Worcestershire opener Jake Libby says his side will be frustrated with their batting display as a collective, after being bowled out for 249, having worked hard to reach 187-2 at the start of day two.
In the process of losing 8 for 62, Libby grafted for his team, recording his third Rothesay County Championship century of the season, becoming the first batter to register three figures at Visit Worcestershire New Road this summer.
His exceptional temperament was highlighted during his 235-ball stay at the crease, as he made his way to a ton before the last Worcestershire wicket fell one-run short of a batting bonus-point.
After laying the foundations, Libby says his side are right to feel disappointed as they ended the day 183-runs in arrears.
“We came into the day in a really positive position. I thought we played really well yesterday, obviously building a partnership with Hosey to put us into that position.
“Losing eight wickets in the way we did in the end was very disappointing. It puts us around the back foot but we know we’ve got come back strong tomorrow, and there’s still a lot to play for.
“Ultimately, they bowled really well today, especially that first hour into lunch. The pitch is offering just enough. It’s a very slow pitch, but they just put balls in the right area for long periods and ultimately we weren’t good enough.
“I think we had a couple of poor dismissals and I thought Sonny Baker bowled really well – he bowled quickly and bowled in good areas and got everything he could out of the wicket.”
In amongst the the flow of wickets that fell, Libby showed the sort of resolute characteristics that saw him go unbeaten for a sensational 228 against the same opposition earlier in the season, as he looked to dig his side out of trouble and into a potential lead.
Still behind in the game when he reached 98, Libby squirted a drive over mid-off and returned for a second run that saw him cross three-figures in a valiant effort at Visit Worcestershire New Road, that saw fans and teammates rise to their feet in celebration of such an admirable century.
In very different conditions to the ones he scored his double-hundred in at the Utilita Bowl back in June, Libby said this hundred felt arguably a better one, given the context of the game and the manner in which he applied himself against a potent Hampshire attack.
“To be honest, I feel in a really good spot with it. I think arguably that is the best I’ve batted. I feel like I’m picking up length really well, playing the short ball really well.
“It’s tough to score. There’s just no pace coming on to the bat to use, you know, albeit some of their lads do bowl it pretty quickly out the surface. It’s coming off slowly and the difference between the Dukes ball and the Kookaburra ball is massive.
“Being honest, the pitches have been really tough for the majority of the season. So yeah, to get a hundred is lovely personally but let’s hope you know it can be in a winning cause in this one.”
