On day two of the Vitality County Championship Division Two clash, India’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal made a strong impact as Northamptonshire gained control over Derbyshire.
Chahal, who boasts 152 ODI and T20 appearances for India, took an impressive five wickets for 45 runs at Wantage Road, marking only his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. His efforts were instrumental in dismantling Derbyshire, who lost their final six wickets for a mere 15 runs in just over ten overs.
Rob Keogh, Northamptonshire's off-spinner, also contributed with 3-65, ensuring that Derbyshire finished with a 54-run deficit in the first innings. Keogh then led the batting effort for Northamptonshire, staying unbeaten on 46 as they reached 178-5 by the close of play.
Earlier, Derbyshire’s Luis Reece scored 50, and Wayne Madsen added 47 in a brief fightback, but Chahal soon ended their resistance. Madsen and Aneurin Donald had put together a promising 51-run stand, with Donald showcasing aggression by hitting Chahal for six. However, Chahal dismissed Donald when he swept a half-volley straight to Sales at square leg.
Ben Sanderson gave Northamptonshire the early breakthrough by bowling Brooke Guest for 28, followed by Keogh removing Reece and Derbyshire captain David Lloyd. Chahal continued to wreak havoc, bowling Madsen and dismissing Zak Chappell with a sharp catch from Luke Procter at mid-off. Keogh then grabbed another wicket with a neat catch by Justin Broad at leg slip.
Chahal wrapped up the innings when Alex Thomson top-edged a sweep, with Prithvi Shaw taking a smart catch, and Jack Morley was bowled next ball.
Northamptonshire’s second innings got off to a shaky start as debutant Harry Moore trapped Shaw lbw in just the second over, while Gus Miller hit 42 before falling lbw to Thomson. After tea, Saif Zaib added 26 runs with some elegant strokes but was bowled when he tried to charge down the track to Morley.
Keogh anchored Northamptonshire's innings with eight boundaries, including three consecutive reverse-swept fours off Thomson, as their lead swelled to 232. With five wickets in hand, Derbyshire now face an uphill battle, needing to chase the highest total of the match to stay in contention.