Derbyshire v Kent: Footitt takes four scalps as hosts build lead
Friday 21st August 2015
Derbyshire secured a 94-run first-innings lead after Mark Footitt's four-wicket haul ripped the heart out of Kent's reply on day two.
At the close, Derbyshire had extended that lead to 167 at 73-1. Unable to find the breakthrough in 11 overs the previous evening, Derbyshire were kept waiting five more in the morning before Rob Key was lbw to Footitt for 29 at 50-1 and the sides then settled in for a period of attrition which saw only 13 runs added in 12 overs.
The arm-wrestle was won by the bowling side, with Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw to Cotton for 19 and Sam Northeast pushing at a Palladino ball to be caught behind for one in the next over.
Footitt returned to the attack to have an instant impact, as his second ball was played on to the stumps by Joe Denly (7) and the fifth flattened the off-stump of Ben Harmison, who did not offer a shot.
Calum Haggett (6) edged Palladino and was caught at third slip by Godleman after the ball was pushed into the air by Chesney Hughes at second, then Sean Dickson (22) was lbw to Cotton to make it 119-7.
James Tredwell held out for 20 before Footitt bowled him and though Matt Hunn gave the Kent innings a late flurry for 23 not out the innings ended when Ivan Thomas was run out coming back for a third run only to be beaten by the throw by Scott Elstone at deep cover.
With Sam Billings absent because of the dislocated finger he suffered keeping wicket on day one, that was it for Kent. Footitt finished with 4-61 and Cotton 2-45, with Palladino’s unerring 16 overs bringing him 2-21.
Shiv Thakor played no part for Derbyshire after suffering concussion from a blow to the head while batting, which made their bowling performance even more impressive.
Kent hopes that they could find similar success quickly faded as Derbyshire openers Billy Godleman and Ben Slater extended the lead before Slater (20) chopped a Thomas ball on to his stumps to make it 43-1.
But Godleman, scorer of a century in his last two Championship innings, was immovable and was 42 not out when bad light and rain brought an early end to the day.