MATT NICHOLSON spent a good deal of yesterday trying to prove the adage that the new ball goes faster to the boundary, as he turned the Northamptonshire innings on its head by racing to his second first-class hundred. The 6ft 6in Western Australia opening bowler arrived with his side in trouble at 222 for seven in the 96th over. He soon lost Usman Afzaal, mis-driving to point, after toiling for 212 balls over his 68.

Using a powerful bottom hand, Nicholson drove his way past fifty for the fifth time in his career, in 38 balls, and went on to his hundred 50 balls later.

After crawling to 196 for five in 90 overs, Northamptonshire, accelerated with the taking of the new ball, adding 190 in the next 40.4 overs. Nicholson found support from Graeme White, making his championship debut, as they put on 127 for the ninth wicket.

Nicholson found things tougher when he had the new ball in his hand, but Ben Phillips replaced him and took two wickets as Derbyshire ground out 58 off 32 overs.

Northamptonshire will have Sourav Ganguly for five weeks from the end of July as a short-term replacement for Chris Rogers, who is on Australia A duty.