Worcestershire’s resilience shone through once again as they took seven wickets and pushed Sussex all the way in a thrilling climax to the 2025 Division One season.
Having lost their final four wickets for 16 runs, the Pears looked to be way out of the contest with Sussex chasing just 61.
As has been the case on many an occasion this season however, the home side’s bowling unit nearly pulled off a miracle, reducing Sussex to 59-7.
Before the match was wrapped up however, there was time for Tom Taylor to notch his 58th wicket of an incredible individual campaign as the curtain came down on another rollercoaster season.
Ben Gibbon was the first wicket to fall on a troubling morning for Worcestershire, when he was pinned LBW after offering no shot to an Ollie Robinson delivery that nipped back and clipped the pad of the nightwatchman, bring an end to his stubborn knock of 13.
Roderick was the next man to depart, when his innings of 27 was brought to a close by the impressive Jaydev Unadkat who claimed his seventh wicket of a match dominated by the Sussex seamers.
Matthew Waite and Ben Allison were dismissed in successive balls as Robinson finished with five wickets in the innings, walking away with superb match-figures of 11-142.
Chasing 61 to win, Sussex lost opener Tom Haines for one when an excellent, diving catch at slip by Rob Jones to open the Worcestershire account.
A seemingly routine chase was momentarily thrown into doubt however, as Sussex slipped to 28-4, losing Hughes (16) and Coles (0) in consecutive overs courtesy of Taylor and Ben Allison, before Taylor struck for the 57th time this season in Division One to have Tom Alsop caught at slip.
In a challenging season for the Pears, Tom Taylor and Ben Allison have shone through for Worcestershire, finishing the season with 58 and 39 wickets respetively.
Another bowler who has enjoyed a profitable year is Matthew Waite, who refused to go down without a fight, claiming a wicket with his first ball of his spell, with John Simpson caught by Rehaan Edavalath after mistiming a pull shot into the deep.
Taylor had time to claim his 58th wicket of the season before Waite struck for a second time with Sussex still requiring three to win, but Ollie Robinson the winning runs through midwicket for his side to ensure they ended the season with a win.
