Madsen ton underpins Derbyshire efforts

Derbyshire captain, Wayne Madsen, scored his first century for nearly a year to put his team in a strong position against Gloucestershire. Madsen celebrated his 10th hundred for the county and, with Wes Durston and Dan Redfern also contributing half-centuries, the home side reached 362 for 9 at the end of the first day.

Gloucestershire paid the price for dropped catches and poor bowling after their captain, Alex Gidman, was ruled out before the start of play with a back problem. Madsen was badly missed on 28 while Durston was given a life on 9, and those lapses allowed Derbyshire to recover from the loss of both openers with only 38 on the board.

Paul Borrington went without scoring when he pushed at Will Gidman and was caught at first slip and after Martin Guptill had moved confidently to 30 he was caught behind off a bottom edge pulling at James Fuller.

At that stage, Madsen's decision to bat first after days of heavy rain in the Derby area looked questionable, but Gloucestershire's failure to bowl a consistent line allowed him and Durston to rebuild the innings. Durston made the most of his reprieve by taking the attack to the seamers on a greenish pitch where the odd delivery lifted sharply at one end.

When Madsen was put down at point shortly after lunch, it was the start of a dreadful session for the visitors, who conceded 165 runs in 33 overs. Durston scored 68 in a century stand with Madsen until he drove Ed Young's left-arm spin to mid-on, but there was no respite for the bowlers as Redfern raced to 50 off only 58 balls.

He shared a stand of 115 in 21 overs with Madsen but fell on the stroke of tea for 55 when he drove a full toss from Kane Williamson to cover.

Madsen, who had scored only 64 in his previous five innings this season, faced 20 balls on 99 before a quickly taken single brought up his 11th first-class century. He went in the next over when he inside-edged a drive on to his leg stump, and although Derbyshire lost another four wickets before the close, it had still been the home side's day.