Derbyshire safe third batting level earlier than rain brings frustration
Derbyshire 350 for 7 dec (du Plooy 94, Madsen 67, Haider 54, Mulder 5-67) lead Leicestershire 122 (Brookes 6-20) by 228 runs
Derbyshire had been annoyed by rain which washed out many of the third day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match towards Leicestershire at Derby.
The house facet batted on within the morning to safe a 3rd batting level earlier than declaring on 350 for 7, a lead of 228.
But earlier than Leicestershire might start their second innings, the rain set in and play was referred to as off for the day after a pitch inspection at 5pm.
At least the forecast for Sunday is extra encouraging so Derbyshire’s bowlers ought to have a full day to try to safe a primary victory of the season.
Derbyshire skipper Leus du Plooy mentioned: “We find ourselves in a lovely position so it’s a little bit frustrating but we can’t do anything about it. The story of the whole season so far has been a little bit wet so hopefully we have a chance of a full day tomorrow.
“The boys might be prepared for tomorrow. It’s a fantastic probability for us to begin our season in the way in which we wished to as a result of we have been poor within the first three video games and we positively need to put issues proper.”
In the 17 minutes of play, Derbyshire added another 24 runs with Zak Chappell securing the extra point with a top-edged pull for six off Wiaan Mulder, who finished with figures of 5 for 67.
Leicestershire’s prospects of saving the game were helped by the weather and the breakdown of the groundstaff’s blotter which had to be towed off the field at one point.
Although they got it working again, umpires Billy Taylor and Paul Pollard decided conditions were still too damp and gloomy for a resumption after a fourth inspection.
If the rain stays away, Leicestershire will have to bat a lot better than they did on the first day when they were bowled out in under 40 overs.
Skipper Lewis Hill mentioned: “They bowled very effectively that first morning and we perhaps received slightly bit caught out from having three superb pitches within the first three video games. If we glance again we did not actually assess ourselves in order that’s one thing to be taught going ahead however coming right here tomorrow it is all about batting the day and seeing out the draw.
“We’ve got a really experienced batting line-up and the pitch looks like it’s got a bit slower from that first morning and we are fully focused on batting the day out.”