Critchley hits century on Day One

Matt Critchley continued his brilliant start to the season with a century, while Leus du Plooy, Harvey Hosein and Billy Godleman all passed 50 on a strong Day One for Derbyshire against Worcestershire. 

Critchley’s 109 means that he has scored at least 64 in each of his three innings so far, while du Plooy scored a well-made 98, with Godleman getting out for 50, and Hosein ending the day unbeaten on 65.

Derbyshire closed Day One 360-8 after a positive day of batting, after being put in on the opening morning by the visitors.

Having won the toss, Worcestershire elected to bowl first on a green deck and it seemed their decision was the correct one early on, when Luis Reece (1) was trapped lbw by Joe Leach.

That brought du Plooy to the crease, with the batsman aiming to find some runs after a tough start to the season at Edgbaston. He reached his first half-century of the campaign in 78 balls, including seven fours, as he and Godleman guided the hosts to 117-1 at lunch.

The pair continued, with the Derbyshire captain making it to 50 from 90 deliveries, after hitting four boundaries in two overs to accelerate his scoring after the interval. However, he was caught by brilliantly by Ben Cox off Leach just four balls later, bringing an end to a 137-run second-wicket partnership.

Wayne Madsen (1) was the third man to fall, while du Plooy was dismissed agonisingly short of three-figures, bowled by Brett D’Oliveira for 98.

After their brilliant century partnership on the final day at Edgbaston, Critchley and Hosein once again combined to build on the positive batting which preceded them.

Hosein made it to his half-century less than an over before Critchley, who had previously struck scores beyond 50 in both innings at Edgbaston, reached his fourth first-class century in 137 balls, including ten fours.

Critchley was trapped lbw by Ed Barnard, with Anuj Dal (0) falling the same way a ball later. Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Michael Cohen were also dismissed before the end of the day, with Derbyshire closing on 360-8.

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