Peng leads Durham to safety against Derbyshire

A superb innings from Nicky Peng denied Derbyshire their first CricInfo Championship win since August despite a late flurry of wickets.

Chasing a steep target of 326 in 85 overs, Peng kept Durham in with a shout until he was run out by a direct hit 10 short of what would have been a richly deserved century.

It was another classy display from the 18-year-old and without his composed 189-minute occupation, Derbyshire would surely have won the game.

Tim Munton's decision to bat on in the morning gave Karl Krikken the chance to take his score to 75 as Derbyshire added 53 runs in nine overs.

Durham started badly when Michael Gough was lbw in the eighth over to a Munton inswinger but Derbyshire had to wait until after lunch for their next success.

Jon Lewis was caught behind cutting at Richard Illingworth and in the next over, Martin Love edged Graeme Welch into Krikken's gloves.

But Peng and Martin Speight shared the highest stand of the match, adding 97 in 29 overs before an excellent diving stop and throw at extra cover by Rob Bailey ran out Speight for 36.

Danny Law kept Durham in the hunt and with Peng, another 64 were added before Law pulled Bailey's off spin to midwicket and Andy Pratt made only five before he was caught behind forcing Welch.

Durham needed 64 from the last 10 overs but their chances were ended when Peng was sent back and run out by a throw from substitute fielder Chris Bassano at deep midwicket.

Ian Hunter and Nick Phillips then shut up shop and played out the last eight overs to take Durham to a draw at 280-7.