Morris relieved to look ahead to a return to Championship action
Their last Twenty20 game brought defeat by Leicestershire at Grace Road yesterday and that left head of cricket John Morris more eager than ever to return to the four-day game.
“I'm more disappointed here than I have been in any of the other defeats,” he said.
“That was a poor performance. It was par with the ball but we wasted too many balls wafting too much air around when we should have been looking for more ones.
“Actually, we probably played about a 17-over innings because of the number of balls we wasted and that was the reason we lost the game.
“The Worcestershire game seems a long time ago and, to be honest, we're ready to play Championship cricket again now.
“Twenty20 is great for the crowds and good for the club financially but I think the players still look forward to the four-day game. Hopefully, we can pick our form up where we left it at Chesterfield.”
Morris should have three of his top players who missed the match against Leicestershire – Rikki Clarke, Charl Langeveldt and Chris Rogers – available but Tom Lungley again misses out through injury.
“Rikki's got a bit of a problem with a hamstring which he pulled in the game against Durham,” Morris added. “It's nothing too serious and I expect him to play at Essex.
“Hopefully, Langers' knee will be fine as well and Chris Rogers comes back in.
“Tom has a niggle in his side and it would stop him bowling spells in Championship cricket. As soon as that clears up, we'll get him playing second team cricket because he needs to play.”
Greg Smith is back in the Championship squad for the first time since he was injured in the opening game with Gloucestershire and Wayne White is added for the first time this season as possible cover for Langeveldt.
DERBYSHIRE (from): Stubbings, Rogers, Birch, Hinds, Clarke, Smith, Pipe, Wagg, Clare, Needham, Langeveldt, Doshi, White.
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