Comment

WORCESTERSHIRE were left to regret batting first in the County Championship Division two match at Chesterfield when Derbyshire's seamers bowled them out for 151.

Charl Langeveldt took 4-44 and Graham Wagg 4-66 and Worcestershire would have been in an even worse position but for a half-century last- wicket stand.

Steve Magoffin and Simon Jones added 50 in seven overs to restore a measure of respectability before off-spinner Jake Needham ended the innings with his second ball.

Magoffin and Jones were denied the chance to hit back with the ball by bad light which prevented Derbyshire starting their reply.

Worcestershire's decision to bat may have been based on their previous visit to Queen's Park in 2006 when more than 1,300 runs were scored over the four days.

But conditions favoured the bowlers this time on a relaid pitch under overcast skies.

The batsmen were also troubled by variable bounce and Worcestershire's problems began after the ball was changed five overs into the match.

Stephen Moore, a target for Derbyshire, had already been dropped at first slip on seven but he added only four more before Wagg had him lbw as he moved across the crease.

Vikram Solanki scored a brilliant hundred at Queen's Park two years ago but he was soon on his way back to the pavilion when Langeveldt had him brilliantly caught at second slip for a single.

Daryl Mitchell edged Langeveldt to the wicketkeeper to leave the visitors in trouble at 32-3 and a bowling change brought Derbyshire another wicket when Graeme Hick chopped the ball into his stumps.

Ben Smith survived a sharp return catch to Clare on 11 and was starting to rebuild the innings with Steve Davies when Worcestershire collapsed again after lunch.

Davies was caught at mid-off from a leading edge and Gareth Batty was lbw to Wagg before Smith's laboured innings of 16 which occupied 30 overs ended three overs later.

Smith tried to drive Langeveldt but was bowled middle and off and the slide continued when Gareth Andrew was caught at gully off bat and pad without scoring.

When Kabir Ali chased a wide one from Wagg, Worcestershire were 101-9 but Magoffin and Jones made sure of something to bowl at.

6:41pm Friday 6th June 2008

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