Krikken and Dumelow to the rescue for Derbyshire against Durham

Karl Krikken and Nathan Dumelow rescued Derbyshire after Durham spinner Nicky Phillips had sparked another all too familiar batting failure.

When Phillips snared his third victim, Derbyshire were 187-6 but Krikken and Dumelow added 52 to take the score to 239-6 when bad light halted play at 5.10.

Derbyshire have yet to make 300 in an innings this season but they made a promising start after Tim Munton won the toss and decided to bat.

Steve Stubbings and Luke Sutton added 47 in 11 overs before the latter was caught behind off Ian Hunter for 15.

Stubbings went in the next over when he edged Steve Harmison to second slip where Phillips took a smart catch but he missed an easier one seven overs later that allowed Mathew Dowman to escape on 12.

Dowman played several elegant strokes through the offside but he squandered his wicket when he walked down the pitch to Phillips and was bowled for 45.

By then, Michael Di Venuto had again departed cheaply, caught behind cutting at Phillips for 19 and when Harmison got one to lift on Rob Bailey, Derbyshire had lost their top order for 157.

Graeme Welch became Phillips's third victim when he edged a drive to slip but Krikken played well and was given sound support by Dumelow who again showed he is a player of potential.

Krikken was struck painfully in the ribs by Harmison before the light closed in and will resume the second day five short of a half-century.