Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Jake Libby, Azhar Ali reprise winning roles for Worcestershire in Derby

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Sunday, 09 April 2023 09:07

Worcestershire 473 (Waite 109*, D'Oliveira 89, Chappell 5-69) and 193 for 2 (Libby 104*, Azhar 62) beat Derbyshire 321 (Madsen 87, Godleman 70, Waite 4-50) and 343 (du Plooy 95, Godleman 86, Haider 65) by eight wickets

Jake Libby and Azhar Ali combined for the second year running at Derbyshire to give Worcestershire a winning start to the season in the LV=Insurance County Championship.

The pair shared a century stand at the Incora County Ground last season to save the match and this time their partnership of 139 from 191 balls set up an eight-wicket victory.

Azhar made 62 and Libby celebrated back-to-back hundreds at Derby with an unbeaten 104 from 140 balls to take Worcestershire to their target of 192 with 25.4 overs to spare.

Derbyshire's chances of setting a more testing target were undermined by Josh Tongue, who took three of the last four wickets to fall, leaving skipper Leus du Plooy unbeaten on 95 from 138 balls.

Du Plooy and Zak Chappell had frustrated Worcestershire's hopes of wrapping up the innings quickly by batting through the first 15 overs of the morning.

After Chappell narrowly avoided being run out off the first ball, they took the lead past 150 with du Plooy driving Ben Gibbon straight and through the covers for boundaries.

Chappell had demonstrated his batting credentials in the first innings and he again showed good judgement to help his captain set a challenging target.

The stand was worth 89 from 137 balls when Chappell was undone by a smart piece of work from Gareth Roderick who brought off a leg-side stumping to give Joe Leach a third wicket.

Leach should have had a fourth in his next over but he spilled a straight-forward return catch offered by Ben Aitchison although it did not prove costly.

Aitchison chipped Tongue to mid on in the next over and the fast bowler took his second wicket of the innings when Sam Conners edged a drive to first slip.

It was now a case of whether du Plooy could get to his hundred but he was five short when Suranga Lakmal was beaten by a swinging full length ball from Tongue.

Ed Pollock came out intent on giving his team a fast start, driving Lakmal for two fours in the first over, but Aitchison angled one across him to have him caught behind off what became the last ball before lunch.

Pollock's departure did not alter Worcestershire's approach as Libby and Azhar played positively from the restart with Libby leg glancing Conners for four to bring up the 50 stand off 60 balls.

Although the occasional ball kept low, there was little in the pitch to encourage Derbyshire's bowlers with Libby and Azhar moving serenely towards victory.

The century stand came off 130 balls before Azhar turned Matt Lamb to fine leg for his fifth four to complete his fifty, his third at Derby in two seasons.

Chappell pinned Azhar lbw with a full length ball on the stroke of tea but the target was now down to 36 and Libby wasted no time in sealing victory.

He launched Lamb for a straight six and after completing his eighth first-class hundred for Worcestershire, dabbed Anuj Dal to the third man boundary for the winning runs.

Read 184 times

Soccer

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhil Foden has been named the Premier League's Player of the Season...

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJürgen Klopp has said Liverpool will move in an "exciting direction...

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNoni Madueke believes Chelsea are starting to "take shape" under Ma...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- When the Indiana Pacers fell behind 2-0 in their se...

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to remain side...

Baseball

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Following a one-run loss, Minnesota manager Rocco Bald...

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsComparisons to Tony Gwynn began to follow Luis Arráez when he first...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated