Monday, August 21st, 2023

SECONDS IN FRIENDLY ACTION AGAINST SACA AT OMBERSLEY

Worcestershire Seconds have arranged a one day friendly against the South Asian Cricket Association which will take place at Ombersley on Tuesday.

The Seconds have enjoyed a successful season in the Championship and are currently in fourth spot after winning four of their eight matches.

But this will be their first action of the month – a 50 over game – with no fixtures originally planned in August because of potential call-ups to The Hundred and players required to step up into the Rapids squad, plus a busy Academy schedule.

One of tomorrow’s squad, Cameron Jones, made his One day Cup debut against Somerset at Taunton while fellow pace bowler, Harry Darley, played in the warm-up fixture against Shropshire at Shrewsbury.

Trialist Matt Burton, who picked up four wickets with the new ball in the Seconds Championship win over Glamorgan at New Road last month, is being given another outing.

The 26-year-old has been playing Seconds cricket throughout the summer for Hampshire.

Ed Pollock will captain the side with Academy keeper Seth Essenhigh behind the stumps and play gets underway at 11am.

Assistant Coach Richard Jones, who has been overseeing the Seconds campaign, confirmed: “We have managed to organise a friendly against SACA and, looking back, and obviously hindsight is always a good thing, we potentially could have arranged a couple more friendlies.

“It is tricky because August is a busy month for the Academy boys with the ECB County Championship and Super Fours and also the possibility of lads being called up into the first team squad.”

Several players have gained match experience in the National Counties with Herefordshire, including opener Rehaan Edavalath and keeper-batter Henry Cullen.

Jones said: “It is a good standard of cricket and for our young guys, the rookie guys this year, it is another chance for them to perform against some good players.

“The fact we have got those relationships with National Counties is really important and something we hold dear at Worcestershire.

“Any opportunities for those guys to be playing three day cricket, representative cricket with certain pressures, is fantastic and is something players have done here for a long period of time.

“There are some very good cricketers and it is a really good test and we are thankful for the opportunities to give the boys some cricket.”

Worcestershire Seconds
Taylor Cornall
Ed Pollock ©
Jack Haynes
Olly Cox
Ollie Sutton
Reeve Evitts
Cameron Jones
Harry Darley
Ben Gibbon
Matt Burton
Ben Parker
Seth Essenhigh (w)
Ben Clarke