NORTHAMPTON

(Day one of four; Derbyshire won toss)

Derbyshire 352 for six (G Wagg 81*, J Clare 58*)

Lunch

Derbyshire survived a testing morning session, playing and missing frequently but losing only two wickets as Northamptonshire’s seam bowlers moved the ball through the air and off the pitch. David Lucas, the left-arm seamer, took both wickets. First he had Chris Rogers, the Australian left-hander, caught at gully as he drove at a full ball that swung away from him.

Dan Birch, another left-hander, then played no shot, only to see the ball clip his off stump.

Wavell Hinds and Paul Borrington have brought some stability to Derbyshire’s innings and they will need to prosper after lunch if the visiting team are to justify their decision to bat first.

Tea

Northamptonshire worked their way back into the game thanks to a three-wicket burst from David Wigley. In their contrasting styles, Hinds and Borrington extended their third-wicket stand to 74 before Borrington, the dogged right-hander, was caught at slip for 57, his highest championship score. Hinds then picked up the pace, striking three sixes in his 76 and adding 92 with Greg Smith, who made a lively 50. Both fell to Wigley, who also bowled Jamie Pipe first ball.

Close

In a commanding final session for Derbyshire, Graham Wagg and Jon Clare extended their seventh wicket stand to 141 from 35 overs, a record for that wicket for Derbyshire against Northamptonshire. The home side’s frustration steadily grew as Wagg’s aggression took its toll. He has so far hit three sixes and ten fours in his unbeaten 81, closing in on the first century of his career. Clare, who became the fifth Derbyshire batsman to make a half-century in this innings, has proved a worthy partner and together these two ensured that this was conclusively Derbyshire’s day.