WORCESTERSHIRE struck two early blows with the ball in the short passage of play possible on the opening day of the LV County Championship encounter with Derbyshire at New Road.

The new ball attack of Gareth Andrew and Charlie Morris each picked up a wicket as Derbyshire closed day one of the Division Two clash on 3-2 from 3.5 overs.

It was a brief but successful first spell back in Worcestershire's colours for Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal who is at New Road for the next three months.

Overnight rain and morning showers frustrated attempts to get play underway until after tea with umpires George Sharp and Neil Bainton deciding on a 4.30pm start.

Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat and included former Worcestershire player Stephen Moore in their line-up.

Ajmal, who enjoyed a successful first spell at New Road in 2011, came into the home side in place of fellow spinner Shaaiq Choudhry in the only change from the side which overcame Kent by 125 runs.

Andrew, who had match figures of 8-85 against Kent, took the new ball and struck in his second over when he hit the top of Billy Godleman's off stump with three on the board.

Derbyshire were then 3-1 and it became 3-2 in the next over from Morris.

Moore played no shot at a delivery which came back sharply and he was bowled after failing to trouble the scorers.

At that juncture the rain returned and the players left the field after just 23 deliveries had been bowled.

Eight further overs were lost but just as the players were poised to return, the heavens opened to end play for the day.