It has been a far from straight forward couple of years for Worcestershire youngster Jack Home, but the talented prodigy showed his potential in abundance with both the bat and ball against Durham on day two of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash.
Brought into the squad after Oliver Hannon-Dalby’s last minute loan recall to Warwickshire and in wake of multiple injury-enforced absences, Home found himself named in a first class eleven for just the third time on the opening morning at New Road.
It was day two where the 20-year-old seized the moment however, not only recording a maiden first-class half century in a record-breaking 10th wicket stand of 57 against Durham with roommate Harry Darley, but following it up by claiming the prize wicket of the returning England Captain Ben Stokes.
His sensational partnership with Darley saw Worcestershire climb from 251-9 to 308 all out, with Home making a superb 63 and Darley facing over 100 balls for 12, as the pair helped their side claim a crucial second batting bonus point.
Home says he was delighted with his contribution.
“Things like that are very special. We have batted together a bit but not like that, so I will savour that innings.
“I probably owe him a thank you for sticking around with me for so long, but we worked out a really solid game plan and towards the end we were just batting normally.
“He had an unbelievable innings and was so defensively solid, but it didn’t surprise me with how well he played.
“I won’t get too carried away with that knock, I will just take it each innings at a time.”
With the visitors reduced to 90-3, Home joined the attack from the Diglis End with the prospect of bowling at the headline act in the visitors line-up, as Ben Stokes took his guard opposite the seamer.
Although by his own admission not starting as he would have liked, the dream became a reality with the second ball of his fifth over, as Home got a ball to angle away from the left-hander, catching his edge on the way through to Gareth Roderick, leaving the enigmatic Worcestershire ace jumping for joy as he wheeled away in celebration.
After working hard on a flattening surface, David Bedingham came together with Graham Clark in a stubborn middle-order stand for the away side, with Bedingham going onto make a fluent 83 and appear to have guided his team through to stumps in the ascendancy.
However, two late wickets from Tom Taylor and Matthew Waite ripped up the script and sent the Pears into day three full of confidence.
Closing on 207-6, Home said his side battled hard to stay in the fight.
“It is a really nice feeling to get Stokes out, and one I am very happy with, especially as I wasn’t overly happy with how I bowled in general.
“I want to contribute for the team in anyway I can, and takin wickets is the way I want to do that.
“We have put in a top effort so far with the ball and to get them six down is a really good showing, so hopefully we can keep them down to under our target tomorrow morning.”
