Andersson and Reece pile on the runs as Derbyshire take control

Reece scored his hundred off 152 balls before chipping Brett D’Oliveira to mid-on to end a fine knock following some tepid bowling from the Worcestershire seamers. Andersson added only one run post-lunch for a career best 228 and the question was, when would Derbyshire declare? 

The decision to carry on after Dal had been bowled by Tom Taylor was a curious one, especially when Ben Aitchison was clonked on the head by a rising delivery from Adam Finch. With Zak Chappell clubbing a run-a-ball 33, stand-in skipper Harry Came, called the batsmen in after Aitchison’s dismissal. It was the right move, sparing the Derbyshire fans' nerves, trying to observe Muhammed Abbas’ batting skills. 

With such a commanding score on the board, things didn’t go directly to plan before Tea. Derbyshire were guilty of dropping a couple of catches when both openers were on 10. Brooke Guest spilled Dan Lategan off the bowling of Abbass with Caleb Jewell dropping the dangerous Jake Libby at first slip off Aitchison’s first ball. The windy conditions certainly made bowling difficult, and it may explain the dropped chances. Regardless, they were opportunities you would expect to take.