DERBYSHIRE PHANTOMS V SURREY BROWN CAPS at Chesterfield (Pro40 League), 3 AUGUST 2008

This is the clash of the one-day titans.. of course it isn't. I was just feeling mischievous there. Derbyshire have only had one win to show in each of their last two Pro40 League campaigns, so the fact that the Phantoms have already won one game in this season's competition must mean they're not going to taste victory again. Surrey have played two and lost two. Given the way the Brown Caps threw in the towel down at Cardiff, it will be interesting to see which of these two sides excels at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory tomorrow afternoon.

For once, Surrey will start as favourites, based on the fact that they have won their last three one-day meetings with Derbyshire, including an emphatic eight-wicket victory at Chesterfield two years ago.

The main danger with the bat for the Phantoms would appear to be their two overseas recruits Chris Rogers and Wavell Hinds, who has made 45 and 53 in his two Pro40 innings. Perhaps their batting line-up would be even stronger if Steve Stubbings, who averaged 51.75 in this season's NatWest Trophy, was in favour, but the 30-year-old opener is now a permanent member of Derbyshire's second team. Another who has been in and out of the Phantoms' first team is Rikki Clarke, which is curious given that he is their skipper. No doubt the chance to play against his old county will make him a definite starter tomorrow.

With the ball, 28-year-old seamer Ian Hunter has performed creditably in the Pro40 this term, taking 3-18 in the six-wicket victory over Northants on 20 July. But, looking at the whole summer, Charl Langeveldt and Graham Wagg have been the pick of the Phantoms' attack. Nayan Doshi has been economical, but, in all fairness, there hasn't been a great deal else to write home about other than some encouraging performances from Tom Lungley, who is currently ruled out with a side strain.

Talking of injuries, James Pipe, Derbyshire's wicketkeeper is out with a broken finger. The Phantoms are therefore hoping to sign Leicestershire's Tom New on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Click here for the Surrey v Derbyshire List A Records sheet at at the start of the 2008 season.

Usman Afzaal has 4,963 List A career runs and Pedro Collins is set to make his 75th appearance in List A cricket.

To follow...

Oh go on, on the basis that we can't lose three on the trot in this Mickey Mouse competition, let's forecast a Surrey win for a change; because, no matter what happens tomorrow, I will backing Essex to win Tuesday's day-nighter at Chelmsford. 

C Rogers, D Birch, W Hinds, R Clarke (capt), G Smith, T New (wk), G Wagg, J Clare, I Hunter, C Langeveldt and N Doshi.

Trevor Jesty and Peter Willey.

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