Wayne Madsen century cements Derbyshire dominance

A Wayne Madsen century, the 31st of the South African's first-class career and his fifth against Leicestershire, helped Derbyshire establish an intimidating first-innings lead of 209 on the second day of the Bob Willis Trophy match at the Fischer County Ground, Grace Road.

Madsen's hundred came off 172 deliveries and included 17 fours, the last of which a sweetly timed on-drive which saw him bring up three figures off the bowling of Will Davis. The Leicestershire seamer extracted a measure of revenge moments afterwards however, bringing one back in through the gate to hit middle and off.

Madsen's was the second of three wickets picked up by Leicestershire in an afternoon session during which the Foxes' bowlers finally managed to exert a measure of control, dragging the scoring rate - five an over for much of the Derbyshire innings - back under four.

The first wicket to fall after lunch was that of Leus du Plooy, who was on 55 when he tried to deflect a high leg side bouncer from left-armer Dieter Klein down to fine leg, but succeeded only in edging the ball to wicket-keeper Harry Swindells, the 21-year-old making up for failing to hold a far more straightforward chance off Davis when du Plooy was on 27.

Foxes' skipper Colin Ackermann's decision to bring himself on shortly before tea was vindicated when Matt Critchley poked suspiciously at his second delivery and edged to Swindells.

The loss of experienced seamer Chris Wright to injury reduced Ackermann's options, but he made another breakthrough shortly after the break, Alex Hughes lobbing a simple catch to midwicket off a leading edge. Anuj Dal (25) gave Harvey Hosein, who finished on 66 not out, good support in a lively stand of 39 for the seventh wicket, and Sam Conners clubbed a quick 21 to ensure Derbyshire achieved the maximum five batting bonus points with four overs to spare.

The day had begun with Derbyshire on 101 for 1, and Madsen and Luis Reece, who had come together following the dismissal of captain Billy Godleman with the score on just 9 the previous day, quickly brought up a century partnership for the second wicket, off just 132 balls.

Neither looked in any trouble on a good wicket, and Reece, on 56, had only himself to blame when he turned a Wright delivery down the leg side and decided to try for a second run, only to be beaten by Dieter Klein's throw from fine leg.

That brought in du Plooy, who having made an outstanding century in Derbyshire's fine win against Notts in their first game, understandably looked in form from the start, especially when he clipped Davis for three consecutive leg-side boundaries. He went to his 50 (off 70 balls) in some style, lofting left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson high over mid-on.