Daryn Smit hit 92 for Derbyshire in the Second XI Championship fixture against Leicester at Loughborough Town Cricket Club, but the hosts only lost two wickets before the end of Day Two.
A 65-run stand between Smit and Connor Marshall helped Derbyshire to a score of 200 all out, before a 158-run opening partnership between Leicestershire’s Ateeq Javid (75 not out) and Sam Evans (70) ate away at their lead to finish the day 176-2.
Alfie Gleadall and Marshall claimed a wicket each before the end of the day’s play, with the hosts set to resume on 176-2 on Day Three.
Having seen most of Day One rained off, Smit and Marshall returned to the crease to begin Day Two, with Derbyshire 98-6 at the start of play.
The pair moved their partnership beyond 50, before Marshall was out bowled by Ben Mike for 24, adding seven runs to his overnight total.
Gleadall scored 15 and he and Smit combined for 36 runs before the former fell caught by Kimber of the bowling of Alex Evans. Sam Conners was dismissed by Mike for three runs soon after, with Derbyshire’s score 184-9.
16 runs were added before Smit was dismissed just eight runs short of his century by Evans (5-50), who completed his five-wicket haul to end Derbyshire’s innings at 200.
With Leicestershire taking four wickets in the first 40 overs of the day, it seemed there were opportunities for the bowlers on the Loughborough Town wicket.
However, the opening pair of Javid and Evans stood firm for the first 55 overs of the day to compile 158 runs for the first wickets.
However, with the first ball of the 56th over, Marshall struck. The all rounder had Evans caught by Tom Wood for a score of 70.
Kimber (7) stayed at the crease for 32 deliveries until Gleadall trapped him lbw to claim Derbyshire’s second wicket of the day.
Javid continued to score and pushed Leicestershire beyond 170 before the end of the day’s play. The hosts will resume on 176-2, with Javid (75 not out) and Aadil Ali (2 not out) at the crease.
Click HERE to view the scorecard.
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