Record partnership for Dowman and Cork at Derby

Mathew Dowman and Dominic Cork at last gave Derbyshire supporters a day to savour when they transformed the match at the County Ground with a record breaking partnership.

The unbroken seventh wicket stand of 225 was the highest for Derbyshire against Durham and at the close, Dowman and Cork had taken their side into a lead of 369.

It was a totally different story shortly after lunch when Durham had the home side on the ropes at 121-6, only 143 runs in front, and there was every chance the game would finish inside two days.

But the pitch had by now flattened out, the ball did not swing and Dowman and Cork plundered bowling which became increasingly ragged on a hot afternoon.

This was Dowman's best innings for Derbyshire and, after spending 18 balls on 99, he reached his eighth first-class century which was applauded by all the Durham team.

Cork scored his fourth hundred and his unbeaten 105 was his highest score while Dowman's 129 not out was his best for Derbyshire.

The stand was the highest against Durham this season and has seriously damaged their chances of avoiding relegation to the Second Division while Derbyshire now have an excellent chance of winning their first game since late June although they already look doomed to lose their Division One status.