Worcestershire delivered a strong display against Shropshire in this year’s NCCA Showcase Game at Worfield.
Introduced to the calendar to provide National Counties clubs with an opportunity to play against a first-class county, this was the second time in recent years Shropshire have hosted Worcestershire.
Inspired by a second-wicket partnership of 156 between Dan Lategan and Rehaan Edavalath, Worcestershire were ultimately winners by 249 runs after accumulating 343-6 on a gloriously sunny day at the picturesque Davenport Park.
Shropshire found runs harder to come by against the visiting bowling attack as they were removed for 94, with Harry Darley and Jack Home, the two Shropshire lads in the Worcestershire team, both among the wickets against their home county.
Shropshire first-team coach Ed Ashlin said: “Worcestershire brought a strong side and that’s what these games are about. We got to play against a team of professionals, which is a great test for our lads.
“It’s a shame that we didn’t quite show our full ability as we wanted to overall, but there were still positives from the game.
“Worcestershire got off to a flying start with the bat, but I think we came back really well. Some very nice spells from the spinners, some good bits of cricket from us in there.
“We obviously never really got going with the bat and they didn’t really give us that much opportunity – we wanted to be a little more competitive than we were.
“But ultimately it was a good occasion and we thank Worcestershire for bringing a strong side and taking the game seriously.”
Ashlin was also quick to thank Worfield Cricket Club for staging Tuesday’s game so well.
He added: “Everyone who has been here has complimented Worfield as a club for the way the ground looked. It’s immaculate and it’s a lovely setting.
“Thanks particularly to Murray Arnold and James Parker for the work they do on the ground, but there are countless other volunteers as well, and they hosted the day well.”
Closing in on centuries
Having elected to bat, Worcestershire kept the scoreboard ticking over with opener Lategan and Edavalath providing excellent foundations
Both were closing in on centuries until falling to spinner Connor Marshall (2-34) within three balls in the 31st over.
Lategan, who has regularly opened the batting for Worcestershire in the County Championship this season, struck 98 from 87 balls, with two sixes and 12 fours, while Edavalath made 88 from 80 deliveries, including three sixes and eight fours.
A fourth-wicket stand of 91 followed between Henry Cullen (56) and captain Jake Libby (38), before local lad Home added an unbeaten 28.
Cameron Jones took 2-57 for Shropshire, there was a wicket apiece for Joe Stanley and Ollie Smith, while Sam Wisniewski was the most economical of the home bowlers with 0-45 from his 10 overs.
Shropshire, in reply, were quickly reduced to 37-5 as the Worcestershire attack kept it tight.
Wisniewski (16no), Stanley (15) and Harry Chandler (13) reached double figures as Shropshire were bowled out for 94 inside 26 overs.
Jeet Varaich (3-13), Fateh Singh (2-13), Darley (2-18), Ben Gibbon (2-18) and Home (1-15) shared the wickets for the Pears.
Shropshire’s focus now quickly turns to their Western Division Two fixtures in the NCCA Championship, beginning with the opener against Cornwall at Truro on Sunday.
Ashlin said: “We said to the players afterwards just take what we can from this game. It’s a bit of a different game sandwiched in the middle of our National Counties fixtures.
“There’s lots of cricket for us to play, four three-day games in the Championship, and the next stage of the T20 as well, so there’s still lots for us to take from the season and we’re looking forward to the rest of it.”
Pictured: Morgan Ward batting for Shropshire during Tuesday’s NCCA Showcase Game against Worcestershire at Worfield.