Derbyshire dominate on day three set up potential victory against Worcestershire

Derbyshire 586/8d

Worcestershire 368 & 59-1*

Batters continued to thrive at the Incora County Ground as Derbyshire sit in the driving seat after day three.

Worcestershire finished the day on 59-1, trailing by 138 after Derbyshire made their highest score of the season so far.

Derbyshire were let off the hook early on after Luis Reece (42) was dropped on 22 after Ed Pollock missed an easy chance. He and Leus du Plooy (62) built a good partnership of 86 and increase the run rate after a slow evening session on day 2.

Things changed immediately after the new ball was taken as Charlie Morris forced Reece to edge his shot into the gloves and Ben Cox with his first delivery of the day. After a few scares, du Plooy managed to reach his half-century off 109 balls.

Anuj Dal (114*) came into bat and did not waste time after seeing through the new ball. He built a quick 46-run partnership with du Plooy before the latter was trapped for LBW off the bowling of Ed Barnard.

Dal and Alex Thompson (54) saw Derbyshire through to the lunch break on 381-6. The pair carried on their solid batting reaching their 50-partnership and bringing up the 400-run mark for the hosts soon after lunch.

Thompson brought up his half-century off just 79 balls as Derbyshire continued to pile on the runs in search of their second win of the season. Baker then took the wickets of Thompson and Sam Conners (16) before the tea break.

Following this, Dal stepped on the accelerator after tea and raced to his second first-class 100. Derbyshire declared on 565-8, lead of 197, with the injured Ryan Sidebottom finishing on 31*.

Ian Bell came in as a batting coach for Derbyshire this season and Dal spoke about how he has helped add runs at the end of an innings.

“Bell has stressed that to us. He calls it the engine room, number seven onwards. We have to take away the individual stuff and focus on making partnerships and working as a pair. It has been a real focus for us.”

It is the first time Derbyshire have made 500 runs in two separate innings in a single season at home.

Worcestershire started their second innings off quickly as Ed Pollock (23) scored 18 in the first over off Conners. Pollock was sent back to the dressing room soon after as Suranga Lakmal bowled him out.

Although Derbyshire are more likely to seal the victory on day four, rain is forecast at various points throughout the day which could hinder their chances. The visitors will restart with Azhar Ali (10*) and Jake Libby (17*).

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