GARETH Batty got Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship challenge up and running with an impressive display of spin bowling in a crushing 10-wicket win against sorry Derbyshire.

The off-spinner's return of five for 87 from 38 overs in cold conditions was also good news for England ahead of this summer's Ashes series.

Batty took two more wickets on the final day as Derbyshire were bowled out for 285 to leave Worcestershire needing just 71 for victory.

Stephen Moore and Ste-phen Peters wrapped up a 21-point haul in less than 14 overs to complete a satisfactory four days for Worcestershire.

They were without both overseas players Chaminda Vaas and Zander de Bruyn, while Kabir Ali was an unfortunate injury victim in the build-up to the match.

Director of cricket Tom Moody said: "We haven't got our overseas players here as yet but this game was a good example of the depth of our squad.

"To have a successful season, you need players who can come in and stand up and be counted and they've done that here."

This game was a perfect example of the old adage that catches win matches with Derbyshire dropping six, while Worcestershire hardly missed an opportunity.

Moody added: "We were let off the hook a bit in the first innings with some dropped chances, but our catching was exceptional, particularly with the conditions being so cold.

"I think the cold weather was the hardest thing for Gareth because it's difficult for a spinner to get his hands warm and grip the ball."

Batty dealt an early blow to Derbyshire's hopes of saving the game when he ended a vigil from Steve Stubbings that had spread over three days in his first over of the morning.

The opener had scored 58 from 240 balls but was taken at silly point by Ben Smith off bat and pad just after Derbyshire had wiped out the first innings arrears of 215.

Luke Sutton was well held low down at second slip by Graeme Hick off young pace bowling prospect Steve Wigley who finished with his best first-class figures of four for 68.

Derbyshire subsided on the stroke of lunch and Peters struck the winning boundary from the fifth ball of the 14th over to seal a well-deserved victory.