Wayne Madsen and Wes Durston both scored centuries as the Derbyshire batsmen enjoyed a good first day against Durham MCCU at The 3aaa County Ground.
Madsen hit 100 from 139 balls and Durston reached the same score from just 92 deliveries, before both retired out, as the hosts racked up 396-6 declared having been asked to bat first.
There were also half-centuries for both Ben Slater (67) and Shiv Thakor (50), whilst Neil Broom made 27 on his first appearance for the Club.
Adverse weather meant that Durham MCCU could only face 11 deliveries after the declaration, reaching the close on 1-0.
With Billy Godleman unavailable due to a thumb injury, stand-in Captain Durston was asked to bat first after losing the toss, with Slater and Chesney Hughes opening the batting for the hosts.
Despite the loss of Hughes for 12, Slater continued to bat well with Madsen and reached the first half-century of Derbyshire’s season from 89 balls, before losing his wicket on 67.
Madsen was joined by Broom on debut and the pair put on a half-century stand but the New Zealander was caught at mid-on soon after having scored 27.
The loss of his partner did not halt Madsen’s flow of runs and he quickly moved through to his century from 139 balls having his 17 fours before immediately retiring out.
Either side of the tea break, Durston, in at five, put the scholars’ bowling to the sword. He reached his half-century at almost a-run-a-ball and then proceeded to move swiftly to a century of his own off 92 balls. Like Madsen, Durston retired out on 100.
Meanwhile, Thakor was also taking the game to the bowlers, regularly hitting through the cover region on his way to a half-century from 57 balls before being caught out by the following delivery.
At that point, Derbyshire decided to declare having scored 396-6 with 40 minutes play still available in the day.
There was, however, to be only a further 11 balls on Day One as a combination of bad light and rain showers meant that there was an early finish with Durham MCCU on 1-0.
Click HERE to view scorecard.
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