Derbyshire were denied their first victory of the Specsavers County Championship campaign by some resolute Worcestershire batting on the final day.
Ben Cotton added 2-34 to his four wickets from the first innings, whilst debutant Will Davis took 2-87, but the hosts were unable to take the nine wickets they needed to beat Worcestershire on Day Four at The 3aaa County Ground.
Ed Barnard hit a career-best 73, whilst fellow England Under-19 international Joe Clarke hit 63 as Worcestershire ended the match on 294-6, and took home six points. Derbyshire, meanwhile, secured 11 points from the match.
At the start of play on Day Four the visitors resumed the follow on needing 279 to avoid defeat, the hosts, however, were keen on an early wicket. Derbyshire were granted their wish when Tony Palladino (1-32) trapped Brett D’Oliveira (14) lbw with just the sixth delivery of the day for the Derbyshire bowler’s fifth wicket of the match.
Barnard, deployed as a nightwatchman at the end of the previous day’s play, continued to chalk up the runs and frustrate the Derbyshire bowlers up to lunch – Clarke on 44 and Barnard 53.
The visitors, needing 178 to draw level, continued to mount up the runs after the break until Derbyshire’s debutant seamer, Davis (2-85), managed to break up the 146 run partnership – Clarke was gone for 63 at 170-3 and was then swiftly followed by the equally impressive Barnard for 73 to the same bowler.
The new pairing of Alexei Kervezee (41) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (48) continued to frustrate the hosts, taking their side to 227-4 at tea before Cotton, after his first innings performance, again found himself in the thick of the action after the restart.
Tom Poynton caught Kervezee down the leg-side off the bowling of Cotton, before the Derbyshire bowler, this time at slip, caught Kohler-Cadmore off Chesney Hughes, to leave Worcestershire 276-6.
That was the be the final wicket of the match though as Ross Whiteley (9*) and Ben Cox (13*) played out the final overs of the day.
John Sadler’s side now turn their attentions to the East Midlands derby in the NatWest T20 Blast on Friday night as the Falcons go up against Notts Outlaws at The 3aaa County Ground.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their NatWest T20 Blast matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
Notts Outlaws – Fri 24 June – BUY
Northants Steelbacks – Sun 3 July – BUY
Yorkshire Vikings – Sun 10 July – BUY
Lancashire Lightning – Wed 13 July – BUY
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 22 July – BUY
