Seth Essenhigh’s half-century and useful contributions with bat and ball by Ben Clarke and Ciaran Baker-Smith helped Worcestershire Academy (Under-18s) defeat Wales Under-18s by 114 runs in a 50 over fixture at Bromsgrove School.
Keeper-batter Essenhigh came to the wicket at 46-3 after the Academy had been put into bat and raced to 51 off 43 balls with eight fours.
He added 67 for the fourth wicket with Flynn Gordon (24).
The Academy were 128-6 after the loss of three quick wickets but Clarke (30) and Henry Hawes (38) put on 51.
Baker-Smith’s late blows in making 26 off 21 balls lifted the final total to 241 all out from 49.2 overs.
When Wales batted, they were reduced to 54-4 with Ollie Smith (6-1-25-2) and Clarke (10-1-33-2) both claiming two wickets.
The spin of captain Joe Stanley (7-1-16-2) and Baker-Smith (6.4-0-12-3) then ensured the Academy remained in control.
Wales were eventually dismissed for 127 in 38.4 overs.
