Head Coach, Alex Gidman, praised “an excellent team performance” as Worcestershire overcame Sussex by an innings and 34 runs in the LV=Insurance County Championship match at New Road.
Worcestershire’s attack picked up a combined tally of 15 wickets on the third day as Sussex, bowled out for 269 in their first innings, were dismissed for 188 after being asked to follow on.
It earned them a match tally of 23 points to add to the 14 when they came within one wicket of forcing victory in the opening game at Leicestershire.
Gidman said: “Just really pleased for the players. I thought we played a really good game of cricket, batted superbly well on what was a challenging wicket if you got the ball in the right areas.
“A great wicket, but a challenging wicket, and I thought we bowled with great discipline and executed really, really well throughout. Just really pleased for the players.
“It is nice, having come so close against Leicestershire, and then to have a week off and having to start again, to do so well and I’m just delighted for them.”
Ed Pollock set the tone for a game dominated by Worcestershire with his 77 off 74 balls on the opening day.
Gidman said: “Ed plays in his way and all he does is put the bowlers under pressure and opening batsmen can do that in different ways.
“Some leave the ball really well, some defend really well, Ed just puts pressure on and ups the score.
“It is a part of our game which suits us and takes the pressure off and I thought he started the game particularly well and laid a nice platform for the other batters to come in and do their stuff.
“As bowlers, we worked as a unit. As a four-pronged attack, and with the addition of Josh (Baker) as well, we just bowled consistently with discipline and patience and all the things you are craving for as a coach.
“I thought our length was outstanding throughout, bowled our bouncers as well. It was an excellent team performance from start to finish.”
New Club Captain, Brett D’Oliveira, scored a century for the second game running and led the side in exemplary fashion.
Gidman said: “I’m not sure you could ask for a better start as a captain! He is not out yet in three innings and two amazing hundreds.
“A hundred is a hundred but then to do them under pressure, which he has been obviously starting the captaincy and the situations he has gone out, is outstanding leadership and I’m delighted for him.”
