• Academy

U18’s beaten by the clock in entertaining draw with Gloucestershire

Published 28/08/2025

Worcestershire U18’s returned to County Championship action this week as they faced Gloucestershire in a three-day contest at Thornbury CC, with the Pears youngsters falling short of time in their race to wrap up victory a dramatic victory.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, captain Alfie Higgins found his side in immediate trouble as the visitors were reduced to 20-4 after a damaging start to the opening session.

Coming in at number six, it was Henry Hawes who dug his team out of their early hole, as he produced a sublime 145 from 106 balls, hitting 19-fours and seven-sixes in the process of plundering the ball to all parts of the ground.

Working in unison with skipper Higgins, the pair piled on 191 for fifth wicket, as Worcestershire passed 200 and recovered in fine fashion.

In back to back overs however, the visitors lost both of their set batters, with Hawes first dismissed when he was bowled, before Higgins was removed eight deliveries later for a very well-made 47.

Joe Porter (48* from 77) continued the positive momentum that had earlier been gathered, with Akbar, Leach and Brockman all chipping in with double-figure cameos to help Porter steer the Pears close on 308 all-out.

In response, Worcestershire’s bowlers worked hard but some substantial middle and lower-order partnerships stunted the visitors progress as Gloucestershire accumulated 389 in their first innings.

Lucian Brockman (3-86) kickstarted proceedings by removing both openers, one bowled and one LBW, before Assadullah Azami struck and Brockman grabbed his third as Gloucestershire were pegged back to 97-4.

A fifth wicket partnership saw the hosts battle past 200, but Azami and Henry Hawes withdrew both of the danger men in quick succession, but another late century stand curtailed Worcestershire’s progress, as the hosts moved past 350.

Two late wickets from Jeet Varaich helped wrap up proceedings as the Pear’s youngsters set about reducing the 81-run deficit.

Toby Cox made a stellar start to the visitors second innings as he scored 80 at the top of the order and provided resistance to the Gloucestershire bowlers as other wickets fell around him and Worcestershire slipped to 131-4.

Cox’s repost was eventually ended, before Alfie Higgins and keeper Joe Porter settled in at the middle, adding a mammoth 151, with Higgins making a fine century from 128 balls in the process.

Porter played a superb support role alongside his skipper on his way to a fine 72 from 94 balls, in a classy innings that included 13 boundaries.

Yusuf Akbar (32*) and Josh Leach (21*) added some late impetus to the innings, as Worcestershire opted to declare midway through day three on 362-7.

Despite reaching 50 without loss, Worcestershire kicked the match back into life when Varaich and Brockman removed both openers, with Varaich striking again to send Gloucestershire’s number three packing after facing one ball.

The pattern of wicket’s falling in clusters resumed, as Worcestershire’s bowlers struck once again to reduce the hosts from 102-3 to 106-7, keeping hopes of a dramatic win late on the final day well and truly alive.

Varaich took his third and fourth wicket in the process, as he finished with excellent figures of 4-25 from his 10 overs.

Josh Leach and Assadullah Azami plucked one wicket apiece as Worcestershire’s attentions turned securing a famous win if the side could wrap up the two remaining wickets required for victory.

Fighting hard with the game coming to a close late on day three, the visitors had Gloucestershire eight down for 174, on the cusp of a thrilling victory – but time ran out for Elliot Wilson’s side, as the match ended in an exciting draw.