Derbyshire 111 and 453 (du Plooy 170, Ali 146, Guest 42, Thomson 39*, Fisher 3-70, Bess 3-190

Yorkshire 353 and 147-6 (Masood 68*, Watt 3-46, Thomson 2-30)

Yorkshire need 65 runs to win 

It is extraordinary that, after being 24-6 and 17-4 in their two innings, Derbyshire have got this game to the final day and also have a chance of winning it.

Three wickets in the final four overs left Yorkshire nerves jangling and their support is very nervous tonight. The first partnership tomorrow, between one assumes Malan and Masood, will likely be the crucial one. Yet Leus du Plooy, after changing bowlers and their end on a regular basis, found a combination that worked at the death in Alex Thomson and Mark Watt. 

The Scot has bowled splendidly in this game and looked every inch the international bowler that he is. His control of line and length has been almost exemplary on a small ground with little margin for error, but after previous success at Chesterfield, I think he would be quite happy to play more cricket at this venue.

Any suggestions that he is ‘only’ a limited overs bowler have been well and truly put to bed here. I was especially impressed by his flight and loop, which we don’t always see in the short format, but he is a very talented cricketer.

65 to win tomorrow and after yesterday’s heroics between Haider Ali and Leus du Plooy, we owe the captain a standing ovation for his efforts here. While his Vitality Blast returns have been less impressive, he averages 80 in 4 day cricket, considerably higher than any of his team.

This innings, his highest for the county, was magnificent. The stroke play always is, but the sheer power of concentration and the level of physical fitness to bat so long in that heat is astonishing. I went out to our garden bench this morning and lasted half an hour, just sitting there. Doing 22 yard sprints in a helmet and pads takes it to a whole new level and he deserves every plaudit and acclamation for his display.

Ali didn’t last so long today and the decision didn’t look the best, but good support came from Guest and Thomson. While acknowledging that Brooke is perfectly good enough to bat three, there is a reassurance in having him come in at seven. Thomson also did well and has had a pretty good game here, after limited opportunities all summer. I always enjoy watching spinners bowl in tandem and that selection may yet turn out to be crucial.

There is a chance for one of those spinners, for they are the most likely, to be the hero tomorrow. I would be surprised if we didn’t open with them and Thomson might, turning it away from the left-handers, be the key weapon.

The one anomaly of the day was Suranga Lakmal having to retire after a blow on the head. He was actually batting pretty well and Thomson even better at the other end. Might they have added a further 15 to 20 runs, which in the context of this finish could be crucial?

Zak Chappell was deemed too good a bat to be allowed to continue Lakmal’s innings, though the Sri Lankan, only dismissed once this season, has the higher average.

The game may or may not turn on that decision, which by the law was correct, but regardless of the result this has been an extraordinary advert for county cricket. The setting has been perfect, the weather likewise and the wicket has been everything you could wish for. I would love to see such tracks replicated at Derby, because there genuinely is something in it for everyone.

As it turns out, I won’t see tomorrow morning’s conclusion, as my wife and I will be travelling, with our dogs, to see my Mum. We will be there for a few days but will be back home in time to see the T20 on Sunday.

I will do a header for the final day, so your comments on it can go in the appropriate place.