County cricket: Derbyshire v Middlesex drawn and five things we have learned – as it happened | Derbyshire

The kids are alright The brave new world of international franchise cricket might sing only white-ball tunes, but bright young things still love the red ball game. Item: Farhan Ahmed, Nottinghamshire’s 17-year-old off-spinner, with the optimism of youth but the wisdom of an old head, bringing control and surprise. Item: Ben McKinney, Durham’s 2.66 metres (6ft 7in) left-handed 20-year-old opening batter, who made 153 against Warwickshire in early April at Chester le Street and played a vital role in Durham’s victory in two days on a terror track at New Road. Item: Josh Hull, another 2.66 metres 20-year-old, who played his first game for Leicestershire last week after a winter of “beasting” at the hands of the England fitness coaches and, in a possible omen for the Ashes, trapped Cameron Green lbw for four. There are more.

East Midlands rule There has been nothing like it in the East Midlands since the remains of Richard III were discovered under that Leicestershire car park. Nottinghamshire, like their near neighbours Notts Forest, are having a moment. After two mediocre seasons, everything has slotted into place – runs from their captain Haseeb Hameed, a winning overseas bowler in Fergus O’Neill (though his stint is now over), Farhan Ahmed finding his feet and an injury-free Josh Tongue. And while Notts sit pretty at the top of Division One, oft-mocked Leicestershire and Derbyshire gaze down on the rest of Division Two. Leicestershire have looked reborn this season, with their Bazball opening partnership of Rehan Ahmed and Sol Budinger, and Ian Holland leading the Division Two wicket-takers. They ran pre-season favourites Lancashire ragged in the rain-affected draw at Old Trafford as well as holding their nerve against Gloucestershire at Bristol this week. Meanwhile Wayne Madsen’s return as captain at Derbyshire has had revitalising results.

No two Aprils are alike Whereas last April was a wet dog, with county ground staff posting despairing messages in their WhatsApp group over excess water, the start of the 2025 cricket season has been the polar opposite. England and Wales had their driest March since 1961, and April has followed suit. When local cricket grounds in Manchester are having to water their pitches in very early season, you know something unusual is happening. While the zigzagging of the changing climate is bad news, the dry spell has meant plenty of spring cricket and uncharacteristically pleasant conditions for spectators, with excellent attendances everywhere from Chelmsford to The Oval.

There’s always room for a comeback kid Tom Banton’s 371 in the Championship’s first round was more than just the earliest triple century in Championship history and the highest scores by a Somerset player. It was a redemption song by a young man who, after being thrown in at the deep end of international cricket and the franchise circuit, fell out of love with the game. But there are fewer better places to quietly re-find yourself than Taunton, and beating Langer’s record with a four off the penultimate ball of the second day in front of his home crowd warmed every cockle. A dazed looking Banton said after: “This is the best day I’ve had in cricket and will probably be the best day I’ll ever have.”

The loan system is brilliant The loan system has taken spring in its stride, with Somerset’s Jake Ball grabbing seven wickets in his first match for Durham, Nottinghamshire’s leg-spinner Calvin Harrison swaggering 50 and taking 11 wickets against Lancashire, Hampshire’s Josh Turner enjoying his time at Old Trafford and Somerset’s Ben Green taking a maiden five-wicket haul for Leicestershire. Even if the experience is not a huge success, like Shoaib Bashir’s time at Glamorgan, it sure beats kicking your heels.