Wayne Madsen hit his fifth first-class century of the campaign, whilst Harvey Hosein scored his third half-century in as many innings, as Derbyshire batted their way into a commanding position going into the final day versus Leicestershire.
Madsen and Hosein put on a vital 143-run stand for the sixth wicket to ensure that Derbyshire regained control of the fixture after they had been reduced to 57-5 in their second innings, before the dominant Madsen reached the close of play unbeaten on 134.
That was after Leicestershire had earlier been bowled out for 247 to hand their hosts a 60-run lead from the first innings with Tony Palladino collecting economical figures of 3-27 and Will Davis 4-68.
At stumps, Derbyshire were 286-8 with a lead of 346 runs going into the final day of cricket at The 3aaa County Ground in 2016.
The away side began the day on 228-8, still trailing Derbyshire’s first innings total of 307 by 79 runs.
Leicestershire’s captain Mark Cosgrove was 81 not out overnight but struggled to score runs freely as Derbyshire set defensive fields to the Australian overseas man.
The first wicket came when Richard Jones was caught behind by Hosein off the bowling of Tom Milnes for seven, with the tail-ender driving loosely outside off stump.
Cosgrove (95 not out) was turning down singles with Charlie Shreck at the other end, before the number 11 batsman was eventually caught by Alex Hughes at third slip for a duck off the bowling of Palladino (3-27), leaving Leicestershire 247 all out – a deficit of 60 runs.
Derbyshire’s second innings started poorly, when Ben Slater (0) was caught at mid-wicket off the fourth ball of the innings to the bowling of Clint McKay (2-61).
Despite playing a handful of elegant strokes through the offside, Godleman (13) also succumbed to McKay, playing onto his own stumps.
To add to the two early wickets, first innings half-centurion Alex Hughes was run out for just three, Neil Broom was trapped lbw to Neil Dexter (2-68) for three and then debutant Tom Wood fell in the same fashion to Charlie Shreck (2-61) to leave Derbyshire 57-5.
Madsen and Hosein, who struck his career-best score of 83 not out in the first innings, put on 87 runs together to take them to the tea break, with Madsen reaching his half-century off 105 balls during the afternoon session.
The pair continued to put the Foxes attack to the sword upon the resumption, accumulating a partnership that soared past three-figures, before Hosein was finally caught behind off Shreck for 58 to end the 143-run stand that swung the momentum back towards the hosts.
Tom Milnes joined Madsen at the crease and played a number of high-class strokes, whilst allowing Madsen to reach his 23rd first-class century for Derbyshire from 197 deliveries, and his fourth against this opposition.
Shortly after, Milnes’ cameo was over as he edged a wide Dexter delivery behind, having made 20, and he was replaced by Tony Palladino who provided late entertainment in the day but was caught on the boundary for 15.
At the close of play, Derbyshire were 286-8, leading by 346 runs going into the final day, with Madsen still there on 134, having been joined by Callum Parkinson who was eight not out.
