Derbyshire v Surrey day two - report

Derbyshire 153; Surrey 392-8 (Ansari 105, Davies 124, Footitt 3-55)

I don't think there's any doubt that we are going to lose this game, but I hope that we show enough fight tomorrow to at least take the game into the fourth day.

We have been outplayed in this one, although there are a few bright spots from today's play. Mark Footitt bowled a tight spell and again took wickets, while Scott Elstone showed himself to have something of a golden arm. Meanwhile Tom Taylor duly took his first wicket in the senior game, and lo, as prophesied in the Peakfan Blog last night, 'twas that of Hasim Amla, one of the world's greatest batsmen.

Taylor got some stick afterwards, but a lad making his way in the game must expect that and come back again. more aware of what is required to make the grade. Surrey will probably make 400 tomorrow and then crowd the bat in the hope of an innings win.

Rain seems an unlikely saviour and nor should it really do so. Our first innings was a mess yesterday and it is difficult to win any game when your first innings puts you behind the eight ball, as ours did.

The game is gone, but there's at least an opportunity to salvage a little respect on a wicket that has been proven to offer batsmen runs if they are prepared to graft.

I hope we see that tomorrow.