Their fate might ultimately be out of their hands, but Worcestershire played like a team determined to leave nothing to chance with a dominant display on day one at New Road.

Graeme Hick's men need to win if their promotion dreams are to stay afloat, but even if they do a high-scoring draw at Chelmsford could see them stay in Division Two.

Derbyshire drew first blood by winning the toss, but ECB Academy pair Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali shared nine wickets as the visitors were bowled out for just 246.

In reply, Worcestershire moved smoothly to 52 for one at stumps after losing Anurag Singh to Kevin Dean early on for five.

Batty returned five for 60, and he was instrumental in tucking into the Derbyshire middle order after the opening wicket had realised 103 runs.

Ali made the breakthrough, having Luke Sutton caught behind by David Pipe for 51 before quickly removing Chris Bassano (nought) in the same fashion.

It started a rot for the visitors as they lost seven wickets for 57 runs.

They looked on course for a sub-200 score but rearguard efforts from Jason Kerr (54) and Dean (40 not out) late in the innings ensured Worcestershire were made to work.

The pair put on 62 for the ninth wicket, but the end was nigh when Ali and Pipe again combined to remove Kerr.

Lian Wharton faced 23 balls before falling to Batty for a duck, at least staying at the crease while Dean kept the runs ticking over.

Worcestershire: S D Peters, A Singh, G A Hick (Capt), B F Smith, V S Solanki, D A Leatherdale, G J Batty, D J Pipe (Wkt), Kabir Ali, M S Mason, A Sheriyar.

Derbyshire: A I Gait, L D Sutton (Capt, Wkt), C W G Bassano, D R Hewson, S A Selwood, G Welch, J I D Kerr, N R C Dumelow, K J Dean, Mohammad Ali, L J Wharton.