FROM the moment Jason Brown carved his third boundary over the top of the slips, Derbyshire were resigned to an afternoon of batting practice.

Needing to wrap up the last three wickets for less that 40 runs on the fourth day of their LV County Championship fixture, they were denied by Northamptonshire's last pair and, by the time the final wicket fell on 341, the home side had avoided the follow-on.

There was no point in a Derbyshire dash and a declaration because there was little chance of bowling Northants out cheaply, especially as Graham Wagg was troubled by sore shins, and there was the lingering danger that any target would be knocked off to consign them to an undeserved defeat.

So Dan Birch took advantage to strike an increasingly confident 77, his highest first-class score of the season, with 11 fours and three sixes, while Wavell Hinds plundered 64, including three sixes and eight fours.

But the man to benefit more profitably was Chris Rogers, frustrated to have missed out first time on his return to Wantage Road, as he hit fluently and with great authority to score 118, his second century of the campaign.

“I probably played as well as I have for a couple of years out there,” said the Australian opener.

“After I got out early in the first innings I had a bit of a think about my technique and had a few throw-downs with the coach to sort a few things out.

“I've had a couple of good innings this year but really haven't been batting how I'd hoped to. I knew there were a couple of things wrong. It was just a matter of finding them out.

“Fortunately, I think I've sorted them out and I hope the runs will come now.”

Rogers, standing in as captain in the absence of Rikki Clarke, said he felt there was nothing to gain from trying to force a positive result once the follow-on had been saved.

“It was disappointing not to make them follow-on and after that there was never going to be a result, we just needed to use the opportunity to play well and we did,” he added.

“There's nothing better than runs in the bank. Just about everyone in the top eight got runs in this game, except for Pipey and he's been getting a few lately so it doesn't matter as much.

“Even though we only came away with a draw, I think it was another good game for us.

“We're consistently outplaying teams and perhaps not always getting the results because of the weather or whatever but it's good to know that we are a very good side.”