Academy Head Coach Elliot Wilson this week reflected on another promising summer, where his U18’s side continued their development.
Competing across three formats in both red and white ball cricket, the U18’s enjoyed a fine run of form in the County Cup, where Worcestershire made it to the semi-final of the 50-over tournament before falling short of a place in the final after defeat to Yorkshire.
Arguably the biggest success of the summer however, has been the transition of several youngsters into the senior set-up by virtue of representing the 2nd XI – a step that is fundamental in the long-term development process according to Wilson.
“It has been one of our busiest ever summer’s ever, we have barely lost a ball because the weather has been so good! It is just great, and I think we will see the benefits of that later in the year and over the course of next summer.
“The volume of cricket will stand us in really good stead moving forward, after we have had the success of guys transitioning really well in the academy side, in club cricket and into 2nd XI cricket here at Worcestershire, where there are now lads who have been and gone through the pathway into professional roles.
“As a young cricketer trying to transition from the academy into a professional environment, there is a lot of trust involved.
“It feels and looks as though our lads were trusted to bowl at crucial times for the seconds towards the later stages of the campaign which is massive for them and their development.
“They have earned that trust, now we need to see what they can do with it.”
A three-day victory over Warwickshire was the standout moment from a competitive summer of red-ball cricket for the Academy side, where a glistening Joe Harrison century and Asad Azami fifer were the catalyst for a 72-run victory.
Defeats against Somerset and Northamptonshire came either side of the result, before improved performances in fixtures with Glamorgan and Gloucestershire saw the Pears finish the red-ball season with successive draws.
Wilson paid tribute to a handful of impressive individual displays and consistent runs of form that helped the side stay competitive throughout the season.
“We play five games a year and we hadn’t lost a game as an academy side since 2018, so this year we lost a couple early on which was a bit disappointing, but we took some big learnings from those matches.
“Two of our batters and two of our bowlers were leading run-scorers and wicket-takers in our league, so Alfie Higgins and Joe Porter topped the run charts while Josh Leach and Asad Azami finished with the most wickets in the red-ball competition.
“We played some excellent red-ball cricket for long passages; the format is different and every game is so unique that there is a huge difference between just playing another game of cricket and knowing how to play long form cricket. The thinking that is required is a great educator for our lads.”
A 75-run win over Northamptonshire kickstarted the County Cup run, before Leicestershire were swept aside a month later in a comfortable 42-run victory.
A quarter-final date with neighbours Warwickshire followed in a match for the ages that went right to the wire.
Fin Goodman’s stunning 111 ensured Worcestershire posted a score of note, before Henry Hawes held his nerve to defend nine runs in the final over of the match, to see his side claw over the line in the most thrilling of fashion.
Despite missing out on a place in the 50-over final on the back of a defeat to tournament favourites, Yorkshire, Wilson emphasised the importance of the learnings that his playing group took away from the semi-final heartache.
“We came away with a big win against local rivals Warwickshire in the last eight in a game that we were very happy to come out on top of. That was a very strong Warwickshire side we got past and led us into the semi-final against Yorkshire at Barnsley Cricket Club on what was a proper day of cricket, at a cracking ground and against a really strong opposition.
“Although they beat us quite comfortably, it was very beneficial for our boys to see a team operate at that level and be exposed to that standard and it certainly allowed me to sharpen the focus and mind ahead of next year with regards to where we are looking to get to.
“It is all well and good to be the best batter at your school or even in the Worcestershire pathway, but in the wider perspective that isn’t enough anymore.
“We are trying to drive the lads to a point where they are ready to deliver out in the middle, when it matters most.”
Amongst another strong cohort of pathway players, it was all-rounder Henry Hawes, who was recognised for his exceptional campaign by receiving the Damian D’Oliveira Academy Player of the Year award.
Hawes, who debuted for the Worcestershire Rapids side in August’s National Counties showcase match against Herefordshire, caught the eye after an exceptional summer on the pitch.
Head Coach, Wilson, is hopeful the youngster can kick on and display his talent on the bigger stages.
“That spell he bowled against Warwickshire in the County Cup quarter-final, although it was only 1 for 20 odd, the quality of his variation and execution of skills made us coaches sit and go, ‘ok, this lad has got a bit of something special about him.’
“Dan Lategan made that step up this summer and has shown the sort of journey the lads can go on, so to see Henry make that jump up and play for the first team against Herefordshire, then into the twos and back into his age-group with such consistency, was superb.
“All those sorts of performances get heads turning in his direction and get the attention on him, which is exactly what he wants and needs, but now it is up to him to deliver over the next couple of seasons and see where his talent can take him.”
