THROUGHOUT the first half of the LV County Championship season we have wondered what Derbyshire could do if only they got off to a decent start with the bat and now we may be about to find out.

No single Derbyshire batsman dominated the first day of their match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road but enough of them chipped in to take their side to 352-6 at the close.

They are almost certain to make it their highest first innings score of the season and it is only the second time they have scored over 300, which is a large part of the reason why their position in Division Two is bottom three rather than top three.

Even though their leading run scorer, Chris Rogers, missed out on his return to the county where he spent the previous two seasons, five players made 50 or more to provide adequate compensation.

Paul Borrington, called up for first-team action for the first time this season, played an important role in making sure Derbyshire did not get in a bigger mess early on as they slipped to 36-2 after Rogers, who took over as captain in the absence of Rikki Clarke, won the toss.

There was enough happening off the pitch to keep the bowlers interested but the 20-year-old played sensibly to take the momentum away from Northants.

Borrington was dropped on two in the third over but made the most of his chance and his reprieve to drive with authority and move on to 57 in a third-wicket stand of 74 with Wavell Hinds.

He faced 125 balls and hit nine fours in his innings, which ended when he edged to third slip at 110-3, but Hinds found a new partner in Greg Smith to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Hinds was aggressive to the point of recklessness before lunch but steadied after the interval and was actually in the rare position of being outscored by the man at the other end.

Smith completed his 50 off 55 balls with seven fours and though Hinds was being more selective, he was still very effective when he did open those broad shoulders and reached his half century by hitting off-spinner Nicky Boje into the stands over long on – his third six.

The pair took Derbyshire on to 202-3 but David Wigley returned to the attack to take three wickets in 10 balls and suddenly the position was not so bright.

Smith was caught behind for 50, Jamie Pipe was bowled first ball and Hinds, after sending his ninth four hurtling into the boundary boards at extra cover, hit the next ball straight to the fielder who had plugged the gap.

The West Indian made 76, his highest score for the county so far, but Derbyshire were in danger of falling short again at 211-6. Enter Graham Wagg and Jon Clare.

The seventh-wicket pair made sure tea arrived with no further loss, saw their side through the second new ball and were still there when the end arrived four overs early because of bad light.

Wagg took on the leading role to reach 81 not out, which already includes three sixes and 10 fours, while Clare passed 50 in the Championship for the fifth time this season, hitting eight fours in his 58 not out. Their stand of 141 in 35 overs is already a Derbyshire record for the wicket against Northants and it has taken the county towards a solid position.