ALEXEI Kervezee says he was a relieved man when he was told he was not out on 99 before going on to hit his maiden first-class century.

The Holland international, whose parents had flown in from Rotterdam to see him, was dismissed one short of his first hundred in his last innings at Leicestershire a fortnight ago and the 20-year-old was close to being denied yet again at New Road yesterday.

Missing a slog-sweep to Robin Peterson, Derbyshire wicketkeeper Tom Poynton whipped the bails off and appealed for Kervezee’s wicket.

“I was very relieved when the umpire said not out,” said Kervezee, who went on to hit a career-best 130 on day two of the LV= County Championship Division Two match.

“I was thinking not again, but to get this century and to be in front of my parents makes it that little bit special.”

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