Plenty more of the Worcestershire playing contingent have been in action over the last couple of weeks, including a welcome return to action for Kashif Ali who has begun his season with Ghani Glass CC.
With updates from Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh, catch up on all the latest progress of our lads, below…
Ben Gibbon – Sturt CC (Australia)
Ben starred for Sturt in his side’s recent win over Kensington in Round Six of the West End Men’s First Grade One Day tournament, as he contributed with both bat and ball in an 84-run win.
Having compiled 306 in their allotted 50-overs, Ben chipped in with a brisk 22 from 16 balls at number eight, the left-arm seamer then took a key wicket during Kensington’s reply as he recorded figures of 1-38 from his seven-over spell as Sturt’s opponents were dismissed for 222.
Henry Cullen – Woodville CC (Australia)
Henry has featured in one match since our last update, where he made 23 opening the batting as Woodville attempted to chase Tea Tree Gully’s 215 to win their Division One 50-over match.
After eventually slipping to a 37-run defeat, Henry has not featured for the team again, after suffering a lower abdomen injury having been hit by a ball earlier on in his innings against Tea Tree Gully.
Although Henry avoided any long-term injuries, his recovery time frame is estimated to be around six weeks, meaning he will return to action in time for pre-season with Worcestershire.
Matthew Waite and Ben Allison – Altona North CC (Australia)
It has been an impressive couple of weeks for our duo over in Melbourne, who have played starring roles in the previous two white ball games for the club.
In their recent T20 match against Grand United, Altona North came out winners by five-wickets, with both Matthew and Ben making standout contributions with the bat.
Bowling first, Matthew took the new ball and impressed, taking three wickets for just 13 runs in a superb four-over spell that helped restrict their opponents to 134-8.
Matthew opened the batting, scoring a quick fire 31 off just 20 balls in a cameo that included three-fours and two-sixes, before Ben came in at number five and slammed a rapid 45 from 26 balls, launching five boundaries during his innings, as the pair helped their side to a comfortable five wicket victory.
There was no such luck for Altona North in their following game against Deer Park, in a disappointing One Day defeat, despite Ben continuing his good form with the bat.
Batting at number four, Ben showed patience and maturity in his 63-ball stay at the crease as he made his way to 34, which proved to be the top-score on an underwhelming batting card as Altona North were bowled out for 153 in 38.2 overs.
Matthew collected a single wicket in the second innings (1-18) but couldn’t prevent his side from falling to defeat.
Kashif Ali (Ghani Glass CC) – Pakistan
Kashif has played three times for Ghani Glass since the turn of the year, becoming a mainstay in his side’s President’s Trophy campaign.
Playing alongside former Worcestershire teammate Khurram Shahzad, Kash made a promising start in his first match with a fluent 27, as Ghani Glass lost by 88 runs against Pakistan Television.
Kash’s second fixture saw the batter register his highest score of the season so far, as his team won by 106 runs against Water and Power Development Authority. A second innings score of 53 opening the batting helped his side into pole position, facing 101 balls and hitting six fours saw his side make a score of 323, before the bowlers combined to seal a comfortable 106-run win.
The 27-year-old’s most recent game was a heavy defeat to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, where Kash made two promising starts, but could only score 27 and 17 in both innings.
*Both Ethan Brookes and Dan Lategan have finished their spells with their respective franchises and will return to Worcestershire to begin pre-season with the current squad in due course.
