WORCESTERSHIRE CRUSH DERBYSHIRE IN NUL

Brilliant batting from Philip Weston and Vikram Solanki carried Worcestershire to their highest total in the competition since 1975 when Derbyshire were again on the receiving end.

A score of 288-6 was never likely to be within Derbyshire's range and they subsided to 150 all out with only some spirited resistance from the tail rescuing them from complete embarrassment.

In mitigation, Derbyshire were weakened by the absence of eight first team players, four of them seam bowlers, and they lost Wasim Khan early in the Worcestershire innings when he damaged a hand in the field.

But nothing should detract from the quality of the batting which was always impressive and at times superb.

The fall of Anurag Singh to the third ball of the innings was merely the prelude to an exhibition which turned into a slaughter as Derbyshire's attack was demolished on an evening of stifling temperatures.

Weston and Graeme Hick provided a platform with a second wicket stand of 128 before Nathan Dumelow bowled the former England batsman for 53.

But Dumelow was later savaged by Solanki and Weston who plundered 135 in 12 overs and the off-spinner ended with the chastening figures of 2-59 from five overs.

Weston made 134, his highest one-day score and the best individual innings against Derbyshire in the competition.

It was batting of high quality and the opener had hit five sixes and eleven fours by the time he skied Dumelow to midwicket.

Solanki combined power with elegance to score 63 from 38 balls before he was bowled by Paul Aldred but a total of 288-6 suggested the game was already decided, particularly as the side batting second under lights usually loses.

That impression was confirmed when Derbyshire slumped to 36-3 in 11 overs with Andy Bichel sending back Mathew Dowman and Steve Stubbings after Alamgir Sheriyar had Luke Sutton caught down the legside.

Derbyshire's hopes of salvaging some respectability dipped even further when Rob Bailey was bowled by Kabir Ali who then had Graeme Welch well caught by Bichel running back towards midwicket.

Khan became his third victim when he was caught behind in the 20th over and although Paul Aldred and the lower order delayed the inevitable, Derbyshire had once again been totally outplayed.

WESTON LEADS WORCESTERSHIRE TO DAUNTING TOTAL

A brilliant century from Philip Weston and a dashing half-century from Vikram Solanki tore the home side's attack apart as Worcestershire rattled up 288-6 from 45 overs.

Derbyshire, who had eight first-team players missing and then lost Wasim Khan with a hand injury early in the game, started well when Graeme Welch had Anurag Singh caught at extra cover for a duck in the first over.

But from then on it was a story of batting domination as first Weston and Graeme Hick and then Solanki took charge.

Although the pitch lacked pace, Worcestershire started to accelerate after Weston and Hick laid the foundations for the assault that was to come.

Hick was bowled making room to drive Nathan Dumelow but the off-spinner came in for some savage treatment and his five overs cost 59 runs.

Weston and Solanki plundered 135 in only 12 overs as Derbyshire wilted in the sweltering heat. Weston hit 134 from 141 balls and struck five sixes and 11 fours before he skied Dumelow to midwicket.

Solanki made 63 from only 38 balls and although Paul Aldred bowled him in the 43rd over, the damage had already been done.

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Date-stamped : 03 Jul2001 - 22:28