Madsen and Aitchison tons give Derbyshire 62-run lead over Northants

Derbyshire finished day two 62 runs ahead of Northamptonshire in their Division Two County Championship match in Northampton.

The visitors made 372 in their first turn with the bat. Northamptonshire replied with 310 all out. That first-innings lead gives Derbyshire the early grip with two days left in the four-day game BBC Sport.

Derbyshire's total was built on two very different hundreds. Wayne Madsen, the veteran batter, scored 151. Ben Aitchison, better known for his bowling, added 106 from lower down the order. Liam Guthrie was the pick of the home attack with 3 for 66.

Northamptonshire started strongly in reply. Openers Ricardo Vasconcelos and Luke Procter put on 97 for the first wicket. Vasconcelos made 58 and passed 900 runs for the season. Procter made 54 in his 50th Championship match as captain.

The middle order kept the score moving without breaking free. Saif Zaib scored 46. Lewis McManus made 53 and passed 4,000 runs in first-class cricket, the top level of multi-day cricket. Ben Sanderson added a useful 27 from the tail.

McManus fell in the final over of the day. That wicket closed the innings at 310. It left Derbyshire with a clear but not decisive advantage.

Derbyshire shared the bowling around. Brett Randell took 3 for 48. Nick Potts took 3 for 51 while acting as an injury substitute for Aitchison, stepping in after Aitchison was unable to continue. Luis Reece also struck, claiming his 200th first-class wicket for Derbyshire.

What makes this stand out is the balance. Both sides had strong passages. Derbyshire had the two centuries. Northamptonshire had three fifties and contributions all the way down.

The match at the cinch County Ground began on 15 September and is scheduled for four days ECB. Northamptonshire chose to field first. Derbyshire will now bat again, looking to turn a 62-run lead into a target the home side must chase.