Ajmal too much for Derbyshire

Worcestershire 432 for 9 dec (Kervezee 110, Moeen 99, Andrew 71*) beat Derbyshire 219 (Madsen 111*, Ajmal 4-60) and 149 (Madsen 56, Ajmal 4-40) by an innings and 64 runs
Scorecard

Saeed Ajmal led the charge as Worcestershire ripped through Derbyshire to secure their second LV=County Championship victory of the season at New Road.

The Pakistan offspinner claimed 4 for 40 from 20 overs as the hosts removed Derbyshire for 149 to seal their victory by an innings and 64 runs. Ajmal finished the match with combined figures of 8 for 100 from 46.3 overs, the statistics alone indicating his pivotal role.

Worcestershire felt no need to add to the mammoth 432 for nine first-innings tally racked up on day three, declaring at the start of the final day's action. That sent Derbyshire into their second innings trailing by 213 runs, and Worcestershire did not need long to close in on victory.

Only Wayne Madsen offered credible resistance as the hosts took control, the Derbyshire captain battling to make 56 from 139 balls. After his unbeaten 111 in Derbyshire's disappointing first-innings total of 219, he could have been forgiven for despairing at his misfiring team-mates.

Gareth Andrew removed opener Stephen Moore caught by Daryl Mitchell for 4 and Charles Morris trapped Billy Godleman leg before for 10, before removing the key figure Shivnarine Chanderpaul for just 4, caught by Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

Ajmal then claimed a three-wicket burst to help his side lay one hand on the victory. First he had Chesney Hughes caught by Mitchell for 12, before Wes Durston holed out to the same fielder for 21.

By the time he snared Dan Hodgson leg before, Derbyshire were reduced to 97 for 6. Ross Whiteley then ran out David Wainwright for 13, and Ajmal completed his four-wicket haul by removing the last pivotal opponent.

Madsen's stubborn 56 was rendered all the more impressive given the frequency of wickets falling all around him, but he too fell prey to Ajmal in the end, trapped lbw.

Tim Groenewald lasted just six balls for his duck, Jack Shantry claiming an lbw dismissal. Shantry then clean bowled Mark Footitt for four runs to complete the demolition job.