Monday, August 26th, 2024

Academy set for ECB County Championship title decider with local rivals

Holders Worcestershire Academy (Under-18s) are heading for a final game battle with local rivals Warwickshire to decide the ECB County Championship Group Two title.

The two sides meet in the three-day competition at Barnt Green starting on Tuesday with Warwickshire holding a slender one-point lead.

They have picked up 63 points but had four deducted for slow over rates – with Worcestershire on 58.

Gloucestershire are the other team in contention and currently lie in third spot with 56 points.

Worcestershire have won the title for the past two years and are unbeaten in three ball red ball cricket for five years since losing away to Hampshire in 2019.

Both Worcestershire and Warwickshire have won one and drawn three of their four opening fixtures.

Worcestershire have named a 12 strong squad which includes spinner Josh Leach who picked up four wickets in four balls for the Midlands in the Super Fours at Loughborough.

Worcestershire Under-18s

Louis Hursthouse

Henry Hardinges

Nathan Jukes

Fin Goodman

Alfie Higgins

Joe Porter (w)

Henry Hawes

Josh Leach

Ben Clarke ©

Asad Ullah-Azami

Ollie Smith

Ben Clements