Worcestershire Academy made history as they advanced through to the quarter-finals of the Birmingham Premier League Graham Williamson Trophy in dramatic circumstances by winning a bowl-out after the game ended in a tie.
The Academy visited Shrewsbury CC in the first round encounter and both sides ended up scoring 166-9 in their 40 overs.
But in the bowl out Worcestershire held their nerve and came out on top 3-2 and they will now visit Walsall in the last eight tie on May 5.
It was the first time there had been a bowl out in the history of the competition.
Five players from each side bowled at a full set of three stumps and Zain Ul-Hassan, Riecko Parker-Cole and Jacques Banton were the successful participants for Worcestershire.
Ollie Westbury continued his good form and top-scored for the Academy after they had elected to bat and made 59 off 64 balls with seven fours.
He put on 56 for the third wicket with Pete Clark (21) before useful runs were accumulated by the lower order.
When Shrewsbury batted, Jacques Banton (3-26 off eight overs), Zain Ul-Hassan (2-25 off eight) and Riecko Parker-Cole (1-28 off eight) all picked up wickets and bowled economically to keep the Academy in the hunt before the exciting finale.
In the game to decide the County’s opponents, Worcestershire CEO Matthew Rawnsley made a rare appearance for Ombersley and was second top scorer behind Josh Dell (40) with an unbeaten 22 off 24 balls out of a total of 139 all out.
The left arm spinner also sent down eight tidy overs for 28 runs in Walsall’s seven wicket victory.
