Evans Top Scores on Day One

Sam Evans top scored for the second successive innings on a mixed opening day for the Running Foxes at Uptonsteel County Ground.

The opener made 63, while Wiaan Mulder scored 39 on his debut, as Leicestershire were dismissed for 213 on day one. In reply, Derbyshire closed on 36-1, with Beuran Hendricks taking the sole wicket to fall.

Captain Colin Ackermann won the toss and elected to bat first. Hassan Azad got the scoring underway 16 deliveries into the morning, with a well-timed cut off opening bowler Sam Conners racing to the ropes.

He dominated the scoring with partner Evans in a cagey opening half an hour’s play, before he was pinned in front for 17 by an in-swinger from Conners to leave Leicestershire 18-1.

George Rhodes got off the mark driving a wide delivery off Anuj Dal through the off side, but he could only add two further runs before Dal got his revenge, bowling Rhodes through the gate for six.

Ackermann and Evans brought the score to 50, before the former slashed at a wide one from Potts, which was well grasped by Dal, diving to take a sharp low catch at backward point.

The Running Foxes looked to be heading into lunch three down, but Louis Kimber (1) missed a Matty McKiernan delivery that turned away and flicked the off stump. Leicestershire lunching on 68 for four.

Post-interval, Mulder faced the first delivery in his new colours. He looked fluent alongside Evans, with equally adept stroke play off the front and back foot, including a disdainful pull off McKiernan and a skip down the track to Thomson that both rocketed to the boundary.

Evans brought up the 50-stand midway through the afternoon session, earning his second successive half-century in the process to back up his excellent unbeaten 77 at Durham on Sunday.

The pair put on a partnership worth 69, but it ended with Evans (63) guiding one straight into the hands of the sole Derbyshire slip, Wayne Madsen, off Conners.

It was two in an over for Conners soon after, as Harry Swindells was trapped in front for a third-ball duck.

Things got worse when debutant Mulder was also trapped on the crease, LBW to Lakmal for 39. A solid initial showing that displayed defensive fortitude and astute attacking intent alike.

It left Leicestershire 158-7 at tea. Nine more runs were accumulated before Callum Parkinson (8) became the eighth man to fall. Another catch in the cordon for Madsen, this time off Lakmal.

Hendricks became Conners’ fourth of the day, as the South African unluckily inside edged a wide delivery onto his stumps for four.

The overseas bowler’s departure put the onus on Ed Barnes to score in a final-wicket stand with Will Davis. Leicestershire’s number eight posted an unbeaten 34, including a pull to deep backward square for six, as the duo put on 39 to earn a batting bonus point. Davis (12) became the final man to fall, edging behind with the total on 213.

With ball in hand, Hendricks and Davis threatened the Derbyshire openers right from the off. Visiting skipper Billy Godleman almost dragged on first ball, before he soon fell to Hendricks, attempting to leave one that climbed sharply and flicked the glove.

It was an examining over that could have seen new man Brooke Guest lose his wicket to three of the remaining four balls. A glance flew just past short leg, while an inside edge and a play and miss proved narrow escapes for the visiting wicketkeeper.

Derbyshire closed on 36-1, trailing by 177 runs. Shan Masood on 20 not out, Guest unbeaten on eight. Play resumes at 11am for day two.