Yorkshire v Derbyshire day 1

At the end of a severely truncated day, honours were pretty much even in my book.

Derbyshire may have hoped to get more early wickets, but removing their top overseas batsman plus their skipper counts as a result, for me. If we can separate this pair quickly tomorrow, with Hodd at six and Rashid at seven our opponents have a long tail that may not fancy facing the pace of Turner, as we saw at Chesterfield.

The wicket would not appear to hold undue problems and, having won the toss and opted to bowl, we can only assume that Karl Krikken and Wayne Madsen don't expect a turner by day four. More rain is expected tomorrow, though not as prolonged as that experienced after lunch. Derbyshire can now control this game, perhaps more so than if Yorkshire had gone for (and successfully chased) a stiff target on the last day. We now just need to avoid defeat...or win it, of course.

Elsewhere, former Derbyshire player Ian Blackwell has moved to Warwickshire on loan from Durham, opening up the possibilities of a permanent move and fourth county for the 34 year old. For all that he has had a good career, has scored his runs and taken wickets, I don't feel that the lad ever fully realised the potential that was patently obvious when he was playing for our Second XI. I've written before about a century I watched him score at Queens Park, many years ago, when he would have been about 17 and made the game look ridiculously easy. Wherever the ball was pitched it was despatched with the minimum of fuss and I asked Alan Hill, then in charge of the side, who he was.

Hill's enthusiasm for the youngster's talent was almost tangible, yet he didn't spend too long at the County Ground, opting for a move to Somerset, where the short boundaries meshed well with his ability to hit a long ball. England selection followed, but his 29 one-day innings for an average of just under 15 did scant justice to his talent.

Part of the problem has been his fitness levels and Blackwell has, in an era of whippet-slim cricketers, stood out more than perhaps should have been the case. There are those who will argue, like Samit Patel, that its what he does with a bat and ball in hand that should matter, but the reality is that if a player with such a build is run out, makes a fielding error, or picks up injuries he becomes an easy target. At county level, even now, there is an option for girth (David Sales, Robert Croft and Mark Cosgrove come to mind) but they are an endangered species.

I hope Blackwell has a few more seasons in him, as in full flight (sadly, too often against Derbyshire) he is a fine sight, but his age and fitness record combine to suggest that Warwickshire, or whoever signs him, will be a final destination.

Until tomorrow, when we'll all hope for better weather at Heandingley.

Or not...if we're content with the draw.