Worcestershire batter Rob Jones was quick to emphasise the significance of the togetherness amongst the squad, as his side had their best day yet this Rothesay County Championship season, as they closed play on 354-9.
After a difficult start to the season both collectively, and individually, Jones reinforced that without the team first approach, today’s success on a challenging wicket wouldn’t have been possible.
“On a surface that can be tricky, it was really nice to build some partnerships with the lads.
“We spoke about that a lot over the last few weeks, whatever that looks like for us, its important to spend time out there together. I felt like everyone contributed today which is great.
“There is no two ways about it, I have struggled. I know that. It was only 50, but for me that was a big thing, I just got stuck in. It was gritty at times, but I will take a lot from that.
Having not made it past double-figures in the middle this season, Jones’ 54 from 117 deliveries set a platform for the rest of Pears middle and lower order to kick-on and claim two batting bonus-points, when at one stage, 250 seemed a long way off for the hosts.
Against an experienced attack, such as the one the Worcestershire batters came up against on Day One, Jones understood the importance of batting for time as well as ticking over the scoreboard.
Aided by Kashif Ali (46), Tom Taylor (43) and Matthew Waite (73), the home side swung the momentum right back into their favour, and the application showed during those partnerships is something Jones says, has been a focal point for the group.
“You can go about things in your own way, and do what you need to do, but as long as that’s contributing and helping the team – that is the most important thing.
“Every day is another day to take an opportunity and do something for the group. The most important part is whenever we had a setback, we turned it around and started again and built from there.
“We broke it down, started to build partnerships, worked our way to the first batting point and that’s all we highlighted in the build-up because we know how important those points are.”
With the Essex tails up, the Pears sat firmly on the back foot when they lost their fifth wicket with the score reading just 123.
After a swashbuckling cameo from Ethan Brookes came to an end, it appeared as though it was only a matter of time before the visitors seam quartet picked off the Pears’ tailenders.
Shane Snater, Jamie Porter, Noah Thain and Kasun Rajitha made scoring difficult, and took wickets at regular intervals throughout the day, by bowling consistent lines and lengths to the Essex top order.
Upon Waite’s arrival to the crease however, he took a patient approach to his innings, ad built his way through the gears, eventually caught out for a crucial 73 off 91 deliveries, that included 11 fours and one six.
Although to the surprise of some of the plaudits around the ground, Jones was fully aware of his teammates batting capabilities and expressed his delight at his current form.
“Pingers (Waite) can bat on anything – we know what he is like! He comes out and plays his way, which can be unlike anyone else has done all day.
“He is playing some proper cricket this year with the bat and ball, he is a brilliant example of doing what the team needs at the time he is asked to do his role.”
