Cross may be cross.
With a win absolutely essential for their survival Derbyshire could not be blamed for leaving a little grass on the wicket and after opting to field they gained the early wickets of Chopra and Westwood. With Notts struggling against Somerset, optimism rose among what by the County Ground's standards was a decent sized crowd. Things could have been even better had not Poynton dropped two catches. Javid and Clarke effected something of a recovery but the latter, not really a favourite on this ground, was out in the first over after lunch at 89 for 4 and thanks to Groenewald this became 148 for 7. One of his victims was Warwickshire's third wicketkeeper in as many matches, Stuart Poynter, who had trials with Durham earlier in the season. Watching this fall of wickets was Chris Woakes who had come in at six and a month ago was playing for England but will now be 'free to seek further opportunities this winter'. By close of play he was undefeated with a maiden championship century on his cv. Last week Woakes played a major part in pushing Surrey down the coal chute: yesterday's innings may point Derbyshire in the same direction.
Meanwhile, as Derbyshire fell behind, Notts were recovering with a stand of over 200 between Hussey and Lumb and should clinch maximum batting points this morning. Derbyshire director of cricket, Karl Krikken, remains upbeat for whilst bemoaning the dropped catches that let Warwickshire off the hook he still believes that the key to survival lies in their batting with a minimum target of 300. Notts' opponents Somerset started well and finished OK yesterday but might find themselves facing over 400 when they bat today. Their head coach, Andy Hurry recognises that it is a 'big first session' this morning.
Tony left at lunch to spend the afternoon at Trent Bridge. There might be one or two others shuttling between the two grounds before stumps on Friday. The key matches in the second division promotion contest do not offer quite the same opportunities for commuting. 'Shuttling' between New Road and the Rose Bowl is not really a realistic prospect but after whipping out Worcester in smart time Northants' batting rather let them down and they may have slept uneasily thinking of how they were pipped by Essex three years ago. I bumped into Peter Davies yesterday and he is set for a trip to New Road today. Should be a good day.
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