Don't stop believing - Durham v Derbyshire preview

The legendary Derby County manager Brian Clough used to place great emphasis on a strong "spine" to his teams. With a good goalkeeper, centre half, central midfield and centre forward, Clough reckoned you could develop a side that would prove effective. Thus the Derby County side that won the league had Boulton, McFarland, Gemmill and O'Hare, while his Nottingham Forest side that conquered Europe had Shilton, Burns, Gemmill and Birtles.

In a similar way, John Morris has changed Derbyshire's fortunes in twenty over cricket with some clever signings, arguably the best of the campaign. Those watching games last year could see an improvement in the batting, but there was no one in the batting order who could really take a score out of reach. Nor was there anyone who could apply a degree of control when the opposition were coming at us hard at either end of the innings, or a spinner with the necessary experience to mix it up and make the opposition work for their runs.

Which is why the signing of the three South Africans - Loots Bosman, Charl Langeveldt and Robin Peterson respectively - has had such an impact on the team. One cannot discount the additional firepower that Wes Durston has brought to the top of the order - he is, after all our top scorer in the competition - nor the all-round contribution of Greg Smith, any more than you could overlook the sensible innings played by Garry Park and the professional bowling of Steffan Jones and Tim Groenewald. Yet the three international players have all stamped their class on matches to ensure that Derbyshire are in the mix when it matters after some excellent performances.

Bosman has only really cut loose at Headingley (how we'd love a repeat on Sunday!) but his example at the top of the order has allowed those lower down a little more time to play themselves in. When he scores runs it is quickly and his average of just under thirty doesn't fully do justice to his contribution. With Durston he has formed a fine pairing, sometimes a little shaky in the running, but both with the ability to pierce and clear the field and boundaries. Durston is averaging just under 40 and having two players of that calibre at the top of the order is a massive step forward. Bosman is also fleet of foot in the field and has proved effective in sweeping the boundaries.

Peterson has been a huge asset in all forms of the game and if he cannot return next season will be missed as much as Chris Rogers. To have a spinner who can both take wickets and keep the scoring rate down is a godsend for a captain (Peterson is our most economical bowler thus far) but to have one who also fields brilliantly and scores quick and valuable runs puts him on a different level. I'm still puzzled how his country can overlook such a multi-faceted player in favour of one-dimensional cricketers, such as van der Merwe, Botha and Harris. Maybe he falls just short of genuine international class, but I'd still rank him first in that company.

Then of course there's Langeveldt. We really missed him last year, but he has done very well to recover from major shoulder surgery. A yard of pace might have gone, but Charl puts the ball in the right areas more than most bowlers, which is why he is perhaps the best death bowler in the world. Dirk Nannes and Usman Gul may have claims in that area, but a tribute to his effectiveness is in the genuine surprise when Warwickshire got the required runs from his last over at Edgbaston. A wide full toss down leg side from Langeveldt, as bowled in that match, is as common as a juicy half volley from Les Jackson once was. He is, in short, a master of his craft and it is great to see him back at Derby.

The big test now is whether they can inspire us to even greater deeds and a place in the T20 quarter finals. I've been here way too many times before to start counting chickens and we have a big game at the Riverside tomorrow. Durham have been the best team in the country over the past three seasons but this season have experienced problems, in much the same way as us, due to injuries to senior bowlers. They can still qualify, however, so will come out with all guns blazing tomorrow, when losing would end their hopes for this season. When those guns include Ian Blackwell, Phil Mustard, Ross Taylor and Albie Morkel, we will have to be at our very best with the ball and in the field to come out on top. They are at their best on their own turf, and while we had the better of the rain-ruined game at Derby, tomorrow will be hard going. They may also welcome back Paul Collingwood, in much the same way that the ECB have allowed Yorkshire to field Shahzad and Rashid against us on Sunday, while Liam Plunkett is expected to return from injury. If we're going to qualify, it looks like being the hard way…

I've watched a few of the T20 games on Sky and still think that the northern section is the strongest. While few will want to play Somerset at Taunton, that is more due to the current form of Trescothick and Pollard than their being an exceptional side and I don't think they are unbeatable. Conversely Sussex are doing well with a team ethic, rather than individual brilliance, but I don't see them as being stronger than Nottinghamshire.

If we lose tomorrow night there will be much to play for in the remaining two games at Derby, though a win would see one foot gingerly placed into the next stage.There is no news on the teams at this stage, though Derbyshire are unlikely to change a winning line up. Wayne Madsen did well at Old Trafford so should retain his place in this side:

Bosman
Durston
Smith
Madsen
Park
Clare
Peterson
Goddard
Jones
Groenewald
Langeveldt

Three seamers, three spinners and a bustling medium pacer. Can they subdue the Durham hitters? For me, that will be the deciding factor in what promises to be a very good game.