Worcestershire Head Coach Alan Richardson has praised the impact in all formats of Adam Hose as he prepares to face his former team-mates for the first time in this evening’s Friday’s sold-out derby with Birmingham Bears at New Road (5.30pm start).
Hose’s abilities in white ball cricket were already well know from his success in last summer’s Blast and the Big Bash with Adelaide Strikers.
He has continued in that form for the Rapids and is their leading run-scorer with 225 at a strike rate of 154.10.
But Hose has also made the most of the opportunities he was seeking in LV=Insurance County Championship cricket after moving from Edgbaston to Worcestershire on a three year deal.
He has totalled 366 runs at 40.66, including superb knocks in the last two games of 84 versus Leicestershire at New Road and 85 this week against Sussex at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove.
Richardson said: “A big occasion for him? I think so but I also think Adam is incredibly level in how he goes about his cricket.
“One of the things is he will make sure it doesn’t affect him negatively or distract him from his task in hand.
“He is a highly motivated cricketer. I don’t think he needs any more motivation.
“Adam has been tremendous for us. He is a fine cricketer. His record in white ball confirms that and now is playing red ball cricket consistently and is enjoying that challenge and has played well in the last couple of games.
“He has played some excellent knocks, mature, responsible but also not negating his natural tempo that he plays at.
“In T20 he has shown a great dynamic in terms of how he has gone about it. He has really helped the group in terms of how he goes about playing T20 cricket.
“The rest of the batters have certainly benefitted from having him around.”
After a last ball thriller in the Championship against Sussex, Worcestershire face five Blast games in eight days before returning to Championship action against Derbyshire at New Road.
It is a demanding challenge but one Richardson says the players are ready to embrace in positive fashion.
He said: “I’ve said before that the schedule doesn’t come as a surprise but it doesn’t make it any easier.
“We are playing five T20 games in eight days and then go straight back into another Championship game.
“In June we are playing 18 days out of 30 days without travelling and training so, for the boys, it is a huge task but one that they are certainly up for.
“It has been a tremendous effort so far and one we are looking to continue going forward.”
