Clare frustrates Northants again

Jonathan Clare took five wickets to add to yesterday's century

Jonathan Clare was the star of the show for the second day running as Derbyshire dominated on day three of their LV County Championship game with Northamptonshire.

Clare followed up yesterday’s maiden first-class century with five for 52 as Derbyshire continued to dominate at Wantage Road.

The hosts closed on 296 for seven, still trailing by 189 runs.

Northants had resumed on 48 without loss but made the worst possible start when Stephen Peters was trapped lbw by Clare with the second ball of the day.

In-form batsmen Rob White immediately began dispatching Clare and Graham Wagg around the ground, notching up three fours, but he played one shot too many as he edged Clare to Jamie Pipe for 12.

Clare claimed his third wicket when he dismissed David Sales lbw for 13.

Niall O’Brien continued to battle away, reaching his half-century from 76 balls with a quick single down to fine leg.

Northants captain Nicky Boje chipped compatriot Charl Langeveldt over the slips for four but saw his leg stump removed with the very next ball to bring an end to his innings on 14.

O’Brien continued to battle away, scoring three delightful boundaries after lunch as he moved on to 80.

The Northants opener did not last much longer though as he was caught by Nayan Doshi, trying to hit Wagg for six.

With Northants in trouble, Lance Klusener and Andrew Hall set about building a strong middle-order partnership.

Hall should have gone on 16 when he lobbed a Langeveldt delivery up to mid on but Dan Birch was unable to take the simplest of catches.

Klusener struck a four through mid-wicket as he passed 50, taking 86 balls and scoring seven fours.

Not even an early and extended tea break could deter Northants’ South African duo as they continued to pull their side back into the match.

Doshi made several appeals but all to no avail as Hall made the most of his earlier reprieve to chalk up 50 from 94 balls.

Derbyshire took the new ball after 81 overs and made the breakthrough just two overs later when Hall was caught by the substitute fielder Wayne White to give Clare his fourth wicket.

Clare completed a memorable two days with his fifth wicket of the innings as he removed Klusener’s leg stump with the South African on 73.

Johannes van der Wath added six to the scoreboard before bad light and then rain ended the day’s play prematurely.