Rain frustrates Warwickshire as Oliver Hannon-Dalby spell sets up victory charge

Oliver Hannon-Dalby bowls Warwickshire into a commanding position on another weather-affected day at Edgbaston.

Hannon-Dalby took 5-29, including three wickets in one over, as Derbyshire slipped to 71-5 in their second innings before more rain thwarted the hosts on day three.

Warwickshire began the day on 169-5 looking to push on and build a sizeable first innings lead, but it was the visitors who had the better of the morning session, taking the five remaining wickets in little over an hour’s play.

Luis Reece produced a peach of a delivery to send Tim Bresnan’s off stump cartwheeling, following a handy knock of 35. As the hosts edged into a first innings lead, the introduction of spin brought Derbyshire the key wicket of Matthew Lamb who had just reached his half century before edging to Wayne Madsen at slip off the bowling of Matt Critchley, taking his third catch of the innings in the process.

The visitors swiftly wrapped up the innings, taking the final three wickets for just nine runs, including two for left-arm speedster Michael Cohen, as Warwickshire were all out for 221 and a lead of just 32 runs.

However, Derbyshire were unable to capitalise on their superb morning with the ball as once again their top order batting woes continued. Reece was the first to go caught behind off Hannon-Dalby, then Anuj Dal was trapped LBW just three balls later. The very next delivery Leus du Plooy was also struck on the pads in line to complete a miserable pair for the Derbyshire batsmen and a stunning over from Hannon-Dalby.

Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman was positive at the crease for his 20 but soon became Hannon-Dalby’s fourth victim right on the stroke of lunch, reducing the visitors to 34-4 with a lead of just two runs following a session which saw nine wickets fall for only 86 runs. Madsen and Critchley began to rebuild the innings in the afternoon session and steadily moved the score past 50 but Hannon-Dalby, not wanting to be outdone by his teammate in the first innings, did not have to wait long for his fifth wicket. Madsen provided Yates with a simple catch at slip for 20 to break a useful partnership with Critchley worth 37 runs.

Warwickshire’s momentum was soon halted though as initially bad light and then rain, as well as a hint of snow, once again played a major role in this fixture. The players left the field midway through the afternoon session and were unable to return, losing 62 of the 96 overs scheduled for the day.

Derbyshire closed on 71-5, needing to protect a lead of just 39 runs with Matt Critchley 23 not out, setting up a potentially exciting fourth day in prospect with more favourable weather conditions forecasted.

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