Division Two: Saeed Ajmal inspires Worcestershire
Last Updated: 30/04/14 10:59pm
Saeed Ajmal led the charge as Worcestershire ripped through Derbyshire to secure their second County Championship victory of the season at New Road.
The Pakistan off-spinner claimed 4-40 from 20 overs as the hosts bowled out Derbyshire for 149 in their second innings to seal victory by an innings and 64 runs in the Division Two fixture. Ajmal finished with match figures of 8-100 from 46.3 overs, the statistics alone indicating his pivotal role.
Worcestershire felt no need to add to the mammoth 432-9 first-innings tally piled up on day three, declaring at the start of the final day's action.
That sent Derbyshire into their second innings trailing by 213 runs, and Worcestershire did not need long to hone in on victory. Only No 3 Wayne Madsen offered credible resistance as the hosts took control, Derbyshire's skipper notching 56 from 139 balls to go with his unbeaten century in the first innings.
When he fell lbw to Ajmal, Derbyshire were 136-8 and Jack Shantry soon mopped up the tail to complete a comprehensive win that moves Worcestershire top of the table.
The other three games in Division Two all ended in draws.
Glamorgan finished on 250-7 chasing 321 for victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road.
Jacques Rudolph (63) and Murray Goodwin (50) hit half-centuries before a middle-order collapse put Glamorgan in trouble at 204-7.
Spinner Jigar Naik claimed 3-76 but eighth-wicket pair Stewart Walters (57no) and John Glover (19no) batted throughout the final hour to see Glamorgan to safety.
Leicestershire opener Greg Smith had earlier been run out for 97, prompting home skipper Josh Cobb to declare his side's second innings at 179-8 before lunch.
At Bristol, William Tavare and Alex Gidman struck unbeaten centuries to ensure Gloucestershire earned a stalemate against Essex.
The third-wicket pair shared a stand of 233 after coming together at 18-2 in Gloucestershire's second innings, their side still trailing by 153.
No 3 Tavare finished 100 not out, his second ton of the season, while Gidman was unbeaten on 119 when Gloucestershire declared at 251-2 to bring the contest to an end.
And finally, Hampshire and Surrey also played out a rain-affected draw in Southampton.
Only 74 overs had been possible across the first three days, during which Hampshire advanced to 289-3 in their first innings.
They extended that to 400-6 declared on the final day with England hopeful James Vince finally being dismissed for 159, caught behind off Tom Curran (2-85).
Opener Rory Burns' 53 not out led Surrey to 99-2 in reply before the players shook hands.
