Leaders keep up the good work
By Ananova
June 13 2002
Leaders Derbyshire maintained their fine start to the season on the second day of their County Championship Division Two clash with Nottinghamshire. Derbyshire finished the day on 298 for five, trailing their neighbours' first-innings total of 393 by just 95 runs with five wickets remaining.
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Opener Michael Di Venuto top-scored with 79 off 84 balls, but the first four Derbyshire batsmen all made important contributions to what is shaping up to be a healthy first-innings total. After sailing past 50, Di Venuto was eyeing his 19th first-class century as the Nottinghamshire bowlers began to toil. His opening stand of 125 with Stephen Stubbings was brought to a dramatic end though as Nadeem Malik's persistent probing induced a rash drive which was edged through to Chris Read behind the stumps. Stubbings' innings was the cautious opposite of Di Venuto's as he took nearly three hours to reach 45 before Andrew Harris got a bit of extra movement to take the edge and offer a routine catch to Read. Andrew Gait continued the punishment of the home attack though, bringing up his half-century with a drive through the covers off a Richard Logan full toss, but was bowled for 52 by the same bowler in his next over. Logan quickly removed Mathew Dowman for nine, having him caught by Usman Afzaal at second slip, but Dominic Cork ensured the visitors did not lose their momentum. His 31 runs were scored in typically unorthodox fashion, with two huge sixes plundered from one Kevin Pietersen over. But Cork's adventurous approach was eventually his downfall as he was bowled trying one shot too many off Boje. Chris Bassano took time to get going, but he had made a workmanlike 45 when play was brought to a premature halt because of rain. Wicketkeeper Karl Krikken is also unbeaten on 11.
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