Five-star Norwell puts Bears in early control
A FIVE-FOR from Liam Norwell powered Warwickshire into control against Derbyshire on the first day of their opening Lv=insurance County Championship match of the season at Edgbaston
Norwell launched the campaign in the most spectacular style with two wickets in his first over and bowled with sustained hostility for figures of 18-7-32-5 as Derbyshire were bowled out for 189.
Luis Reece (63, 144 balls, ten fours) and Matt Critchley (64, 97 balls, 11 fours) offered defiance for the visitors but they came in under par on a decent batting pitch before Warwickshire reached by 13 for one at the close.
“Liam was outstanding all day,” said Warwickshire first-team coach Mark Robinson. “As soon as I came to the club, I could see the quality he has. We all know the injuries he has had, but he bowls a heavy ball and bowled really well today.
“He was well-supported by the other bowlers and also the guys in the slips who caught brilliantly. We have worked hard on our catching in the last few weeks and it is always good to see the hard work pay off..”
Put in, Derbyshire hit immediate trouble when Norwell struck with his second and fifth balls.
He induced a nick from Billy Godleman to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess and then uprooted Anuj Dal’s off-stump. When Leus de Plooy deflected a ball from Olly Hannondalby on to his stumps, Derbyshire were seven for three from nine overs.
Reece and Wayne Madsen retrenched with a stand of 43 in 18 overs before Hannon-dalby returned to strike, first ball back. Madsen edged and Rob Yates took a fine catch, twohanded, diving to his right at third slip.
Critchley batted fluently alongside the diligent Reece to add 93 in 22 overs in the afternoon session before Norwell struck twice more to remove both, each time with accomplished assistance from the slips. Reece fell to a smart catch by Sam Hain at second and Critchley perished after a superb grab by a diving Tim Bresnan at first.
Hain pounced again in the cordon to pouch Harvey Hosein and captain Will Rhodes then brought himself on and struck first ball as Fynn Hudsonprentice slashed to debutant Danny Briggs at gully to leave the visitors 164 for eight at tea.
Craig Miles collected his first wicket when Michael Cohen edged to Bresnan at first slip. Last pair Ben Aitchson and Sam Conners eked out 21 before the latter flicked left-arm spinner Briggs off the middle to Hain at short leg.
Conners then unleashed a beauty to trap Rhodes lbw as Warwickshire also lost a wicket to the second ball of the innings before Dom Sibley and Yates saw out the day.