COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Chesterfield:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Northants 201 & 469, Derbyshire 319 & 30-0
Derbys 6pts, Northants 4pts
Match scorecard

James Middlebrook has previously had spells with Essex and Yorkshire

James Middlebrook and Rob Newton gave Northants an excellent chance of forcing a final-day victory over Derbyshire at Chesterfield.

After Northants had resumed on 181-2, Newton (82) helped the visitors reach 302-7, already 184 in front, before being joined by Middlebrook (84).

They shared 69 before Middlebrook then added another 84 with Gavin Barker (35) to help Northants to 469 all out.

Derbyshire made a good start in their chase of 352 to win, closing on 30-0.

The day began brightly for the home side when Steffan Jones removed overnight pair Ben Howgego (80) and David Sales (92) to leave Northants on 198-4, a lead of just 80.

Captain Andrew Hall went cheaply, but Newton and Elton Chigumbura (33) then added 60 in 13 overs.

606: DEBATE Shame we couldn't nip one out before the close but a fantastic day nonetheless Ian Ashworth

Chigumbura fell to Jones (4-96) just before lunch but thereafter Northants did not look back as Newton, Middlebrook and Barker stacked up the huge total.

Derbyshire's chase almost began disastrously when skipper Chris Rogers edged Chigumbura to second slip while on six, only for Sales to drop the chance.

Rogers and Wayne Madsen reached stumps with no further drama, leaving their side requiring 322 to win on the last day.

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