It looks like there are two decisions to be made. The first is whether a second spinner might be useful on a wicket that often offers turn and will likely do so even more after the recent dry spell. On the assumption that Suranga Lakmal and Zak Chappell will play, the choice would this appear to be between Alex Thomson and Ben Aitchison for the final place, Sam Conners missing with a calf strain.

Luis Reece will also offer seam support, so the final place appears to be between Matt Lamb and Anuj Dal. I thought the former looked very good in the season’s earlier games, one of few to emerge from the game at Durham with credit. A back spasm took him out of the side and he hasn’t been able, as yet, to regain his place. 

Dal too has missed matches with a side strain and the four-day side especially missed the balance that he offers in his best form.

So the Derbyshire side is likely to be:

Came, Ali, Guest, Madsen, du Plooy, Reece, Lamb/Dal, Chappell, Watt, Thomson/Aitchison, Lakmal.

They play the division’s bottom placed side, Yorkshire, a game with special memories for me as it was the first fixture I saw, back in 1967, at the same ground. I had hoped to be there this year, but events conspired against me and I will need to watch it from my home.

They bring a squad of fourteen, a good mixture of youth and experience. It hasn’t been an easy season for them, but they will be buoyed by some recent better displays in the Vitality Blast. Shan Masood will look forward to his return to Chesterfield, as does everyone, of course!

Lyth, Bean, Masood, Malan, Wharton, Revis, Fisher, Thompson, Bess, Chohan, Cliff, Tattersall, Hill, Coad.

It should make for an interesting four days. With the weather set fair, there can be no better setting in the country.

If you are going, enjoy every minute and get behind our lads.