Yardy ton pushes Sussex ahead

Michael Yardy hit an unbeaten ton as Sussex ended day two at Derbyshire 105 runs ahead with two wickets in hand. Yardy finished the day on 121 from 192 balls, leading his side past the home team's opening effort of 223.

Summer signing from Surrey, Chris Jordan, weighed in with 92 as he and Yardy put on 179 for Sussex's sixth wicket, with the visitors struggling at 109 for 5 when the pair joined forces at the crease.

Mark Footitt starred with the ball for Derbyshire, picking up 5 for 104 from 20 overs, but the home side will see it as an opportunity lost.

Derbyshire began the day on 158 for 6, but Ross Whiteley could not add to his overnight score of 12, caught by Joe Gatting off Jordan. Jonathan Clare and Richard Johnson pushed the score past 200 before Clare was bowled by James Anyon for 25, with the same bowler dismissing Tim Groenewald the next ball.

Footitt was caught behind by Ben Brown off Monty Panesar for 6, leaving Johnson unbeaten on 22 and the home side all out for 223.

Footitt set about going through the visitors by dismissing Luke Wells - who had struck 23 off 16 balls before he was caught by Chesney Hughes - and then Chris Nash for 12.

Enter Yardy, who, to begin with, found willing partners difficult to come by. Rory Hamilton-Brown made just 6 before he was trapped in front by Footitt, before Gatting was caught and bowled by Clare for 13, with Sussex struggling at 79 for 4.

Brown lasted just eight balls before he was caught by Footitt off Clare, before Jordan came to the crease. He and Yardy took to the home attack, scoring freely with Yardy's ton coming off 151 balls, including 12 boundaries.

Jordan reached 92 before he was finally dismissed by Groenewald, with Whiteley taking the catch to leave Sussex 288 for 6.

Australian Steve Magoffin made just 9 before he became Footitt's fourth victim, before the same bowler bowled Anyon for 5. Monty Panesar survived 14 balls until the close, with Yardy keen to add what could be vital runs early on day three.