Kadeer Ali believes Worcestershire Rapids paid the price for fielding errors in the Royal London Cup match at Scarborough against Yorkshire Vikings.
Century maker George Hill was on 53 out of 115-3 in the 24th over when he survived a chance at deep mid-wicket off Joe Leach before going on to make 130, and Matthew Waite also survived on 23 off the bowling of Azhar Ali as the Vikings won with 16 balls to spare.
Kadeer, overseeing the One Day Cup campaign with Alan Richardson, said: “It’s a very disappointing defeat. The boys worked hard, but we missed a couple of crucial opportunities in the field. It’s very disappointing to lose the first three games.
“Was the fielding below par? That is the most disappointing part. Had we taken a couple of chances, especially the one when Hill was on 53, with over 100 still needed, it would have been a different game.
“The wicket had plenty in it, and it would have been a tough chase, and that was a crucial moment in the game.”
The Rapids had only four front-line bowlers, and Kadeer felt they missed injured slow left armer Josh Baker, with part-time bowlers Jake Libby, Taylor Cornall and Azhar Ali undertaking the spinner role between them.
Kadeer said: “Were we a bowler short? Not necessarily. Maybe a front-line spinner. That made the difference, and, with the way Dom Bess and Jack Shutt bowled, it wasn’t easy.
“That may have made a big difference, but obviously, Josh Baker is injured at the moment.
“Was thought given to playing Olly Davidson? Yes, but the way Jack Libby and Taylor Cornall got through the last game, they bowled pretty well, and we went that way again in this game, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”
The big plus point was another fine knock of 70 from 46 balls by Ben Cox.
Kadeer said: “Absolutely delighted for him. He played beautifully against Kent and backed it up again today.
“He was superb. To get 70 from 40 odd balls, when we were struggling with the bat was outstanding.
“He got us up to a competitive total from the position we were in, although we felt 270 would have been a very good score.
“Jake Libby played well in the middle, but we were always that one big partnership away from getting 270.”
