Arthur taking positives from draw

Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, believes Derbyshire showed a lot of improvement in their draw against Gloucestershire, something which bodes well for the remainder of the campaign and beyond. 

For a period on Day Four, it seemed that Derbyshire were heading for victory, as the spin-bowling tandem of Alex Thomson and Mark Watt combined for six wickets, but Graeme van Buuren and Ed Middleton held firm to earn a draw for the hosts.

Arthur was pleased with Derbyshire’s showing at Seat Unique Stadium, and wants to see those positives develop and grow in the remaining weeks of the season and over the winter.

“There was enough in the pitch for us not to think about a contrived finish, which I don’t believe in anyway.

“For a period this afternoon I thought we were going to end up chasing 120 or 130, which would have made for a good finish.

“It was always going to need just one partnership to take that prospect away from us and credit the two Gloucestershire lads for sticking in there.

“I’m very proud of how we played this week. The belief in our dressing room was really good and we were looking to force a positive result all the time.

“Leus du Plooy was again outstanding, as was Anuj Dal in setting up the possibility of a win for us. Today our spinners bowled well and there a lot of supporting acts along the way.

“We leave here pretty happy. I hate talking about next season all the time, but it is a project. Pat Brown will get better and be a massive asset for us. With other additions, we will have a strong squad.”