Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

MILTON AND HAMMOND HIT HUNDREDS AS SECONDS SHARE SPOILS

MILTON AND HAMMOND HIT HUNDREDS AS SECONDS SHARE SPOILS

Captain Alex Milton hit his highest Second Eleven Championship score for Worcestershire as he and fellow centurion Nick Hammond batted through most of the final day to secure a draw with Leicestershire at Stourbridge.

Milton surpassed his previous best of 108 against Leicestershire at Rugby School last summer and went onto make 135 off 202 balls with 15 fours.

Former Worcestershire Academy player Hammond, who now studies at Loughborough University, struck his second Championship hundred from 195 balls with one six and 14 fours.

He ended 102 not out – just short of his Championship best of 105 versus Northamptonshire at Kidderminster in 2018.

Milton and Haynes put on 204 in 53 overs as Worcestershire closed on 346-5 from 96.2 overs – an overall lead of 106 after being asked to follow on.

The Seconds resumed on 45-2 with the Haynes brothers, Jack and Josh, at the wicket.

But Josh (4) did not add to his overnight tally before he was caught behind off Gavin Griffiths to the ninth delivery of the morning.

Milton came to the wicket and he and Haynes added 70 in 21 overs for the fourth wicket.

The partnership was broken when Haynes, having resisted for 100 balls and hit four fours, was lbw to spinner Callum Parkinson.

Milton went onto complete his second half century of the game from 89 deliveries and it contained six boundaries.

By lunch he had move onto 56 out of 139-4 from 50 overs.

Milton’s stand with Hammond flourished during the afternoon session.

Keeper Milton went to a fine century off 157 balls with 11 fours and then the hundred partnership with Hammond came up in 198 balls.

Leicestershire could find no way through until, with the game virtually safe, Milton was bowled by Alex Evans.