Elstone makes good impression

Half-centuries from Scott Elstone and David Wainwright helped Derbyshire fight back on a rain-affected second day of their Championship Division Two match against Gloucestershire. Elstone made 63 and Wainwright 54 not out, the pair putting on 70 for the seventh wicket, as Derbyshire went from 166 for 6 overnight to post 278.

With the rain again proving a disruption, Gloucestershire only managed to get to 21 without loss before play was called off for the day.

Derbyshire's hopes of a recovery lay largely with Elstone, playing in only his second first-class match, as he resumed on 36. Elstone is best remembered for taking two catches as England's 12th man in the Trent Bridge Test against India in 2011 but he was released by Nottinghamshire at the end of the following summer.

After a first day dominated by the ball, Derbyshire needed a strong start and Elstone and Wainwright gave them exactly that. Elstone, 23, brought up his maiden first-class half-century before he was trapped lbw by Will Gidman, bringing an end to a 158-ball knock.

His partnership with Wainwright had taken the score to 223 and Wainwright kept the score ticking on past the 250-mark to earn a second batting point. Tim Groenewald chipped in with a useful 17 from 20 balls before becoming Gidman's fourth wicket of the innings, the allrounder finishing with 4 for 50.

Rain prevented Gloucestershire's reply from getting off the ground, with openers Michael Klinger and Chris Dent on 12 and eight respectively at stumps.