Pietersen's blitz earns parity for Notts against Derbyshire

An innings of the very highest quality from Kevin Pietersen thrilled a small, but appreciative, Trent Bridge crowd and helped Notts recover from a precarious 122-5 to finish on 322 all out, a first innings lead over Derbyshire of just two.

Pietersen's 150 was his fourth Championship century of the summer, but his first on home ground, and combined destructive power with elegant strokeplay. Having seen him score an unbeaten double hundred last month at Derby the visitors were almost shell-shocked as the 21-year-old went on the offensive.

From the fall of Stephen Randall's wicket at 247-8 until Pietersen himself holed out no-one else scored any runs. That includes last man Nadeem Malik who shared a last wicket stand of 57 without getting off the mark!

Six times Pietersen cleared the ropes during an innings which lasted just 164 balls.

For Derbyshire Kevin Dean was the pick of the bowlers - taking 5-89. His first wicket came in unusual circumstances with the aid of a stumping from Karl Krikken who was standing 15 yards back. The striker Guy Welton was still rehearsing a shot - but was stood out of his ground and was found out by an opportune shy from the 'keeper.

Welton made 42 and Chris Read also got into the 40s but there was precious little else coming from the other end until Pietersen's blitz.

In the evening gloom Notts undid much of their work by bowling poorly and allowing the Derbyshire openers Steve Stubbings and Michael Di Venuto to race along at five an over.

When the premature close came 15 overs early the visitors had reached 51 without loss, an overall lead of 53.