Worcestershire Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira admitted the stunning Vitality County Championship win over Essex at Chelmsford was the best he has been involved in during his career in four-day cricket.
D’Oliveira said “every player from one to eleven” had contributed to the 43-run success after Essex were bowled out for 140 on the final afternoon and that the group’s character had again been evident.
Worcestershire are now 30 points clear of the bottom two spots after a third successive win as they look to cement a Division One spot.
D’Oliveira said: “I just said to the group that it is one of the best games I’ve ever played in. I can’t think of a better four-day win I’ve ever been involved in at the club.
“To come here, and just the nature of how the game went, being behind the eight ball at 10-4 on the first morning, and winning is superb.
“The character and strength that group has shown over the last 18 months has been incredible and has come to the forefront of this game, and it was just great to get that victory.
“I don’t think I can ever remember coming to Chelmsford and getting a four-day win.
“When you look at Division One teams, you are up against quality sides, like Essex are, and they’ve been so successful over the past few years.
“It is imperative we stay upbeat and try and compete as much as we can and try and get into good positions. We’ve managed to do that this game and get over the finishing line.”
D’Oliveira played a key role with the bat, hitting two half-centuries and fielding at short mid-on shortly before lunch.
He deflected the ball onto the stumps when attempting a catch to run out Robin Das and then held onto a stunning effort to dismiss Jordan Cox.
D’Oliveira said: “We got the ball reverse swinging and were trying to use that to our advantage as much as we could with that straight catch on the wicket.
“I managed to drop a catch and get a run-out off the same ball, so the cricket gods were with us, for sure!”
D’Oliveira also highlighted the stunning legside catch by Gareth Roderick to dismiss Shane Snater.
He said: “I said from one to eleven this week somebody has done something during this game and that’s what great teams do.
“For Gareth to stand in the field for a long time and be mentally ready to take that catch and technically be in such a good position and take that one handed, it is a game-changing and a winning moment really.”
Logan van Beek also demonstrated his quality with 4-26 on the final day in his first red ball game for nearly six months.
D’Oliveira said: “He is rusty in terms of his red ball cricket, he will openly admit that, but he is very optimistic and believes in his ability, like we all do.
“He was a crucial partner breaker right the way through the innings for us.”
Amar Virdi’s first red ball bowl for two years was also impressive and he sent down a total of 60.4 overs in the game and picked up five wickets.
D’Oliveira said: “He was thoroughly impressive. He was highlighted in our team song just for the sheer amount of overs he has bowled this week.
“Never once did I hear a complaint from him. He was happy to keep bowling. The surface assisted him a little bit but it was fairly slow and the Essex batters are used to batting on these wickets.
“For him to bowl the amount of balls he did and keep creating chances every couple of overs was imperative.”
