Jake Libby was delighted to see “class act” Jack Haynes mark his return to first-team action for Worcestershire CCC with an unbeaten half-century on day two of the LV=Insurance County Championship encounter with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Libby continued his sparkling form with a fine 74 before Haynes took command with an unbeaten 52 in equalling his career-best first-class score for the County.
It followed on from his 165 last week for the Seconds against Lancashire Seconds at Stourport ahead of his recall to the senior squad.
Libby said: “Jack is a hell of a talent. I’ve said it since I’ve joined the club. He is someone who I’ve looked at in the nets and thought, ‘this guy is the real deal.’
“It’s not a massive surprise in the changing room to see how well he has batted today. He is a class act and, against a good bowling attack, he played well.
“I’ve enjoyed backing with Jack. I think he makes it look easy the other end. It seems like he has got way more time which is always quite frustrating when you are in with him!
“He is one of those special talents with a lot of time, and he is a pleasure to watch.”
Libby spoke with Haynes when he was not part of the side earlier in the season – a situation he experienced during his younger days.
He said: “I had a word with him. He’s got a lot of games to come, and, similarly to me really when I was younger, I had to wait for my opportunity.
“It is just being ready when he gets the call, and he has started really well. He scored a lot of runs in the Seconds, which is exactly what you want him to do.”
Libby now needs only 17 more runs to complete 1,000 in first-class cricket for Worcestershire, and this is just his 10th appearance for the County.
He said: “It is nice to be in good form at the start of the season and back up what I did last season.
“I was seeing it nicely. It was quite a good wicket to bat on. There was a little bit in it for the bowlers, but it came nicely onto the bat, and I managed to score quite freely.
“I’m fully aware in cricket that it can soon turn, and I’m not trying to get too high or too low and enjoy it while I can. I’m in good form and playing nicely.”
Libby says Worcestershire are well placed, and they will resume on 198-4 in reply to Warwickshire’s 343.
He said: “We are in a decent position. We came back well with the ball so, to back it up with the bat, we are pleased with where we are in the game.
“Potentially, with a bit of rain around tomorrow, you’ve got to be careful not to lose wickets in clusters, particularly on this pitch.
“Depending on the weather, with where we are in the game, we are looking to get past them really and then see if we can put them under pressure.”
