worcestershire ccc are continuing to set the pace in the north division of the second eleven trophy.
coach alex gidman’s side have won their opening four matches in the 2018 competition and are striving to secure a semi-final spot.
they are two points ahead of nearest rivals warwickshire and four ahead of yorkshire who have one match in hand.
worcestershire will continue their programme tomorrow when they take on durham seconds at hartlepool cc.
with players unavailable due to university exam commitments and preparing for the start of the royal london one-day cup, gidman has called up former gloucestershire batsman brandon gilmour and durham mccu paceman alexander russell for tomorrow’s game.
gilmour, 22, came through the gloucestershire academy and, after signing a two year contract in 2015, was released at the end of last summer and has been playing for berkshire.
russell, 19, made his first class debut for durham mccu against warwickshire at edgbaston in april.
the seconds complete their group versus lancashire seconds at barnt green on monday.
they have so far overcome warwickshire, derbyshire, mcc young cricketers and nottinghamshire.
the county will be keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s finale to the competition.
they also won their opening four games but then lost by eight runs to durham at New Road and then agonisingly by one wicket to lancashire at neston to just miss out on a last four spot.
in the south group leaders somerset and second placed middlesex are currently on course for the semis.
worcestershire seconds
westbury (c)
rhodes
wiffen
milton (w)
dell
malik
gilmour
twohig
finch
thornton
russell
—
north division
worcs played 4, won 4, lost 0, no result 0, points 8, run rate 0.814
warwicks 4, 3, 1, 0, 6, 2.673
yorks 3, 2, 1, 0, 4, 0.435
northants 5, 1, 2, 2, 4, -0.497
leics 3, 1, 1, 1, 3, 0.289
durham 2, 1, 1, 0, 2, 1.104
mcc yc 3, 1, 2, 0, 2, -0.929
notts 3, 1, 2, 0, 2, -1.170
derbys 3, 0, 2, 1, 1, -1.520
lancs 2, 0, 2, 0, 0, -1.960
