Ben Slater scored an outstanding 110 before Derbyshire were bowled out for 242 on Day One of the Specsavers County Championship clash with Gloucestershire at The 3aaa County Ground.
Derbyshire started the day quickly with openers Slater (110) and Billy Godleman (31) before Gloucestershire struck back with three wickets in as many overs before lunch.
Slater continued on his way and was aptly supported by Neil Broom (36) who eventually fell to the pick of the Gloucestershire bowlers Craig Miles (4-30).
Derbyshire-born Slater eventually perished for 110, with Miles again taking the wicket, but Derbyshire’s middle and lower order failed to create partnerships and, despite some powerful strokes from Palladino (18) and Davis (13), Derbyshire stuttered to 242 all out.
Derbyshire made early breakthrough with Tom Milnes (1-9) accounting for Gareth Roderick in the fourth over as the visitors closed on 27-1.
Slater said: “It felt like it’s been a long time coming since my last one so it meant a lot to me to get that one today.
“It was probably the nicest time to bat against the new ball which was coming onto the bat because as soon as it got a little bit softer it was more difficult to score.
“I think the final total was short of what we wanted after winning the toss but there is a little bit still in the wicket so hopefully we can get a few early in the morning.”
Having won the toss and deciding to bat, Godleman made a quick start along with fellow opener Slater, with Derbyshire going at almost a-run-a-ball for the first ten overs. However, Derbyshire lost Godleman to Miles and Alex Hughes (1) and Wayne Madsen (0) followed shortly after to reduce Derbyshire to 97-3.
Slater reached his third career first-class hundred, and fourth in all forms this season, from 168 balls with 12 fours during a partnership of 78 with Broom, before he departed to Miles for 36.
Derbyshire batsman then struggled to get in on a slow wicket, with the final seven wickets all falling for just 67 runs. Harvey Hosein finishing on a stubborn 10 not out from 52 balls.
Milnes claimed an early wicket that Derbyshire needed, Roderick (4) edging to Madsen at slip, but Will Tavare (11 not out) and Chris Dent (10 not out) saw out the rest of the day to leave Gloucestershire 27-1 at the close, trailing by 215 runs.
