Henderson and New keep Leicestershire on top

Leicestershire 260 for 6 v Derbyshire 182
Scorecard

An enterprising seventh-wicket stand between Tom New and Claude Henderson halted a Derbyshire fightback and regained the advantage for Leicestershire in a rain-affected second day of the County Championship clash at Grace Road.

A total of 48 overs were lost to the weather but by the close Leicestershire had reached 260 for 6 to establish a valuable first innings lead of 78, with New and Henderson still together having shared a partnership of 64 in 13 overs. Before they ran into this late-order resistance Derbyshire looked to have gained a foothold in the match by taking five wickets for 85 runs as Leicestershire slipped from 139 for 1to 196 for 6.

Heavy early morning rain delayed the start of this Division Two contest until 2pm and the afternoon belonged to the Derbyshire bowlers. In helpful conditions they began to work their way through the Leicestershire batting with the home side having resumed at a healthy 117 for 1,just 65 runs behind.

Both Matt Boyce and Jacques Du Toit looked in good form and Boyce took two early boundaries off Steffan Jones. But then the wickets began to fall as the second wicket partnership, which had put on 85, was broken by Jones. He dug a delivery in at Du Toit, who mistimed a hook and was caught by Robin Peterson having made 44 off 92 balls.

In the next over Boyce fell to a lifting delivery from Tim Groenewald which brushed a glove on the way through to Chris Rogers at slip. Boyce had played well to make 60 off 157 balls with 11 boundaries, but the Derbyshire seamers continued to make progress with James Taylor the next to go, wicketkeeper Lee Goddard taking a simple catch off a top-edge off the bowling of Mark Footitt.

And when both Paul Nixon and Wayne White also fell cheaply the home side looked to be in real danger of surrendering the initiative. But Derbyshire were interrupted by another rain break after the interval and when play resumed New and Henderson took the attack to the visitors.

Both enjoyed some luck in earning vital boundaries and when the new ball was taken the pair of them scored 39 runs in the final seven overs. A Henderson boundary brought up the 50 stand in 10 overs and at the close New was still there on 45 and Henderson on 24 with Leicestershire once again holding the upper hand.