Derbyshire trail Surrey by 175 runs after day one

Gary Wilson was impressive for Surrey

Surrey 239 (White 3-43, Footitt 3-74)

Derbyshire 64-1

Derbyshire trail by 175 runs

Were it not for a few missed opportunities to dismiss the visitors for under 200, this was a good effort from Derbyshire.

They have faced less imposing Surrey sides in the recent past and gradually worked their way through the batting order, finishing with a flourish in taking the last four wickets for just four runs.

Mark Footitt and Wayne White led the way with three wickets each. Mark's display will send him off to the England training camp in good fettle while Wayne maintained his current record of taking his wickets at just fourteen runs each. There will be those at Old Trafford who wonder why he never produced such form for them, but Derbyshire can be pleased with the pace man's form since his return from early season injury, as can the bowler himself.

White will be a key factor in our attack when Footitt goes off. He is quick enough to be awkward and if he can rediscover his batting talents could become a key all-rounder too. Support came from Tom Taylor, who went off injured at one point while Wes Durston nipped in with a couple of handy wickets, especially on a first-day wicket. That one of them was the dangerous Dean Elgar was especially handy and we looked to have a chance of the ascendancy once the South African had been dismissed.

Billy Godleman didn't last long when we went in after tea, but Ben Slater got welcome runs on the board, if less flamboyantly than usual, while Hamish Rutherford showed the technique and concentration that is so important from a number three in English conditions.

There's a big first session in store tomorrow, assuming the weather allows a prompt start. Showers are forecast, which may truncate the play, make the batsmen restart their innings and keep the bowlers fresh. We need to work hard and build partnerships, but after the first day we have a good chance of taking the initiative here.

Time to go. Tomorrow I rise at 5 and hope to be at the ground in time for the start, traffic and weather permitting.

Might need a coffee when I get there...