Derbyshire are 413/6 at the close of the third day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay just 72 runs ahead of the Welsh county.
Close of Play Report
Derbyshire had reduced the deficit to 44 runs by tea and Billy Godleman pulled Michael Hogan for four in the opening over of the evening session , whilst Wayne Madsen reverse-swept Salter for four. But the off-spinner gained revenge as four overs later he feathered a catch into Wallace’s gloves as the long-serving wicket-keeper took his eighth catch of the game and equalled his personal best made against Kent at Maidstone in 2001, against Essex at Swansea in 2002 and against Leicestershire at Grace Road in 2014.
Neil Broom duly joined Godleman with Derbyshire still 30 runs behind and the latter had a moment of good fortune as he edged Hogan through the slips for four, but Broom was not so fortunate as he was trapped l.b.w. by Hogan with the total on 322. Shiv Thakor then clubbed a pair of short balls from Hogan for four before an edged four by Godleman against Wagg saw the arrears wiped off.
Godleman then deftly late cut successive balls from Wagg to the ropes whereupon the bowler switched to spin and was immediately driven for another four to long-on. Thakor then survived a sharp chance behind the stumps against Salter before Morgan returned at the Penrhyn Avenue End. Lloyd then had another spell shortly before the close and claimed the wicket of Thakor who departed l.b.w. to a ball which scuttled through prompting the return of Hogan for a final salvo at the Penrhyn Avenue End.
After Godleman had completed a 90-ball fifty, Matt Critcley struck both Hogan and Lloyd for boundaries through the off-side as Derbyshire ended the day on 413/6 and a lead of 72 runs.
Afternoon update
Derbyshire had reached 162/2 at lunch still 179 runs in arrears as Glamorgan continued to press for their first Championship win since June 25th last summer when they defeated Leicestershire at The SSE SWALEC by 137 runs. Graham Wagg resumed the bowling at the Penrhyn Avenue End and was clipped to fine-leg for four by Wayne Madsen who shortly before lunch had survived an l.b.w. appeal by David Lloyd.
Chesney Hughes then completed his patient fifty from 139 balls by pulling Wagg to square-leg and then spearing a full length ball through the gully for another four. Hughes also pulled Wagg for four before Madsen completed his fifty from 81 balls by square-driving David Lloyd before Hughes brought up the 100-stand by sweeping Owen Morgan as well as straight-driving the youngster.
After Hughes had also cover-driven Lloyd , Madsen swept Andrew Salter when the off-spinner returned for a brief spell before the new ball. Hughes also drove Salter onto the Embankment for six before edging Morgan through slip for four. He hen took a leaf out of Donald’s book by reaching his hundred with a swept six into the Pavilion – his 188th delivery and third maximum.
The new ball was then taken after 81 overs with the visitors on 251/2, just 90 runs behind as Craig Meschede and Michael Hogan returned to the attack, eager to break the stubborn partnership. Hughes twice flicked Meschede off his hips for four before Madsen nearly feathered a catch down the leg-side against Hogan.
But Wagg then returned to end Hughes’ stubborn vigil as the Anguillan edged into Wallace’s gloves having added 181 with Madsen in 46 overs. Wagg might also have removed Madsen in the same over but Donald at second slip could not hold onto the edge diving across to his right.
Lunch Report
For the second successive season, Glamorgan were able yesterday to enforce the follow-on against Derbyshire after the visitors’ first innings had folded inside 52 overs. At Chesterfield last summer, Hamish Rutherford led a rear-guard action to save the game for his adopted county, and although the Kiwi had survived the closing session last night, there were still six sessions remaining when play began this morning on what is expected to be the warmest day of the year so far.
Indeed, the heat was literally on Derbyshire as they started the day still 263 runs in arrears, with Rutherford and Chesney Hughes at the crease and the former began by cover-driving and on-driving Graham Wagg to the ropes in the opening over, before clipping him through backward point in the left-armer’s third over of the morning. Michael Hogan delivered another probing spell at the Embankment End as Hughes continued to accumulate in singles in addition to edging the Australian through the slips as Derbyshire reached the 100-mark in the 43rd over.
But it was Wagg who made the breakthrough as Rutherford edged a drive into Wallace’s gloves as Wayne Madsen joined Hughes with his side still 241 runs in arrears. Wagg again beat the outside edge of Madsen’s bat as the off-spin of Andrew Salter was introduced at the Embankment End. Madsen clipped him to mid-wicket.
After an hour’s play, Craig Meschede returned to the attack in place of Wagg with Hughes opening his shoulders to hoist Salter onto the Embankment for six before flicking Meschede to backward square-leg for four. Madsen also unfurled a fierce square-cut against Meschede before clipping Salter to the boards at mid-wicket. David Lloyd also had a trundle at the Embankment End and was cut for four by Madsen