Watch: Navdeep Saini, who was named in the Indian Test squad for the West Indies tour a few days ago, took a wicket off his first ball in the County Championship for Worcestershire yesterday (June 25).
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Worcestershire scored 237 in the first innings after winning the toss and choosing to bat first at the County Ground at New Road, Worcester. Captain Jack Libby top-scored for them with 78: he was the only one of the eight batters to get into double figures to go past 40.
Anuj Dal took five wickets for Derbyshire, who had around 10 overs to bat before the close of play on day one, and would have hoped to negotiate the period without any casualties. But it wasn’t to be.
Saini, who has just found his way back to the Indian Test team after Umesh Yadav was dropped and Mohammed Shami was rested for the West Indies tour, shared the new ball with Joe Leach and struck gold immediately.
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His first ball, the usual loosener at a length, angled into the right-handed Harry Came’s off-stump. Came misjudged the line completely as he let it go without covering his stumps.
The ball crashed into the off stump, leaving Derbyshire 1-1 and handing Saini a maiden County Championship wicket for Worcestershire off his very first ball. Derbyshire ended the day at 32-2, with their other opener Luis Reece dismissed off the last ball of the day to Dillon Pennington.
Saini has signed a four-match deal with Worcestershire, but minutes after the announcement of his deal with the County side came the announcement of his selection in the Indian Test team, which means he will not be available for a majority of the four games.
Watch Navdeep Saini take a wicket off his first ball for Worcestershire:
Navdeep Saini makes an instant impact for Worcestershire!#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/A5mgzxg2B5
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) June 25, 2023
