Worcestershire opener Ed Pollock is looking forward to returning to the scene of one of the most pivotal knocks in his career when he plays against Herefordshire in Sunday’s 50-over match at Eastnor.
Pollock played for Herefordshire in the Unicorns Championship Western Division during 2015 and hit 227 not out off 255 balls, with eight sixes, against Shropshire at Clenchers Mill Lane.
It was against an attack that included Ben Sanderson, currently with Northamptonshire, former Leicestershire player Alex Wyatt and ex-Yorkshire spinner Gurman Randhawa and paved the way for the opportunity to sign for Warwickshire.
Pollock maintains he would not now be playing first class cricket but for that spell at Herefordshire.
He said: “I played my second Herefordshire game at Eastnor, and I’ve been quite successful there in the past, so it will be good fun to go back.
“The double hundred was in my second game for Herefordshire. I had been on the Academy at Worcestershire, had been to University, and had a taste of some first class games that summer.
“I was just trying to play as much cricket as I could, and it was a great way of keep testing myself, and I really enjoyed my games for Herefordshire.
“I maintain that if it wasn’t for my games for Herefordshire playing Minor Counties Cricket, I wouldn’t be here now playing first class cricket.”
Pollock rescued Herefordshire from an overnight 68-4 to reach 382-9 against Shropshire.
He said: “That innings, we lost a few wickets early on, and then I settled into a really nice rhythm. You could bat for 90 overs first innings, and I set myself a goal to bat for those 90 overs.
“I scored a couple of hundreds in the league, a hundred for Durham 2nd XI, and myself and Alex Meller both got signed at the same time by Warwickshire, and he had just got a double hundred for Staffordshire.
“I still maintain that was the innings that got me playing second team cricket for Warwickshire, showing that ability to get big scores.
“Ben Sanderson was part of the attack, Gurman Randhawa, who had just played for Yorkshire, Alex Wyatt, who had been at Leicestershire, so it was a good attack.
“It was one of those times you can look back on and ‘I think I can do this’ moment.”
Pollock added: “I am looking forward to going back. I know a few of the guys. Matt Pardoe was playing when I was playing, and a few guys I’ve played club cricket with and I’ve grown up playing with still play for Herefordshire.
“It still holds many fond memories and was great for me.”
Worcestershire will take on Herefordshire for the second year in a row, when the two sides meet at Eastnor Cricket Club on Sunday 31 July in a One Day 50 Over match, starting at 11am.
It follows last season’s fixture, which was the first competitive meeting between the two sides in 17 years.
The event will be free for all, including parking however, spectators will be able to make a donation on the day.
If you plan on attending the game, spectators can claim their free ticket in advance by clicking here.
Spectators won’t be required to print or show tickets on entry and whilst spectators are also welcome to simply turn up on the day, using the Eventbrite ticketing app will really help the event organisers to gauge likely numbers.
