First Team Coach Alex Gidman was delighted with “an all-round pleasing performance” in the five wicket win over Durham which sent Worcestershire to the top of Division Two in the Specsavers County Championship.
Debutant Josh Dell, who scored a half century, George Rhodes, centurion Riki Wessels, Ross Whiteley, Ben Cox, Ed Barnard and Josh Tongue and, in the second innings, Tom Fell all contributed vital runs.
Then with the ball Charlie Morris, Tongue and club captain Joe Leach shared 19 wickets between them.
Gidman said: “I’m really pleased. Two really good performances, the Leicestershire game and this one.
“With the exception of some good bowling from Chris Rushworth this morning, I thought we played really, really well and thoroughly deserved our victory.
“I’m really pleased for Josh Dell. He has been working extremely hard and come on a long way since this time last year and played really well for the second team last week and thoroughly deserved his place.
“He played a hugely important in the victory with the way he batted in that first innings along with George Rhodes in particular.
“In all four innings, with the new ball it was testing for the opening batsmen and numbers three and four which probably puts that partnership of Dell and George into context.
“Although they didn’t score quickly, the damage they did in getting the bowlers into latter spells as the innings went on was absolutely crucial.
“It was really important with those guys in the order being able to come in and utilise the conditions with the older ball and a slightly more tired attack which is all part of what we are trying to do.
“They’ve all played an important part throughout the whole game and that includes the guys lower down the order.
“The bowlers were very consistent, very patient and didn’t try to force the game at all.
“Just generally all-round a very pleasing performance and we are doing some of the simple things we set out to do. We are doing those quite well which is really pleasing for everyone.”
Gidman added: “Did it get a bit nervous this morning? I was kind of semi-expecting some hard work. We know that Rushworth is a class act.
“As soon as the cloud came over, it was nice bowling conditions – a fourth day wicket with the new ball.
“You are expecting some tough batting albeit when chasing a very small total.
“I was confident we would get over the line and with that experience and quality coming in at five, six, seven, eight, I was pretty confident we had enough in the shed to do the job and it is all about the team winning.
“They’ve all played their part throughout the whole game.”
