Derbyshire secure third batting point before rain brings frustration
Leicestershire need to bat better than opening day as hosts declare first innings on 350 for 7
ECB Reporters Network
06-May-2023
Leus du Plooy clips off his pads • Getty Images
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 were frustrated by rain which washed out most of the third day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match against Leicestershire at Derby.
The home side batted on in the morning to secure a third batting point before declaring on 350 for 7, a lead of 228.
But before Leicestershire could begin their second innings, the rain set in and play was called off for the day after a pitch inspection at 5pm.
At least the forecast for Sunday is more encouraging so Derbyshire's bowlers should have a full day to try and secure a first victory of the season.
Derbyshire skipper Leus du Plooy said: "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 will be ready for tomorrow. It's a great chance for us to start our season in the way we wanted to because we've been poor in the first three games and we definitely want to put things right."
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 said: "They bowled very well that first morning and we maybe got a little bit caught out from having three very good pitches in the first three games. If we look back we didn't really assess ourselves so that's something to learn going forward but coming here tomorrow it's 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."
