The third day of Derbyshire vs Middlesex at Derby began with Middlesex in a bit of trouble at 197-6 with Ollie Rayner and John Simpson batting to avoid the follow on, and with 5 overs to go until the new ball, they'd have thought they'd be able to see off five overs from Madsen and Burgoyne, but that was not to be, as Simpson charged through for a single, only to be found short from the direct hit by Chanderpaul, 208-6. Rayner, now left with the tail and the new ball, took on the bowlers a bit more, as Toby Roland-Jones edged to Chesney Hughes at slip off Groenwald for 5, Rayner completed a 108 ball 50, a welcome return to batting form after a poor season. the end came quickly, as Rayner couldn't get them past 250, as Murtagh edged behind for 10 and Finn LBW for a 2 ball duck as Footitt finished with 3-69 and Higginbottom 3-59 with Middlesex all out for 249, 136 runs behind.
Middlesex (and Murtagh) came out blasting, with Ben Slater caught behind 2nd ball for a duck and then Madsen edged to Denly at slip to give Murtagh his 2nd, 4-2. Chesney Hughes fell soon after, LBW to Finn for 3, 16-3, maybe Middlesex could still turn this game around. Chanderpaul and Johnson had other ideas, arresting the slide with a solid 50 partnership to take the lead past 200 before Chanders was LBW to Roland-Jones for 32, 68-4. Alex Hughes joined Johnson in frustrating the Middlesex attack, with a solid defence being the order of the day as there was plenty of time left and a handy lead already secured and soon the 100 was up and Johnson completed his 50 from 101 balls, then Hughes edged to slip for 24 off Gareth Berg, 116-5.
Tom Poynton came and went, giving Rayner his first wicket, 131-6, and then he snared Johnson by Robson at short leg for 59, 133-7. Peter Burgoyne was LBW for 4, and (after some quick boundaries) Groenewald popped to short leg and Footitt fell first ball, as Rayner finished with 5-67 as Derbyshire were all out for 160, leaving Middlesex 297 to win in a day and a bit.
It proved to be too long to last until close as Denly was LBW to a Footitt yorker and Finn being sent in as nightwatchman was LBW for a five ball duck, completing a pair for the day and (after joining up after being disposed by England) summed up a miserable few days for him.
Middlesex ended the day 25-2, still a long way from winning the game.
