August 12, 2024

Worcestershire Thrash Hampshire to Close in on Knockout Stage

Worcestershire 165 for 2 (Pollock 67) defeated Hampshire 164 (Home 3-33) by eight wickets.

Worcestershire moved closer to clinching a place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup knockout stages with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Hampshire at New Road. Ed Pollock led the charge with a strong 67, building on the efforts of Worcestershire’s young but formidable bowling unit, which held Hampshire to a meager 164.

A superb all-round effort with both ball and bat secured a fifth win in seven matches for the second-placed Rapids, keeping them on track for a top-three finish and progression to the next stage of the 50-over tournament. This victory also preserved their perfect home record in the competition, following previous wins against Middlesex, Durham, and Kent.

Despite the absence of eight senior players due to injury, Worcestershire’s young and relatively inexperienced bowling attack excelled once again, dismissing Hampshire for 164 in 47.4 overs.

Academy player Jack Home continued his outstanding form, taking three wickets to bring his total to 15 in just four One Day Cup games, thanks to his pace and menacing deliveries. Ethan Brookes also extended his impressive run with the ball. At the same time, spinners Fateh Singh and Tom Hinley kept a firm grip on the match, delivering combined figures of 20-1-59-1.

Gareth Roderick and Ed Pollock then ensured a smooth chase, putting on a splendid century-opening partnership that steered the Rapids comfortably to their target.

Pollock took the lead in the partnership, reaching his half-century in just 44 balls, with one six and 10 fours. Roderick played the perfect supporting role, contributing 47 runs, which brought his tournament tally to 385—the third-highest overall in this year’s competition.

Hampshire’s Struggles and Tactical Adjustments: Key Moments from the First Innings

Despite a below-par performance and their third campaign defeat, Hampshire can still be in contention for qualification.

Worcestershire made two changes, bringing in Jack Home and Hishaam Khan for the rested Tom Taylor and Harry Darley. Hampshire also adjusted their lineup, with Joe Weatherley, released by Southern Brave, and Mohammad Abbas replacing Joseph Eckland and Eddie Jack.

Winning the toss, Hampshire captain Nick Gubbins chose to bat on the same wicket used in Wednesday’s match against Kent. Tommy Sturgess took the new ball and made an early breakthrough in his second over when Weatherley (10) attempted a cut and edged to keeper Roderick.

Fletcha Middleton and Gubbins batted freely during the powerplay. Still, in the 10th over, Middleton tried to pull Khan and was caught by Singh with a well-judged effort running back to backward square leg.

Home made an immediate impact when he was brought into the attack, removing both Gubbins and Ben Brown within three deliveries during his first over. Gubbins, attempting to leave a slightly short ball, inadvertently edged it off the back of his bat to Roderick. Shortly after, Brown was undone by a delivery that moved away, nicking it to Roderick, who claimed his third catch of the innings.

Brookes and Singh Lead the Charge as Hampshire Falters Under Pressure

Brookes, Worcestershire’s most economical bowler in this year’s tournament, also found success in his opening over when Tom Prest mistimed a pull shot, sending the ball to mid-on, where Khan took an excellent low catch.

Toby Albert (26) had a stroke of luck with an inside edge off Home that raced to the boundary, but his fortunes changed when Singh was introduced. Albert was trapped lbw after an attempted sweep. Singh struck again, removing Organ, who had labored for nine runs off 35 balls, with Rob Jones taking a sharp catch at short cover.

Brookes kept the pressure on Hampshire with a spell of 7-1-12-1 from the New Road end. The pressure continued as Hinley induced a forward push from Kyle Abbott, who was neatly stumped by Roderick, reducing Hampshire to 113 for 8.

Dominic Kelly and Brad Wheal provided some resistance, adding 36 for the ninth wicket before Home returned to dismiss Wheal, who was bowled attempting an expansive drive. Kelly’s late innings of 45 featured some aggressive shots. Still, his effort ended when he tried to sweep Brookes, and the ball ballooned up for Roderick to complete another catch.

In their chase, the Rapids got off to a positive start, with Pollock and Roderick handling the early new-ball threat posed by Abbott and Abbas. Roderick found the boundary with a straight drive off Abbott and a flick through midwicket. At the same time, Pollock hit three consecutive boundaries off Abbas in a single over.

Pollock welcomed Wheal into the attack with a six over midwicket, and a pair of boundaries off the same bowler soon brought up his half-century. His fine innings ended on 67 off 104 in the 23rd over when he sliced Prest to backward point. Roderick was later dismissed at extra cover off Gubbins. Still, Rob Jones and Jake Libby ensured no further hiccups, steering Worcestershire over the line with 13.4 overs to spare.