Joe Clarke scored his second double hundred for Worcestershire Seconds – and on his 19th birthday – on the opening day of the three-day clash with Gloucestershire Seconds at Cheltenham College today.
The England Under-19 wicket-keeper smashed an unbeaten 201 off 200 balls with six sixes and 23 fours – including his second ton off just 51 balls – after Worcestershire skipper Shaaiq Choudhry had elected to bat.
It followed on from his 222 against MCC Young Cricketers at Kidderminster last summer – the highest ever score by a Worcestershire player in the Second Eleven Championship.
Clarke came to the wicket at 58-2 and batted all the way through to the declaration at 404-7 in 91.1 overs.
Brett D'Oliveira gave the innings early impetus and set a good platform with 59 off 90 balls with one six – in only the fourth over of the innings – and eight fours before he was bowled by Jack Taylor with the score on 92 in the 28th over.
Worcestershire found themselves 150-5 before Clarke featured in two sizeable partnerships.
He added 94 for the sixth wicket with Gareth Andrew (52) who found the boundary 10 times and is playing purely as batsman in this game.
Andrew eventually holed out to Benny Howell in the deep but then Clarke cut loose and put on 144 with Ed Barnard (37) for the seventh wicket.
Clarke went into tea on 100 from 149 deliveries and even the second new ball did not stop his assault in the final session.
Worcestershire eventually declared on 404-7 and Gloucestershire reached 55-0 by the close.
Worcestershire Seconds – first innings
Kohler-Cadmore c Herring b Hampton 7
D'Oliveira b Taylor 59
Rhodes b Howell 11
Clarke not out 201
Choudhry b Hampton 12
Hepburn st Herring b Taylor 3
Andrew c Howell b Hammond 52
Barnard b Howell 37
Dell not out 10
Extras 12
Total (for seven wickets declared) 404 in 91.1 overs.
FOW: 17, 58, 92, 132, 150, 244, 388.
Bowling: Hampton 2-71, Howell 2-46, Taylor 2-64, Hammond 1-54.
Gloucestershire Seconds – first innings
Tavare not out 29
Hammond not out 22
Extras 4
Total (for 0 wickets) 55 in 10 overs.
Bowling
Barnard 3-0-18-0
Tongue 4-0-25-0
Scrimshaw 2-0-6-0
Rhodes 1-0-6-0
