West Indies A fail to capitalise at Derby

Early optimism turned into frustration for West Indies A, as they struggled to capitalise on an excellent start to their four-day encounter with Derbyshire.

After reducing the hosts to 76-6 in a lively morning session, the West Indian attack were frustrated by a stubborn knock from keeper Luke Sutton (80), with stoic contributions from bowlers Tom Lungley (19), Paul Aldred (29) and Neil Gunter (18) on debut.

Derbyshire were bowled out late in the final session for 238. West Indies A lost Devon Smith early in reply, grinding out 21/1 from 14 overs at stumps. Skipper Darren Ganga remained unbeaten with Donovan Pagon.

Marlon Black (4-32) and Reon King (3-63) were the pick of the bowlers, returning to claim seven wickets between them after disappointing opening spells on a fine morning. But the visitors' inconsistent form on tour so far returned with a vengeance in the afternoon, with bad balls swatted away and accurate deliveries dourly defended.

Initially, the two Test seamers were indifferent. Derbyshire's openers Stuart Stubbings (25) and Andrew Gait (13) took advantage of a wealth of looseners to race to 40 in nine overs. Sulieman Benn's catch saw the back of Gait, while Stubbings was caught behind off Black.

A second ball duck for close-season signing Dominic Hewson left the door ajar, with a second-string Derbyshire team teetering on the brink. King clean bowled James Pyemont, with Jermaine Lawson crashing through stand-in skipper Matthew Dowman's defences in the next over.

When Steven Selwood's edge gave King his third victim, the home side seemed mortally wounded. Of the top six, only Stubbings, Dowman and Hewson have much first-class experience, and it showed.

Sutton took the lead in the afternoon, with a knock requiring patience from both batsman and spectators. An uncomplicated player, Sutton is well equipped for rearguard actions - he carried his bat with 140 against Sussex last season - like the one shown today. He was the last man out, giving Keith Hibbert a fourth victim behind the stumps.

Lungley was a willing ally. His 19 was grafted from 80 balls in a stay of over an hour and a half. He was unadventurous, leaving the ball well, only to be dismissed leg before to one which straightened from Black.

Aldred, a reasonable tail-ender who should not give bowlers nightmares, lasted an hour, while Gunter looked solid before playing all round a straight delivery from Benn.

Derby had recovered well after their dreadful morning, and while the visitors are on top, they should tighten their grip on the game tomorrow.