Wes Durston struck 80 after Alex Hughes had taken career-best figures of 3-31 as Derbyshire completed a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Leicestershire at The 3aaa County Ground.
In a dominant bowling display, Hughes was ably backed up by fellow seamers Shiv Thakor (2-28) and Greg Cork (2-39) as Derbyshire dismissed their opponents for just 156 in 41 overs.
The chased proved an easy one for Derbyshire as Durston continued his fine form to top score with 80, before former Leicestershire man Shiv Thakor (27 not out) hit the winnings runs as the hosts reached their target within 31 overs with six wickets remaining.
The victory moves Derbyshire back into the top four of Group A with two matches remaining, starting with Durham away on Monday 17 August.
Angus Robson and Mark Cosgrove made a reasonable start for the visitors but were both dismissed within two Thakor overs. First, Robson was bowled for 15 and then Cosgrove was caught behind for 10 to leave the Foxes on 29-2.
The Falcons secured another two wickets in quick succession when Aadil Ali was bowled by Cork for 19 and Ned Eckersley, also on 19, was magnificently caught at short extra-cover by Wayne Madsen off Hughes in the following over.
Hughes had his second wicket when Michael Burgess (14) became the third player in the innings to be bowled attempting to cut. Hughes then had his third three balls later as Rob Sayer slapped straight to Scott Elstone at point without scoring to leave Leicestershire on 96-6.
#INTERVIEW: We spoke to @yozza18 after he returned career-best figures of 3-31 in win over @leicsccc #DERvLEI #P2bDhttps://t.co/zwLoQcyPn7
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 4, 2015
Niall O’Brien top-scored for the Foxes with 32 but his resistance ended when he hung his bat outside off and nicked Ben Cotton behind after Ben Raine had been run out by Elstone for 15 not long before.
The final two wickets to fall were to the Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby duo of Matt Critchley and Cork as Clint McKay was bowled by Critchley and Atif Sheikh trapped in front by Cork to dismiss Leicestershire for 156.
A couple of short rain delays could not hamper Derbyshire’s early progress, especially with Durston in fine form after his century at Surrey last time out, and the Falcons completed the initial 10-over powerplay without trouble on 50 without loss.
Derbyshire’s skipper took only 35 balls to reach his half-century, striking six fours and two sixes in the process whilst his opening partner Billy Godleman anchored the innings to be 10 not out at the point Durston reached his fifty.
Godleman reached 15 before he was bowled by Rob Taylor who then proceeded to remove Tillakaratne Dilshan first ball to reduce the hosts to 83-2.
It was midway through the 20th over that Derbyshire’s score moved into three-figures with another four off the bat of Durston with less than two-an-over required from the remaining 30 overs for victory.
Durston finally fell on 80 having faced 65 deliveries and scored nine fours and two sixes but that could not stop Derbyshire claiming victory by six wickets with more than 19 overs to spare. It was left to Thakor, 27 off 31 balls, and Scott Elstone (5 not out) to see their side over the line and keep the Falcons in the hunt for a Quarter-Final spot.
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Derbyshire take a trip to Durham on Monday 17 August before returning to The 3aaa County Ground for the final game of the group stages versus Worcestershire on Tuesday 18 August. Kids go FREE and Adults can save £4 on their admission by purchasing in advance.
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