Surrey v Derbyshire - Day One

I think Surrey might feel they have missed out on a great opportunity to have put this game to bed today, they ended on 364 with one first innings wicket in hand, but it could have been so much more.

Hamilton-Brown promoted himself up to open in the continued absence of Brown and the temporary absence of Davies, and he appeared to have forgotten that Twenty20 is on a one week break, smashing 24 from 16 balls before getting himself out.  He'd given Surrey a cracking start, but although none of the top six who followed him failed, none of them really cashed in either.

Ramprakash was one of South African Tim Groenewald's five victims, he was clean bowled for 99, just one short of his 112th first class century, will getting off Nelson prove as tough as getting off 99 for Ramps?!  Afzaal showed a timely return to form with a well paced 73, Younus fell five short of a half century and Walters needed the tail to stick around with him to see Surrey past the 400 mark, but none of them did.

At various points in the day it seemed like we were really going to press home the advantage but we didn't, which is very frustrating.  That said, we're not in the worst position in the world and the closer Tremlett and Linley can edge us towards 400 the better.  On a further positive note, I think Adams has found a good balance with this side, Wilson the stand in WK-batsman at number seven and Gareth Batty at number 8 is about right (though he didn't do much with the bat today).  If Davies, Dernbach and Brown were available, which they both may well be the next time we play a four day game, I'd be very satisfied with a batting order along the lines of today.  Progress!