Derbyshire v India: Day 1 analysis
It was a fairly encouraging day for Derbyshire today against a lengthy and varied attack, none of who were especially demanding on a lovely summer's day.
Indeed, had I been told last night that a wicket-keeper would cruise to a half century before the close, the thinking money would have been on MS Dhoni being the player in question. Instead, it was the latest player to emerge from the club's academy, 17-year old Harvey Hosein (pictured), who ended his first day in first-class cricket with an unbeaten half-century of some style and quality.
While the ESPNcricinfo report on the match refers to it beating his previous best for the second eleven by some distance, it ignores the fact that the youngster has scored well for the club's academy and for his club side, in addition to keeping wickets well . At 17, he has much to learn, but equally plenty of time in which to do it.
It was good to see Ben Slater back at the top of the innings, and his half-century suggested that he may get an extended opportunity after the retirement of Stephen Moore. There was an opportunity for Chesney Hughes, too, but, after a few trademark shots, he got out for a lower score than he would have hoped for on such a day.
And that left us with two players, Wes Durston and Billy Godleman, who have had their struggles this summer. While Wes has hinted at a return to his erstwhile form in the second team and in the T20, Billy has had to contend with a broken hand at a time when he really needed to be playing cricket to stake a claim for a contract in 2015.
An unbeaten 67 in four-and-a half hours of batting will have helped his confidence a little and given Graeme Welch some food for thought. No one can doubt Billy's powers of concentration, especially after his innings at Lord’s last summer, but he has too often got out at the point when he should have been going on to the major innings.
Wes played all the shots and is a fine player to watch in such form. His early innings footwork tends to be a little sluggish, which leaves him vulnerable to the inswinger and sees him dismissed leg before too often for comfort, but, if he gets through that period, he is as entertaining a player as we have had at the county in many a year.
All those players who did well today will be aware that one innings builds neither a season nor a career. But it does build confidence, and, while this Indian attack is nowhere near the quality of their batting side, the batsmen can still be pleased with their efforts today.
Tomorrow it is the bowlers turn, and, for Ben Cotton, Greg Cork and Matt Higginbottom, there might be a dream about a big-name wicket or two.
Here's hoping, though logic suggests a day of leather-chasing tomorrow.