Derbyshire 321 and 269-6 (Godleman 86, Ali 65, du Plooy 52*)
Worcestershire 473 (Waite 109*, Waite 89, Chappell 5-69, Conners 3-104)
Derbyshire lead by 117 runs
Derbyshire have a lot of work to do tomorrow to avoid defeat in their opening county championship game of the summer.
There is still hope, with skipper Leus du Plooy and Zak Chappell at the crease, but one would think a minimum lead of 200 would be required and that may be a bridge too far.
With the exception of Chappell, we have bowled poorly in this game. The lack of pre-season match action, because of the weather, has left most of the bowlers looking ring rusty and lacking in rhythm. To concede sixty runs as extras is frankly ridiculous and unacceptable at this level and I would expect an improvement in time for the next match.
Chappell was the exception, bowling with hostility and greater control than his team mates. With two good innings in this game, he already looks a very sound winter acquisition.
Matthew Waite lived up to my advance billing last night with an excellent maiden first class century for the visitors. He got good support from the tail, but the sight of du Plooy and Lamb bowling ‘occasional’ spin confirmed a wrong team selection.
Ali and Godleman led off in fine style and almost wiped out the arrears. There is a touch of the former Pakistan stylist, Majid Khan, in the batting of Ali, who manages to combine grace and power in his game. The former skipper again batted very well and his positive intent augurs well for the season.
Yet with the exception of du Plooy, no one else got going. Guest failed for the second time in the match, although he got a good ball, Madsen and Lamb got in then got out, while the demeanour of the genial Dal on being given out suggested he had hit the ball when given leg before.
The skipper batted sensibly and well, while Chappell showed himself to have an uncomplicated technique.
He should have gone before the close, Libby dropping a skier. Will that come back to bite Worcestershire?
We have some way to go before they will be unduly worried. Hopefully we see the Mickey. Arthur patented fighting spirit tomorrow..
