Decision backfires as Derbyshire slip up in second turn
DERBYSHIRE’S surprising decision not to enforce the follow-on against Sussex has reduced their chances of winning a match they had dominated – and even given their opponents an outside chance of pulling off an astonishing victory.
When Sussex were bowled out for 337 on the third day of the LV Insurance County Championship match, losing their last five wickets for 38 to concede a first innings advantage of 214, they looked down and out and not relishing the prospect of being put back in.
Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman maintained they were solid about the decision to bat again.
“We were very clear on getting out there and batting again,” he said.
“We’re in a very strong position. We wouldn’t have planned to go the way it did with the bat but we’re still in a strong position as we go into the final day.
“I won’t decide whether we bat on until the morning.”
Even so, the decision confounded most observers and Derbyshire promptly plunged into trouble, as Jack Brooks’ four-wicket burst had them all over the place at 54-5.
Sussex sensed the chance to chase something manageable on a ground that has seen several fourth innings of more than 300 this season.
However, Luis Reece stands in their way, unbeaten on 42 as Derbyshire closed on 127-7 with a healthy lead of 341.
With that lead and presumably a few more on the last day, Derbyshire may well go on to win yet but they appear to have notably reduced their chances of doing so.
Sussex had started the third day on 142-3, chasing a target of 402 to avoid the follow-on, with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 54 and the in-form Oli Carter on 14.
Carter was dropped at first slip by Madsen off Sam Conners when he had made 26.
Madsen should be forgiven, even by the most impatient of Derbyshire supporters. In all forms of cricket he has taken 313 catches for the county, placing 13th in their history – and seven of the 12 ahead of him are wicketkeepers.
Carter, who had scored a career best 185 and 83 in Sussex’s previous championship fixture against Glamorgan in Cardiff, went on to reach his half-century from 88 deliveries, with six fours.
But then he was bowled going back when he might have been forward to one from the impressive Mark Watt.
The Scotland international was signed as a T20 player but he returned 2-56 from 21 tidy overs here, leaving out the variations he brings to the short form of the game.
He now appears to have the role as the side’s number one red ball spinner.
The spotlight on Rizwan was getting brighter with the fall of each wicket at the other end.
And, making the most of the short boundary at the east side of the ground, he went on to reach his first championship century for Sussex, from 172 balls, with 18 fours.
Sussex lost their fifth wicket at 242 when Danial Ibrahim, half forward to one that turned from Watt, was bowled for six.
Delray Rawlins is a talented player who has not always shown enough discipline for the red ball game.
But he scored a half-century in Cardiff and here, against the spinners, he sensibly mixed aggression with patience for much of the time.
However, when Derbyshire took the new ball at 295-5 he was undone almost immediately, bowled through the gate by Dal as he played a loose drive.
His 37 from 57 balls, with six fours and a six, was not what Sussex required in the circumstances.
Rizwan was lbw to Dal for a fine 130, with 22 fours and the Sussex tail did not wag, as Hayden Kerr took his first Championship wickets, three of them in four balls, to end the innings.
He bowled Brooks, had Steve Finn caught second ball by Conners and trapped Sean Hunt in front with the next ball.
When Derbyshire came out again, Billy Godleman’s wretched form continued as he was well caught by Tom Alsop at first slip off Hunt in the second over. He has 213 Championship runs in 13 innings this season for an average of 16.38.
Then Brooks stepped up. He had Brooke Guest lbw for eight before dismissing Wayne Madsen first ball, caught behind.
In his next over, Leus du Plooy miscued to midwicket and in the next, Shan Masood dragged a wide ball on to his stumps.
Dal and Reece steadied the ship by adding 48 but he and Kerr fell near the close.
Derbyshire remain favourites but Sussex can now see an escape route, although their former England bowler, Finn, says he understood their decision: “I think the follow-on is over-rated because your bowlers can feel tired,” he said.
“But we also did realise we had an opportunity to put them under pressure. We’ve seen high totals chased here and seen wickets not deteriorate that much, which means it’s going to be a good game of cricket.”