Wash-out denies Worcestershire victory
PROMOTION-chasing Worcestershire were denied a chance to go for a fourth consecutive win when rain washed out the last day of their County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at New Road.
The leaders had to be satisfied with 12 points after the abandonment but the maximum return for a draw keeps them ahead of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
Even without their leading wicket-taker, Kabir Ali, because of a minor back problem, Worcestershire dominated the first three days before setting Derbyshire a tough target of 404 in 112 overs.
Openers Chris Rogers and Paul Borrington scored 34 without loss and were ready to take up the challenge when the rain set in nearly two hours before the scheduled start of play on the final day.
Tightness in his hamstring meant Simon Jones was unable to bowl in the 16-over session before the close on Friday.
Jones is due to re-open his international career this week. Three years after his last Test appearance in the 2005 Ashes, he is in the England Lions squad to meet the South Africans in a 50-over game at Grace Road on Thursday.
Worcestershire are without a championship fixture until August 20 when they meet Essex at Colchester.
By then they hope Stephen Moore will have made a decision on his future as his New Road contract expires at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old opener, who is considering offers from a number of counties, was the first batsman to reach 1,000 first-class runs this season and the second to pass 1,000 in the County Championship.
