Derbyshire lose unbeaten record in close finish

Derbyshire, bottom of the Second Division last year but early-season pacemakers this summer, lost their 100 per cent record in a tight finish.

Vikram Solanki's first one-day half-century since June last year gave Worcestershire the platform to scrape home by three wickets with four balls to spare in a low-scoring match dominated by the seamers.

With the ball swinging or seaming on an inconsistent pitch, Derbyshire mustered 168 for six, but the home side recovered from 141 for seven in a brave effort by their long-serving eighth-wicket pair, Steve Rhodes and Stuart Lampitt.

There was more than a touch irony that Rhodes (26 not out) hoisted the winning boundary off Richard Illingworth, a fellow-Yorkshireman, close friend and team-mate at New Road in a golden era for Worcestershire cricket.

It was not the best of returns to the ground for Illingworth, who was driven for six by Solanki during a vital partnership of 84 in 20 overs with David Leatherdale.

Linking up after three early wickets for Tim Munton, they made Derbyshire pay for the absence of a fourth seam bowler and Munton had to come back to nail Leatherdale (38) for a final return of 4 for 31.

Off spinner Nathan Dumelow had Solanki caught behind for 52 and Tom Lungley kept up the pressure with a nine-over ration of 1 for 19, but Worcestershire's old hands had the last word.

Derbyshire's innings was built on an opening stand of 61 by Michael Di Venuto and Rob Bailey and a late dash organised by Wasim Khan with 30 not out.