Jake Libby has enjoyed watching Worcestershire’s other batters pile up the runs this season and has been impressed with the steel shown by the side.
The prolific opener scored his first century of the season during the drawn LV=Insurance County Championship match with Derbyshire at the Incora Ground.
For the second Sunday running, Worcestershire lost only one wicket all day and did all that was required to share the spoils against Durham at New Road and Derbyshire.
Libby’s hundred was the sixth time he has reached three figures for Worcestershire in just over two years.
But he has been delighted with how Ed Pollock, Azhar Ali, Jack Haynes, Brett D’Oliveira and Ed Barnard have made for a formidable combination during the first phase of the season.
Libby said: “The way we have battled to earn draws in the last two games is testament to where we have come over the last couple of years.
“We are now a really hard team to beat and pride ourselves on that and having that steel.
“If you can’t win the game, you want to draw the game, so really pleased with how we have performed on the whole.”
Libby has enjoyed two fine seasons since he made a move from Nottinghamshire and was delighted to clock up another big score.
He said: “For me, being a little short of runs, it was nice to contribute to a result for Worcestershire, pleased to get a score and be not out at the end.
“But it’s been great to watch all the other lads pile them on.
“The middle-order has batted really well, and we’ve batted really well as a unit this season.
“Obviously, it’s not nice when you are not scoring runs, but I’ve been moving okay in nets, and I was hoping a score was around the corner, and luckily it was.”
Worcestershire picked up 14 points against Derbyshire after Libby and Azhar ensured the last day went smoothly.
He said: “A lot of the hard work was done in the first hour on Sunday and the previous night.
“We also had a real tough hour after lunch, when they really came hard at us, and there were periods of play where we had to work really hard, and Azhar (Ali) played beautifully when it was tough.”
Libby says Worcestershire can be satisfied with their performances in the opening five games ahead of Thursday’s home LV=Insurance County Championship match with Leicestershire.
He said: “We will be pleased with our start to the season. We’ve obviously played on some flat pitches which have demanded draws.
“But, if we can take this forward, we are in a good position. If we can find a bit of momentum, when we get the right pitches, a couple of wins will really shoot us up towards the top.
“It is just a couple of wins from getting up to the top two. We’ve got to be really happy with where we are as a squad. We are performing well in all facets of the game.
It’s just a case of staying positive and trying to get the result when the opportunity comes.”
