Derbyshire take seven wickets on Day Two

Matt Critchley was the pick of the bowlers as Derbyshire claimed seven wickets on Day Two of their LV= County Championship fixture against Worcestershire. 

The 24-year-old followed his century on day one by snaring three wickets with his leg spin to leave Worcestershire on 243 for 7 at the close, still 147 runs behind, while Sam Conners (2-43), Fynn Hudson-Prentice (1-32) and Luis Reece (1-41) all helped Derbyshire move into a commanding position.

Tom Fell scored 69 and Riki Wessels 60 after Derbyshire had been bowled out for 390 with Ed Barnard taking 4-67.

Derbyshire went into day two needing 40 runs to secure maximum batting points but Barnard’s wickets dismissed them for 390, leaving Harvey Hosein unbeaten on 83.

Worcestershire’s chances of a third bowling point appeared to have vanished when Wessels dropped Ben Aitchison at first slip off Alzarri Joseph but three balls into the 110th over, Aitchison was caught behind off a short delivery from Barnard.

Sam Conners was bowled in Barnard’s next over but Worcestershire’s reply began badly when Jake Libby was out to the second ball of the innings.

He was beaten by a full length ball from Connors and Derbyshire struck another big blow just before lunch when Daryl Mitchell was beaten by an inswinger from Fynn Hudson-Prentice which sent his middle stump cartwheeling.

Fell was looking secure but Critchley deceived Gareth Roderick in the flight and plunged to his left to take a smart return catch.

Brett D’Oliveira and Fell were steering Worcestershire into calmer waters but two wickets in the space of three overs plunged them back into trouble.

Fell clipped Michael Cohen off his legs for his tenth four to reach fifty off 141 balls but Connors had him lbw playing  across the line and D’Oliveira went on the stroke of tea when he edged Critchley low to slip.

At 135 for 5, the follow-on target of 241 looked a long way off but Wessels played fluently, reaching his second fifty of the season from 77 balls and adding 82 in 27 overs with Ben Cox before Critchley struck again.

Wessels was beaten by a googly which ripped through his defences and Critchley put down a return chance before Barnard had scored but Cox was bowled trying to leave Luis Reece when Derbyshire claimed the new ball.

The visitors ended the day on 243-7, still trailing by 147, with Barnard (11*) and Joseph (10*) to resume on the third morning.

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