The 22-year-old has cracked his maiden first class ton, in their LV County Championship Second Division clash with Northamptonshire.

He finished unbeaten on 129, as Derbyshire declared on 485-7 in their first innings.

And not only that, but the former Burnley all-rounder helped add 203 for the seventh wicket alongside Graham Wagg.

Three quick wickets in the middle order had seen the visitors to the County Ground stutter to 211-6.

But Clare led a rescue act alongside Wagg, to put his side back in the driving seat in their latest league fixture.

His century blitzed his previous highest first class score of 70, and took him searing through the 400-run mark for the campaign.

And after a number of low scores in recent weeks, his efforts in Northampton have propelled him back into the limelight.

Before play, Clare had amassed 310 runs in seven County Championship matches this season, with four half centuries to his name at an average of 34.44.

And with 145 league wickets as well to his name, at an average of 32.71, Clare has moulded himself into a formidable number seven.