Elstone maiden ton steers Derbyshire to safety

Derbyshire 205 and 209 for 2 dec (Elstone 103*, Madsen 72*) drew with Glamorgan 103 for 4 dec
Scorecard

Scott Elstone made a maiden Championship hundred as Derbyshire batted out time against Glamorgan in Cardiff. With 223.1 overs lost to rain over four days an unbroken stand of 174 between Elstone and Wayne Madsen confirmed the draw that everybody had expected once rain had washed out the morning session and left only 68 overs remaining on the final day.

Graeme Welch, Derbyshire's coach, had accused Glamorgan of being "unsporting" after they had declared 102 runs adrift, and suggested they were driven by the wish to reclaim the three points that had been deducted from them for a slow over rate in the first innings.

When Glamorgan bowled again, there was far more urgency in the field and, with their spinner Dean Cosker also bowing a lengthy spell, the points deduction was soon cleared.

They did remove the openers for 32 Chesney Hughes was the first to go when he was trapped leg before to Hogan, before a disconsolate Ben Slater was out to Cosker. He struck a gentle full toss from the left arm spinner to short mid wicket, and was so disgusted with his dismissal he almost had to be dragged from the crease.

Madsen and Elstone then settled into their productive partnership, with Elstone, who joined Derbyshire two years ago passing his previous career best of 63.

Glamorgan have now drawn their three games, but their coach Toby Radford was not concerned that they have yet to win a game."We have played positive cricket on two flat pitches,while this game was ruined by the weather."

When asked about Graeme Welch' comments regarding Glamorgan's declaration Radford said he was surprised. "We were hoping to take some wickets in the second innings to put them under pressure."

Madsen, when asked about the declaration, admitted it was a tricky situation. "I thought it was about 60% to help the over rate and 40% to make a game of it. We might have done the same thing - but we are always conscious of watching our rate."

He also praised the team for their performance, especially as they were missing five players that won the previous game at Bristol".