Franklin admits Durham need to find cutting edge after another draw

Wayne Madsen and Matt Critchley scored stoic halfcenturies to thwart Durham's bid for victory and to secure Derbyshire's third draw in a row in the LV= Insurance County Championship.

Durham required 10 wickets to record their first win of the campaign, while Derbyshire had to bat out 96 overs or attempt an ambitious push for a victory target of 384 at Emirates Riverside.

The home side claimed early wickets, but Madsen and Critchley combined for a standof138totakethestingout of the game. Late strikes from Ben Raine and Paul Coughlin gave Durham hope, but they were forced to settle for a draw on home soil. As a result, both teamsremainwinlessinGroup One after their opening three matches.

Durham coach James Franklin said: "It's another game where we have given ourselves an opportunity to win on the final day. They batted superbly throughout the day and especially with that partnership with Madsen and Critchley. It proved hard to get those 10 wickets we needed on thelastday.We'retryingtofind the answer on how to close out these games.

"Ican'tfaulttheeffortorthe performance of the side. We need to find that cutting edge."

In need of early wickets on the final day, Raine broke the opening stand by bowling Wood with a delivery that kept low. However, Durham’s pace bowlers toiled on a flat pitch. Skipper Scott Borthwick brought himself into the attack from the Finchale End and developed a good rhythm removingLuisReecelbwfor32.

Raine returned at the start of the afternoon session and notched the key scalp of Du

Plooy lbw. The in-form Critchley stabilised the innings with Madsen.

Madsen continued to thwart the Durham bowlers, and secured his second halfcentury of the match. Madsen and Critchley's defiance allowed the duo to post their century stand before the tea break, inching the visitors towards safety. Critchley joined Madseninpassing50aftertea.

After a couple of close appeals from the hosts, Coughlin broke the partnership by pinning Critchley lbw for 69, but only after the duo produced a record fourth-wicket stand. One wicket quickly becametwoasMadsen'svigilwas ended when Raine found the shoulder of his bat and Stuart Poyntertookasprawlingcatch.

Harvey Hosein and Brooke Guest were on point in their defence to allow the visitors to hold out for a draw.