Pre-Match Pack: Worcestershire

Derbyshire have named a 13-man squad for their LV= County Championship fixture against Worcestershire at The Incora County Ground, starting tomorrow (11am). 

April’s PCA Player of the Month, Shan Masood, will be looking to continue his good form at the top of the order and regain his spot as the County Championship’s leading run-scorer, while Wayne Madsen could equal a Club-record sixth-consecutive score above 50.

Having extended his loan with Derbyshire until the beginning of June, Ryan Sidebottom is named in the squad, alongside fellow seamers Suranga Lakmal, Sam Conners, Nick Potts and Anuj Dal.

Luis Reece scored a match-winning 166 for the Second XI against Durham last week, he will be aiming to carry that form into this week’s game, which Derbyshire begin in fourth place.

Derbyshire Squad: 

1. Billy Godleman
94. Shan Masood
10. Luis Reece
76. Leus du Plooy
77. Wayne Madsen
29. Brooke Guest
15. Alex Thomson
65. Anuj Dal
18. Alex Hughes
82: Suranga Lakmal
59. Sam Conners
26. Nick Potts
22. Ryan Sidebottom

Injury News

George Scrimshaw made his return from a side strain in the ongoing Second XI Championship fixture against Nottinghamshire at Lady Bay, picking up two wickets in the first innings.

Ben Aitchison’s recovery from a spinal bone injury is progressing according to plan, although no return to play date has been set, likewise Tom Wood remains out.

The Opposition 

Third from bottom in Division Two, Worcestershire come into their LV= County Championship fixture against Derbyshire with one win, one defeat and two draws to their name. 

Captain, Brett D’Oliveira (356) and Ed Barnard (358) have three centuries and three half-centuries between them already this campaign, with both averaging above 90. The bulk of runs were expected to be scored by Pakistan international, Azhar Al, but he has only reached double figures twice this season, although his most recent knock of 92 will be bring some encouragement.

With the ball, Joe Leach and Josh Baker are tied on ten wickets each, while seamers Charlie Morris (9) and Dillon Pennington (8) have combined for a further 17 dismissals.

Pre-Match Talk

Shan Masood says his successful start to life with Derbyshire is a result of the positive environment around the Club. 

Masood, who was named PCA Player of the Month for April, has 713 runs from just six innings, including back-to-back double-centuries against Sussex and Leicestershire.

The Pakistan opener, who will be looking to continue his exceptional form against Worcestershire this week, has praised the county cricket setup, and says Derbyshire is the perfect place for him to thrive.

“County cricket excites me, the fixtures are relentless, but it gives you games of cricket week in and week out and the chance to improve your trade. I knew I would play 14 Championship games – and I get to work with Ian Bell, which is a huge privilege. You play against quality opposition and have the chance to play all three formats.

“These awards are always a by-product of the work you put in and I am extremely grateful to be the PCA’s Player of the Month.

“Being provided with a very good environment and platform by Derbyshire and Mickey Arthur has allowed me to enjoy my cricket and not think too far ahead. The dressing room is an important place, and you can tell it is a Mickey Arthur dressing room. His standards are so high, but you get a lot of backing from the coach so when you go out on the field you can focus on giving good performances.

“It helps that there are some familiar faces. I know Billy Godleman after playing under 19s cricket with him, and Wayne Madsen was with me at Multan in the Pakistan Super League.

“We have a very good team and they are just starting to believe that they can put in good performances week in and week out.”

How to follow

Derbyshire’s LV= County Championship fixture against Worcestershire will be covered live on the club website, through our improved Match Centre, delivered in partnership with Purpose Media.

Our Match Centre includes in-play live streaming, multi-angle replays, scorecards, ball by ball commentary and statistics, everything you need to stay up-to-date, no matter where you’re following from!

Updates will also be provides via our social media channels, so make sure you’re following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, so you never miss a moment of the action.

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