Tony Palladino took his 300th wicket in first-class cricket, while Mark Footitt secured his 200th Championship victim on an even first day versus Gloucestershire.
Rain meant that only 68 overs could be bowled during the day after the start was delayed, but it provided enough time for Palladino (2-61) and Footitt (1-42) to reach their personal milestones.
Tom Taylor was the pick of the Derbyshire bowlers ending the day on 3-64, but an unbeaten 92-run stand between Michael Klinger (93 not out) and Jack Taylor (58 not out) helped the visitors recover from 159-6 to 251-6 at stumps at The 3aaa County Ground.
Start was delayed due to heavy overnight rain in addition to intermittent showers throughout the morning. Lunch was taken early at 12.30pm before a start time of 1.55pm was announced.
Once the toss had taken place and Billy Godleman had asked the visitors to bat, Derbyshire quickly removed both Gloucestershire openers. Footitt trapped Chris Dent lbw for 14 – his 200th LV= Championship victim – before Taylor saw Will Tavare well caught by Godleman for 20.
Palladino had his first of the innings just on the stroke of tea when Gareth Roderick holed out to Taylor in the deep having scored 20.
In a superb spell after tea, Taylor picked up another two wickets. Hamish Marshall was first out lbw for two and then former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones fell in similar fashion without scoring.
To take his 300th wicket in first-class cricket, Palladino pulled off a sharp caught and bowled to remove Benny Howell (15). Palladino’s 300 wickets have come at an excellent average of a shade over 29 and the 31-year-old is now approaching 200 first-class wickets for Derbyshire at an even more impressive average of 26.
Taylor strode to the crease at number eight and managed to frustrate the Derbyshire attack with an enterprising innings alongside Klinger who had batted exceptionally throughout.
The pair batted until the close; Taylor hit his third half-century in first-class cricket whilst Klinger finished the day unbeaten on 93 as Gloucestershire closed on 251-6.
Photography: David Griffin
Derbyshire are back in NatWest T20 Blast action on Friday (5 June) when they welcome Durham, featuring Ben Stokes, to The 3aaa County Ground. Buy tickets in advance of the day of the game and save £4!
