Head Coach Kevin Sharp was delighted with Worcestershire’s “high class” performance as they overpowered Yorkshire by an innings and 186 runs at Scarborough in the Specsavers County Championship.
The County’s second win of the campaign means they are now only five points behind the Tykes in the battle to try and ensure Division One status.
Worcestershire also moved off the bottom although whether they stay there depends on the outcome of the Surrey-Lancashire match under lights which ends later today.
Sharp said: “I worked for Yorkshire for 25 years and have really enjoyed coming back here this week. I’ve caught up with a lot of old friends.
“But I’m head coach at Worcestershire now and came here to do a job. I’d say we’ve done it very well.
“There’s some fine young players in the dressing rooms and lads who’ve played a bit. They’re all coming to the party and performing now.
“The confidence is high.We’ve had the difficult start to the Championship campaign, but there was only one game where we’ve been outplayed – against Notts at New Road.
“To see this performance, we looked a high-class team.”
Sharp praised the performance of Daryl Mitchell (178) and Moeen Ali (219 and eight wicket) as Worcestershire secured a maximum 24 points from the game.
He said: “Daryl Mitchell has been around a long time, and he loves a fight. He knew it wouldn’t be easy.
“I can’t believe we went all day (day two) losing only one wicket.
“We don’t expect Mo here, but when we get him we’re made up with it. He loves playing for Worcestershire. That’s pretty obvious to see.
“He’s a flare player, but he also played with such discipline. He left the ball a lot.”
Yorkshire captain David Willey said: “It’s been a difficult week. Sometimes you have to take your hat off and say ‘we’ve been outplayed’.
“That’s probably been the case this week, so credit to them. I think they applied themselves better. As a result, they confidently beat us.
“Moeen Ali played exceptionally well with bat and ball, and that’s why he’s doing what he’s doing at international level.
“There’s some areas we’d have liked to have done better, obviously, looking at the scores there. We have to be honest with ourselves.
“It’s my first game as captain and first game back since Hampshire (in April 2017). I’m still getting my bearings with four-day cricket.
“It’s been a tough week all round. Ultimately, we have to look at the five games that are left and make sure we are doing the processes right. Hopefully we’ll get some results on the back of that.”
