Wes Durston took 4-34, before scoring 116 not out, as Derbyshire’s One-Day skipper continued his impressive return from injury in the Second XI Trophy eight-wicket victory over Worcestershire.
Having endured five weeks on the sidelines, Durston returned to first-team action on Friday night, blasting 32 off 19 balls in the NatWest T20 Blast win over Worcestershire, and showed his class once again for the Second XI at Derby with a 109-ball unbeaten 116.
Also in the wickets for the Second XI were fellow regular first-teamers Andy Carter and Alex Hughes, who claimed 2-31 and 2-50 respectively, as Worcestershire were skittled out for 231, despite having chosen to bat first at the toss.
The hosts made light work of the chase, getting to their target with 13 overs to spare, and with eight wickets in hand. Durston’s 116 not out was the top-score, but he was aided by Scott Elstone, who hit 62 during a 139-run stand with his skipper.
Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat first and immediately an opening partnership of 57 was established between George Rhodes and Oliver Westbury, before Hughes bowled the former for 20.
Four overs later, Alexei Kervezee was out for ten, as he was the second Worcestershire batsman to be bowled by Hughes.
Worcestershire skipper Rhodes was again able to mount a strong partnership, this time with Alex Hepburn, until the former was out to Durston on 65 with the score 145-3. The runs then dried for the visitors despite the efforts of Hepburn (60) who stuck around for another 14 overs.
Second XI debutant wicketkeeper, James Sookias ran out Joshua Dell without scoring, before the rest of the order was then dismantled for 34 runs with Durston taking three more and Carter finishing the job bowling Charlie Morris to leave Worcestershire all out for 213.
In reply, Durston and Jonathan Tattersall created an opening partnership worth 49 before the the former Yorkshire batsman was dismissed, caught by Alex Milton off Morris for 15.
Elstone then joined Durston and the pair went about creating a second-wicket stand that would ultimately win the game. They put on 188 in 23 overs but Elstone was out for 62 from 70 balls with the hosts 188-2.
Trialist Charlie MacDonell (12) was in at four, and helped Durston get Derbyshire over the line. Durston was unbeaten on 116 from 109 balls at the end of the fixture, having carried his bat, scoring 15 fours and two sixes.
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