Cork and Stubbings lead brave Derbyshire reply

Dominic Cork filed a late application to the England selectors by scoring a century to keep Derbyshire in the Championship match against Nottinghamshire.

Cork, whose Test place is under threat after a poor game at Lord's, made 128 to guide his team past the follow-on target of 377.

He was out two overs before the close when he drilled David Lucas to mid off although Notts should have removed him when he had scored only eight. The Derbyshire captain sliced a drive to cover point where Stephen Randall put down a straightforward chance and Notts were made to pay as Cork rediscovered his batting form.

With Steve Stubbings, who made an accomplished 127, he dominated a fifth-wicket stand of 120 in 27 overs and scored his runs from 155 balls, hitting 22 fours.

Cork had earlier taken three of the last four Notts wickets to fall and then saw Stubbings and Michael Di Venuto share a century opening stand for the second consecutive innings.

Di Venuto made 59 before he top-edged a pull and Derbyshire were in danger of wasting that solid start when Luke Sutton was taken at silly point for a duck and Rob Bailey was lbw for three.

Stubbings again showed how much his game has developed by mixing watchful defence with some crisp driving to reach his second Championship hundred of the season in 190 minutes.

Mathew Dowman was bowled by Randall for 22 but Cork and Stubbings took the score past 300 before the opener top-edged a sweep at Usman Afzaal and was caught at wide mid on.

Cork and Graeme Welch added another 76 and at the close, Derbyshire were 385-6, still 141 behind.