Worcestershire opener Ed Pollock admitted a need to produce consistent performances and being more comfortable with his defence had been key factors in his excellent knocks against Glamorgan and now Sussex in the LV=Insurance County Championship.
Pollock followed up his 54 at Cardiff with a controlled 98 at Hove as Worcestershire closed a rain-shortened second day on 289-2 – a lead of 69
He shared in an opening stand of 195 with Jake Libby who ended undefeated on a splendid 142 not out.
Pollock said: “Just before the Glamorgan game, it was touch and go whether I was going to play. I had a chat with Alex (Gidman) about the need to be more consistent.
“I went away and did a lot of work with Kadeer (Ali) in the nets when I went and played in a Seconds game.
“I’ve made a few changes to help myself in being more solid and it makes me a lot more comfortable with my defence.
“The last two games, it’s been about stuff I worked on that makes me feel a lot more comfortable at the crease.
“I’m judging the ball a lot better and hopefully I can be a lot more consistent.”
Pollock looked set for his third century of the summer until he was caught at first slip.
He said: “A few people in the dressing room and in messages said ‘it’s only two runs’ but we know that hundreds are what we are measured on.
“But in the grand scheme of things, and the position we are in, I would have taken that at the start of the day.”
Pollock paid tribute to Libby’s fine innings which followed on from his 125 not out against Sussex in the win at New Road last summer.
He said: “Jake showed his class today and he was a very calming influence to be around so going on and off in amongst the showers was not an issue.”
As regards the day’s play, Pollock said: “If we had been offered this, having lost the toss and bowling first and having gone past their score, with two wickets down and now looking to push on, we would have taken that and are in a very strong position.”
*Worcestershire Seconds suffered a second day wash-out in the Championship match with Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
