County Championship 2022 | Shan Masood’s double century helps Derbyshire grab upper hand

The Day 2 of the Round 3 match between Leicestershire and Derbyshire concluded with the latter taking the lead of 224 runs. Earlier on Day 1, the decision to bat first for the home team backfired as they were dismissed for a mere 213.

On the morning session of Day 2, the right-arm pacer Will Davis took an all-important wicket of the wicket-keeper Brooke Guest to inject confidence into the other bowlers.

However, Wayne Madsen and Shan Masood had different plans as they stitched together a partnership of 221 runs. Unfortunately, Madsen was run out in an unfortunate manner and fell short by six runs for this century.

Then arrived Matt Mckiernan, who played his first match of the County Championship 2022 season. He and Masood again provided a headache for the opposition bowlers to put a 129-run stand between them.

In this pursuit, Masood hit his second double century of the season. 

Just when it looked the duo would continue to punish the bowlers with their calmness at the crease, Callum Parkinson bowled a peach to rattle the stumps of Masood, who was dismissed on a well-made 219 off 267 balls, comprising of 26 fours and a single six.

The experienced campaigner Leus Du Plooy played out the remaining ten overs of Day 2 cautiously. Mckiernan remained unbeaten on 63 off 127 balls, while Plooy was batting at 12 off 40 balls.

 Derbyshire have already taken the first innings lead and guaranteed their two points. Now, they will look to play in an attacking manner and get a minimum lead of 300 runs, which would be enough to put pressure on the opposition. 

On Day 2, the home team had a tough day at the office and will have to get early wickets in the morning session tomorrow. It remains to be seen if they can put a brake on Derbyshire and get much-needed momentum on their side. 

Brief scores

Leicestershire 213/10 (1st innings)

Sam Evans 63, Wiaan Mulder 39; 

Sam Conners 62/4

Derbyshire 437/4 (1st innings)

Shan Masood 219, Wayne Madsen 94; 

Beuran Hendricks 81/1

Derbyshire lead by 224 runs.