Franklin sends a signal

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

JAMES FRANKLIN: Career best bowling figures in England.

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Who said James Franklin could not bowl any more?

The Wellington left-armer took career-best figures of 7-14 as Gloucestershire skittled Derbyshire for 44 on the opening day of a second division county cricket match at Bristol.

Franklin, who is out of favour with the New Zealand selectors, took five wickets in his first three overs without conceding a run. His previous best figures were 7-30.

Derbyshire were 9-6 at one point with reports suggesting Franklin was virtually unplayable as he bowled full and swung the ball under a cloudless sky.

Twenty four wickets fell on the opening day, with Gloucestershire replying with 156. Derbyshire closed the day at 127-4 in their second innings, a lead of 15.

Meanwhile, Owais Shah's career is further on the slide.

A major disappointment as Wellington's import for the Twenty20 competition last summer, Shah is now looking for a new county after being dumped by Middlesex.

- © Fairfax NZ News