COUNTY CRICKET: Taylor century frustrates Derbyshire

Jack Taylor lit up an otherwise cheerless day with his maiden first-class century to give Gloucestershire the upper hand over Derbyshire in the LV County Championship Division Two match at Derby.

Taylor made 120 from 139 balls to take Gloucestershire to 329 and Derbyshire closed day two on 77 for 2, 252 behind, when rain prevented any play after tea.

Mark Footitt took three of the four Gloucestershire wickets to fall to finish with 4 for 60 while Tom Taylor ended his namesake’s excellent innings to record figures of 4 for 89.

Michael Klinger had started the day seven short of a century but he fell to the sixth ball of the morning when he edged Footitt into the gloves of Harvey Hosein.

Craig Miles went in his next over, also caught behind as he tried to take his bat away from another rapid delivery to leave Gloucestershire on 255 for 8 but Taylor again counter-attacked well, driving Tony Palladino over the top to pass his previous highest score of 63 and then pulling the seamer for six.

After a brief interruption for bad light, Taylor and David Payne continued to frustrate Derbyshire with Taylor launching Tillakaratne Dilshan for six before the new ball was taken.

Taylor reached his hundred off 122 balls before another short stoppage for rain and the ninth wicket pair took their stand to 74 before Taylor sliced a drive to third man.

“It was important we got more than 300 and after Klinger was out it needed a mature innings,” Gloucestershire captain Geraint Jones said. “Jack batted in a mature way with controlled aggression.

“Credit to David Payne for sticking with him and also credit to the bowlers for bowling tightly throughout.”

Footitt had Liam Norwell caught behind in the next over following Taylor’s departure without scoring and batting became increasingly difficult when Derbyshire replied in gloomy conditions.

Even with the floodlights on, the umpires took the players off for a third time before Ben Slater was taken low down at second slip off Norwell for 17.

Chesney Hughes was missed by Geraint Jones at first slip on five but added only four before he edged a defensive push at Benny Howell and although Dilshan started by pulling Norwell for six, Godleman went 48 minutes without scoring a run.

Both were grateful to get to tea but the rain set in during the interval and it was no surprise when play was abandoned shortly before 5pm leaving Godleman to reflect on a mixed day for Derbyshire.

“We started very well and Footy (Footitt) bowled an excellent spell but I think in that situation you have to give credit to Jack Taylor, he chanced his arm very well and played some good cricket shots. But I would have liked us to execute our plans a little bit better. “