Derbyshire’s batting left wanting as Surrey romp to win

James Burke announced himself as an all-rounder of considerable promise as Surrey wrapped up a crushing 222-run victory over Derbyshire in the LV County Championship Division Two match at Derby.

The 24-year-old left his mark on only his third first-class match with a maiden half century and two wickets before Gareth Batty took 4 for 32 to condemn Derbyshire to a humiliating defeat.

Burke shared a pivotal seventh wicket stand of 83 in 23 overs with skipper Gareth Batty but Derbyshire contributed 61 extras, the highest they have conceded in a championship game, with England fast bowling prospect Mark Footitt bowling 11 no balls and three wides.

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Derbyshire were set 348 but they crumbled in abject fashion and were bowled out for 125 in less than 40 overs.

There had been no sign of the problems that awaited Derbyshire when Tony Palladino struck in only the second over of the morning when he bowled South African batsman Dean Elgar with one that kept low.

With overcast conditions favouring the bowlers, Derbyshire had a chance if they could make further inroads but Dominic Sibley and Ben Foakes hung on for 20 overs to take the lead towards 200.

Sibley had displayed good judgement in his three hour occupation when he was lbw trying to work Wayne White off his legs and the balance of the game tilted again three balls later when Footitt bowled Foakes.

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When Gary Wilson was bowled off his body offering no shot straight after lunch, Surrey were only 202 runs on with six wickets down but Derbyshire were conceding extras at an alarming rate in a low scoring contest and helped Burke and Batty put on the highest stand of the match.

Burke played with impressive composure after an uncertain start and recovered from a blow on the grill from Footitt to reach his fifty with a back foot punch through the covers off Wes Durston.

Batty skied a drive to cover trying to accelerate before the new ball was taken and after Tom Curran was run out, Burke’s excellent innings ended when he was trapped lbw by Tom Taylor.

The prospect of Derbyshire achieving the highest chase in their history to win a championship match quickly faded as Fletcher and Burke blew away the top order.

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After Billy Godleman had played on cutting at Curran, Hamish Rutherford was well taken low down at second slip and Wayne Madsen edged another good ball from Fletcher to third without scoring.

Burke had Chesney Hughes caught behind, Ben Slater edged a big drive into his stumps and when Wayne White and Tom Poynton were lbw, Surrey claimed an extra eight overs.

Batty justified that decision by pinning Palladino in front and defeating Taylor’s wild swing and although Footitt pulled him for six, Surrey wrapped up an impressive performance on the stroke of 7pm.