Rain shortly before tea shortened a good Day Three for Derbyshire in the Specsavers County Championship game against Leicestershire at the Fischer County Ground.
Logan van Beek (26), Tony Palladino (11) and Ravi Rampaul (14 not out) added 54 runs to Derbyshire’s overnight total, before the innings ended on 214 to set Leicestershire a score of 234 runs to win.
Four Derbyshire bowlers each claimed a wicket to gain the upper-hand, before Hasan Azad struck an unbeaten 44 and rain brought an end to the day’s play, with Leicestershire 110-4 chasing a further 124 on the final day.
After leading the way with the ball early on Day Two, van Beek and Tony Palladino were in the middle for Derbyshire at the start of Day Three, hoping to further strengthen their lead of 179.
The pair put on 31 runs for the ninth wicket, with both players showing intent to push Derbyshire’s lead higher. Eventually, Palladino was given out lbw to Wright for 11, which brought Ravi Rampaul to the crease.
The number 11 was involved in a pair of half-century stands during the Specasvers County Championship game against Glamorgan, and his 14 runs at the end of the second innings proved valuable.
The innings came to a close when van Beek was bowled by Klein for a season-high 26, meaning that Rampaul finishing on 14 not out. Derbyshire’s total of 214 meant that Leicestershire would require 234 to win the game.
Javid and Horton got the hosts off to a quick start, with 16 runs coming in less than five overs before the former was out caught behind off Palladino for five.
Horton followed his fellow opener three overs later when he played a ball from Rampaul onto his stumps after making a-run-a-ball 18.
Azad and Cosgrove held firm and put on 15 runs before lunch, meaning that Leicestershire closed the first session needing a further 195.
The pair combined to make the first half-century partnership of the match, before Cosgrove (28) was caught by van Beek off the bowling of Wayne Madsen.
After making a measured 10 in 31 balls, Colin Ackermann was undone by Luis Reece, who claimed his first wicket of the innings by bowling the batsman.
Rain forced the players off for an early tea and no further play was possible, meaning that Leicestershire still needing 124 runs to win the game on Day Four.
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