A SIX-WICKET haul from Alamgir Sheriyar had Derby-shire reeling on the opening day of their Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash with promotion rivals Worcestershire.
Paceman Sheriyar ripped out 6-71 as Derbyshire, without injured skipper Dominic Cork, were skittled for 190 in 46.5 overs.
But the hosts hit back as Worcestershire found runs almost as hard to come by, the visitors closing on 189-5 after 55 overs, with in-form left-arm swing bowler Kevin Dean and paceman Mohammad Ali taking two wickets apiece.
But on a bowler-friendly wicket third-placed Worcestershire ended the day in the box seat -- they trail by one run with five first-innings wickets remaining -- in an encounter which could go some way to determining the three promotion places come the end of next month.
Had it not been for a 127-run sixth-wicket partnership between Chris Bassano and Graeme Welch, Derbyshire would have been truly embarrassed.
Only three of their line-up managed to make double figures as Sheriyar's line, length and pace proved too hot for Derbyshire to handle.
In reply Worcestershire also struggled to get on top, opener Solanki succumbing lbw to Dean for 22, off just 14 balls, Hick departing for a duck, caught by Michael Di Venuto off the same bowler, and Ben Smith caught at short extra-cover by James Pyemont one short of his 50.
That left Worcestershire on 124-3, with Anurag Singh (41) edging behind to wicketkeeper Sutton off Mohammad Ali and the same bowler forcing Gareth Batty to edge one to Di Venuto in the slips for two.
But with Australian all-rounder Shane Lee unbeaten on 33 and Steve Rhodes not out on 12, Worcestershire were looking to press home their advantage today.
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