Northamptonshire 218 and 247-4 (Newton 108, Wakely 79)
Derbyshire 176 (Hughes 62 not)
Northamptonshire lead by 289 runs
Barring a first session spell akin to the one produced by Tom Taylor at Trent Bridge last week, Derbyshire are facing a massive task to save this game.
Nearly 300 behind with two days to go, something special needs done in the second innings. If more players channel the resolve of Alex Hughes, who resisted for three hours, we might take the game into the fourth day, but we need to do much better than the first knock.
Late wickets for Tony Palladino and Conor McKerr made the scoreboard look closer than it was for much of the day, but we are well behind in this one and need a comeback akin to those produced by Bangladesh and England in recent days.
The absence of Shiv Thakor from the attack has been noted, while Luis Reece's absence from the eleven may yet extend to the full match.
More important is that he soon return to full health and, like all of you, I wish him well.
Dismal Derbyshire, progress?, seen nothing yet.
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