Dowman dominates against West Indies A

Derbyshire's acting captain Matthew Dowman had a dream day as their match with West Indies A builds towards a fascinating finish.

Dowman, an occasional medium-pacer, picked up career best figures of 4-38 as the West Indian innings fell apart in spectacular style. He then thrashed a quickfire 71 to compound the tourists' misery. Two late wickets from Marlon Black kept West Indies A in the game.

West Indies A lost their last five wickets for 32 runs, three batsmen failing to score, as they threw away a potentially advantageous position. Then, after nipping out Derbyshire's openers, their bowlers lost all accuracy under Dowman's onslaught.

The 28-year-old hit 12 boundaries, taking particular advantage of Black and Jermaine Lawson. Andrew Gait made only nine in a 56 run stand with the skipper. It was left to Sulieman Benn's left-arm spinners to keep a modicum of control.

Black returned to get his man, giving Keith Hibbert - the day's other hero - his fifth catch of the match. He restored some balance with the late wicket of night-watchman Lian Wharton, bowled for a duck. Derbyshire closed the day on 112/4, with Dominic Hewson (24*) and James Pyemont (0*) at the crease. They lead by 130 runs.

Hibbert's belligerent 83 had earlier carried West Indies to 220, giving Derbyshire a first-innings lead of 18. Hibbert crashed 16 boundaries in his 148-ball knock, which was a welcome antidote to stubborn early batting. The Jamaican added 83 for the fifth wicket with teenager Lendl Simmons, (42) as West Indies looked set for a big lead.

After Simmons was bowled by Wharton, Runako Morton (22) joined Hibbert and set about the bowlers with typical zeal. 20 minutes and four boundaries later, Morton was caught close by Dowman, and the wheels began to come off.

Black, two places too high at number eight, was clean bowled. Benn and Lawson lasted eight balls between them, bewitched by Dowman's seamers. Paul Aldred returned to dispatch Reon King as the innings subsided.

Debutant pacer Neil Gunter picked up the two early wickets of Donovan Pagon (12) and Dwayne Bravo (0) after the visitors had resumed on 23-1. Dowman's first wicket was vital, terminating Daren Ganga's two hour vigil. The skipper had made only 26, again getting himself set before giving his wicket away.

With two days to go, the match looks destined for a positive result. A defeat for the touring side would harm an already fragile outfit.