Friday, August 25th, 2023

COX AND DARLEY IMPRESS ON DEBUT FOR RAPIDS IN TOUR MATCH

Worcestershire batter Olly Cox and pace bowler Harry Darley demonstrated their potential when playing for the Rapids in the sell-out T20 encounter with New Zealand at New Road.

Rookie professional Cox smashed a 31 ball half-century and went on to make 63 with one six and 11 fours.

He left the field to a standing ovation from the members in the Graeme Hick Pavilion.

Academy member Darley showed his ability with the ball by picking up two of the three wickets to fall as New Zealand chased down a 125 target to win by seven wickets.

Both players were making their full debut for the club as the Rapids rested several players ahead of Sunday’s Metro Bank One Day Cup semi-final with Hampshire.

Ed Pollock skippered the Rapids while the Black Caps fielded six of the squad who will be in contention for the opening T20I at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

Olly Cox was quickly into his stride, slicing Jamieson over point for the first boundary and flicking Ben Lister off his legs for four.

Kashif Ali had finished as the leading six-hitter in the One Day Cup group stages with 21 maximums but he and Rob Jones fell in the space of three balls to Rachin Ravindra.

Ravindra had Kashif (10) caught at short third man, and Jones (0) attempted a reverse sweep and found point.

Olly Cox greeted Jamieson’s return with three boundaries in an over but in the same over Ben Cox (4) attempted a scoop shot and was caught behind.

Cole McConchie was driven for a straight six by Olly Cox, and his fine knock eventually ended when he drilled Cronchie to long on.

Pollock (8) picked out deep mid-wicket off Jamieson and Taylor Cornall (8) attempted to cut a widish delivery from New Zealand captain Lockie Ferguson and feathered through to the keeper.

Ravindra returned to have Josh Baker pouched at long on and Jamieson held a return catch from Ben Gibbon (1) .

Ferguson wrapped up the innings by having Mitchell Stanley (1) caught down the legside and Pat Brown’s scoop shot only picked out deep fine leg.

Tim Seifert made a quickfire 30 for New Zealand before he tried to sweep Josh Baker and was bowled behind his legs.

Chad Bowes (35) also looked in good touch before he holed out to backward square off Darley.

The pace bowler had more success when Ravindra top edged a pull and provided simple catch for Ben Cox before Glenn Phillips (32 not out) saw New Zealand to victory.