Once Worcestershire had at last got rid of the dogged Derbyshire tail to leave them 114 for victory in just over two days, Solanki pinned back his ears, intent on wrapping things up before lunch. His partner Anurag Singh departed for 14 - trapped lbw by Tom Lungley - while Graeme Hick was left not out on four as Worcestershire raced to their target in only the 15th over to win by nine wickets.

Solanki launched Lian Wharton for three sixes - the slow left-armer went for 17 off one over - and Mohammad Ali was also given the treatment as the right-hander finished it in style. But it had been an heroic effort by Derbyshire, who managed to drag themselves from the brink on Thursday to ensure there was any play on the third day at all.

The hosts resumed on 193 for eight having slumped to 50 for five after 23 overs to still trail Worcestershire's first-innings total of 320 by 80 runs. Number 10 Kevin Dean was unbeaten on 30 and Steve Selwood left to sweat overnight on 99 not out, but Derbyshire made the worst possible start.

Selwood went third ball, denied his ton by Kabir Ali who forced the young left-hander to nick one behind to keeper Steve Rhodes to leave Derbyshire on 193 for nine. It was a career best for the unfortunate Selwood, but Dean and last man Wharton also turned in their highest first-class scores and went on to put on 50 for the final wicket.

Considering Derbyshire had fought back from 50 for five, 83 for seven and then 101 for eight before closing on a battling 243, absent skipper Dominic Cork - nursing a sore knee - will surely be asking questions of his top order.

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