Saturday, April 9th, 2022

POLLOCK: STATE OF GAME PERFECT FOR ME AS OPENER SMASHES WONDERFUL HUNDRED

Worcestershire batsman Ed Pollock said the state of the game was perfect for him as he scored his maiden LV=Insurance County Championship century on day three of the encounter with Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground.

Pollock went to the wicket with Worcestershire holding a first-innings lead of 135, and he demonstrated the free-flowing stroke play that has been his trademark in white-ball cricket.

The result was a brilliant 112 from 122 balls with two sixes and ten fours as Worcestershire closed on 234-5, an overall advantage of 369 heading into the final day tomorrow.

Pollock said: “As the lads pointed out at the change of innings, it was set up for me perfectly, and just because I’m playing the red ball game doesn’t mean I’m going to change.

“If the ball is there to be hit, I’m going to hit.

“I reined it in a bit as the three figures came into sight, and it helped to bat with Jake (Libby). He’s very level-headed and kept talking to me.”

Worcestershire are in a strong position to attempt to close out an opening game victory, but Pollock said there is still work to be done.

He said: “I don’t know yet whether we’ll declare; we’ll wait and see. It was starting to take a bit of spin towards the end.

“But it’s still a good cricket wicket, and we’ll need to take a few (wickets) with the new ball. It will be a good test.”

Leicestershire batsman Lewis Hill, who scored 91, praised the Worcestershire attack in which Joe Leach picked up four wickets.

He said: “The pitch seemed to have freshened up a bit overnight in the first hour, and they bowled well, very disciplined in their lines, and there was a bit more bounce.

“It’ll be interesting to see what Worcestershire do in the morning, have a few more overs or risk it and declare overnight.

“The pitch is still essentially pretty good, and it’s not going to break up here. In fact, it’s a fantastic track for early April.”