Wednesday, April 16th, 2014

Rhodes Hails “really Professional Performance” As Worcs Register First Win

Rhodes Hails “really Professional Performance” As Worcs Register First Win

Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes hailed "a really, really professional performance" as Worcestershire overcame Kent by 125 runs to register their first win of the season at New Road.

Worcestershire collected 20 points from the LV County Championship Division Two fixture after bowling Kent out for 140 on the stroke of lunch on the final day.

It followed on from the encouraging showing in earning 12 points in the rain-hit draw with Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl last week.

Pace trio Gareth Andrew, Jack Shantry and Charlie Morris did the damage as Kent lost their last seven wickets for 82 runs in the space of 23 overs.

Rhodes said: "It was a really, really professional performance. If I look at the bowlers in particular, the discipline was incredible.

"We bowled 120 odd overs in the match at only two runs an over with no no-balls and no wides. We bowled really straight, bowled as a unit, attacked the stumps and thankfully for us they got their rewards.

"We did all the right things and, when you do the right things, things go for you like the Shaaiq Choudhry catch (to dismiss Darren Stevens) which was an amazing catch at a good time for us.

"I'm delighted for the bowlers, delighted for Ben Cox who really got us out of a hole with his 89 because at 113-5 in the past we may well have collapsed to 160, 170 all out.

"His knock was crucial and his wicket-keeping, in supporting the spinners and the seamers standing up to the stumps, was excellent."

Rhodes added: "I'm very optimistic.When you look at beating Kent, this is a Worcestershire team with one lad (Moeen Ali) who has played one-day internationals against a Kent seasoned campaigner team which has got four players who have played Test matches and two Lions players.

"It is a very good effort from us and hopefully our guys have got long careers ahead of them and our future looks bright."

"Hopefully this will give the lads a lot of belief and a lot of confidence going into the next game.

"There potentially were some really good points with the batting but we threw a few wickets away and that was a little bit frustrating but it is nice to win a game knowing there are areas we can improve."