Critchley and Dal hit half-centuries in draw

Anuj Dal (78 not out) and Matt Critchley (63) struck half-centuries as Derbyshire remained top of the North Group with a draw with Yorkshire in the Bob Willis Trophy. 

The history-making pair scored the first-ever seventh-wicket century partnership for Derbyshire at the home of the White Rose, and in doing so helped their side to three batting points, enough to stay at the top of the table.

Dal top-scored with 78, despite the day’s play once again being limited by rain, in a match which lost more than 100 overs due to bad weather in Leeds.

As it did on Day Two, showers prevented the start of play on the final afternoon until after lunch, at which point Critchley and Dal returned to the crease in the knowledge that three more runs would see them avoid the follow-on.

That particular milestone was passed just three balls into the day, when Critchley smashed Duanne Olivier through the off-side for four runs, with the pair also advancing their partnership past 50 from 143 balls in the early overs.

Critchley continued and reached his half-century shortly before tea, getting to 50 in 127 balls, including four fours, while Dal accelerated his own scoring to head into tea on 41, with Derbyshire still needing 55 runs to earn a third batting point.

Dal himself reached an imperious 50 after tea, smashing his ninth boundary of the innings to earn a third first-class half-century for Derbyshire, while he and Critchley would soon make history, by becoming Derbyshire’s first century partnership for the seventh wicket.

However, Critchley could not reach three figures of his own, as he was bowled by Dom Leech. Michael Cohen (6 not out) who hit the winning runs at Trent Bridge, would again be unbeaten on the final day, as Dal cracked his 14th boundary to earn that vital third batting point, at which point the sides shook hands.

Derbyshire head to Durham on Saturday sat top of the North Group on 57 points, while Yorkshire remain a close second on 55.

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