Thursday, May 5th, 2022

ACADEMY COMPLETE T20 DOUBLE OVER LOCAL RIVALS AT BARNT GREEN

Worcestershire Academy (Under-18s) completed a double over Warwickshire Under-18s in two T20 warm-up matches at Barnt Green for the forthcoming ECB competition.

The Academy triumphed by seven wickets in the opening game and followed that up with a three-run success in game two.

Warwickshire were put in to bat in the opening game and were restricted to 101-9.

New ball bowlers Drew Malek (4-0-11-2) and Jack Warner (4-0-23-1) returned impressive figures, and Haris Ajaz (4-0-17-2) and Zashan Bashir (4-0-17-1) maintained the pressure.

Worcestershire number three, Callum Bennett, then struck 35 off 26 balls with two sixes and three fours.

There were also valuable contributions from openers Luke Powell (17) and Charlie Sharland (21), as victory was achieved in only 12.4 overs.

Game Two was a far tighter affair, with Worcestershire successfully defending their total of 128-8.

Ajay Shingadia top-scored with 29, and Bennett again scored freely in making 23 off 16 balls with three sixes.

When Warwickshire replied, Warner picked up an early wicket and then first change Gohar Nisar (4-0-11-3) ran through the top order.

Warner returned to pick up wickets in the 18th and 20th overs and ended with 4-0-23-3 as Warwickshire fell just short of their target on 125-8.