REECE PUTS DURHAM’S VICTORY HOPES ON ICE
DAY OF STRUGGLE AS DERBYSHIRE BATTLE BACK, BUT LAST-DAY SUCCESS IS STILL LIKELY
Luis Reece’s second Specsavers County Championship century of the season kept Derbyshire afloat on the third day of their match against Durham at Chester-le-Street.
The former Lancashire left-hander batted until the 73rd over to make 106 as the visitors reached 305-6 after following on 316 behind.
Derbyshire found conditions more favourable under clearer skies than when they were dismissed for 164 in two sessions in the first innings, and they were also able to take advantage of the absence of Paul Coughlin.
The all-rounder went for a scan on a side injury and, with 18-year-old Matty Potts unable to replicate the rich promise of his first four appearances, Durham lacked resources.
Potts did, however, take his first wicket of the match six overs from the close when he swung one in to have Alex Hughes trapped lbw for 39.
There was a period, in early afternoon, when Reece began to play with almost casual elegance, often stroking the ball straight to fielders. But any hint of lack of application proved misleading as he accumulated patientlytoreachhiscentury off 215 balls.
He got there by pulling Potts behind square for his 12th four, having been struck on the helmet when trying the same shot on 69.
That was a rare moment of discomfort at a time when Potts appeared to have been told to bowl short.
They might have been encouraged when two balls from Graham Onions shot along the deck in early afternoon, but there was no repeat on the placid surface.
Reece finally pulled Keaton Jennings straight to mid-wicket and Cameron Steel’s leg-spin accounted for Wayne Madsen with his third ball.
Madsen contributed 48 to a third-wicket stand of 106 before being caught behind by Michael Richardson when attempting to sweep.
Good running was a feature of an opening stand of 99, in which Ben Slater made an attractive 57, his first halfcentury of the season. He was yorked by a ball from offspinner Ryan Pringle, which drifted in to hit the off stump.
Then, for the second successive day, Derbyshire lost a wicket two balls before lunch as Billy Godleman shuffled across and inside edged Chris Rushworth via his box on to the leg stump.
Only one wicket fell in the second session, with three in the evening. Reece’s exit left Hughes and Matt Critchley to face 16 new-ball overs, but Critchley played back to a ball from Onions which moved sharply to have him lbw.
Hughes was beaten several times and lost his early fluency before Potts snared him to expose a tail which Durham should knock over this morning, the final day.