Derbyshire 326 for 7 (du Plooy 94, Madsen 67, Haider 54, Mulder 5-55) lead Leicestershire 122 (Brookes 6-20) by 204 runs

The pair shared a stand of 122 from 184 balls with du Plooy failing by six runs to develop into Derbyshire's first century maker of the season.

Madsen continued his prolific run in opposition to Leicestershire with 67 and though 42 overs had been misplaced to the climate, Derbyshire closed on 326 for 7, a lead of 204, and with two days remaining threaten to finish the Foxes' shiny begin to the season.

Leicestershire's head coach Paul Nixon stated: "Wiaan has been a groove machine in practice. He has come back this year and his action has been more consistent and he's really confident about his bowling which is wonderful."

Madsen's newest productive shift in opposition to Leicestershire bowlers proved that even in unsure occasions, there are issues you may depend on.

He got here into the sport averaging 60 in first-class cricket in opposition to one in every of Derbyshire's neighbours so Leicestershire knew they wanted to dismiss him shortly to have an opportunity of staying within the sport.

Opportunity knocked within the third over of the morning when Madsen had added solely 4 runs to his in a single day complete however Colin Ackermann fluffed his strains. Madsen's edge off Chris Wright was regulation as slip catches go however Ackermann standing at second spilled it.

That regarded a giant second within the sport and by the point a storm swept throughout the bottom shortly earlier than noon, Madsen and Du Plooy had been set and ticking alongside properly.

At least the break gave the guests time to regroup however when play resumed in shiny sunshine, there was little to hassle the fourth wicket pair. The bowlers had been unable to construct any stress with a constant line and there have been too many extensive balls for Madsen and du Plooy to attain off.

Madsen was first to his fifty which got here off 96 balls and when England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed was introduced on within the sixtieth over, du Plooy accomplished his half century from 74 balls.

Ahmed did virtually get via Madsen with a ball that scuttled via however there was nothing else in his three overs which price 25 runs to threaten the batters.

When the breakthrough did come, it was right down to a rash shot from Madsen who dabbed at a ball from Tom Scriven and was caught behind. But by tea, the lead was 177 with du Plooy on 94 and after rain pressured a 90-minute delay, he fell to the second ball after the restart.

Leicestershire's resolution to assert the second new ball paid off as Finan had du Plooy caught behind off what regarded an inside edge which was properly taken by Peter Handscomb.

Matt Lamb performed on to Mulder and Luis Reece was bowled making an attempt to hit him again over his head which instructed Derbyshire could declare in a single day with additional rain forecast to take extra day out of the sport on Saturday.