Yorkshire v Derbyshire day, 3

Yorkshire 400-6 (Malan 219)

Derbyshire 198-6 (Godleman 54, Critchley 31*) 

Derbyshire trail by 202 runs

After making maximum batting points against Derbyshire today, Yorkshire made inroads into our reply by the close of play, which came with the score 198-6.

Dawid Malan made a superb double century, which never really looked in doubt, with continued support from Tattersall, before he was well caught by Anuj Dal.

The declaration came as soon as 400 was reached, leaving us with a tricky half hour before lunch, well-negotiated by Tom Wood and Billy Godleman.

I thought Tom looked the part before the interval, but stopped playing his natural game afterwards. A lobbed bat bad catch to the bowler, following through, was a soft way to go, but he didn't look out of place against a strong attack. 

Olivier and Patterson are a fine pair of experienced bowlers and it was the latter, captaining his side well, who caused the most problems. Madsen followed his Leicester ton with a duck, but du Plooy joined his skipper in a half century stand that steadied the ship at tea. 

Afterwards the batsmen again seemed less willing to play shots, but the attack was relentless and Patterson took both batsmen in the opening spell of the evening session. As he did on occasion with us, Olivier tended to bowl too short, while his captain pitched up and reaped the benefits. At the end of his spell he had 3-16 in 15 overs, tribute to his accuracy and skill.

Hughes and Critchley took the score past 150, before a rash stroke from the former gave his wicket away, an attempted pull lobbing to mid on from the bowling of the brisk but wayward Leech. Nor did Hosein suggest permanence, playing away from his body too often for comfort, before doing it once too often against the returning Olivier and being well caught by Bairstow.

Then came Dal and three pulled boundaries in an over from him largely erased the prospect of the follow on. He and Critchley, who batted very well for an unbeaten 31, saw us through to the close.

Tomorrow? Score the three runs to pass the follow on target and then try to get additional batting points.

Unless we do something stupid, the game SHOULD be a draw.