Worcestershire are back in action at Visit Worcestershire New Road on Friday, looking to bounce back and claim their first Rothesay County Championship win of the season as they host Essex.
After a challenging start to the campaign, the Pears came agonisingly close to clinching a memorable win away at Sussex earlier in the week, where even a magnificent individual knock from Jake Libby couldn’t save his side from falling to a narrow defeat.
The opener’s sublime second innings total of 167 from 252 deliveries took Worcestershire to within touching distance of a famous run-chase, but a lack of contributions elsewhere on the batting card dashed any hopes of an unlikely win.
Libby however, is keen to carry his form onto home soil, and assures his side are feeling positive for the visit of mid-table Essex.
“Its a weird one only being our second home game, it feels like we have been on the road for large parts of it so far. It’s been tough and we have come out the wrong side of a few close results, but it’s up to us to make up those small margins.
“The boys are in good spirits and we are sticking to our values of trying to play positive cricket.”
While the side haven’t been able to fire on cylinders yet this season, Libby, has been working hard to spark some form and help kickstart his run-scoring in the four-day competition.
In the face of some tough conditions and stern bowling examinations, time in the middle was the key to the batter compiling his season-best score, he says.
“I have felt like I’ve been batting quite nicely, I just haven’t batted long enough to get past that new ball.
He added, “The first 20/30 runs felt a bit scratchy, but it was a classic case of just getting through that and then the longer I was out there the more my rhythm came back to me. I am just keen to take that form into this game now.
“In this division teams keep coming at you and bowling attacks have that bit more depth, but it’s up to us to win those key moments.”
Returning to play at home will undoubtedly be a welcome change for the playing group, and Libby was quick to address just how much excitement is in the air ahead of Friday.
“Its such a lovely place to play Cricket, we know the conditions very well and we will use that to our advantage. Hopefully the weather makes for a good weekend and the Worcester faithful can get behind us.”
A first win of the season for the hosts would bring about a vital confidence boost, and close the gap on the teams around them in a tightly contested bottom-half of Divison One.
After coming close to victory at home against Durham, and on the road in agonising fixtures against Sussex and next opponents, Essex, the Pears will feel they are not far away from changing their fortunes.
The visitors arrive at New Road sat fifth in the table, after registering one win and three draws in their opening five matches.
The most recent of those being a nerve-jangling end against Yorkshire, when Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter clung on in an unbeaten 10th-wicket partnership that salvaged their side a fourth day draw against all the odds.
With the visiting side boasting a prolific bowling attack, and the Pears falling just short in two recent run chases, the contest of bat against ball promises to be a fierce one.
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