[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Day Three

Morning: Despite facing the second new ball, Ed Barnard and Alzarri Joseph saw no reason to play it safe on a sunny Saturday morning, unleashing the full range of shots as they pushed the Pears on. A 51-run partnership brought up the second batting point for Worcs before the former was caught at slip for 23 attempting to drive Matt Critchley, and Joe Leach was subsequently caught at cover for 7. Nevertheless, Joseph had time for one last bash, heaving Critchley for six down the ground and securing the third batting point in what proved to be the last scoring shot of the innings; he was bowled for a fine 46 later in the same over, leaving the Pears 305 all out. In their second innings, Derbyshire opener Billy Godleman then retired on 5 with a suspected groin, but the hosts otherwise reached lunch without loss on 23-0.

Afternoon: A brilliant one-handed reaction catch behind the stumps off Alzarri Joseph accounted for Luis Reece on 17, and a second breakthough came when Leeus Du Plooy shuffled somewhat absent-mindedly towards the offside during the bowler's run-up, exposing his leg stump for Ed Barnard to demolish with an absolute bullet, reducing Derbyshire to 78-2 in time for the break in play to observe Prince Phillip's funeral.

Evening: Following the funeral and tea interval, Derbyshire rebuilt impressively and extended their lead to a position of domination. The dibbly-dobblies of Daryl Mitchell eventually accounted for both Wayne Madsen, trapped LBW on the back foot for 66, and Matt Critchley bowled for 84, and soon after Anoj Dal was bowled for 7 by Brett D'Oliveira whilst attempting a cut. But the hosts still closed on 268-5, already with a potentially match-winning lead of 353, and the only real mystery is why they held off making a declaration. One way or another, when it eventually comes, Worcestershire will be forced to try and bat out the final day on a pitch that's showing significant signs of turn.