Kirby terrorises Derbyshire

Steve Kirby bowls Steve Stubbings © Getty Images

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Steve Kirby gave the England selectors an early nudge with 4-59 as Gloucestershire bowled out Derbyshire for 124 at Bristol.

Kirby spent Friday night in hospital after a blow to the head from Luke Wright in last week’s season curtain-raiser, but the effects only seemed to be beneficial as Kirby ran through a new-look Derbyshire side.

The visitors collapsed from 62 for one, losing their last nine wickets in the space of 21 overs after losing the toss.

Anthony Ireland also claimed 3-33 as opener Steve Stubbings top-scored with 36.

Gloucestershire then found themselves in trouble at 72 for four, but Australian batsman Marcus North counter-attacked with a polished 87 and a knock of 68 from Chris Taylor enabled the home side to close on 216 for six, a lead of 92.

Kirby has high hopes of breaking into the England side this summer at the age of 30 and he struck the first blow by pinning Chris Rogers lbw for three with the total on 11.

Stubbings and John Sadler added 51 before Stubbings was bowled pushing forward to Kirby. Sadler had already been dropped at gully when edging Mark Hardinges to wicketkeeper Steve Adshead and departing for 22.

Kirby dismisses Australia's Chris Rogers © Getty Images

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The ball was swinging and Derbyshire’s middle order had no answer. Rikki Clarke, Dominic Telo, Greg Smith and Graham Wagg contributed just 10 runs between them.

It was 79 for seven when Wagg was caught at second slip off Kirby, an identical dismissal to that of Smith. James Pipe (16) and Ian Hunter (17) did their best to give the total some respectability, but it took a last-wicket stand of 30 between Hunter and Tom Lungley (16 not out) to edge Derbyshire to 124.

There was just one run on the board in Gloucestershire’s reply when Kadeer Ali was caught at second slip off Lungley for a first-ball duck.

Craig Spearman edged a catch behind off the same bowler to make it 18 for two.

Tea was taken at 52 for two and 20 more runs were added before Hamish Marshall (25) fell lbw to Clarke. Three balls later the Derbyshire skipper had Alex Gidman well held at second slip by Rogers.

Left-hander North moved stylishly to a half-century off 69 balls, with 10 fours. The overseas player looked a cut above the other batsmen on view as he and Taylor added 121 for the fifth wicket.

Taylor’s 50 came off 60 balls, with seven fours and a six. For the first time bat dominated ball as he and North cut loose before the latter played down the wrong line and fell lbw to Smith, having extended his boundary count to 17.

Nayan Doshi had Taylor leg-before, sweeping, in his first over, but by then Gloucestershire were 91 ahead.