Zak Chappell and Aneurin Donald registered fifties on Day One against Leeds/Bradford UCCE, with play eventually cut short due to bad light.
Explosive fifties from Chappell and Donald put Derbyshire back on track after the loss of early wickets, in their final pre-season game before the Vitality County Championship starts on Friday 5 April.
Mickey Arthur’s side declared on 256 for 9 at tea, before Leeds/Bradford UCCE finished on 9 for 1 at an early close of play.
Derbyshire lost their first two wickets inside the first 20 overs, as Harry Came was caught well in the gully region for a score of nine, and his opening partner Luis Reece was then dismissed for 25.
At 68 for 2, the hosts then lost five more wickets in relatively quick succession. Wayne Madsen was caught behind from the bowling of Charlie Dunnett, before David Lloyd, Brooke Guest, Matt Lamb and Anuj Dal were all clean bowled – leaving Derbyshire 110 for 7.
Some powerful hitting from Donald saw him hit 62 runs from 81 balls to wrestle back some momentum for his side.
A watchful innings from Alex Thomson helped cement the Derbyshire tail-end as he kept the scoreboard ticking, while number 10 Zak Chappell continued to hit destructive shots all around the ground.
In his first over at the crease, Chappell hit three fours and a six and put on a total of 67 runs for his wicket from just 42 balls.
Arthur and Derbyshire then declared at tea, on a score of 256. Chappell stole the show once again and took the only wicket of a brief evening session.
Poor lighting left the umpires no choice other than to call an end to the days play, as the visitors finished on 9 for 1.
