Leicestershire v Derbyshire day 2

Leicestershire 199 and 2-0

Derbyshire 408 (Madsen 103, Hosein 66*, Reece 56, du Plooy 55)

Leicestershire trail by 207 runs

Although Derbyshire's batting lost its way a little after the giddy lunch heights of 205-2, they still batted with sufficient skill, consistency and purpose to play themselves into a very strong position by the close, In response to the home side's 199 all out, we were all out for 408, with a token over before the close seen off by night watchman Callum Parkinson.

You could tell it was high summer, because it brought with it another century of charm and class by Wayne Madsen. It was his 30th for the county, drawing him level with Denis Smith on the all time list, with only John Morris and Kim Barnett ahead of him. There were shots all around the wicket, from the textbook to the improvised and there appear to be plenty more runs in the tank.

Luis Reece gave away his promising overnight position with a needless attempted run on the arm of Klein, but du Plooy was quickly into his stride and the runs mounted as the two matched each other stroke for stroke before lunch.

It was a surprise when Leus, having been badly dropped by Swindells earlier, was adjudged caught down the leg side from Klein's bowling. Madsen reached his century, but was then bowled by Davis, who put in a good afternoon spell against his old county.  Critchley again looked in good touch, before being caught behind, while Hughes was outwitted by Ackermann, as he came down the pitch after playing some nice shots.

Hosein's feet were moving well from the start and his timing was good as he, with the fleet-footed Anuj Dal, took the total to a fourth batting bonus point. The latter was leg before to Klein, who bowled well with the second new ball, but contributed well to the growing total, the running between the wickets, as you might expect, especially noteworthy.

Thereafter the only question was whether maximum batting points could be achieved, but after the quick dismissal of Barnes, Conners came in to play an innings of old fashioned tail end 'humpty', carving the ball repeatedly over the leg side in an innings diametrically opposed to the one he played at Trent Bridge.

Hosein finishing unbeaten on 66 and did a good job for his side today.

Although the  home side reached the close with ten wickets in hand, they are 207 runs behind and have a mountain to climb to save this match.

As for Derbyshire. they couldn't have scripted the day better and will hope to push for an impressive victory tomorrow.

Well played, gentlemen.