Derbyshire travel down the M1 to face Northamptonshire in the Specsavers County Championship, starting on Friday 9 June.
Heritage Officer, David Griffin, looks at the statistical background to the game.
Derbyshire has a good recent record at Wantage Road, unbeaten at the Northamptonshire headquarters ground since 2007, drawing six and winning one of the seven games in the intervening years.
That win came in July 2015 when a maiden hundred by Alex Hughes (111 not out) was the standout performance with the bat, while Mark Footitt took seven wickets in the match, including 5-41 in the first innings.
In 2012, when Derbyshire won promotion from Division Two, Wayne Madsen made a career-best unbeaten 231 at Northampton, adding 261 for the ninth wicket with fellow centurion Tom Poynton, the third highest-partnership for that wicket in the history of the game. In the same match, Tony Palladino took 5-82.
Derbyshire’s 569 all out in that game in 2012, remains the county’s highest-ever innings total against Northamptonshire.
One of the most remarkable games between the two sides took place at Northampton in May 1990. Having won the toss and deciding to bat, the hosts were dismissed for 202 with Devon Malcolm and Ian Bishop sharing 4 wickets, but also forcing two Northants batsmen to retire hurt as they bowled with serious pace and hostility.
Derbyshire responded with 303, Kim Barnett top-scoring with 58, before Northants began their second innings 101 runs in arrears.
In the space of just 17 overs, Northants were blasted out for a mere 50, although only seven wickets fell as three batsmen were unable to bat having been hurt in the first innings.
Bishop took 4-25 and Malcolm 3-25 and no other bowler was used in the innings. In the case of Bishop, in particular, this game was a taste of things to come as he took 59 wickets during the season at an average of only 18.42, with many observers struggling to recall the last time a Derbyshire bowler had bowled as consistently fast.
Supporters can save £4 by purchasing their matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
