For all his talent, Hashim Amla was unable to hold back the spin tide from Lancashire and was dismissed for 11 as Derbyshire were beaten by an innings and 15 runs in the English County Championship on Wednesday.
He came to the crease in the twilight of Tuesday evening to join the nightwatchman Tom Taylor, with Derbyshire on 123-3 and needing 181 to make Lancs bat again. But those two quick wickets in seven balls earlier had put Derbyshire on the back foot, and when two more wickets went down in three overs in the morning, Amla was trying to save the game.
Michael Richardson ended unbeaten on 66 as he and Paul Collingwood (127) guided Durham to a six-wicket victory over Worcestershire.
Earlier, Keaton Jennings had posted a 61 to provide the platform for the attack on the target of 318. Richardson sailed along at a merry rate, hitting seven fours off 102 balls. He saw Durham through to their fourth win of the season after Collingwood was caught behind after facing 183 balls (17×4, 2×6).
In Taunton, Johann Myburgh took 3-57 off 28 overs, but Yorkshire batted out the day for another bore draw. They were bowled out for 419, a lead of 373 with 20 overs to go.
Jason Roy, the Durban-born tyro who has been compared to Kevin Pietersen (by Pietersen himself) brought his one-day skills to the fore once again, hammering 60 off 51 balls to help Surrey to a three-wicket win over Kent.
Surrey were given a target of 196 after bundling Kent out for 204 in their second innings, but they were wobbling dangerously as 108-5 when Roy strode out.
He has done this before: He was sent in to open the innings when Surrey were offered a target of 216 off 27 overs to beat Leicestershire. His 67 off 39 balls helped immensely.
Pietersen, meanwhile, has declared on Twitter that he will return to play in Surrey’s next Championship match, starting on Sunday. After Surrey wrapped up victory over Kent, Pietersen responded to a question from another Twitter user, saying: ‘I’m playing on Sunday v Lancs at the Oval…’
Surrey have not officially confirmed his availability but Alec Stewart, the director of cricket, had previously expressed the hope that Pietersen would play in Championship games against Lancashire and Leicestershire before flying out to the Caribbean Premier League.
Compiled by Mark Salter
