Peng helps spare Durham's blushes at Derby

Nicky Peng helped save Durham from potential embarrassment on another hard-fought day at Derby.

The 18-year-old right-hander played responsibly for 31 overs to steady Durham who were wobbling at 139-5 in reply to Derbyshire's 318.

With Andy Pratt, he took his team past the 169 they needed to avoid the follow-on before wickets in consecutive overs tilted the game back towards Derbyshire.

Peng pulled a Richard Illingworth long hop to mid-wicket and Pratt was caught behind off Tim Munton to raise Derbyshire's hopes of a sizeable first innings lead.

This was one of Derbyshire's best days of a so far disappointing season and they start the third day with a lead of 117 and three wickets left to take.

Their first score of over 300 at Derby since last August was due to some spirited lower order batting and a wild over from Steve Harmison who gave away 10 extras including one ball which went for four wides.

A total of 48 extras was second highest score in the Derbyshire innings but Durham looked comfortable with Michael Gough and Martin Love at the wicket.

But Gough played on to Nathan Dumelow and Martin Speight played across Graeme Welch after struggling for 13 overs for 14.

Love passed fifty for the fourth time this season before he was lbw pushing half forward at Illingworth and when Danny Law top-edged a pull, Durham were in trouble.

But Peng and Pratt played sensibly although Derbyshire will still expect to strengthen their position tomorrow as they push for their first victory since August when Durham were beaten at the County Ground.