Opener Jack Haynes was delighted to score his maiden century for Worcestershire whilst close friend Brett D’Oliveira batted at the other end and offering him words of encouragement and advice.
Haynes reached three figures in the 182 run Royal London Cup triumph over Essex Eagles at Chelmsford as he and fellow century-maker D’Oliveira put on 243 – a Worcestershire first wicket record in List A cricket.
He had come close on several occasions to a hundred this season but made no mistake against the Eagles and was hugged by D’Oliveira when a single took him to the milestone.
Haynes said: “Was I nervous? Fairly. I thought, ‘if I hit it, I’m running here because I’m not staying on 99 for long!’
“Brett was a big help. I always love batting with Dolly. He is great to talk to, and he keeps encouraging all the way.
“He keeps me grounded when I’m trying to play a few too many shots and keeps me calm. He was brilliant.
“He is brilliant in the changing room, and we get on really well, so it was great to do it while he was out there in the middle.”
Jack’s father, Gavin, the former Worcestershire all-rounder, was a proud man after his son brought up his first hundred.
He said: “I’m really pleased for him. He’s got close a couple of times this year, and he’s not got over (the line) so, to get there is really pleasing.
“It’s a good day, and you’ve got to enjoy those good days, but don’t get giddy about it, and I’m sure he won’t and will want more.”
Jack was delighted with the Rapids overall performance as they completed a hat-trick of victories in the competition.
He said: “The bowlers were excellent today and bowled brilliantly and never gave Essex a sniff.
“They really set the tone in the powerplay, and then everyone squeezed things in the middle of the innings.
“We had a great win against a pretty good team. It was a great team performance. Brett was brilliant with the bat and finished things off with the ball as well.”
D’Oliveira continued the excellent form he has shown in all formats of the game this summer with bat and ball.
He said: “It is one of those days which we’ll look back on at the end of our careers and be really chuffed with.
“It was fantastic to bat with Jack. The manner he went about it was brilliant. Jack carries himself like a seasoned pro. He has worked on his game tirelessly.
“You always try and go out and score as many runs as you can, and today it came off. I’m really chuffed with the win.”
Seamers Club Captain Joe Leach, Ed Barnard and Charlie Morris did the damage with the ball before D’Oliveira picked up 3-8 at the climax of the game.
He said: “Coming on at the end with them needing 9.5 runs an over, they were always going to come at me.
“I am chuffed to take three wickets, but it isn’t me who did the damage. The credit should go to the seamers at the start.”
