Falcons make it back-to-back wins

Derbyshire Falcons made it back-to-back wins in the space of 24 hours to boost their qualification hopes in the Vitality Blast with a 39 run success over bottom placed Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.

Shan Masood continued his excellent run of form in all competitions with a fine 65 after the Falcons were put into bat on a hybrid pitch.

It followed on from his 73 in last night’s six wicket win over Leicestershire Foxes at the Incora County Ground.

The Rapids looked in control when they reached 92-3 in the 12^th over thanks largely to a half century from Brett D’Oliveira.

But a side completely lacking in confidence after a poor run of results subsided in quickfire fashion.

They lost six wickets for 27 runs and closed on 129-9.

Mattie McKiernan impressed with 3-19 and there were two wickets apiece for Mark Watt and Hayden Kerr.

It was the Rapids seventh defeat in eight games and a disappointing way for captain Moeen Ali before he heads back to England duty for the ODI Series in the Netherlands.

Worcestershire handed a debut to middle order batter Kashif Ali who signed a short term contract this week until the end of the season after an impressive trial period for the Seconds.

The Falcons, who were unchanged, were put into bat after winning the toss.

Moeen made the first breakthrough in his second over after taking the new ball.

Luis Reece aimed a blow over mid-wicket and sliced the ball high in the air with Charlie Morris holding onto the chance at short fine leg.

There was more joy for the England star when Hayden Kerr came down the wicket and sliced the ball straight to Kashif at point.

Ed Barnard came into the attack and struck with his second delivery when Wayne Madsen went for a cut and was caught behind.

Masood yesterday became the fastest to complete 1,000 runs in all formats for Derbyshire – just 16 innings – and he was again in fine form.

The opener completed a 36 ball half century and added 54 for the fourth wicket with Leus Du Plooy.

But the Worcestershire attack proved hard to get away and the Falcons lost a flurry of wickets trying to up the scoring rate.

D’Oliveira’s introduction led to Masood’s downfall on 65 when he edged a widish delivery through to Cox.

Bravo followed up his 2-15 from four overs last night with another impressive showing which was rewarded with a wicket in each of his final two overs.

Du Plooy top edged another catch to Cox and Alex Hughes was yorked by a trademark Bravo delivery.

Bravo ended with 2-28 and was straight back into the action to hold onto a chance offered by keeper Brooke Guest at long on in the final over from Pat Brown.

Derbyshire needed early wickets and Jake Libby was caught behind in Kerr’s opening over.

Moeen failed to trouble the scorers before he was lbw to a delivery from Mark Watt which spun sharply.

D’Oliveira cover-drove Watt and Kerr for boundaries but had a let off on 15 at fine leg off a top edge after George Scrimshaw and Watt collided.

But alert keeping by Guest accounted for Colin Munro (5) who was stumped off Madsen.

Jack Haynes swung the initiative back Worcestershire’s way with 6-4-6-4 from successive deliveries from Scrimshaw.

D’Oliveira had another let off on 45 when Sam Conners spilled a chance at deep mid wicket off Mattie McKiernan but in the same over Haynes was bowled off his pads.

Ed Barnard departed in similar fashion in Hughes final over and there was a third scalp for McKiernan when Cox pushed forward and was lbw

D’Oliveira made 55 but Worcestershire’s last hope evaporated when he picked out deep square leg off Watt.

Vitality Blast 2022 – Tickets on sale now!

Tickets for all of Derbyshire’s Vitality Blast fixtures are on sale now.

The Falcons will be aiming to extend their Vitality Blast winning streak at Queen’s Park to four matches, when they take on Yorkshire Vikings to close out the BRM Solicitors Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council, on Saturday 18 June.