Piyush Chawla shines for his County Somerset once again

It was Piyush Chawla the batsman for Somerset against Middlesex last week, with a century to first rescue his side and then taking three wickets as Somerset won by an innings and 179 runs. It was Chawla the bowler though who turned up in the fixture against Derbyshire as the match hangs in balance after Day 3 of the four-day game being played in Taunton.

Chawla was the top-scorer at 27 in the first innings for Somerset as his side crumbled to a lowly 103 all-out. He then took 5 crucial wickets to restrict Derbyshire to 298 in their first innings. He bowled 26 overs for 111 runs, including wickets of the top-three batsmen and two middle-order ones.

Somerset fought back in the second innings with Marcus Trescothick, Nick Compton and James Hildreth hitting half-centuries to propel them to 438, setting a fighting total for Derbyshire at 244 with a day-and-a-half to go.

At the close of play on Day 3 in Derbyshire's second innings, Piyush Chawla and fellow spinner Jack Leach had grabbed two wickets each as Somerset reduced their opponents from 0/49 to 4/127, needing another 117 to win on the final day with 6 wickets, including West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul 20*, in hand.

Thus far, Chawla has figures of 7/157 in the match as his impressive English County stint continues.