PROMOTION outsiders Worcestershire failed to make an early breakthrough after Derbyshire had won the toss and decided to bat in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at New Road today.

Opening batsmen Andrew Gait and Luke Sutton launched the visitors innings against the pace attack of Matt Mason and Alamgir Sheriyar.

Sutton twice survived loud appeals for catches behind before eventually moving into double figures. Gait got off the mark before straight driving Sheriyar to the boundary. After 10 overs Derbyshire had moved onto 30 without loss.

Worcestershire, who went into the match knowing they must win to stand any chance of promotion, were without Steve Rhodes who failed a fitness test on his thigh injury. His place behind the stumps was taken by James Pipe.

Worcestershire: S Peters, A Singh, G A Hick, B F Smith, V S Solanki, D A Leatherdale, G Batty, D J Pipe, Kabir Ali, M S Mason, A Sheriyar.

Umpires: G A Burgess and A Clarkson.