Wayne Madsen and Brooke Guest posted unbeaten half-centuries on Day Two at Headingley, as Derbyshire fought back against Yorkshire.
Earlier in the day, Harry Brook and Joe Root posted centuries for Yorkshire before injured Wayne Madsen led an equally impressive Derbyshire fightback during the second half of day two of the Vitality County Championship clash at Headingley.
England duo Brook and Root shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 201, underpinning their county’s first-innings 450 for five declared, with Brook top-scoring on 126 not out off 135 balls.
Yorkshire started the day on 276 for three from 59 overs, with Root 65 and Brook 44. Root made 119 off 190.
The hosts declared shortly after lunch, owing much to the worry of rain to come on day three.
But Madsen compiled an excellent unbeaten 88 off 185 balls, sharing 167 for the fourth wicket with Brooke Guest, who added 74 to Derbyshire’s close of play 190 for three from 63 overs.
Yorkshire’s Brook was dominant throughout his innings, while Root started slowly on day one.
Root looked more comfortable before lunch on day two, though still wasn’t at his fluent best. He did, however, reverse ramp seamer Zak Chappell for six over third after reaching his century off 163 balls.
It was his first Yorkshire century since May 2022 and his 10th overall for them in first-class cricket.
Brook reached his latest hundred off 102 balls, after being dropped at mid-on by captain David Lloyd off Reece on 106.
Yorkshire, particularly, Fisher started expertly with the ball. The fringe England quick struck twice in a six-over opening spell which cost only seven runs.
Within the space of three balls at the start of the sixth over of the innings, he trapped Harry Came lbw and had Lloyd caught at third slip by Fin Bean.
Shortly afterwards, the same fielder in the same position helped Ben Coad remove Reece – 23 for three in the 13th over – and the rebuild job was down to injured soldier Madsen and wicketkeeper Guest.
But Madsen showed no obvious sign of discomfort during a battling innings which disarmed the hosts in good batting conditions, and he even shimmied down the pitch and lofted Hill’s seam over long-on for six.
Guest was strong off his legs, though was handed a life on 35 when dropped off Fisher by his fellow keeper Jonny Tattersall down the leg-side after tea.
Guest reached his fifty first, off 82 balls, and Madsen followed off 109 balls. By the time the latter raised his bat, Derbyshire were 132 for three in the 43rd over and in much safer territory.
They consolidated their position even further through to close.
Derbyshire’s Luis Reece said: “It was a good partnership between Guesty and Mads there – just what we needed from 20-3. It was a good fight back. Hopefully we can carry that forwards.
On Madsen’s injury, Reece said: “It’s Wayne’s bottom hand, his right. There was a lot of blood there yesterday. I think he had a day in Leeds General Infirmary.
“He went out and had a hit this morning and was ok. He’s tampered with his gloves – cut the middle out and tied two of the fingers together or something.
“It just shows what a quality player he is.
