Sat 22 Aug 2020 - Tue 25 Aug 2020
Seat Unique Riverside
Derbyshire
355-4
Durham Cricket
337-9d
A 13-man Derbyshire squad will travel to Emirates Riverside to face Durham in the Bob Willis Trophy, starting on Saturday 22 August (11am).
Billy Godleman’s table-topping side welcome Luis Reece back into the top order after the all-rounder recovered from a knock, while Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy retain their place.
Also returning from injury is all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice, who missed the games against Leicestershire and Yorkshire, and he joins Anuj Dal, Alex Hughes, Matt Critchley and Ed Barnes as an option with both bat and ball.
In terms of bowlers, Sam Conners, Ben Aitchison and Michael Cohen are named, while wicketkeeper-batsman Brooke Guest is included in the squad for the first time since joining from Lancashire.
1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
77. Wayne Madsen
76. Leus du Plooy
29. Brooke Guest
18. Alex Hughes
20. Matt Critchley
65. Anuj Dal
11. Ben Aitchison
8. Michael Cohen
33. Fynn Hudson-Prentice
62. Ed Barnes
59. Sam Conners
Although they are yet to pick up a win in the Bob Willis Trophy, Durham remain a strong opposition for other sides in the North Group.
Alex Lees (48.80) and David Bedingham (42.20) top the averages for Durham, with the former having struck one century and two half-centuries in just five innings so far.
With more than 450 runs between them, the top-order pair are key cogs in the batting order, while the evergreen Chris Rushworth remains a constant threat with the ball, having claimed eight wickets at 21.00.
Anuj Dal believes the example set by the experienced players in the Derbyshire side has been key to their strong start to the season.
The side are currently top of the North Group, with a three-match unbeaten run offering a two-point gap between them and Yorkshire heading into the penultimate match of the group stage.
Dal, who hit an unbeaten 78 in the crucial draw against the White Rose, believes that the environment created by Derbyshire’s more experienced players has made it easier for those who are still developing to flourish.
“It’s incredible, the squad we have,” said Dal.
“We don’t have that many senior players, but the ones we do have are such quality, they’re able to guide the younger players through, the guys who haven’t played much first-class cricket, myself included.
“It’s an incredible dressing room to be a part of, I’ve been in other dressing rooms where, as a younger player, you don’t feel wanted. You feel like you’re fighting for a spot and that puts a lot of pressure on you.
“It’s amazing how you feel you have the backing of the likes of Billy [Godleman], Wayne [Madsen], even Yoz [Alex Hughes] and Critch [Matt Critchley]. You don’t care about personal milestones, you just want to do well for the team and contribute to those performances.
“It’s incredible how the side has changed over the last couple of years, since Houghts [Dave Houghton] came in, and it’s not a side you want to miss out, because there’s some really good players in it.”
Keep up with all the action on our new Match Centre as Derbyshire face Durham at Emirates Riverside.
Enjoy every ball with our Live Stream service, as well as in-play clips, stats widgets and an interactive scorecard.
Click HERE to access the page during play.
Together, We Are All Derbyshire. Four-day cricket has returned you can follow all five of Derbyshire’s Bob Willis Trophy matches live on our match centre at derbyshireccc.com.
