Worcestershire assistant coach-bowling coach Matt Mason has given his reaction to day two of the Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at New Road.
The County will resume tomorrow on 231-8 in reply to Sussex’s 430 all out.
Mason said: “A disappointing day, no doubt about that. Firstly with the ball, we were very frustrated not to get the job done first thing this morning especially after the disappointment of yesterday.
“I thought we might bounce back this morning and then wrap things up pretty quickly and we may have done apart from the unfortunate situation of taking wickets on no balls which is unforgivable as a bowler.
“That was disappointing. Ed (Barnard) accepts he has not got that right and it is frustrating for all of us and then again they played pretty well at the back end.
“Young Jofra Archer is a fine cricketer and you can’t afford to let guys like that off the hook.
“Then with the bat, I think we batted a little bit tired, some lazy dismissals, poor shots, those top five wickets were wickets we probably gave away.
“Quite a disappointing day and we have left ourselves in a bit of a mess really.”
Regarding bowling no balls, Mason said: “It comes down to discipline in practice. It is something we might have to look at.
“We could probably do that a little bit better because wickets on no balls are so costly.
“You fight so hard to get that breakthrough and to not actually have it is very frustrating for everyone.”
On the difficulties of returning straight to Championship action from a T20 double header, Mason said: “I think that would be an excuse that we would be offering to be honest.
“Professional cricketers these days, we have to adjust to all formats. We have to adjust quickly.
“Batters and bowlers have to play in different ways. It is part of being a pro cricketer in the modern era. It is the same for the Sussex lads.
“They have to make the same adjustments and have probably done it a little bit better than we have.”
On Ed Barnard’s unbeaten knock of 30, Mason said: “His batting has come on brilliantly. He probaby deserves to bat that high (number seven) and he has shown us that today.
“I thought that was a fantastic knock for him (30 not out) under difficult conditions. Jordan and Archer are formidable bowlers and I thought he coped with them well.
“He has got a big job to do tomorrow to get us somewhere near that follow on. It is going to be tough but we can probably do it if we knuckle down and bat really well tomorrow.”
On Joe Clarke’s superb 77, Mason said: “Clarkey is seeing the ball really well, hitting it clean, and he is in great form.
“Shame he got out today but again it is not just about Joe. We’ve all got to knuckle down and contribute with the bat.
“He has been the shining light this Championship campaign and he looks terrific.”
