Derbyshire 504 for 4 (Godleman 211*, Lace 143) lead Glamorgan 394 (Wagg 100, Carey 62*) by 110 runs
After Glamorgan’s batsmen had set new batting records yesterday, Billy Godleman followed suit in Derbyshire’s first innings as they ended the third day’s play on 504 for 4 – a lead of 110, with maximum batting points. The captain led by example, scoring a career best 211 not out – surpassing the 204 he scored against Worcestershire three years ago.
Much will depend on the weather on tomorrow’s final day, but the likely outcome will be for Derbyshire to adopt a positive approach, and gain a lead in excess of 200, and then try to dismiss Glamorgan in their second innings.
Tom Lace joined his captain in the 12th over, and they were not separated for a further 61 overs, having shared a partnership of 291 for the third wicket. During that stand, they broke the record for the third wicket against Glamorgan, and later for any wicket against the Welsh county.
Another ten runs would have seen a 300 partnership for only the tenth time in Derbyshire’s history, but Lace was dismissed by a remarkable catch by Owen Morgan, who dived to his right on the fine leg boundary to hold the catch one handed, inches from the ground.
Lace, 21, is on a season’s loan from Middlesex, and during his time there was coached by David Houghton, who is now Derbyshire’s Head of Cricket. He was at the crease for four and a half hours for his chanceless innings and struck 18 fours. If any of Middlesex’s batsmen are injured, then Lace could be recalled for their next championship game which, ironically, is against Glamorgan on Sunday.
Godleman, despite being dropped twice behind the wicket and then a difficult chance to slip, scored most of his runs through the off-side, and although he played and missed on numerous occasions, remained steadfast and ensured his team would gain a sizeable first-innings lead.
The second new ball accounted for Lace, and nine overs later Michael Hogan, who had changed ends dismissed Alex Hughes, who was leg before without moving his feet. Harvey Hosein then joined Godleman to extend the lead, as Glamorgan’s bowlers toiled on the unresponsive pitch. Hosein is 53 not out, as the pair shared a hundred-run partnership in the penultimate over.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo