Groenewald, Palladino make history

Tony Palladino and Tim Groenewald earned a place in the county's record books when they became the first Derbyshire bowlers this century to both take five wickets in an innings.

The pace pair were the first to achieve the feat since Andrew Harris and Paul Aldred, also against Somerset at Derby in 1999, with Palladino taking five for 97 on his return after a seven week absence with a side strain while Groenewald had even better figures of five for 30.

Somerset were bowled out for 216 on day three where only 23.3 overs were possible, which gave Derbyshire a lead of 50.

However, Steve Kirby hit back by striking twice before bad light forced an early finish with the home side leading by 86 runs on 36 for two.

Derbyshire needed to polish off Somerset quickly to have any chance of forcing a win when the game was able to resume at 3.45pm and they struck with the fourth ball of the day when Craig Meschede prodded at Groenewald and was caught behind.

Peter Trego had been dropped on one the previous evening and he was given another life on 23 when he aimed a cut at Groenewald and his former Somerset team mate Wes Durston spilled the chance diving to his right at first slip.

But it did not prove costly as Trego added only five before he was bowled aiming a loose drive at Groenewald who celebrated his fifth wicket in his next over when he trapped Steve Kirby lbw for a duck to secure a third bowling point.

By now, it was murky enough to need the floodlights on and Palladino completed his five wicket haul when Jamie Overton edged to first slip. It meant Derbyshire had a 50-run lead and 28 overs to build on it, but they lost a wicket with only two on the board in their second innings.

Chesney Hughes got a leading edge to his first ball from Kirby and Alfonso Thomas dived forward at mid on to take the catch, and the fast bowler had a confident appeal for a catch behind against Wayne Madsen turned down.

Billy Godleman twice drove Overton through the covers for four and Madsen whipped Kirby past square leg for another boundary but Somerset struck again in the ninth over.

Madsen edged Kirby to third slip but Somerset were denied the chance to build on that breakthrough when the umpires decided that even with the floodlights on, the light was not good enough for the game to continue and play was abandoned at 6pm.