Centurion Jack Haynes says Worcestershire are “looking for opportunities to win from any position” after Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira declared 59 runs behind on day three of the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Durham at the Seat Unique Riverside.
Haynes hit a career best 134 not out before D’Oliveira pulled out at 366-5 in reply to Durham’s 425-9.
The home side then reached 96-2 by the close – a lead of 155 – and a fascinating last day is now in prospect.
Haynes said: “It’s nice to put ourselves in a position where we still have something to play for going into the final day.
“We talked about our best chance of winning the game. It is the sort of cricket we want to play, looking for opportunities to win from any position.
“The skipper and we all felt the best chance was to pull out short and hopefully put them under a bit of pressure.
“It’s exciting going into the final day with all three results possible. I think it’s good for the people watching, and result cricket is always
entertaining.”
Haynes produced a quality knock which guided Worcestershire to three batting bonus points.
He said: “It was enjoyable. It was good to bat for a little bit of time, to be honest. I struggled for rhythm in pre-season big-time but the knock at Derby gave me a bit of confidence.
“It was nice to kick on and get a few more this week. I had an idea 133 was my career best.
“It was in the back of my head and there was a little ripple of applause so I realised I’d got there.
“A few of the lads batted really well. Dolly (Brett D’Oliveira) played brilliantly and then Rodders (Gareth Roderick) through the middle and Waitey (Matthew Waite) at the end.
“They bowled well and kept on coming back at us. It’s one of those pitches I didn’t always feel ‘in’ on and towards the end with the new ball, a couple went up and down.
“There were challenges if you bowled in the right areas, but we got our rewards at the end of the day.“
Durham Coach, Ryan Campbell, praised the declaration by D’Oliveira.
He said: “The declaration came at a time that surprised a few because it (the game) was meandering along.
“It needs a bit of creative thinking and if more teams start to do that, it produces better cricket, makes better players and the crowds will want to come and see it.
“I think it’s all set up for an exciting last day. We’ve already done the maths and we know what we want to score.
“It’s very clear. I’m not going to sit on my hands and say ‘let’s play out for a draw.’” I’ll
