Chris Rushworth six-for keeps Derbyshire in check
Durham lose two before the close after limiting hosts to 258
ECB Reporters' Network
22-May-2021
Chris Rushworth in action • Getty Images
Durham 20 for 2 trail Derbyshire 258 (Rushworth 6-49) by 238 runs
Durham record-breaker Chris Rushworth celebrated another milestone on the third day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Derbyshire at Derby. The 34-year-old, who last week became Durham's leading first-class wicket-taker, claimed his 29th five-wicket haul, finishing with 6 for 49.
Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman scored 41 before Wayne Madsen shared a stand of 99 in 28 overs with Matt Critchley who during his 49 became the 28th player for the county to score 4000 runs and take 150 wickets in all formats. England fast bowler Mark Wood took 2 for 84.
The home side had to bring in Anuj Dal as a concussion replacement for wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein who was hit on the back of the helmet by Brydon Carse and he steered Derbyshire to 258 before Ben Aitchison struck twice to reduce Durham to 20 for 2.
Rushworth's day started with Godleman driving and cutting him for three fours in the opening over before he and Wood hit back. Rushworth swung one in to trap Brooke Guest lbw for 30 and Wood found lift and movement to have Leus du Plooy caught behind for a second-ball duck.
When Godleman edged to second slip charging Rushworth, Derbyshire had lost three wickets in nine balls but they were revived, not for the first time this season, by Madsen and Critchley.
Madsen cover drove fluently while Critchley counterattacked against Wood, pulling him for two sixes in an over to restore Derbyshire's fortunes at lunch. The pair were one short of a fourth century stand of the campaign when Critchley clipped Rushworth to midwicket and then Hosein was forced to leave the field when he ducked into a Carse delivery.
After a short break for rain, Carse took the wicket Durham wanted when he beat Madsen's drive to pin him lbw and after tea was taken early because of bad light, Wood bowled Alex Hughes who was beaten for pace.
Aitchison whipped Wood for six before he top-edged Carse and Fynn Hudson-Prentice became Rushworth's fourth victim when he missed a big drive. Rushworth had Sam Conners caught at point and Dal lbw to complete his second six-wicket haul against Derbyshire this season, leaving Durham to negotiate 15 overs in which they lost Alex Lees and nightwatchman Ben Raine.
