DCCC v LCCC Day Four Report: Derbyshire’s Welch encouraged despite crushing 250-run defeat to Lancashire

Kyle Jarvis delivered his best bowling performance for Lancashire who cruised to a crushing 250 run victory over Derbyshire on the final day at Derby.

The 26-year-old Zimbabwian produced an inspired spell of swing bowling from the City end of the 3aaa County Ground to take 5-10 in 39 balls as Derbyshire were routed for 114 in pursuit of a distant victory target of 365 with only Martin Guptill and skipper Wayne Madsen reaching double figures.

Resuming the final morning on 27-2, any slim hopes Derbyshire entertained vanished when Jarvis blew away the top order to finish with the excellent figures of 5-13 in nine overs.

Derbyshire needed a solid start to sew some seeds of doubt in Lancashire’s mind but they quickly lost night watchman Tom Taylor who edged Tom Bailey to third slip in the third over of the day.

Guptill pulled and cut Peter Siddle for boundaries and the New Zealander was shaping well until Jarvis started the spell that undermined the home side so dramatically.

His first ball found the edge of Guptill’s defensive bat and Wes Durston chipped a gentle catch to square leg to leave Derbyshire’s chances of avoiding a heavy defeat resting on Madsen.

He was fortunate to survive what looked an excellent lbw appeal against Jarvis but the bowler had the last word when Madsen was trapped half forward by another swinging delivery.

Shiv Tahakor had narrowly avoided being caught off his first ball but he never settled and was lbw shuffling across after Alex Hughes offered no shot.

When Harvey Hosein had his off stump plucked out by Bailey, lunch was delayed but Lancashire needed only two balls to complete an impressive morning’s work with Simon Kerrigan trapping Mark Footitt.

A heavy defeat for Derbyshire was compounded by losing a point for a slow over rate but Welch was able to take encouragement from the match.

“360 was always going to be a difficult chase and I think we could have bowled them out for around 220 in the first innings,” he said.

“Second innings we got three wickets and when we identify passages of play it could have been a different story. Basically out of the ten sessions we’ve played we’ve lived with one of the favourites to go up this year so there are some positives to be taken out of this and some good performances.”

It was an impressive performance by Lancashire and Jarvis who said: “It was great to finish the game off like that and great to get our season underway in such a good fashion.

“It all happened pretty quickly. I got a bit too full in he first innings and I knew I had to sort it out and that’s what I concentrated on, getting my lengths right.

“I have been dying to play my part for Lancs and I’m happy to have got underway now. I never got going last season and I’m just desperate to help out the team in any way.“