WORCESTERSHIRE became bogged down by a century from Derbyshire's Michael Di Venuto when their weather-ravaged County Championship Division Two match finally got under way at muddy New Road on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Australian cracked 108 before the visitors declared on 222-8 to leave the County with a near-impossible victory target of 223 in 25 overs.

They called it a day on 52-0 after 15 overs with Anurag Singh on 26 and Philip Weston 17.

With the first three days washed out the match was reduced to a one-innings contest with 12 points up for grabs for the winners and four for a draw.

Paceman Alamgir Sheriyar soon made up for lost time by claiming two wickets in the space of three deliveries during the sixth over.

His first breakthrough removed Steve Stubbings thanks to a juggling catch in the gully by Weston.

Mathew Dowman soon followed him when he was trapped lbw for a 'duck' by the lively Sheriyar for this 10th Championship wicket so far this season.

The rapid double strike reduced Derbyshire to 10-2 before their fortunes were lifted by Di Venuto and opener Luke Sutton.

They produced a 94-run partnership in 29 overs before the impressive Di Venuto fell victim to an excellent diving leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes off paceman Stuart Lampitt.

Di Venuto's maiden Championship century for Derbyshire contained 19 fours off 137 balls. Along the way he put on 59 in 14 overs with opener Rob Bailey whose new partner Wasim Khan managed just a single.

His departure paved the way for David Leatherdale to pick up three wickets before Derbyshire declared shortly after tea.