Teenage sensation Dan Lategan’s extraordinary run of form in the Metro Bank One Day Cup continued in Sunday’s semi-final victory over Somerset, as his scintillating 78 powered the Rapids to a dominant 131-run win and booked the home side into a first List A final since 2004.
Impressing at the start of the tournament with starts against Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, the 19-year-old followed it up with a maiden List A fifty in the sides final group game against Surrey.
With the pressure cranked up at Visit Worcestershire New Road and fans full of anticipation for Sunday’s blockbuster shootout, Lategan cracked a second successive fifty to kickstart his side’s innings as they dug their way out of a mid innings blip to amass 275-9.
A proficient bowling performance despite the best efforts of the rain, saw the Rapids run out 131-run victors, with Lategan ecstatic with the result.
“That was amazing. I couldn’t be happier.
“We thought at halfway we had a good enough total if we bowled well. It was a bit tough early on with a bit of movement like we know there always is at New Road but we started off really well.
“I tried my best and then, with a few wickets falling, tried to keep my head and take less risks. I was disappointed to get out but then the guys down the order got us up to a good score.
“We would have liked closer to 300 but we were very confident and I think that showed in the powerplay when we came out with lots of energy. It was an amazing spell just before the rain came when we kept taking wickets.
“Somerset bat deep so after every wicket we said we know there is more talent coming in so let’s keep our energy and keep taking wickets.
After navigating a tricky period early on with the ball moving around laterally, Lategan and D’Oliveira made excellent headway, shifting through the gears to add 85 for the first wicket.
Eventually out for a fine 78, misjudging a reverse sweep from England spinner Jack Leach, Lategan left the middle to a rapturous applause from the New Road faithful as he continued to cement himself as one of the brightest prospects in the Rapids’ set up.
Bursting onto the scene in such quick fashion, the youngster credited the dressing room environment as one of the key reasons for his early success, whilst paying tribute to the fans for creating such a welcoming environment.
“We have had amazing support at home throughout the tournament, I am sure that they will keep backing us and make it a day to remember at Trent Bridge come the final.
“I have loved being in the team for this competition. It is such a great environment in the dressing room which has helped me immensely and we have had fantastic support at our home games. I think as a team and a unit we deserve to be in the final.
“The changing room is such an easy environment to come into that has really helped my progress. I really think we deserve this.
