Cricket: Onslaught by Rollins changes equation

Leicestershire v Derbyshire

WHEN DERBYSHIRE calculated that they needed to win one of their three remaining matches to retain any hope of First Division status next season, the game against Leicestershire, Championship contenders for much of the summer, probably did not figure at the top of the list.

But a tale of the unexpected took on a semblance of reality yesterday when, with only 233 required for victory on the flattest of pitches, Adrian Rollins and Steve Stubbings compiled an opening partnership of 123 from 38 overs before Stubbings was caught behind.

A pitch offering so little to the quicker bowlers, plus some indifferent performances among the Leicestershire ranks, were two factors that Derbyshire could not have legislated for and the openers negotiated the new ball with scarcely a troubled moment. Both batted with patience and discipline, qualities not often associated with this particular side in recent seasons. Rollins was able to drop anchor securely on the front foot but he dealt violently with anything that offered him room outside the off stump. His half-century occupied only 66 balls; his left-handed partner was content to rotate the strike to add to the frustration of the six bowlers used.

If Leicestershire were somewhat disillusioned after their variable performance with the bat, it was no surprise. Resuming 116 ahead with six wickets standing, they desperately needed two innings of substance, but nothing was forthcoming.

This was due in no small measure to Phil DeFreitas who, having changed the shape of the game with his century the previous day, swung the ball enough to bowl Stevens via an inside edge and then bowled superbly at Nixon to tie him down around his off stump. In 16 tight overs he conceded only 21 runs, and under the circumstances Nixon could do little more than hold things together. His half-century occupied almost three watchful hours on a pitch, probably becoming slower and lower, placing a great premium on footwork. The lack of it accounted for Jonathan Dakin, who was lbw playing back rather than forward to DeFreitas.

The rest belonged to Trevor Smith who, having learned much of his trade at Sandiacre CC on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire border, continued to display some of the time honoured fast bowling virtues associated with both counties. Full-length deliveries earned him lbw verdicts against a fast-footed Michael Kasprovicz and Carl Crowe. He then squeezed an in- swinger between even Nixon's bat and pad to emerge with carer-best match figures of 10 for 150.