ALEXEI Kervezee put the agony of missing out on his maiden LV= County Championship century behind him as he racked up a career-best 130 for Worcestershire before the New Road side made huge inroads into the Derbyshire batting.
Having been dismissed for 99 at Leicestershire in his previous outing earlier in the month, the Holland international almost fell on the same score again in this Division Two encounter.
But the 20-year-old, who resumed the day on 66, was not going to be denied for a second time as he pulled Robin Peterson for four in the 13th over of the morning.
However, it could have been so different for Kervezee had Garry Park held on to a difficult chance on Monday afternoon with the very first ball that he faced.
The special moment in the youngster’s career was witnessed by his parents who had flown in from Rotterdam this week to see their son play.
With his maiden first-class century in the bag, the next milestone was to overhaul the 121 he scored for Holland against Denmark in a List ‘A’ match in April last year.
He did that with ease, but the right-handed batsman’s stay at the crease was finally ended in the 118th over.
With 126 to his name, Kervezee dispatched Tom Lungley to the boundary, but Tim Groenewald ran around and looked set to take the catch only to slip at the last minute and allow the Dutchman his 15th four of his innings.
The number four batsman, however, didn’t take the second opportunity presented to him as he drove Lungley’s next delivery straight to Peterson at mid-on to bring his 175-ball knock to an end.
Worcestershire went on to post a commanding first innings score of 559-8 declared having begun the day on 376-3 with on-loan wicketkeeper Ben Scott unbeaten on 40.
The New Road attack were quickly on the offensive as Derbyshire required 410 to avoid the follow-on.
Richard Jones claimed the wickets of Wayne Madsen and Paul Borrington to leave the visitors 26-2 at tea.
And, after a slight revival with Australian Chris Rogers reaching his 50, Derbyshire went from 75-2 to 80-5 with Jack Shantry having Park caught at third slip by skipper Vikram Solanki.
Alan Richardson claimed the key wicket of Rogers without adding to his half-century before sending Greg Smith packing for three.
The visitors closed the second day on 138-6 with Worcestershire firmly in control.
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