Broad shoulders responsibility

Stuart Broad © Getty Images

Stuart Broad shattered Derbyshire with career-best bowling figures of 5-67 to send Leicestershire to a dramatic 28-run victory in the LV County Championship Division Two clash at Grace Road.

The young England prospect ripped through the Derbyshire batting in a magnificent spell that saw him take three wickets in eight balls to snatch what seemed certain victory out of Derbyshire's hands.

The visitors, who were chasing a target of 425 to win, began the day at 323 for three. But Broad's brilliant burst saw them lose seven wickets for 73 runs in 83 minutes and crash to 396 all out.

The vital wicket was that of Derbyshire captain Simon Katich who was caught low down at first slip off Broad having made a magnificent 167 off 233 balls hitting 24 fours and four sixes.

Katich was seventh out in the 89th over and his departure saw a rapid end to the innings with Broad dismissing Graham Wagg and James Pipe before David Masters had Tom Lungley caught low down by wicket-keeper Paul Nixon to spark off Leicestershire's celebrations.

The only blot on the home side's copybook was a dreadfully slow over rate that saw them deducted four points from their winning total of 19.

The wicket of Simon Katich began the slide © Getty Images

But for Broad it was a game to remember after the disappointment of being left out of England's Test side at the Brit Oval on Thursday morning.

He was released and allowed to play for Leicestershire, travelling up on the morning of the game and making an unbeaten 40 in the first innings.

He followed that by taking 3-49 and then hit a career best 91 not out in the second innings.

But it was his tremendous bowling on the final morning that clinched victory for his side after Derbyshire had started the day looking well capable of reaching their big target.

Broad struck with the fourth ball of his first over having Greg Smith caught at gully without adding to his overnight 74.

He followed that by dismissing Dan Birch in his next over with John Maunders taking a good low catch at third slip.

Masters chipped in by trapping Ant Botha lbw with his first delivery with the new ball before Broad removed Katich and the game was as good as over.

Broad finished with match figures of 9-116 and said: "It helped to have competitive cricket to go to at Leicester. To come straight up here and be batting by 2pm helped me a lot.

"My spell on Sunday morning was the best I have bowled at Grace Road. I got the ball swinging away and bouncing and felt in a lovely rhythm.

"I was disappointed not to get a century in our second innings. You don't get too many opportunities to do that and when Garnett Kruger got out he could not speak to me because he was so distraught.

"But the one-day internationals are now my next focus and I am full of confidence at the moment."