Derbyshire 625-8d (Andersson 227, Reece 114, Dal 55 Taylor 3-160)
Worcestershire 113-2 (Latigan 77*, Chappell 2-21)
Derbyshire lead by 512 runs
Nonetheless Luis Reece completed a splendid century, before being caught at mid-wicket, ending a wonderful partnership of 273 with Martin Andersson. It brought in Anuj Dal, perhaps not who the visitors would have wanted to see, given his first-class average of over 60 against them.
It dropped slightly today, Nuj 'only' making 55, but Zak Chappell and Ben Aitchison hit well to take the score over 600, the second successive time - across two seasons - that the side has managed that. Given it has only occurred six times in a history of 156 years, it is fair to say there is little currently wrong with the county batting. Full marks to all concerned and especially to Ben Smith, the batting coach, who will have enjoyed his birthday while watching his charges rack up the runs.
Bestriding all was Martin Anderson, who made a quite magnificent 227 and confirmed his talent as a middle-order bat. It is extraordinary to think he was seen as a bits and pieces bowling all rounder at Middlesex, since this was his fourth century for Derbyshire. Once again, the George Davidson record individual score of 274 was threatened, yet it still stands as the county highest, 130 years after it was recorded in 1896.
Of course, everyone wanted to see Mohammad Abbas bowl and he didn't disappoint. Indeed, he should have had a wicket in his second over, but Brooke Guest dropped a routine catch of the kind I've never seen him do before, such is the standard of his wicket keeping. Abbas beat the bat a few times and there were a few edges to attest to his quality. He will take wickets, be sure of that.
The Worcestershire reply was attractive, with Dan Lategan looking more confident than the average 19-year-old should do. The South African has a pleasing, languid style and look set for a very bright future. That dropped catch should have ended his involvement in today and Jake Libby was put down by a more difficult one to Caleb Jewell at slip, from the bowling of Ben Aitchison.
On pitches such as these, catches really need to be held, no matter how cold and unpleasant the weather. At the end of the season they generally win and lose trophies, so it wasn't the ideal start.
Jewell redeemed himself by holding a more routine one from the bowling of Chappell, who also deceived Ali with a yorker that had him plumb leg before.
That was as good as it got for Derbyshire, with the day coming to a premature halt through bad light. Aitchison bowled a very good spell, as did Dal, but there were only moral successes thereafter, which count for nothing in the scorebook.
The home side will have wanted more than two wickets by the close of play and it's going to need a special effort by person or persons yet unknown, to break down what is sure to be stubborn Worcestershire resistance over the next two days.
Early wickets will be needed tomorrow and there is much to do.
Postscript: I posted this piece before hearing the news that Luis Reece's son is ill, with a heart defect.
I have even greater respect for him in the circumstances, not least that he was out there after such a week. One of my favourite cricketers and a top man, is Luis.
I wish all of the family the very best in the days and weeks ahead.
Looks like batting friendly wickets have been prepared across the country. In all 9 matches the side batting first has scored in excess of 300, with many centuries scored. Pleasing to see Derbyshire scoring substantially more than anyone else, and the 3 highest individual scores of the round being Martin Andersson, and Derby alumni Matt Critchley for Essex and Leus Du Plooy for Middlesex.
ReplyDeleteA quick word for Luis Reece who went about his work with his usual dedication and dignity despite as alluded to with his interview with Fletch, a difficult week off-field
ReplyDeleteHe looked emotional when he reached his century. I didn't hear what was said in the interview, but he is and always has been a model professional. We are very lucky to have him
DeleteEcho the comment about Luis Reece, that can't have been easy for him given the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteJust like Worcestershire, we didn't take our chances when they came. Looked like Guest was celebrating before he had actually caught it.
I suspected it was the case, and confirmed yesterday, it's another hybrid pitch.....
Excellent. We're off and running again and your reports are part of my day again Steve.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad total to rack up for our first innings, was it. I watched some of the play yesterday and 'hats off' (on second thoughts, maybe keep the scarf and puffer jacket on!) to those hardy souls around the ground who saw the wonderful batting on display.
Mr Abbas' first wickets today would be grand, wouldn't it?
I'm glad it's back
Andy
I think I’ve just about thawed out this morning after spending yesterday at the ground. It was worth it, though, to see Martin Andersson reach his double hundred. I always thought he was underrated at Middlesex and it is very pleasing to see him come here and enjoy success.
ReplyDeleteWith a first innings score in excess of 600 you would hope that a victory was on the cards, but I’m not sure that this pitch is offering much help to the bowlers and bowling a side out twice would look to be a difficult task, especially if we don’t take our chances when they are offered. We have seen how that cost Worcestershire in our innings. Still, there are plenty of positives to take from the game so far and I think most of us would be happy if someone had told us before the game that this would be the state of the match at the end of day two. Let’s hope for some early wickets today.