Jeevan Mendis hit an unbeaten 44 off 23 balls to guide Derbyshire to a four-wicket win over Warwickshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup at The 3aaa County Ground.
Sam Hain hit 109 to lead the Warwickshire innings, but three wickets for Shiv Thakor (3-48) and some good bowling at the death restricted the visitors to 292-7.
Ben Slater led the reply hitting 82, before all-rounder Mendis produced some fine batting at the death, hitting 44 not out, to see Derbyshire over the line with two balls remaining.
It’s the first List A win against Warwickshire at home since 1996 and the Club’s highest ever List A score against the county. Derbyshire now have five points and sit fifth in the table, one point off third.
After Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field, Warwickshire started at a rather steady pace before Jonathan Trott was bowled for 13 runs off Ben Cotton (1-54), cutting a delivery back onto his stumps.
Ian Bell was the new batsman and began to build a strong partnership with Sam Hain, bringing up their 100-run stand in 26.5 overs.
Hain brought up his century from 97 balls, which included 12 fours, but was out just nine balls later. Thakor managed to break the pairing after he bowled Hain for 109.
Hain and Bell’s partnership of 182 is the highest of any wicket for Warwickshire against Derbyshire in List A cricket.
Ian Bell, who hit eight fours in his 93 off 100 balls, was out three overs later, run out by Thakor attempting a second run off a misfield – with Warwickshire well set on 232-3 in the 41st over.
But the Derbyshire bowlers responded well, claiming four wickets in the final seven overs. Rikki Clarke (8) was caught behind by Daryn Smit off the bowling of Jeevan Mendis (1-55), before Tim Ambrose was lbw off Thakor for a brisk 32 shortly after.
Arron Thomason soon followed as Thakor claimed his third wicket thanks to a catch at long-off from Alex Hughes and Keith Barker was caught from the last ball of the Warwickshire innings by Billy Godleman from the bowling of Hardus Viljoen (1-54) leaving them on 292-7.
Derbyshire started well as Billy Godleman and Slater shared a 86-run opening partnership, before captain Godleman was run out just four away from his half century.
Thakor added 20 before he was caught at mid-on off Rikki Clarke (2-55) as Derbyshire went into their last 20 overs requiring 141 runs.
Slater played nicely hitting nine fours and one six before he was bowled by Jeetan Patel (2-57) for a well-made 82.
Wayne Madsen fell shortly after for 14, leaving Derbyshire at 173-4 with Daryn Smit (36) coming in to bat. Some excellent batting from Smit and Alex Hughes helped move the total along, before Hughes was caught by Aaron Thomason after making 39 off 35 balls, leaving Derbyshire requiring 58 off 6.3 overs.
An aggressive batting display from Mendis, including three fours and one six, lead the chase while Smit hit 36 from as many balls.
Derbyshire went into the final over requiring seven runs and got over the line with two balls to spare with Mendis and Matt Critchley (nine not out) finishing unbeaten.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their Royal London One-Day Cup 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.
Worcestershire – Tuesday 16 May – BUY
