Second XI Match Reports

Worcestershire v Gloucestershire

Match Report

Worcestershire 2xi vs Gloucestershire 2xi – 12th April, 4 Day @ Kidderminster CC

Gloucestershire’s second XI were put to the test over the course of 4 days and came out on top against a strong and experienced Worcestershire side. Featuring the likes of Pat Brown and Ross Whitley, Gloucestershire were led by Tom Smith and was relying on a balanced side of youth and experience which included 3 Academy players.

Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat on a typically cold but bright April day at Kidderminster. Jared Warner (2 for 40) made early in roads dismissing openers Haynes & Dell in quick succession, however, this brought to the crease Worcestershire’s skilled players who steadied their first innings with skipper Whiteley (59) top scoring in the middle order. Gloucestershire bowled consistently well in periods, with Tom Smith (3 for 26) and Benny Howell (2 for 27) contributing to limit Worcestershire to 260 all out.

Gloucestershire top order really shone in reply, with Miles Hammond (87) batting with patience and skill to negate tricky spells from Tongue (2 for 61) and Finch (2 for 49). This allowed Ian Cockbain (71) and Academy Player Ollie Meadows on debut (59*) to play with freedom to gain a crucial first innings lead of 79. 

Worcestershire openers once again toiled hard with perseverance to build a solid platform within their 2nd innings and reached 73 without loss in what looked to give an upper hand to the home side. However, Harry Hankins (3 for 27) bowling aggressively struck with 3 very quick wickets to apply the pressure back onto Worcestershire including a superb delivery to Dell (29), which clean bowled the opener. With the middle to lower order exposed, Alex Russell (2 for 25) & Tom Smith (2 for 26) bowled with precise control in tandem to wrap up their innings to 194 all out.

Leaving Gloucestershire with a small target of 116, after an initial wobble this was passed with ease with Jared Warner (31*) & Will Naish (38*) leading us to victory to win by 6 wickets.

Gloucestershire second xi host Yorkshire on Monday 19th April for their next championship fixture at the Bristol County Ground.