Derbyshire well placed on day one against Worcestershire after Matt Critchley ton

Matt Critchley continued his fine start to the season with a sublime century as Derbyshire batsmen impress, before late flurry of wickets offer Worcestershire hope on day one.

Following two half-centuries against Warwickshire, Critchley (109) went one better and was ably supported by Leus du Plooy (98), Harvey Hosein (65 not out) and Billy Godleman (50), as the hosts racked up 360-8 on an eventful opening day at the Incora County Ground which witnessed the return of county cricket for the first time since September 2019.

It was the ideal start to the day for the visitors after having won the toss, captain Joe Leach removed Luis Reece (3) LBW in the opening over of the day. However, from then on it was near one-way traffic. Du Plooy, promoted up the order to number three, was in superb touch with the batsmen regularly finding the boundary in a century stand with skipper Godleman. The South African soon moved to his half-century from 78 balls as Derbyshire went to lunch at 117-1.

Godleman brought up his half-century swiftly after the lunch interval but was caught behind just four balls later as Leach claimed his second wicket. Dillon Pennington then removed the dangerous Wayne Madsen (1) cheaply to give the visitors the ideal start to the afternoon session. That brought Critchley to the crease who carried on where he left off from Edgbaston, showcasing a variety of positive strokes as the hosts maintained a impressive rate of four runs an over for a large part of the day, with pace bowler Alzarri Joseph particularly struggling to contain the runs on his debut for the Pears. Du Plooy was agonisingly dismissed just two runs short of a century, bowled by the spin of Brett D’Oliveira, following a fourth-wicket partnership worth 71 runs. Critchley soon registered his third half-century in as many innings off just 68 deliveries, as the hosts moved onto 249-4 at tea.

The evening session brought another partnership as Critchley, joined by young wicket-keeper Hosein, continued to build Derbyshire’s first innings total in impressive style. The pair, who put on a match-saving stand of 113 against Warwickshire last week, appeared well set at the crease once more as the hosts brought up the 300 and the second century partnership of the day. Hosein recorded back-to-back half centuries off a more patient 102 balls, just moments before Critchley reached three figures off just 137 deliveries with a boundary through the offside to become the first Derbyshire centurion of the season.

Just as the hosts were closing in on what was a dominant day, Worcestershire fought back and struck four times in the last seven overs. Critchley (109) was the first to go trapped LBW by Ed Barnard, before Anuj Dal fell in similar fashion the very next delivery. Fynn Hudson-Prentice (6) survived the hat-trick ball but was soon on his way back to the dressing room following an excellent catch behind the stumps by Ben Cox to give Joseph his maiden wicket in English county cricket. The West Indies international did not have to wait long for his second as Michael Cohen was dismissed LBW first ball. For the second time in the space of five overs, a hat-trick ball was averted as Derbyshire stumbled from 338-4 to 360-8 at the close of play.

Derbyshire remain in a strong position heading into day two, with the in-form Hosein still at the crease unbeaten on 65 and still ten overs remaining to secure an impressive fifth batting point. However, Worcestershire will be buoyed by the final hour and believe they finally reaped the benefits from sustained pressure throughout the day that went largely unrewarded.

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