Ned and Cam help Durham claim a draw at Derbyshire
Derbyshire’s young pace bowler Ben Aitchison returned career-best figures before the LV=Insurance County Championship match against Durham at Derby ended in a draw.
The 21-year-old bowled superbly to take 6 for 28 from 16 overs, but 82 from Ned Eckersleyandacomposed39byAustralian Test opener Cameron Bancroft ruled out any late drama at the Incora County Ground.
Bancroft batted for nearly three hours and Eckersley passed 7000 first-class runs on another cold and blustery day as Durham were bowled out for 208.
Aitchison’s spell briefly raised Derbyshire’s hopes of enforcing the follow-on, but Bancroft’s discipline ensured Durham were spared any embarrassment.
Scott Borthwick survived anedgewhichdidnotquitecarry to second slip off the fourth ball of the day, but then fell victimtoAitchison’srelentlessaccuracy.
Threeballslater,DavidBedinghamwaswalkingbackwithoutscoringafteraleadingedge waswelltakenbyAnujDalrunning in from point.
Bancroft and Jack Burnham battled through to lunch but in the second over after the interval, Burnham chased a wide ball from Sam Conners and was caught behind with Durham still 51 away from the follow-on.
Thatwascomfortablysaved before Bancroft was lbw pushing forward at Critchley, with Stuart Poynter then caught at slip.
Aitchison completed his first five-wicket haul when Eckersley played across the line and Mark Wood was caught at deep mid-wicket to give him the best figures for Derbyshire against Durham.