Worcestershire’s midweek loan-signing Oliver Hannon Dalby said his side are chasing early wickets on Saturday morning after Derbyshire enjoyed the share of the spoils on the first day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two season.
Under gloomy conditions, skipper Brett D’Oliveira won the toss and made the seemingly obvious decision to bowl first as the sides made their way to the middle at the central Co-op County Ground.
Frustrated by the hosts prolonged partnerships, the visitors were made to graft across the opening day, with Tom Taylor enjoying the most prosperous day with the ball, picking up two wickets.
Supported by Matthew Waite (1-41) and debutant Hannon-Dalby, who also picked up a wicket, the Worcestershire bowling attack stuck to their task with little avail.
Hannon-Dalby, who led the attack with Taylor, praised teammate Waite and said the Pears were keen to start day two in more economical fashion than they had during the opening day’s action
“It can be tough when it’s quite windy like that and the ground’s heavy underfoot and it was hard work but fair play to Derbyshire they played well.
“I think it’s a good cricket wicket and if you put it in the right areas you are going to get your rewards. Matthew Waite was outstanding, nibbled it around all day but I think the rest of us probably leaked a bit more than we should have.
“To be up as a team near four an over, we can be a lot better than that so I think lessons are there as to how Waitey (Matthew Waite) bowled and if we can do the same tomorrow there’s no reason we can’t make quick inroads, but obviously it’s not been an ideal day.”
With Adam Finch leaving the field late in the day through a suspected injury, Alan Richardson’s side will be hoping to start day two as they mean to go on, and assert some pressure on a Derbyshire side currently in the ascendency.
