Martin Andersson delivered another demonstration of his blossoming talent as Derbyshire dominated the opening day of the County Championship match against Worcestershire.
The all-rounder batted with controlled aggression from the start to race to his fourth Derbyshire century off 117 balls and leave Worcestershire questioning their decision to put the home side in.
Andersson moved to an unbeaten career-best 134 ,sharing a record unbroken fifth wicket stand of 210 with Luis Reece who made 89 not out and with Harry Came and Caleb Jewell also scoring 50’s, Derbyshire closed the Division Two contest on an imposing 391-4.
Worcestershire’s attack struggled at windswept Derby and although Tom Taylor claimed two wickets, it was a chastening day for the visitors.
But it provided fine entertainment for those spectators who braved a chilly overcast morning in the hope of getting an early glimpse of England spinner Shoaib Bashir in Derbyshire colours following his winter move from Somerset.
Given the conditions which meant the floodlights were on from the start it was hardly surprising Worcestershire elected to field but the bowlers were unable to apply enough sustained pressure to exploit whatever help was on offer from a greenish pitch.
Strong gusts from a south-westerly wind upset the rhythm of the bowlers at times although the visitors would still have expected to ask more questions with the new ball.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby, signed on a 14 day loan from Warwickshire because of the uncertainty over the availability of South African all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel, beat the bat a couple of times but Derbyshire’s openers probably expected a more testing first hour.
When a chance did come, it was squandered with Ethan Brookes failing to get his hands at second slip to an edge from Jewell on 23 off Matthew Waite.
Came, leading the side in the absence of Wayne Madsen who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, drove Taylor for his ninth four to reach 50 from 79 balls but went for another big shot and was caught behind.
Even so, it had been a good morning for the hosts who were initially pegged back after lunch by tighter bowling which earned Hannon-Dalby his first Worcestershire wicket when Matt Montgomery drove low to point.
Jewell cover drove Taylor to reach 50 from 104 balls but was then squared up by Waite and this time Brooke made no mistake.
Taylor removed Brooke Guest who got a leading edge to cover attempting to pull but Andersson played with increasing authority to reach 50 off only 55 balls before dispatching Brookes over the ropes at mid-wicket.
He ensured Derbyshire ended the afternoon session in a good position and they continued to dominate after tea.
Reece accelerated after a cautious start to move to his half century from 77 balls, leaving Worcestershire struggling to stem the flow of runs.
Andersson drove Taylor for his 13th four to complete an excellent hundred and the pair brought up Derbyshire’s highest fifth wicket stand against Worcestershire, passing the previous best of 149 by Marcus North and Ant Botha at Chesterfield in 2006.
Reece survived a tough diving chance to second slip on 63 and Worcestershire’s difficult day was compounded towards the end when Adam Finch pulled up in his 16th over and had to leave the field.
Report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network.
