Friday, July 28th, 2023

ACADEMY RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION AGAINST LOCAL RIVALS

Worcestershire Academy (Under-18s) will return to ECB Under-18 County Championship Group Two action on Tuesday after drawing their opening game in the competition with Somerset at Barnt Green.

They will take on local rivals Warwickshire Under-18s at Portland Road, Edgbaston in a three-day game beginning on Tuesday August 1.

Rehaan Edavalath and Olly Cox are part of the Academy side which will be captained by Joe Stanley, with Joe Porter keeping wicket.

Against Somerset, the visitors elected to bat and totalled 423 all out from 92.1 overs with Josh Leach returning 5-85 and Stanley 2-61.

In reply, Worcestershire reached 324-9 before declaring 99 runs behind to breathe life back into the game.

Cox, who struck 56 off 53 balls, and Joe Stanley (43) put on 83 for the first wicket when Worcestershire launched their reply.

Cameron Jones (76 not out) and Seth Essenhigh (61) then added 97 for the sixth wicket before the declaration.

Jones, who had played for the Midlands in the Super Fours, hit one six and nine fours in his 147 ball knock and Essenhigh one maximum and seven boundaries as he faced 109 deliveries.

Somerset raced to 219-3 declared in their second innings, with Ciaran Baker-Smith (2-41) the most successful Worcestershire bowler.

They were set a target of 320 but there was only time for one over to be bowled before the elements forced play to be abandoned.

Worcestershire Academy Squad To Face Warwickshire
Olly Cox
Rehaan Edavalath
Joe Stanley ©
Jack Home
Ollie Walker
Reeve Evitts
Louis Hursthouse
Cameron Jones
Ben Clarke
Joe Porter (W)
Josh Leach
Harry Darley

*The Academy are also in action on Sunday when they take on Gloucestershire in a 50 over fixture at Chipping Campden CC

They will line-up:

Henry Hardinges
Nathan Jukes
Indianna Jerram
Alfie Higgins
Flynn Gunston
Ciaran Baker-smith ©
Callum Butler (W)
Sam Clements
Joe Harrison
Tom Odell
Charlie Egerton
Fahad Saeed