Worcestershire Head Coach Kevin Sharp gave his reaction to BBC Hereford-Worcester’s Frank Watson after a thrilling draw with Nottinghamshire in the Specsavers County Championship at Trent Bridge.
Joe Clarke’s brilliant unbeaten 177 and support from the likes of Ben Cox, Ross Whiteley and youngster Ben Twohig, who batted 100 balls for his 35, enabled the County to hold on for a share of the spoils.
Sharp said: “What are my initial reflections? Delighted to come out with a draw. I think overall Nottinghamshire played the better cricket in this match. I think that is fair to say.
“I think with the bat, we had a couple of good scores, obviously Joe Clarke’s today and Ross Whiteley’s in the first innings.
“But we got lads who got in and got out a bit and that from our perspective, that was one of the disappointing things.
“In the field, we really stuck to our task. It’s been a good pitch and the lads have really worked hard and fought and scrapped and never given in.
“Even though we haven’t been at our best, there is a fantastic spirit amongst this group. They never give in and they keep going and, if you’ve just come second in the game, to come out with a draw is a great fillip for us.”
Sharp added: “How good is Joe Clarke? He can go all the way for me. I spoke to Joe Root three years ago and told him he would bat with a guy called Joe Clarke one day and I think that will happen.
“He is a high class performer. We’ve seen that today. Fantastic concentration and patience and skill and a real good nous in terms of cricket knowledge. He knows how to play the game.
“What are my thoughts on Ben Twohig’s contribution? I’m so proud of Ben because sometimes over the last two or three years he’s been on the receiving end of some harsh words.
“Sometimes one or two of the shot selections have been a bit high risk and to see him do that today….I’ve just given him a big hug in there because he has actually shown some real maturity.
“That (innings) for his development will be absolutely priceless.”
On Ben Cox’s rib injury, Sharp said: “I don’t think he is having a scan. I think he is okay. He had a little rib impingement. He fell awkwardly.
“He is obviously a bit stiff but I think he is going to be fine.”
Sharp added: What are my thoughts on the day-night format? I’m not sure the lights have had much effect in the sense it’s the end of June and if the weather is nice you can play to nearly eight o’clock without lights.
“I don’t see thousands of people coming in at six o’clock from work. I don’t want to condemn it. The pink ball goes soft quite early so there is a lot of thinking to be done.
“I get the reasons why this would happen and why we would play this sort of format but time will tell if it is the real future.”
