Seconds Denied Final Day Victory

By Pete Johnson

Worcestershire staged a magnificent rearguard action to deny Leicestershire victory on day four of the SEC match at Barnt Green CC.

Worcestershire lost just three wickets during the day, one in each session, and closed on 343-7, still trailing by 46 runs, the match ending in a draw. 19-year-old wicketkeeper/batter Henry Cullen batting for the entire day finishing on 77*.

Worcestershire resumed on their overnight 171-4, Jordan Neil 86* Henry Cullen 4*. In the 8th over of the morning Neil went to his 100 (20x4) 161b, Pears on 195-4 from 55.1 overs. The South African-born triallist announcing his arrival on the scene in impressive style. In the same over, Neil and Cullen brought up their 50 partnership (104b).

The first wicket of the day went down after 83 minutes’ play, when Neil (126) 210b went onto the back foot to a delivery from Freddie Fallows and was bowled. Worcestershire 229-5 from 69.6 overs.

Cullen 26* and Ollie Walker 10* took Worcestershire into lunch on 252-5 from 83 overs. Leicestershire took the new ball immediately after the interval and had success in the third over with the new ‘cherry’, but not from the Cherry Road End! Ed Barnes claiming the wicket when he trapped Walker (10) 42b in front. Worcestershire 256-6 from 86.1 overs.

That was as good as it got for County in the afternoon session as Cullen, and the left-handed Cameron Jones defended stoically. Cullen went to his 50 (5x4) 207b, with a strike rate of just 24.6. It was all about occupation of the crease, runs were an added bonus.

In the same over Cullen and Jones brought up their 50 partnership from 159 deliveries. Worcestershire into tea on 306-6 from 113 overs, Cullen 52* Jones 24*.

During the afternoon session my ‘scoring Station’ became home to a multitude of ants, the infestation it was making me itch just looking at them busily foraging across my laptop, and associated paperwork. Needless to say I continued on manfully, stiff upper lip, and all that!!

Skipper Ed Barnes was employing many of the bowlers at his disposal, each and every one of them sticking to the task, but with no success.

Leicestershire at last made a breakthrough with the very last ball before the final hour was called. Jones (28) 153b pinned in front by Gavin Griffiths. Worcestershire 325-7 from 132 overs with a minimum of 16 overs left in the day, still trailing by 64 runs.

Mitchell Stanley and Cullen were going neck and neck for the title of Brigadier Block, with all the Leicestershire fielders around the bat. The pair safely saw out the 16 overs, in which just 18 runs were scored.

The players shook hands on a draw at 6.02pm. Henry Cullen ((77*) 314 balls, a strike rate of 24.5, batting for the entire day, plus 30 minutes yesterday evening. Cullen doing a magnificent job to secure a draw for Worcestershire.

Cullen’s last hour partner Stanley (4*) 45b, his four runs coming from the penultimate ball of the day. Worcestershire closing on 343-7 from 148 overs trailing by 46 runs.

Leicestershire’s bowlers gave their all in humid, sticky conditions, but it was not to be for them. Freddie Fallows bowling a mammoth 38 overs during the innings picking up 1-64. Gavin Griffiths 2-36 from 17 overs, Sam Wood 1-27 from 10 overs, Roman Walker 1-34 from 17 overs, Ed Barnes 1-39 from 20 overs, Alex Evans 1-50 from 11 overs. Worcestershire 10 points, Leicestershire 15 points.