Worcestershire Head Coach Alan Richardson commended his side’s attitude as they secured a vital Rothesay County Championship victory over Essex
Having failed to pick up a win before this round of matches, the near misses in recent times have galvanised the squad, who carried a renewed confidence throughout the match with bat, ball and in the field.
Richardson, shared the feeling that it was only a matter of time before his side transferred their form in patches, into a complete display.
“It has been a little while coming. I’d like to think that we’ve stayed really nice and positive throughout, but one of the many reasons you play cricket is to win games.
“That winning feeling after a hard-fought game is really good for them. It is a much happier changing room than it has been over the last couple of weeks.
“We haven’t really changed anything too much about how we go about our cricket, but we have kept the belief and the trust in what we do, which we know are the right things.
“We’ve had a couple of close games which we haven’t quite got over the line in, but it’s nice to get over the line in this one and secure a good win.
With some early season troubles at the top of the order, the challenge posed by an Essex attack including Jamie Porter, Kasun Rajitha, Shane Snater and Simon Harmer, the home side knew that laying a solid foundation early in the match would be crucial in determining who would come out on top as the game progressed.
Despite losing the toss and being inserted on the first morning, the Pears had contributions all down the batting card that saw them navigate themselves from 123-5, to an eventual above par score of 358.
The Head Coach was in delighted that under pressure, his side delivered key partnerships throughout Day One.
“We look at it and I think 350 always would have been above par on that wicket. So, to get as far ahead as we did do in that first innings was crucial.
“Kashif Ali, Rob Jones, Ethan Brooks, Matthew Waite, Tommy Taylor, Benny Allison, all contributed towards getting towards that total, and I think we all appreciated that.
“It was a wicket where you never probably truly felt in, and there probably wasn’t going to be one individual going and get a huge score, but it was going to have to be a real team effort. The boys did that really well.
In amongst a true squad effort, Matthew Waite continued his superb early season form, improving as the match went on to guide his side into good positions throughout.
Waite’s batting performances came in two different scenarios, with his first innings total of 73 proving vital, but the contrast coming when he faced 45 balls for his eight runs, supporting Ethan Brookes when the home side needed it most.
The Yorkshireman wasn’t done however, registering career-best figures of 9-53 in the match, tearing the away side’s batting line-up apart with some ruthless spells across the game.
Richardson, was delighted with his all-rounder.
“I think he’s been really good all season. He worked really hard at his game, as always throughout the week, made sure he was in the best possible state he could be.
“The way that he controls the game with the ball for us is really important, and then just the way that he bats at seven or eight is again as such a contributing factor to our success.
“He keeps it simple, but he plays really well. It’s really good to watch when he gets going.
“Even the two contrasting innings – his partnership today with Ethan was really important, and he scored eight out of 45 over a long time. It shows that he can adapt and play the situation that’s in front.”
Match Report and Highlights
