Cosgrove ton brings untold luxury

Captain Mark Cosgrove hit his first home century for Leicestershire as the Foxes passed 300 for the first time in 15 county championship innings.

The Australian hit 15 fours and a six in going to his hundred off 114 deliveries before edging the following delivery, from Mark Footitt, to first slip, where opposite number Wayne Madsen held the catch.

Earlier Madsen had been left unbeaten on 172, made from 292 balls, after Derbyshire lost their two remaining first innings wickets in adding 25 runs to their overnight score of 320-8.

Footitt registered a first class career best with the bat, scoring 31 before losing his middle stump to Charlie Shreck, and when last man Ben Cotton was bowled by Clint McKay for 1, it left captain Madsen unbeaten.

When Leicestershire began their response, opener Angus Robson scored a quick-fire unbeaten half-century, a badly needed effort by the Foxes after losing Robson's fellow opener Lewis Hill, caught at second slip by Wes Durston off the bowling of Mark Foottit for 5, and then Ned Eckersley, run out without scoring at the non-striker's end after being sent back by Robson, to leave them wobbling on 15-2.

Robson was dismissed by Footitt in the second over after lunch, going back to a rising delivery from Footitt and edging to wicket-keeper Harvey Hosein.

The home team then lost Aadil Ali, leg before on the back foot to Tony Palladino for 10, but Cosgrove and Niall O'Brien compiled a partnership of 97 for the fifth wicket before Cosgrove's dismissal.

Soon afterwards, however, Madsen took Footitt out of the attack after the left-armer received a second official warning for running on to the pitch in his follow through. He returned after tea from the opposite end, picking up the wicket of Ben Raine caught at square leg after being hit painfully by the previous delivery.

Palladino, in an outstanding spell after tea, had already bowled Andrea Agathangelou, and when Niall O'Brien edged Shiv Thakor to Hosein for 60, Leicestershire were again in danger of being dismissed for less than 300.

But Rob Sayer, on his first class debut, and Clint McKay, steered the Foxes to a rare third batting bonus point.