Cricket: Rollins refuses to roll over

Derbyshire 168-4 v Glamorgan

IT WOULD be all too easy to predict that a long and difficult winter off the field is about to be followed by something similar on it for Derbyshire. And, initially, a handful of wickets carelessly sacrificed to Glamorgan's steady pace attack did nothing to dispel that theory at Derby yesterday.

At that point the whole day could have gone pear-shaped for them and Matthew Maynard's decision to bowl first, based on a combination of meteorological, psychological and tactical reasons, began to look inspired even though the pitch was nothing more menacing than a slow, early-season seamer.

If Derbyshire had been bowled out cheaply, who knows what implications that could have had for their long-term confidence and stability? As it was, at 54 for 4, Adrian Rollins and Dominic Cork dropped anchor and batted with the patience and selectivity the conditions and accuracy of Glamorgan's bowlers demanded.

Cork's innings was particularly significant and will do him much more good than all his apparent whinging about the England selectors (since when has anyone had the right to a guarantee of an England place?). From the start he set his stall out to bat with a discipline and common sense for which he has not always been noted.

At No 6 he may look a little high in the order in this particular line- up. There could be some tough battles ahead. But there was no doubt that he was equal to the task here. In taking 14 overs over his first four runs he attempted nothing exotic, left well alone outside the off stump and Rollins, punching the ball vigorously off the back foot whenever length permitted, must have been grateful for his solid and selfless support.

Rollins himself, returning after a serious back injury, had to work hard against the new ball. Steve Watkin and Darren Thomas extracted some awkward bounce when they hit the seam and on another day Rollins, when 15, might have been caught at slip off one from Adrian Dale that bounced and left him.

At the other end it was a different story. Michael Slater got out hooking, as is his wont even in well-apparelled April. Robin Weston, frustrated by the accuracy of Watkin and co, chose the stroke of lunch to discover that driving was not necessarily all that straightforward on this pitch.

When Simon Jones had Steve Titchard caught in the gully off his loosener and Matthew Cassar perished forcing Dale off the back foot, there was much to be done. But after Rollins had gone to 50 from 173 balls, Cork weighed in with some well-timed strokes of his own against Robert Croft who, desperately trying to adjust his length, disappeared for 16 off one over.

Weather permitting, the situation is now set for forfeiture or two and a positive finish today.