ALEX Gidman scored his first half-century in Worcestershire colours, which was among the encouraging contributions in a six-wicket defeat to Derbyshire.

In the two-day friendly in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed nursery ground, there was a 50 for Tom Fell as opener, a useful knock from England under-19s wicketkeeper Joe Clarke and two wickets for Charlie Morris.

The game was split into four segments with Derbyshire batting the first two sessions in their first innings and Worcestershire periods three and four.

Worcestershire then batted session five in their second innings and Derbyshire the final one in their follow-up.

Daryl Mitchell’s side resumed on 103-2 in reply to 276-3 with Gidman, signed from Gloucestershire on a two-year contract, unbeaten on 30 overnight.

Worcestershire continued batting until lunch with Alexei Kervezee (33) helping Gidman add 68 for the third wicket before being bowled by Wayne White.

Ross Whiteley (0) departed to White when he edged to Wayne Madsen at slip.

Gidman (62) was caught and bowled by Chesney Hughes and Clarke (18) snapped up by Harvey Hosein off Greg Cork.

Ben Cox (14) was bowled, leaving Shaaiq Choudhry on 28 not out and Gareth Andrew on 7no when the first innings closed on 237-7.

With a deficit of 39, the County began their second innings and scored 126-3 off 27 overs by tea.

Openers Fell and Clarke shared in a partnership of 89 in 20 overs.

Clarke went for a promising 43 from the first ball of the 20th over, caught by Hughes off the bowling of Shiv Thakor.

Fell reached 50 but was immediately bowled by Hughes and Andrew fell to Alex Hughes for nine.

Cox was unbeaten on 14 and Whiteley on three when the Worcestershire innings closed at tea.

Derbyshire pursued 88 but Morris struck twice in three deliveries with 23 on the board.

He bowled Chesney Hughes for 10 and Alex Hughes for a duck in the ninth over.

Chris Russell forced White to hole out at long leg for 16 but Ben Slater (67no) steered Derbyshire to their target as they ended on 114-4.