Derbyshire lead by 257 runs

Derbyshire finished the third day 257 runs ahead of Glamorgan with five wickets in hand on a day that saw a commendable fight-back by the Welsh team, as well as another injury to a Glamorgan bowler as Michael Kasprowicz left the field with a thigh strain.

The highlight of the Glamorgan innings was a partnership of 182 between Matthew Maynard and Robert Croft . Their sixth wicket stand was a record for Glamorgan against Derbyshire, and occupied a mere 30 overs as Maynard recorded the 52nd first-class century of his career. His superb innings ended when Maynard, on 142, was well caught by a diving Andrew Gait in the covers.

Croft`s contribution was an aggressive 79, whilst Kasprowicz chipped in with a useful 41 before becoming the last Glamorgan wicket as the Welshmen finished just 68 runs in arrears - a position few of their supporters could have expected on Saturday when Glamorgan had slumped to 71-5.

When Derbyshire batted again, it was Croft the bowler who further improved Glamorgan`s fortunes taking 4-39 in a magnificent spell of 22 overs of controlled off-spin, as Derbyshire ended the day on 189-5 after Di Venuto and Bassano had each scored half-centuries.

There is the prospect of an interesting final day`s play with Glamorgan still very much in contention, whilst Dominic Cork will be hoping that his spinners Shahid Afridi and Lian Wharton can also exploit the dry wicket during a Glamorgan run chase.