Worcestershire came agonisingly close to securing a first Rothesay County Championship win of the season, falling just 28 runs short of a famous victory on a gripping final day at Chelmsford.
In a match packed with momentum shifts, 23-year-old Ethan Brookes lit up the latter stages with a breathtaking counter-attack, smashing 88 from 105 balls, including seven sixes, in a valiant solo effort with the bat.
Brookes, who had shown patience and discipline throughout his innings, changed gears following the fall of the ninth wicket and launched a spectacular assault, clearing the ropes multiple times in a thrilling finale. He reached his fifty from 73 balls and dominated a 50-run last-wicket stand with Jacob Duffy, who held firm at the other end without scoring.
However, just as hopes of a stunning comeback grew, Brookes became the final wicket to fall, caught and bowled by Jamie Porter, whose 6-52 ultimately proved decisive.
Worcestershire resumed the final day on 185-6, needing a further 110 runs for victory with Essex requiring four wickets. With rain on the forecast, both sides sensed an opportunity and went in search of a result.
Matthew Waite was first to depart, playing on off Porter for 27, before Tom Taylor edged to slip off the same bowler. When Ben Allison was bowled by Kasun Rajitha, the Pears were nine down with over 70 still required.
What followed was a spirited show of defiance and brilliance from Brookes, who launched Simon Harmer and Rajitha for a flurry of sixes, including a remarkable shot over the square-leg boundary to bring up his half-century. One maximum even sailed into the Tom Pearce Stand, and he continued to entertain a tense Chelmsford crowd with fearless ball-striking.
Even Porter wasn’t spared, as Brookes launched him over fine leg for his seventh six. But off the very next delivery, Porter found a leading edge and then charged in to take a contentious catch inches from the batter. Porter, joined by several Essex teammates, then quickly surrounded the young Pears batter, firmly claiming it had carried.
It was a hard-fought contest across four days, with Worcestershire showing real character throughout, from their first-innings bowling effort that dismissed Essex for 179, to chasing a challenging 295 target on a seamer-friendly hybrid surface.
Attention now turns to the next fixture, with plenty of positives to build on from a spirited display in Essex.
