A stunning spell of 3-17, including two wickets in a decisive 16th over from spinner Fateh Singh propelled Worcestershire Rapids to a pivotal win against Glamorgan in Cardiff and keep the side’s Vitality T20 Blast playoff hopes alive.
Recalled into the side for Sunday’s fixture on a used wicket, the spinner bounced back in impressive style from a first over that went for 13, to take three wickets for just four runs in the remainder of his spell at the death to secure a 15-run win for the visitors.
With both team’s level on points heading into the match, the game swung back and forth in a cagey affair that saw the Rapids post 161 from their 20 overs.
Gareth Roderick’s superb 71 led the way, before adversity struck for the away side in the second innings as skipper Adam Hose and Matthew Waite had to leave the field at various stages.
Undeterred, a composed and resilient Rapids outfit hit back through Beyers Swanepoel, Usama Mir and Singh himself, who credited his teammates for playing a central role in the final result.
“That was a pretty special game. It was never really with anyone.
“It just ebbed and flowed both ways through the whole game.
“We had a pretty decent start to powerplay with Rodders going in and batting really well and he kept going, but then we lost wickets in clusters and at the end, Tommy and Waitey did well to get us up to 160, which was fairly defendable.
“Then with the ball they got off to a bit of a flyer, Kiran Carlson getting a few way off Beyers in the second over, but then Usama just did what he’s does and has done all tournament and just bowled really well.
“I think, at the end I was a bit nervy, but it was a really good feeling.”
Having been used sporadically in recent weeks, the spinner showed his calmness under pressure by producing his finest spell in a Worcestershire shirt after stand-in skipper Roderick threw the 21-year-old the ball in the final over.
It was senior figure and overseas talisman Usama Mir who helped the young spinner, offering some words of encouragement and tactical advice
Having sealed his team victory, the Rapids are in a very strong position to kick onto a knockout place, with Singh excited by the prospect of playing Gloucestershire in another heavyweight fixture on Friday night.
“Obviously here, there’s one smaller side, and there’s big wind. So managing your bowlers can be quite difficult but the way Roders did it worked really well.
“I guess that’s the beauty of T20 cricket, isn’t it? And I think after Usama had bowled four, he came over and said a few words to me, which really helped me.
“He basically just pretty much said bowl with your heart, look at the wicket, maybe bowl a bit slower because I bowled a bit quicker in my first over, and slower seemed to work better.
“I mean, the figures show that [bowling at one end worked better] but it didn’t really make a difference.
“I think the vibes and the morale is pretty high in the changing room right now. It’s a really good win and I’m really looking forward now to Friday against Gloucestershire at home.
“We know New Road. We know it well. We’ve gone really well there on a Friday night so far this year, so hopefully we can keep that form.”
