Rogers just misses record

Chris Rogers was denied an opportunity to rewrite Derbyshire’s record books as the high-scoring match with Warwickshire meandered to a draw at Edgbaston.

On the eve of his 31st birthday the Australia opener was stranded on 248 not out when his last three partners were blown away within 23 balls on the final morning.

After batting for the better part of eight hours, spread over five sessions, he was 26 short of the 112-year-old record for the highest score in the county’s history.

George Davidson’s 274 against Lancashire at Old Trafford in 1896 was well within range when Rogers resumed on 237 but Derbyshire added only 12 runs before Ian Salisbury closed the innings with his fourth five-wicket haul of the season.

After more than 265 overs in what had become a futile contest, Warwickshire emerged with a lead of two runs - and one more bonus point than their opponents - when Derbyshire were dismissed for 474.

Chris Rogers was left to reflect on what might have been after ending 248 not out

Two of the remaining batsmen failed to last beyond the first full over of the day. Boyd Rankin found a good line to have Graham Wagg snapped up by Darren Maddy at second slip and Charl Langeveldt made some contact on the leg-side for a catch behind by Tim Ambrose.

Last man Nayan Doshi did his best to help Rogers, hanging on long enough for the left-hander to take two boundaries off Rankin and move up to third place in the list of highest scores for the club.

When Doshi was bowled by Salisbury (5-99), Rogers had hit 34 fours and a six from 335 balls in becoming the first player to carry his bat through a completed innings for Derbyshire since Michael di Venuto in 2002.

With a seventh home draw of the season guaranteed, Warwickshire’s batsmen had most of the day to indulge themselves but opener Ian Westwood missed his chance when dismissed cheaply for the second time in the match.

A fraction late in leaving a ball from Langeveldt, he edged on to his middle stump and gave the South Africa pace bowler his 50th wicket of the season.

Maddy made the most of the situation by reaching a century in a second-wicket stand of 176 which ended when Tony Frost (54) edged to slip in Wagg’s first over on switching to left-arm spin.

There was time for two more wickets, both lbw, before a declaration on 241 for four at 4.50pm. Dan Redfern shifted Maddy for 136 after the home captain had hit 16 fours and Jim Troughton became a second victim for Wagg.