Bassano and Cork wrap up Derbyshire victory

Cork finished with six for 78 - adding to his three first-innings wickets - to leave his side the relatively simple task of gaining 177 runs for victory. South African-born Chris Bassano made sure the visitors made no mistake in gaining their fifth win in six games by batting fluently for his 79.

Derbyshire's chances of victory had looked slim on Friday as they were bowled out for 392 in the morning session, giving Nottinghamshire a first-innings lead of one run. They then closed on 75 for three after a lengthy rain delay with Paul Johnson and Kevin Pietersen at the crease.

A draw still looked the most likely outcome at the start of play, but England outcast Cork turned the game on its head by ripping through the Nottinghamshire batting line-up. Having already removed both openers, Darren Bicknell and skipper Jason Gallian on Friday, Cork struck with the third ball of the day to trap Pietersen lbw for 20 with no score added to the overnight total.

Just as Johnson's partnership with Nicky Boje had moved the total on to 102, they misjudged a run leaving the South African astray and Mohammad Ali took full advantage to run Boje out for 10. Cork then collected the crucial wicket of Johnson (34), traped lbw by a quick, full-length delivery.

Notts were only able to add a further 50 runs for the last five wickets as Richard Logan followed Johnson back to the pavilion six balls later for a duck after he edged a full-length Kevin Dean delivery to wicketkeeper Karl Krikken.

Inevitably, Cork wrapped up the Notts innings, claiming wicketkeeper Chris Read lbw for 13 and finally bowling Greg Smith for a gutsy 27.

The visitors reply got off to a nervy start as Michael Di Venuto (17) attempted to hook a good length Smith delivery to the boundary only to see it go straight to Johnson at square leg. Steve Stubbings made just seven before edging Smith to Read while trying to defend on the back foot, to leave Derbyshire on 24 for two.

However, any hopes Notts had of tearing through the Derbyshire batting line-up were soon ended by the partnership between Bassano and Andrew Gait, who put on 82 for the third wicket. Gait was prepared to add the support to Bassano's big innings, hitting his 20 off 33 balls before being bowled by Pietersen.

Gait and Bassano had taken the score onto 106, Bassano hitting 79 that included nine fours and three sixes but he eventually misjudged a Boje delivery and was bowled. Derbyshire, though, never looked in danger of failing to reach their target and the Krikken (12 not out) saw them home with plenty of overs to spare.

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