Hampshire Preview: Reaction required as Pears hit the road

Rothesay County Championship Division One: Hampshire v Worcestershire

Venue: Utilita Bowl

Date: Sunday 29th June

Scheduled start time: 11am

Worcestershire continue Rothesay County Championship action on Sunday, as they travel to face mid-table Hampshire in a vital Division One clash.

Having been well-beaten by Surrey last time out, the Pears must bounce back almost immediately, as the look to claim some valuable points on the road and help their Division One survival bid.

Worcestershire suffered a chastening nine-wicket defeat against Surrey, after the home side were blown away midway through Day Three, as their struggle at the wrong end of Division One continued.

Worcestershire compiled just 125 in their second innings, as they collapsed to lose six-wicket for thirteen runs.

Requiring just 49 to win at Visit Worcestershire New Road, Surrey just needed 15 overs to secure a nine wicket win.

A fifth defeat of the season leaves Alan Richardson’s side bottom of the Division One table, with five-days to turn fortunes around before they take on Hampshire, this Sunday.

Worcestershire Captain Brett D’Oliveira says his side will “come back stronger” as they prepare to take on Hampshire this weekend, in their next instalment of the Rothesay County Championship.

After watching his side fall to a heavy defeat against title-contenders, Surrey, last time out, D’Oliveira is in the frame to return to action this Sunday.

Absent through injury, the captain says watching from the sidelines has been frustrating but is confident his team have all the parts in place to return to somewhere near their best this weekend.

“It is never easy sitting the other side of the rope, especially when things aren’t going your way. I know full well that this sort of result sparks a change, and all the lads have been working exceptionally hard to ensure we come back stronger this weekend.

“We looked at things, identified what needs to change and be corrected, now we are firmly looking ahead to Sunday and keen to get stuck in against another well-organised side.

“Alan mentioned it earlier in the week, about resilience and spirit being our hallmarks, so we have to translate that into a complete performance.”

Having been named in the squad to face Surrey, the Worcestershire Club Captain played no part in the game, with his return from injury a process being managed very carefully by the club’s medical staff.

With his team’s batting unit coming under particular scrutiny from the visiting Surrey bowling attack, the 33-year-old makes no excuses in wake of their performance.

“Again, we don’t need to dwell on things too much. We were put under pressure by an excellent attack who put the ball in good areas for prolonged periods of time, which they are allowed to do.

“We have taken time to assess and look at where we can improve, with the lads working tirelessly this week to get things right for this weekend.

“Hampshire will provide another stern test I am sure, but that is no different to every other team in the Division. It’s the nature of being in this league.

“What we can’t afford to do is get bogged down with what could have been and what we might have done differently – it’s about acknowledging it, correcting it, and giving our absolute all across the board from the first ball on Sunday.”

Last result: Draw v Essex (a)

Table position: 7th

One to watch: Liam Dawson

Worcestershire were the only side that played a fixture ending in a result during the previous round of County Championship Division One fixtures, as the four other matches ended in draws, including Hampshire’s contest with Essex.

The Southampton-based side have collected two wins so far this campaign, going into Sunday’s fixture searching for a win that could take them as high as fourth in the table, if other results go their way.

After a high-scoring draw in their recent visit to Essex, Hampshire head into their first Championship meeting of the season with Worcestershire, looking to return winning ways at the Utilita Bowl.

Central to their success across formats in recent years has been spinner Liam Dawson, who has continued his impressive form with both the bat and ball.

Fresh off of a season best 139 against Essex, Dawson is averaging 40.81 in the longer-format competition this campaign, all whilst picking up 20 wickets for his side in their eight Championship matches played to date.

Widely regarded as one of the most consistent performers in First-Class cricket and unlucky not to have gained more honours on the International scene, Worcestershire will be hoping that they can keep Hampshire’s main man’s effect on the match to a minimum when the sides come face-to-face on Sunday.