Friday, August 2nd, 2019

ANOTHER CENTURY FOR ALEX MILTON IN SECONDS FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH OF 2019

ANOTHER CENTURY FOR ALEX MILTON IN SECONDS FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH OF 2019

Alex Milton scored his second century in three Second Eleven Championship matches for Worcestershire who went down by seven wickets to Nottinghamshire after tea on the final day at Notts Sports Club.

Milton had fought a similar rearguard action when hitting his SEC best of 138 against Leicestershire Seconds at Stourbridge to help Worcestershire earn a draw.

But his efforts were in vain this time in Worcestershire’s final Championship match of 2019 as Nottinghamshire reached their 158 target.

Milton struck 18 boundaries in his fine 135 from 156 balls before he was ninth out to Jack Blatherwick.

But, unlike against Leicestershire when Nick Hammond – currently injured – also scored a century, Milton did not receive much substantial support.

Only Josh Tongue (27) today stayed with Milton for a significant partnership of 63 for the seventh wicket.

Worcestershire resumed on 96-3 and Club Captain Joe Leach (18) was bowled by Zak Chappell while Jacques Banton (1) fell lbw to Liam Patterson-White.

Xavie Clarke (10) was a victim of Chris Gibson at 176-3 before Tongue, who struck four fours in his 32-ball knock, joined forces with Milton.

Milton went to his century off 113 balls with 15 fours, his second fifty taking just 47 deliveries.

Worcestershire were eventually bowled out for 285 in 70.2 overs with Blatherwick (4-82), Chappell (2-62) and Kashif Ali (2-25) the main wicket-takers.

Tongue struck a quick blow when Nottinghamshire set off in pursuit of their target when he had Ben Slater (3) caught behind by Milton.

Gibson made a quickfire 38 off 32 balls before he fell to Adam Finch as Nottinghamshire reached 86-2 at tea.

There was a third breakthrough when Patterson-White (40) was caught behind off Ed Bragg with 20 runs added to the interval total.

But Ben Compton (54 not out) and Lyndon James (22 not out) saw Nottinghamshire to victory in 34 overs without any more setbacks.

Tongue ended with figures 5-0-27-1, bowling a total of 21 overs in his comeback Seconds game after injury, Finch 7-0-27-1 and Bragg 5-0-21-1.