Chappell Leads the Charge as Derbyshire Enforce Follow-On Against Middlesex

Chappell Leads the Charge as Derbyshire Enforce Follow-On Against Middlesex

Zak Chappell’s incisive spell helped Derbyshire tighten their grip on their County Championship Division Two clash against Middlesex, forcing the visitors to follow on after being bowled out for 315, eight runs short of the required target. Middlesex closed day three at 60 for 1 in their second innings, still trailing by 97 runs with one day to play.

Chappell led Derbyshire’s bowling effort with figures of 4 for 55, while Alex Thomson and Luis Reece supported with key breakthroughs as Middlesex failed to match Derbyshire’s first-innings total of 472. Despite fighting half-centuries from Leus du Plooy (52), Ben Geddes (59), and Jack Davies (54), Middlesex were unable to avoid the follow-on and now face a stern battle to save the match on the final day.

Early Wicket Sets Tone

Resuming the day on 144 for 5, Middlesex suffered an early blow when Ryan Higgins fell in just the third over, brilliantly caught at midwicket by Thomson off Chappell. It was a big moment, both in terms of quality and context, removing one of the visitors’ key middle-order batters.

However, nightwatchman Blake Cullen and du Plooy mounted a steady recovery. Du Plooy, batting with Max Holden as a runner due to a foot injury, showed grit and composure to reach a half-century off 133 balls. Cullen supported well during a 60-run stand, surviving a drop at slip before falling for 41 — his highest score — edging Reece behind while attempting a big drive.

Middlesex Collapse After Solid Resistance

After lunch, Geddes and Davies offered more resistance, cutting the deficit with a composed partnership. Geddes struck Thomson for a six but was bowled the very next delivery by a sharply turning off-break. Chappell returned to remove Zafar Gohar and Toby Roland-Jones in quick succession, while Davies briefly counterattacked with two sixes to reach his fifty.

With Middlesex just eight runs from avoiding the follow-on, Davies attempted one big shot too many and holed out to long-off, handing Derbyshire the opportunity to enforce the follow-on — which they did without hesitation.

Middlesex Stumble Again

The second innings started disastrously for Middlesex as Nathan Fernandes fell to the very first ball, slicing a drive off Reece to gully. Reece later limped off with a leg issue but returned before stumps. Holden and Stephen Eskinazi weathered the remaining overs to reach 60 for 1 at the close, but Middlesex remain in trouble heading into the final day.

Score Summary:

Derbyshire – 472 (Andersson 107, Lloyd 93, Came 73, Reece 60*)
Middlesex – 315 (Geddes 59, Davies 54, du Plooy 52; Chappell 4-55) and 60/1 (Holden 31*, Eskinazi 23*)

Middlesex trail by 97 runs with nine second-innings wickets remaining

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