Newcomer Rob Jones was delighted to score his first century for Worcestershire Rapids in the Metro Bank One Day Cup win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks and said: “It was nice to show the boys I’m an alright batter!”.
Jones, on loan from Lancashire for the 50 over competition before he starts a three year contract in October, struck a superb 122 as the Rapids chased down a 253 target at Wantage Road.
He was given excellent support by captain Jake Libby (81 not out) in a record-breaking stand of 194 for the third wicket.
Jones has made several useful contributions during the 50 over tournament but was pleased to reach three figures as the Rapids clocked up a fourth victory in six games to climb into the top three.
He said: “Pretty pleased with that one, and I enjoyed it as well, but more importantly we won the game. It is nice to contribute to a win and that’s more important than any individual performances at this stage of the competition.
“We’ve got two games left and hopefully we can keep winning and get through to that quarter-final.
“People that know me as well will say I’m passionate as well and want to do really well for any club I play for.
“It was nice to get a decent score and show the boys I’m an alright batter instead of getting a few decent starts. I’m absolutely chuffed with that.
“It’s just a number but you want to get to that three figures, and you try to put it to the back of your mind, and just play what’s in front of you and it was nice to get over the line.”
Jones received a standing ovation from his team-mates on the dressing room balcony and said: “The boys have been brilliant. I can’t thank them enough and I’ve settled in so well.
“Just to give that back is nice, and just to see them up there clapping, it feels like a real team as well.”
Jones praised the way Worcestershire’s bowlers took control with the new ball and bowled the home side out for 252 despite a century from Tom Taylor.
He said: “With the new ball up top, it zipped around a little bit and stood up a little bit, there was a bit of pace there and the bowlers bowled beautifully.
“Full credit to them (Dillon Pennington and Matthew Waite) for getting three wickets down in the powerplay.
“We always thought at the back of our mind it was a good wicket. Obviously, Tom Taylor played beautifully there and got them into a position where they got a score.
“But we came off the field and thought 250 was a gettable score and that they were a little under par with that, so all good.”
Jones and Libby then paced the Rapids reply perfectly before victory was secured with nearly eight overs to spare.
He said: “It was a case of assessing the conditions early in our innings, and just settling it down, and negotiating the new ball because it did a bit for them as well.
“Libbs played beautifully, just become a dad as well which is brilliant for him, and it was a great knock from him.
“I didn’t think we needed to go ahead of the rate especially.
“We just felt fours and fives an over was decent with the odd big over in there and, once you are getting close, you can hammer it home.”
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