Lancashire lose by nine wickets to Derbyshire
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Ben Aitchison capped a memorable game by taking a five wicket haul as Derbyshire eased to a comprehensive victory over Lancashire on day three of the Rothesay County Championship match at Chesterfield.
Aitchison followed his 75 on day two with 5 for 49 to set up a nine wicket win, Derbyshire's third in Division Two, and condemn Lancashire to a fourth defeat of the season.
The consolation for the Red Rose was an impressive maiden first-class half century for 17-year-old wicketkeeper Joe Moores who hit four sixes in his 57.
It spared his side from an innings defeat but Lancashire could only manage 226 and Derbyshire knocked off the 24 runs inside nine overs for the loss of Harry Came.
Derbyshire were hoping the longest day would prove to be a short one as they looked to wrap up a first championship victory over Lancashire since 1997.
Lancashire’s slender hopes of at least taking the fight past lunch rested with Marcus Harris but he added only one before Aitchison took his fourth wicket of the innings.
Harris aimed to drive but dragged the ball into his stumps to spark Derbyshire celebrations accompanied by a toot on the whistle from Puffin’ Billy, the miniature train that runs around the Lake End at Queen’s Park.
The hosts were closing in on victory in Aitchison’s next over when the paceman claimed his fifth victim courtesy of a sharp grab by Caleb Jewell at second slip to remove George Balderson.
It was a significant wicket for Aitchison who became the first Derbyshire player to take five wickets in an innings in three successive first-class matches since the great West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding who achieved the feat in 1983.
The question now was could Lancashire make Derbyshire bat again and Moores was doing his best, forcing Aitchison confidently through the covers off the back foot before pulling Rory Haydon for six.
Paul Coughlin dispatched Anuj Dal for consecutive boundaries but got a leading edge attempting a third and was caught at mid off.
Moores pulled Haydon for another six to wipe out the arrears and he moved to a deserved 50 in the seamer’s next over by dispatching Haydon for two sixes and two fours.
He was bowled attempting to reverse sweep Matt Montgomery and although Balderson removed Came with his second ball, Luis Reece struck the winning runs to seal a 22 point victory with Lancashire taking only three from a game in which they were outplayed from day one.
Steven Croft, Head Coach said:
“I thought we were outplayed by Derbyshire. “We underperformed with the bat and ball.
“They stuck in there with the bat. I thought they managed their off-stump well and in that channel. And then their bowlers put us under more pressure than we did with them in the first innings as well with the ball.
“So, yes (it was) very disappointing. Yes, we've got some young lads in the side, but I think more of our team needs to be putting their hands up.
“I think from last week, a similarish pitch, a club wicket. Yes, we got put in and inserted on one that was helpful for the bowlers, but I still thought we could have managed a lot better and almost got closer to them skill-wise as well, which is tough to say. We were really down on our batting and bowling skills.
“It was tricky at times, but we need to find a way to work it out and get better.
“I think we've still got quality players in the squad and obviously some aren't performing. We're underperforming for the group of players we've got.
“We've got injuries, but I think we're still sending sides out there that we expected to do a lot better than they are.
"Four-day cricket's put to bed for a bit now. Hopefully, we do take the learnings from this phase and the one before because there's been plenty to learn from.
“So, we go away, dust ourselves down with that and really hone in on those things to get better at.”
“I think going into Friday, we're probably one win away from being second (in the T20), so attention goes to that in a couple of good weeks in white-ball cricket. I think we'll definitely get the place back in a buoyant mood.
“Obviously, I've had high hopes to be up and about and in the top few (of the table), really.
“We started well those first three games and a couple of injuries came along and we've not really recovered from it.
“We've obviously given a few opportunities out and quite a few players had a go and no-one's really grasped and held on to that opportunity. Looking back at some of the numbers, three centuries from the batting unit is way below par when you look at the competition.
“We played on some sporting helpful wickets, but that's still no excuse that we need to still find a way to manage on there, because the opposition have managed a lot better than us and that should hurt, being a Lancashire player, that we're getting outdone by the opposition on quite a few occasions.
“So, I think there's so much to learn from this group that we don't seem to be putting into practice so far.”
Report by ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Photos: Luke Adams & Dan Adams
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