COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Bristol:
Derbyshire 44 and 127-4, Gloucestershire 156 (Glouces 3pts, Derbys 3pts)
Match scorecard

Franklin had previously taken just 35 Championship wickets this summer

James Franklin took career-best figures of 7-14 as bottom club Derbyshire were bowled out for just 44 as a staggering 24 wickets fell in the day at Bristol.

The visitors survived for only an hour and a quarter against the swinging ball on a greenish pitch as Franklin took 5-0 in his first three overs.

That was just the start of two crazy sessions in the Division Two clash, as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 156.

But Derbyshire did a bit better second time round, making 127-4 by the close.

By that time, England and Wales Cricket Board pitch inspector John Jameson, the former Warwickshire and England opener, had been summoned from Birmingham.

But batting conditions had improved by the time had arrived and he left satisfied that nothing was untoward after speaking to the umpires.

Derbyshire led by just 15 at the end of a long, hectic first day, still staring at a two-day defeat.

But that was an improvement given that at one stage they had been a humiliating 9-6 and in danger of being bowled out for less than their lowest score of all time, set 131 years ago, when they were shot out for just 16 by neighbours Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1879.

It was Jon Lewis who struck first, After the visitors had been invited to bat under a cloudless sky, having Wayne Madsen caught behind in the first over.

But Franklin then took over, removing Chris Rogers, Chesney Hughes, Greg Smith, Wes Durston and Jonathan Clare in an amazing burst from the Ashley Down End.

Bowling full and swinging the ball, the New Zealander looked to have virtually won the game in the first 25 minutes, gaining three lbw decisions and two catches.

He added the wickets of former Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Steve Adshead and Graham Wagg before being taken off after six action-packed overs.

Robin Peterson top scored with 15 as the visitors were blown away for their lowest score since 1975 - when they made 42 against Lancashire at Buxton - and their lowest ever against Gloucestershire.

Lewis finished with two for 13, while the country's leading wicket-taker, Gemaal Hussain, was barely required, bowling just four overs for 15 runs.

Batting looked no easier for the home side as they slumped to 30-4 in reply, Graham Wagg claiming two of the wickets.

But Hamish Marshall (45) and Chris Taylor (37) put together a stand of 69 to reach 132-5 before Steffan Jones struck back, taking four wickets in five balls bowling from the Pavilion End.

The veteran seamer dismissed debutant Jack Taylor and Lewis with successive deliveries, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick as Hussain survived a loud lbw shout.

He was judged leg before to the next ball and at the start of his following over Jones had Steve Snell caught in the covers for 31.

Second time around Derbyshire openers Rogers and Madsen took the score to 58 before a mix-up over a single saw Rogers run out by Lewis's direct hit.

They had almost wiped out the 112-run deficit when Madsen was caught behind off Hussain for 39.

But Wes Durston and nightwatchman Tim Groenewald also fell in the closing stages.

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson told BBC Sport: "With this many wickets falling in the day we will have the pitch inspectors shortly.

"They batted pretty badly, I have to say, I think they would be the first to say that, and it swung, but I don't think there have been any gremlins in it. That's certainly the umpires' view.

"There hasn't been particularly much movement off the wicket, thus far.

"James Franklin bowled absolutely beautifully, and has to be commended for that.

"At one stage, he had taken five for nought. He bowled absolutely beautifully and swung the ball consistently."

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