Derbyshire claim seven wickets against stubborn resistance

Derbyshire took seven wickets, but the hosts dug in to frustrate the bowlers towards the end of Day One against the game Oxford UCCE at The Parks. 

Imran Malik top-scored with 89 for Oxford UCCE, while Joe Millard (56 not out) made an unbeaten half-century shortly before the close of play, leaving his side 203-7.

In the absence of Suranga Lakmal, who will arrive in England ahead of the LV= County Championship opener against Middlesex at Lord’s, Sam Conners and the injured Ben Aitchison, it was up to Dustin Melton, Mikey Cohen and Nick Potts to share the new ball. The trio made a strong start, each claiming wickets to reduce the hosts to 37-3.

However, that would be the end of the wicket-taking until after lunch, when Melton pinned Joe Gordon (5) lbw, while Alex Thomson and Anuj Dal also claimed dismissals in the afternoon session, which ended with Oxford UCCE 128-6.

Having reached his half-century in 157 balls, Malik kept going until the second new ball was taken by Derbyshire. Potts trapped the batter in front for 89 from 249 deliveries.

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