Mark Footitt led a fine all-round performance to put Derbyshire in a dominant position after Day Two of the LV= County Championship fixture with Kent.
Footitt was the pick of the bowlers with 4-61 as Kent were dismissed for 159 midway through the afternoon session, whilst there were two wickets apiece for Tony Palladino (2-21) and Ben Cotton (2-45) as Derbyshire secured a 94-run first-innings lead.
After hitting a century in the first innings, Billy Godleman finished the day on 42 not out with his side on 73-1, leading by 167 runs, when the rain arrived at The 3aaa County Ground.
Derbyshire were consistent with their line and length in the morning session and were rewarded initially with the wicket of Robert Key (29) who was lbw to Footitt.
Four wickets then fell for just six runs as Daniel Bell-Drummond (19), Sam Northeast (1), Joe Denly (7) and Ben Harmison (3) were dismissed to leave Kent on 69-5.
After a morning session totally dominated by the bowlers with only 61 runs scored for five wickets, the afternoon session began in the same vein with Calum Haggett (6) caught at slip off Palladino, his second wicket, in the third post-Lunch over.
32.5: #WICKET! There are two types of leave… Footitt removes Harmison's off-stump; Kent 69-5 #DERvKEN #P2bD pic.twitter.com/RyU4AFMIuw
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 22, 2015
James Tredwell (20), Sean Dickson (22) and Matt Hunn (23 not out) provided some late resistance for the visitors, but, with Sam Billings unable to bat due to injury, Kent were all out for 159 inside 58 overs, with Footitt returning 4-61 and Derbyshire securing a 94-run lead going into the second innings.
The hosts made another positive start in the second innings to put on 43 for the first wicket. When on one, Godleman passed a personal milestone as he reached 5,000 career first-class runs and also passed 800 first-class runs for the season.
The Met Office had issued a weather warning for thunder and lightning prior to play and the warning was proved wise when rain arrived just after 5pm.
That spelled the end of the day’s play with Derbyshire closing on 73-1, Ben Slater the only man to fall for 20, with Godleman unbeaten on 42 and Chesney Hughes nine not out.
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Day Three versus Kent begins on Sunday at 11am. Gates open at 9.30am and tickets are available on the gate. Buy tickets for Day Four in advance and save £4 per adult ticket purchased.
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