Andersson inspires huge Derbyshire total against Pears
Martin Andersson hits a career-best 228 as Derbyshire declare on 625-8 against Worcestershire, who are 113-2 at the end of day two.
Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, Central Co-op County Ground, Derby (day two) Derbyshire 625-8 dec: Andersson 228, Reece 114, Jewell 56; Taylor 3-160 Worcestershire 113-2: Lategan 77*; Chappell 2-21 Worcestershire (1 pt) trail Derbyshire (5 pts) by 512 with eight wickets standing Match scorecard Dan Lategan kept Worcestershire in the hunt after Martin Andersson scored the first double century of the new season on the second day of the County Championship match at the Co-op County Ground in Derby. Lategan made his maiden first-class 50 in testing conditions and was unbeaten on 77 when bad light brought an early close with Worcestershire 113-2, still trailing by 512 runs. Andersson again took the headlines with a brilliant 228, while Luis Reece made 114 out of a fifth wicket stand of 273 as Derbyshire sailed to 625-8 declared, their highest score against Worcestershire.
On another blustery day, Worcestershire's attack struggled and although Tom Taylor took three wickets, his 29 overs cost 160 runs. Andersson and Reece carried on where they left off on day one which, from a Worcestershire perspective, was an unwelcome repeat of an underwhelming bowling display. It was another case of serving up too many balls that could be put away and the Derbyshire pair did not miss out with Andersson reaching the first 150 of his career from 180 balls.
Reece did not score a hundred until the final game of last season but there was no waiting this time as he completed his century on day two from 152 balls. The stand was only broken when Reece tried to clip Brett D'Oliveira off his legs and chipped a catch to mid-wicket although there was more punishment to come for the weary bowlers. Adam Finch was uppercut for six over third man by Andersson who went to his double hundred from only 233 balls by sweeping D'Oliveira for his 25th four.
The fact that all the Worcestershire players applauded showed just how good an innings it was and he went in at lunch on 227 after another dispiriting session for the visitors. Andersson added only one more run before he looped up a return catch which D'Oliveira grabbed diving forward and walked off to a standing ovation with several Worcestershire players running across to shake his hand. Derbyshire batted on with Anuj Dal becoming the fifth player to reach 50 and Zak Chappell plundering quick runs before the hosts finally pulled out leaving Worcestershire 17 overs to negotiate before tea.