We showed character and spirit - Richardson

Pears' Richardson: 'It was nice to get out of it with a draw'

Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson says "character and spirit" earned them an an unlikely draw in their Championship opener away to Derbyshire.

The home side posted 625-8 declared, with Worcestershire replying with 312 and then having to bat out the final day to end on 314-7 and secure 11 points.

"An amazing effort, especially on the final day," Richardson told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"Probably we haven't deserved the draw over the four days, certainly in the way we played our cricket, but the character and the spirit we've shown gave us the chance to get the draw."

"It's a good cricket wicket, but 625-8 really put us on the back foot. We couldn't set the fields we wanted.

"Derbyshire then bowled really well, playing really good cricket throughout. It was a challenge for us. Ideally, you don't play a large part behind the game but that's what we had to do".

South African opener Dan Lategan played two key innings for Worcestershire.

The 19-year-old made 89, giving him a maiden first-class 50, and added 49 in the second innings.

"I'm really pleased for Dan," added Richardson. "Hopefully it's the start of a really exciting journey for him.

"He had a tough time at the end of last season and came and played the last three games which showed some really nice signs."

"He played really well and was very disappointed to get so close to two big landmarks and not quite take them.

"But I think he showed there's some exciting times ahead."

Worcestershire's day four hero for the second opening game of the season in a row was Matthew Waite.

The all-rounder faced 141 balls for his unbeaten 66 to help earn them the draw at Derby.

The 30-year-old did the same in April 2025 to secure a draw with Somerset at Taunton.

"It's almost like the harder the challenge, the more he rises to it and played really well," Richardson said.

"We don't want to be in these positions too often.

"But if it's Matthew Waite and if it's many others, we know they're going to make a real effort of it. He likes the phrase 'get stuck in', and he certainly did that.

"We'll all be better for this experience, and it's nice to have got out of it with a draw."

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