Derbyshire wrap up big win over Lancashire

Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, Chesterfield (day three)

Lancashire 161 & 226: Harris 58, Moores 57; Aitchison 5-49, Haydon 3-71

Derbyshire 364 & 25-1: Reece 19*

Derbyshire (22 pts) beat Lancashire (3 pts) by nine wickets

Match scorecard

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 County Championship match at Chesterfield.

Aitchison followed his 75 on day two with 5-49 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.

Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur said: "We wanted to hit them hard and start on the front foot and I think we did that.

"I'm really proud of that performance, there were some very good stand-out performances but the thing that pleased me the most was that everyone in the dressing room has played a role in that win which is fantastic.

"In the second innings that is the best, since I've been at the club, that we've bowled as a bowling unit. The way we went out and bowled as a unit was simply outstanding."

Lancashire head coach Steven Croft said: "I thought we were outplayed, we under-performed with the bat and ball. Very disappointing, yes we've got some young lads in the side but more of our team needs to be putting their hands up.

"Yes, we got put in on a pitch that was helpful for the bowlers but I still thought we could have managed a lot better and also got closer to them skill wise which is tough to say.

"We were 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.

"We're under-performing for the group of players we've got, yes we've got injuries but I think we are still sending sides out that we expect to do a lot better than they are."

Report by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay.