Worcestershire’s U18’s highlighted their impressive batting prowess as they powered to a 75-run win over Northamptonshire at Kettering.
Losing the toss and being invited to bat first, Worcestershire found themselves in pole position at the halfway stage after amassing an imposing 300 all out.
Toby Cox and Joe Harrison started proceedings in fine fashion, adding 112 for the first wicket, before Cox fell for a well made 36.
Harrison continued his eye catching innings, and anchored the visitors innings, making his way to a fabulous 98 ball century, that included 13-fours and three-sixes.
Fin Goodman (41 off 40 balls), continued the Worcestershire momentum, before Joe Porter (37) and Josh Leach (30) both made the most of idyllic batting conditions, as their side motored towards a big score.
In reply, it was Ollie Smith and Henry Hawes (2-37) who made the inroads at the top of the order, as Worcestershire reduced Northants to 100-3.
Seth Essenhigh made the key breakthrough later on in the innings, when he forced a run-out to remove Northants top scoring batter, Haroon, for a well-made 66.
Jeet Varaich, Lucian Brockman and Ben Jones all took a wicket apiece, before the impressive Josh Leach, took the final wicket with the score at 225, as he finished with superb figures of 3-43.
Head Coach, Elliot Wilson, was very pleased with his side’s performance:
“After winning the toss we got off to a great start with Joe Harrison playing a fantastic innings.
“Joe playing with controlled aggression throughout and was hugely impressive in how he went about his business.
“On a surface that favoured spin our seamers had to be accurate to start with and trust their skills through their spells. The seamers demonstrated good levels of skill throughout with Ben Jones the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 20 from 5 overs.
“We now play the winners of Leicestershire and Shropshire, on what is likely to be July 13th.”
