NEW signing Matthew Waite played a pivotal role with both the bat and ball as Worcestershire began the 2023 County Championship with a win at Derbyshire.

Waite, signed on a permanent basis after a short loan spell last season, weighed in with an unbeaten 109 in The Pears' second innings after taking four wickets in Derbyshire's first innings. 

The all-rounder was supported by substantial knocks from Brett D'Oliveira (89) and Jack Haynes (62) as Worcestershire posted 473. 

The bowlers then backed up the efforts of the batters and fought back in determined fashion after Derbyshire openers Billy Godleman and Haider Ali had put on 134.

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Joe Leach, who bowled an inspired post-tea spell, and club captain Brett D’Oliveira, both picked up two wickets and were well supported by Gibbon and Waite as Worcestershire plugged away with the ball and built pressure.

Derbyshire closed on 269-6 from 70 overs – an overall lead of 117. 

After the day's play, Leach was full of praise for Waite, saying: "A really good day’s cricket. First and foremost, credit to Matthew Waite, an exceptional hundred on his first permanent game with us.

"Then to back it up with 15 more overs is a great physical effort from him to back up the first innings.

"We backed ourselves first and foremost to get 400, and anything over that was a bonus, and Ben (Gibbon) stuck around for Matthew, played really well and sensibly, and that partnership was crucial for us.

"We know that we bat really deep, it is one of the strengths of our group. Josh (Tongue) coming in at number 10 is really impressive for us."

Worcestershire then began the final day in control of the contest and they took the remaining wickets needed to dismiss Derbyshire for 343, a lead of just 191. 

First, Gareth Roderick did brilliantly to stump Zak Chappell before Josh Tongue took the final three wickets as he responded well to a difficult first day.

The Worcestershire chase was halted early on when Ed Pollock edged one through to the wicketkeeper but in Jake Libby and Azhar Ali, the Pears began to take charge and the pair frustrated the Derbyshire attack as they racked up their own individual scores. 

Libby was in fine form and he reached his half-century, whilst Ali worked up towards the 50 mark. 

The partnership was then ended when Ali was trapped LBW but at tea there were only 36 runs required and Libby completed his century to get Worcestershire over the line.