Glen Chapple was unbeaten on 81, while Mark Chilton finished on 76 not out. The only blot on Lancashire's day was an injury to David Byas. He retired hurt with a suspected broken hand.

Lancashire's first success came when Warren Hegg won the toss and put Derbyshire in to bat. Under heavy skies and in a howling wind, the visitors were blown off course by some fine Lancashire bowling, particularly from Peter Martin, who claimed two for 15 from six overs. There was also a wicket for Andrew Flintoff as Derbyshire progressed to 36 for three before rain forced the players off after 13.1 overs.

A delay for rain had little adverse effect on Martin, who needed just three deliveries to claim the wicket of Andrew Gait, trapped leg before playing back to one that kept low. Dominic Hewson led the way as Derbyshire staged a brave fightback. Hewson made a pugnacious 63 as the visitors recovered from 39 to six to post a total of 167.

Ably assisted by the obdurate Luke Sutton, he mixed watchful defence with judicious strokeplay and aggressive running, and provided the platform for a late-innings charge from Graeme Welch (31no) and Mohammed Ali (19). Martin returned figures of two for 21 from nine overs, and there were also two wickets apiece for Kyle Hogg, Andrew Flintoff and Chris Schofield.

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