In the build-up to this Saturday’s Metro Bank One Day Cup final, we’re taking a look back through the archives to 28th August 2004, at Lord’s.
The last List A final Worcestershire contested saw the Worcestershire Royals face the Gloucestershire Gladiators in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy Final.
At the time, competition rules required the use of a red ball for limited-overs cricket. That final marked the end of an era however, as the following summer the white ball was introduced, replacing the red in the one-day format.
Vikram Solanki and Stephen Moore strode out to open the innings for the Royals having been inserted by their opponents, but neither batter could have imagined the disaster that followed, as Worcestershire slumped to 8-3.
John Lewis orchestrated the early innings chaos, claiming the wickets of Moore (0), Graeme Hick (0) and Ben Smith (1) as the Royals hopes of a dream day in the sun looked to be fading before them.
Solanki was joined by David Leatherdale, with the pair setting about repairing the early damage in positive style, in a crucial fourth wicket stand that was worth 194 runs.
Solanki, showed all his class and experience as he made his way to a sensational 128 ball century in front of a rapturous crowd at Lords, with his marvellous individual salvo only ended when he was stumped for 115 having struck 14 boundaries during his stay at the crease.
With Leatherdale having recently moved to a fluent half-century of his own, Worcestershire’s hopes of a competitive score now rested with the number five batter, who looked to kick on and drive his side into the ascendency.
His positive intent was ended however, with Leatherdale’s dismissal for 66 sparking a lower order collapse that saw Worcestershire unravel from 218-5 to 236-9 as Gloucestershire rallied in the closing stages of the innings.
Defending 237 to get their hands on the trophy, Worcestershire were on the back foot from the outset, as Gloucestershire openers Phil Weston and Craig Spearman dominated the early part of the run-chase, compiling 141 for the first-wicket.
Gareth Batty was one of just two bowlers to claim a wicket in a one-sided contest, when he had Spearman caught behind by skipper Steve Rhodes, to throw the Royals a lifeline.
Weston batted on, despite the loss of young Australian Michael Hussey, for 20, when he was bowled by Ray Price, as Worcestershire’s hopes of becoming List A champions faded fast.
Unbeaten on 110 and batting through the innings unbeaten, Weston delivered a composed knock exactly when his side needed it most, to steer Gloucestershire to victory and condemn the Royals to an eight-wicket defeat.
