Madsen hits half-century after Durham build lead

Wayne Madsen ended Day Two of Derbyshire’s LV= County Championship fixture against Durham unbeaten on 76, after the hosts had built a big first innings lead. 

David Bedingham scored a career-best 257 to guide the home side to a total of 475 in their first innings, earning three batting bonus points. Sam Conners claimed career-best figures of 5-83, his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, although Derbyshire were still well behind in the game despite his efforts.

Chris Rushworth claimed three early wickets to put the pressure on, but Madsen halted the hosts’ charge with a solid half-century. Late wickets turned momentum back in Durham’s favour, reducing the visitors 148 for five at the close, trailing by 327 runs.

The home side resumed on a score of 307 for four, and Bedingham quickly past his career-best made against Nottinghamshire in the first game of the season, moving beyond 180 with a push into the off-side. He and Ned Eckersley worked their way towards Durham’s third century partnership of the innings.

Their stand was ended on 109 when Eckersley fell for 34 lbw to Ben Aitchison. Bedingham continued to torment the visitors’ attack and notched the first double century of his career. The South African became the first Durham player to score a double century against Derbyshire in the process, beating Paul Collingwood’s previous high score of 190 in 2005.

The visitors plugged away and George Scrimshaw was presented his maiden first-class wicket when Stuart Poynter drilled a wide ball straight to point. Fynn Hudson-Prentice overcame a foot injury that forced him off before lunch to remove Paul Coughlin for 10.

Bedingham remained imperious and reached his 250 after 527 minutes at the crease. The South African’s outstanding innings came to an end after nine hours when he edged a wide Conners delivery behind, falling 16 runs short of matching Durham’s highest individual score. Conners wrapped up the Durham tail, ending with figures of five for 83.

Charging in from the Lumley End, Rushworth tore through the top order clean bowling Tom Wood before trapping Leus du Plooy lbw for a second-ball duck. Luis Reece continued an early procession edging down the leg-side into the hands of a sprawling Poynter.

Skipper Madsen and Matt Critchley dropped anchor and produced a resilient stand for the fourth wicket. Madsen was fluent at the crease and reached his second half-century of the season from only 73 deliveries. The two players passed their century partnership courtesy of a crisp Madsen drive, but Rushworth and Ben Raine struck late in the day to leave the home side in complete control.

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