“This will be a highlight of my career.”
Just in case you are in any doubt what Saturday, 20th September means to Worcestershire star, Ethan Brookes, who played a leading role in what can only be described as a sporting fairytale yesterday at Trent Bridge.
Living out that dream for many moons to come will be all those involved at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, after an unforgettable final saw the Rapids write themselves into folklore, clinching a stunning victory with two balls to spare against Hampshire.
An emotionally charged tournament saw the side represent the JB33 Foundation on the front of their playing shirts, in a touching tribute to the late Josh Baker, with Saturday evening providing a wholesome, full circle moment, as Josh’s parents, Paul and Lisa, were able to lift the Metro Bank trophy from the stands, mobbed by his overwhelmed and ecstatic former teammates.
Captain, Jake Libby, emphasised that the club’s first piece of silverware in seven years runs a lot deeper than just the tangible rewards of the trophy lift.
“It’s obviously a really special day.
“We have played some really consistent cricket, and had some really special performances, topped off by this guy here on my left.
“It sort of sums up our tournament really. I think with Waites and Henry, it was very fitting them to come in at the end and finish it off.
“But this means a lot to a lot of people at the club, both players, coaches, supporters, families, friends and, of course, Josh Baker, who we’ve won proudly on the front of our shirt this season, and is still very much in our thoughts.
“It’s just a really special day for the club and a lot of people involved.”
At the heart of the Rapids’ success this year has been all-rounder and rising star Ethan Brookes, who’s stunning cameos with the bat, ball and in the field helped his side out of some ominous positions throughout the campaign, and was once again at the forefront of the three-wicket DLS victory on the main stage at Trent Bridge.
An exhilarating finish from another youngster, Henry Cullen, was made possible by the jaw dropping 34 ball 57 from Brookes, who came to the middle with his side firmly up against it in yesterday’s final, but once again displayed his cool and calm nature under pressure to put his team in a position to come out on top in a grand stand finish.
Typically humble, even after single-handedly changing the course of the final and in a wider sense, the club’s history, Brookes said he knew staying in touch with the run-rate and playing each ball on it’s own merit was crucial.
“Obviously, the weather played big part. We didn’t know if he was going to dump it down with rain again, but I think the run rate always was about 11/12 and knowing that you can manage that at this ground was good as it is a very quick scoring ground.
“But yeah, it was all a little bit of a blur to be honest!
“I kind of went out with intent to try and clear the ropes and luckily that happened. Some days you could hit the second ball straight up, but obviously that wasn’t the case today.
“I am very, very thankful, it’s heartbreaking what’s happened so to share a very special memory of his parents and honour Josh will definitely be a highlight of my career.”
Reliving the moment he walked to the middle in amongst a cauldron of emotions at the end of the 17th over, the required run-rate rose above 12 for Worcestershire, with the majority of hopes resting on the shoulders of Brookes.
The 24-year-old navigated the situation with total poise, pacing his attack on the Hampshire bowlers to perfection.
Speaking after the match, Brookes revealed he had a plan in his mind when the game reached tipping point.
“Currie was bowling well and virtually on the white line, so I thought that’s pretty much impossible to get to 12 an over off him, just because just with his away swing you can’t hit the ball.
“Then the other end, when Abbott and fuller, I think it was, I can’t really remember, this is all a bit of a blur! I kind of knew that they were going to go off pace, because that’s what the wicked suited and yeah, I took them on and I am just so pleased it came off.”
With Trent Bridge reminiscing a sold-out New Road for Saturday’s showpiece final, fans gathered in their thousands to witness the club compete for a List A trophy since reaching the final 21 years ago.
The palpable sense of relief, mixed with a magical and somewhat indescribable joy will stay with supporters, families, friends and players of the club for an eternity.
Libby, said to cap off a whirlwind two years in such poetic fashion is just rewards for a growing side.
“I think we knew in September, this day on our calendar was always going to be a special day for the group, one we were working towards, and all very excited for.
“To see what it meant to the coaches and then the support staff, family and friends, there’s a lot of lot of tears, a lot of emotions going around.
“I think it’s the culmination of a couple of really tough years and a lot of hard graft that has gone into it.
“To walk away with the trophy is a really fitting and special day for us.”
