Worcestershire v Derbyshire

Three in a row...

Another professional performance by Derbyshire, albeit one in which the early impetus from Hughes and Khawaja dissipated on a slow pitch as Wes Durston, for once, struggled. After Chesney's dismissal the next seven overs brought only 14 runs, but the target was such that a good couple of overs was all that was required to bring things back on track.

Hats off tonight to Usman Khawaja (pictured) for a disciplined, unbeaten innings that eventually saw the side home with eight balls to spare. It was good to see the Aussie import see it through and hit the winning boundary, finishing with 89 from 111 balls. The necessary injection of pace came from Greg Smith and Wayne Madsen and a fine win takes us clear at the top of the league.

Well as Khawaja batted, the win was equally the result of disciplined bowling and fielding in the Worcestershire innings. Tim Groenewald was the standout with an excellent 4-22, although the spin trio of Hughes, Durston and Rafiq bowled a collective 21 overs for just 82 runs. Rafiq also ran out the potential danger of Damian Wright in the closing overs and held the early catch that saw Moeen Ali out without scoring. It was an excellent performance from a young player who has had some undeserved stick from a few people and pleasing to see.

Although Tony Palladino was a little rusty on his return to the team, this was a good effort by Derbyshire. Next up in this competition is a visit to Hove to play the team that sits just behind us in the table, Sussex.
If we can win that one, we might just start fantasising.

As it is, that Netherlands defeat seems a long way away. Well done lads.