County Cricket: Derbyshire v Hampshire day 3

Tim Groenewald (File Photo)

With a day to go and more stoppages likely tomorrow, it is difficult to see how a positive result can happen in this one.

The excellence of Stephen Moore and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted us into a position of some strength, while another late salvo from Tim Groenewald took us to within touching distance of the final bonus point before the end came on 399.

Groenewald is such an admirable cricketer and invaluable to this Derbyshire side. He always bowls tight, usually with penetration and he has improved every season with the bat. Add to that the fact that he rarely misses a game and his importance is evident.

What is equally evident, at least from these early games, is that our middle order appears to have gone into the season a little ‘half cooked’. Chesney Hughes, Wes Durston and Richard Johnson have all failed so far, their struggles in stark contrast to the form shown by the top order pre-season and subsequently. Perhaps a lack of time in the middle is the issue, but all will be hoping for improved form in the near future. Looking at it another way, there is every incentive for those out of the side at the moment to produce the goods and force their way in.

It isn’t critical at this stage and is perhaps churlish to criticise a team that has scored 399, but we cannot always expect the top order to fire and runs at Worcester would be appreciated from any or all of the above.

With a day to go and Hampshire still 51 behind, I cannot see how a result can be contrived. Even the introduction of declaration bowling tomorrow would seem unlikely, as neither side will want to lose in such a fashion so early in the summer.

It looks a nailed-on draw, but sometimes this game can surprise you.

I really don’t see it here, though.