WORCESTERSHIRE’s Jack Haynes came within three runs of his maiden first class century as a topsy-turvy day ended with the hosts in the driving seat on day one of the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Derbyshire.

Spectators were in attendance at New Road for the first time in 20 months and they watched Haynes come agonisingly close to capping off a terrific display when caught out on 97 shortly after tea.

The equally impressive Brett D’Oliveira provided 72 before he too was dismissed in the final session, as Derbyshire’s bowlers broke a 114-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Worcestershire had recovered from 115/4 shortly after lunch and gained a valuable batting bonus-point in the process and despite the late wickets falling, a swift 50 partnership from Ben Cox (33) and Ed Barnard (29) meant the match swung back the home side’s way.

Captain Joe Leach won the toss and elected to bat first and it was the worst possible start as Derbyshire’s Sam Conners trapped opener Daryl Mitchell LBW from the very first ball of the day.

Conners then had his second victim in the fifth over as Tom Fell was caught by Brooke Guest before a mix up between Jake Libby and Jack Haynes saw Libby (26) ran out.

Ross Whiteley (22) was caught out by Wayne Madsen off the bowling of Dustin Melton as the visitors looked to have gained control.

But D’Oliveira and Haynes batted throughout the rest of the afternoon session and neither looked troubled as they brought up the 200 after 60 overs, with Haynes closing in on his century.

D’Oliveira had just enough time before tea to reach his half-century off 91 balls as they walked off at 214/4.

The players returned and a couple of balls passed before D’Oliveira brought up the 100 partnership between him and Haynes.

But only three runs short of his maiden century, Haynes lost his composure and swiped at Matt Critchley’s delivery and Melton took a brilliant catch.

D’Oliveira (72) was then caught by Alex Hughes off Fynn Hudson-Prentice before Ed Barnard and Ben Cox came in and took the scores past 300.

The day ended on a sour note, however, as Cox (49) edged a Ben Aitchison delivery through to wicket keeper Guest, on short of his half-century in what was the final ball of the day.