Worcestershire’s Academy (Under-18s) are through to the quarter-finals of the ECB Under-18 County Cup after defeating local rivals Warwickshire by 71 runs at Old Hill.
Callum Bennett’s half century helped the Academy total 243-9 in 50 overs after Ismail Mohammed and Rehaan Edavalath’s opening stand of 85 laid the foundations.
Then deadly new ball bowling by Bilal Arshad and Jack Warner reduced Warwickshire to 8-4 and they were eventually dismissed for 172 in 36.2 overs.
Worcestershire will now meet Northamptonshire, who defeated Nottinghamshire by 59 runs, in the last eight.
Captain Joe Stanley elected to bat and Mohammed – 49 off 55 balls with two sixes and six fours – and Edavalath – 39 off 40 deliveries with one six and five fours – gave the Academy the ideal platform.
Bennett ensured the early momentum was maintained with 53 off 60 balls with one six and eight fours before Stanley made a useful 17 not out.
Arshad (5-1-18-2) and Warner (5-1-17-2) each picked up two wickets with the new ball to remove the Warwickshire top order.
Stanley (10-0-38-2) and Mohammed (3.2-0-8-2) kept Warwickshire in check and there was also a wicket apiece for Gohar Nisar (1-25) and Olly Davidson (1-45).
