Redfern brings up first ton of the season

Dan Redfern celebrated a double first to lead an impressive Derbyshire fightback on the first day against Northamptonshire at Derby.

Redfern, a 21-year-old left-hander, scored his maiden first-class century and also achieved the honour of becoming the first batsmen to make a hundred in the 2012 season.

Ross Whiteley made 83 and shared a stand of 160 in 39 overs with Redfern, who made 110, following a fine spell from Jack Brooks which reduced the home side to 50 for 4 after Northants had won the toss.

Whiteley finally fell to Brooks who finished with 5 for 61 as Derbyshire were bowled out for 286 but Northants slipped to 28 for 3 to trail by 258 at the close.

The decision to put Derbyshire in looked a good one once Brooks switched to the Racecourse End with a stiff northerly at his back to take 3 for 17 in five overs, including New Zealand Test opener Martin Guptill.

Guptil drove Chaminda Vaas for six and looked well set until he clipped Brooks firmly to square leg where Kyle Coetzer did well to cling on in the cold conditions. Wayne Madsen made only one in his first game as Derbyshire captain before he played on to Lee Daggett and Paul Borrington also fell for a single when he edged Brooks to first slip.

Wes Durston looked in good touch until he played across the line at Brooks in the 19th over but Redfern played with authority to reach 50 from 55 balls before lunch. He had a let-off on 59 when David Willey dropped him diving at extra cover and Northants were to regret that as the fifth wicket pair took control.

The century stand came up in 25 overs and Whiteley twice drove James Middlebrook for six, the second of which brought up his half-century which came off 85 balls and also included seven fours. Redfern was given another life on 88 when Niall O'Brien dropped him off Middlebrook but he got to his hundred in his 46th first-class game by clipping Daggett for three through midwicket.

Despite those two dropped catches, it had been a fine display of batting but when he was bowled by Willey aiming for his 14th four, the last six wickets fell for 76. But Derbyshire ended the day on top as Tony Palladino, who broke his jaw less than three weeks ago, had Rob Newton caught at second slip before Tim Groenewald removed Stephen Peters and Coetzer in consecutive overs.