SORRY DERBYSHIRE CRUSHED BY SURREY IN THREE DAYS

DERBYSHIRE C C C V SURREY C C C
LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE 2 @ THE 3 AAA COUNTY GROUND
DAY THREE DERBYSHIRE LOSE BY 222 RUNS

OVER VIEW OF THE 3AAA GROUND

Being a lapsed Derbyshire member I had not witnessed a game at The 3AAA County Ground since the wicket was turned 45 degrees so I must declare a Derbyshire interest in this blog.  Sadly I probably picked one of the clubs poorest days result wise as when Surrey claimed an extra half an hour at the end of the day to take the final 3 Derbyshire wickets to secure this massive victory inside 3 days.  Indeed Elite Performance Director Graeme Welch has described the performance as one of his poorest days in 'the game' and on the way back a long term member I got into conversation with matched Graeme's thoughts saying it was 'the worst he had seen Derbyshire perform'.

NEW RECEPTION ENTRANCE

So a sorry end to an exciting return to county cricket, in prospect.  The blogs first sport as a junior was always cricket and many happy hours were spent at The Queens Park and then in later years The County Ground at Derby.
An early start was made to give an arrival just before 10am and allow the blog to have a good look around at some of the recent improvements to the ground the 'Gateway' building now houses, at last, the players changing rooms and they can walk down a high perched stairway to make a proper approach to the field of play.  Much of this area now houses players, officials and sponsors on the top deck.  The pavilion has now had some sort of return to members although there are also meal options available within for those with the correct pass.  The newish [temporary] FALCONS emblazoned stand offers a tremendous view from it, if you wish to climb to the rear seats an even more panoramic vista. 

WELCOME CARPET IS OUT

Moving around the ground the old scoreboard is taken over by the media and as we come round to just before the original low covered stand we now have a massive electronic scoreboard which can keep you up to date with nearly every fact that this statistic obsessed game you could wish for. 

LOOKING UP THE SCORE

NICK OWEN FORMER GMTV CRICKET AND LUTON TOWN FAN

The old supporters book shop has now taken over half of the snack/café area and although the selection of second hand books is excellent and a good addition to the club but whoever thought of trying to put in the clubs merchandise sales in there didn't do the sales any favours.  Todays there was a small cabinet of just a few DCCC items and nowhere could you look at shirts, caps etc this seemed amiss with something on show I would have purchased.  Coming back around to the pavilion and our original entrance we have a low seated terrace which is part blocked today by the side screens and TV gantry for the twenty/20 coverage.
Overall then great to come back and with a days play in prospect on a nice June day before the start there was a chance to take a quick picture of Nick Owen former GMTV presenter and now Midlands Today presenter and of course Derbyshire cricket fan alongside being a Luton Town fan with the larger white ball sport.

ALEC STEWART [LEFT] SURREY AND DERBYSHIRE'S GRAEME WELCH

The blog was grateful to Nick and then to former England wicketkeeper and now Surrey Director of Cricket Alec Stewart and Graeme Welch, thanks guys.

MARK FOOTITT STEAMS IN

So to the match and with Surrey posting 239 in the first innings and Derbyshire falling just short on 207 the third day started with the visitors on 77 for 2.

Mark Footitt was bowling well for Derbyshire and the morning session was looking well balanced until James Burke with 73 and Gareth Batty put on 83 for the 7th wicket and the total of 315 when Tom Taylor was last out and it was time for tea to be taken with Derbyshire set 348 to win.

Lunch time had seen a tasty effort from Fish @ Tony's just a short walk from the ground and tea featured a morning sandwich purchase and two small [old theatre] type pots of ice cream from local producer Bluebells purchased from the snack bar area at £5, very nice but overpriced.
Some of the game had been spent watching with Surrey supporters in the vicinity and it has to be said there is a clear difference between people from the north of this country and people from the south.

So tea completed by supporters and players we all returned in anticipation fearing that Surrey had 100 runs to many for Derbyshire and what transpired in the following 2 1/2 hours and 39.5 overs was unbelievable poor and painful for home supporters.  Derbyshire were skittled out for 125 with a minor improvement from at one stage 48 for 5.
A harsh day for the club and all involved from players, management and supporters.

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