Peters ton turns it for Northants

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Northants 433-9dec, Derbyshire 11-0.(Northants 5 pts, Derbys 3pts)
7-10 July 2009 (Play starts 1100 BST)

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Stephen Peters hit his second County Championship century of the summer

Stephen Peters' magnificent 175 turned the game Northants' way after surviving a shaky start against Derbyshire.

The 30-year-old opener plundered 22 fours and one six in a nine-hour knock cruelly ended by Nantie Hayward just three runs short of his career best.

Resuming at 23-1, Northants began badly on 89-4 before Peters, along with explosive half centuries by Andrew Hall and Johan van der Wath, took control.

In reply to 433-9dec, Derbyshire then survived five overs to reach 11-0.

Despite worries about the ankle injury he picked up after taking the only wicket to fall on a badly rain-interrupted first day, Hayward picked up where he left off when he trapped Rob White LBW in the day's fourth over.

He then claimed a third wicket when Alex Wakely steered a catch high to Steve Stubbings' right at slip.

Greg Smith then got in on the act, earning an LBW decision against Riki Wessels.

Nicky Boje then helped put on 56 with Peters before being caught and bowled by spinner Jake Needham off the last ball before lunch.

But some generous bowling allowed Northants to seize the initiative in the afternoon session, as they scored 147 runs for the loss of just one wicket.

Hall quickly reached his 50 off 55 balls, while his old Worcestershire team-mate Peters dug in.

South African Hall eventually fell before tea for 52 when stumped by another of his old New Road team-mates Jamie Pipe off Needham.

But Peters completed his second Championship ton of 2009 in the next over. And. although to another former Worcester colleague Hayward, Van der Wath then took centre stage.

He smashed six sixes in his 82 off 71 before one hit too many saw him caught by Hayward off Hunter, prompting the declaration.