Cricket: Shoulder injury puts paid to Cork

Derbyshire 242 Warwickshire 131-5

This was not the best of days for Derbyshire, who missed vital points in their pursuit of a first Championship for 60 years and then lost the services of Dominic Cork, probably for the remainder of the season.

Cork made a breezy 29, valuable runs in the circumstances, and in full flow clattered three fours in one over from Dougie Brown, giving the impression that the blow on the left shoulder he had suffered facing his second ball, from Brown, was of little consequence.

After he was out, however, he found himself in increasing discomfort and although he took the field when Warwickshire batted he had to withdraw without bowling. A visit to hospital revealed a fracture in the upper part of the humerus. Cork will take no further part in this match and it would be optimistic to suggest he might recover to face Durham next Thursday.

This was a particularly unfortunate blow for Derbyshire, who had gone into the match with only four front-line bowlers, having had to rule out Kevin Dean because of a cracked and dislocated finger. In Cork's absence, Derbyshire were hauled back into the match by Phillip DeFreitas, who bowled with great conviction in the evening to claim four wickets as the outgoing champions saw a strong position turn rapidly into a much weaker one.

Happy as they were with the prospect of a first-innings lead, it was a matter of regret for Dean Jones' side that they had garnered only a single batting point. Perhaps the greenish wicket was part of some gamble by Jones. If it was, it backfired when Warwickshire won the toss and chose to bowl.

From the moment the first bowling change removed Kim Barnett in Graeme Welch's initial over, Derbyshire were unable to make much headway before another wicket tripped them up.

Derbyshire were indebted to Chris Adams, who out-shone his colleagues to the extent that a seventh century of the season looked well within his scope until a Gladstone Small inswinger undid him on 80. Karl Krikken received the unexpected support of Devon Malcolm in adding 39 for the last wicket, but their quest to snatch a second batting point failed.

Warwickshire seemed in control as Nick Knight and Andy Moles put on 79 for the first wicket. The balance tilted as DeFreitas took 4 for 22 in seven overs, but Derbyshire's mood was clouded by the loss of Cork.