All-rounder Ethan Brookes was full of admiration for a “beautiful” innings from teenage prodigy Isaac Mohammed that helped his Worcestershire side to a 60-run win over Essex that secured a first Metro Bank One Day Cup win of the season.
Isaac, stroked 63 from 75 balls as he laid the platform for his side to set a first innings total of 340-9, that was followed up by a clinical bowling performance as the Rapids won by 60-runs in a hard-fought victory away from home.
After setting up proceedings in ideal style, Isaac was eventually dismissed for an eye-catching 63, with the 17-year-old further growing his reputation as one of the brightest stars in the county game.
Brookes, said the effortless nature in which Isaac kickstarted the Rapids innings gave everyone a glimpse of what he is capable of.
“It looked extremely difficult at the start. I thought Snater and their young opening bowler [Charlie Bennett] bowled well.
“Dolly and Isaac batted beautifully and set the innings up for us. Isaac, as a 17-year-old, got his maiden List A half-century, so it was pleasing for him.
“That set the game up before Kash and Libs came in and did what they did, putting on over a hundred comfortably. Then I guess when you are three down with 15 overs to go it’s foot on the gas. It was a nice situation to come in.
“I think Isaac has got so much potential, we’re all buzzing to have a youngster in the side who’s got so much potential and I have no doubt he’s going to shine in the future.
“He’s going to be a real star.
“He played Snater as well as anyone could have. A lot went past the bat [early on] but he didn’t panic, he timed his innings perfectly, but he will be disappointed not to kick on and get an even bigger score. But he did a really good job for the team and set up the innings.”
Having passed 300 for the second game in succession, courtesy of big contributions from Kashif Ali (80) and Jake Libby (70), the Rapids got to the halfway stage in the ascendency.
Fateh Singh (2-38) and Brookes himself, (3-52) ensured that the visitors were restricted to 220-7, before the tail was cleaned up 60-runs shy of the necessary target.
Having shown his qualities with the bat already this year in the Rothesay County Championship and the Vitality T2o Blast, Brookes once again highlighted his importance to the side with a blistering half-century, before taking three crucial Essex wickets on his way to another inspiring performance.
The 24-year-old was delighted with how the bowlers in particular applied themselves, after a frustrating display away at Notts Outlaws on Thursday.
“We were pleased with our total. We thought it was on par, though we knew it was a good batting wicket here, the outfield is very quick, so we were very happy with 340, but we knew we would have to take early wickets and bowl well as a group.
“Credit to the bowlers, I thought we bowled very well. They got off to a good start in their innings and we were behind the game a little bit and then we took some good wickets.
“Fats bowled well in the middle and got us some key breakthroughs. Everyone did their bit.
“Thursday at Notts almost felt like a loss, so to put it right in this game, everyone is very pleased.”
