Derbyshire Take Initiative on Day 2

Derbyshire took the initiative with both bat and ball on day 2 of our LV= Insurance County Championship fixture.

After Derbyshire racked up 505 for 8 declared, Sussex failed to respond and were bowled out in the final over for 174, 331 behind.

Captain Tom Haines was the pick of our attack with 1 for 35 from 18 overs, ending the third wicket stand of 292 between Shan Masood and Wayne Madsen.

Masood scored 239 from 340 balls and Madsen 112, his 32nd first-class hundred for Derbyshire, before all-rounder Alex Thomson struck a 49 ball 50.

Masood and Madsen had begun the second day as they ended the first, eclipsing Derbyshire’s previous highest stand against Sussex of 274 between Billy Godleman and Luis Reece at Derby in 2019.

Madsen reached his century, his first in the championship at Derby for six years to pile on further pressure.

Haines’ persistence eventually paid off for a probing spell, knocking over Madsen’s middle stump before Sussex took the next four wickets for 27 runs. The incoming James Coles took two wickets, with Crocombe taking two more and Atkins another to give Sussex a glimmer of hope as the day progressed.

Derbyshire’s lower order turned the innings once again, with Thomson making 52 and Anuj Dal making an unbeaten 38, before the hosts declared on 505-8.

When Sussex came out to bat, Haines looked to put the pressure on making a quick 41 off 34 balls, before eventually being trapped lbw, a decision that on the surface looked harsh.

Our middle order found little joy, though Mohammad Rizwan and Oli Carter showed some resistance making 22 and 21 respectively, but it was not enough to prevent Derbyshire bowling the remaining batters out in the final over of the day.

Tomorrow’s play will be livestreamed and is available via our Matchday Centre, where you can also find ball-by-ball updates, stats and highlights in real-time. Play is due to begin at 11:00am.