Friday, June 3rd, 2016

Alexei Smashes Half Century But Gives Credit To Dolly After Rapids Sparkle

Alexei Smashes Half Century But Gives Credit To Dolly After Rapids Sparkle

Worcestershire Rapids batting hero Alexei Kervezee was keen to stress the importance of Brett D'Oliveira's role in their match-winning partnership against Yorkshire Vikings in the NatWest T20 Blast.

Kervezee hit an unbeaten 52 off 37 balls as the Rapids reached their 174 target with five balls to spare at New Road.

But the former Dutch international praised D'Oliveira's contribution of 34 from 20 balls in an unbroken stand of 66 in eight overs.

Kervezee, who also hit a crucial 40 in last week's win over Birmingham Bears, said: "It was a very good win. At one stage we probably thought they had a few too many on the board after the start we had.

"Fair dos to the way Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan played to get them up to 170 and then the way we chased them down.

"Everyone played well really, Clarkey, Dolly, Pepsi, Mitch and especially the way Dolly went about his business made it very easy for me at the other end.

"Confidence breeds confidence and the way Dolly is playing at the moment is phenomenal in all formats.

"Dolly, the way he played, meant I could just go about my business."

Kervezee was also responsible for running out Adil Rashid attempting a second run with an excellent throw.

He said: "It was just my day. We take great pride in our fielding as a unit. People like Ross Whiteley and Brett D'Oliveira can easily do the same thing.

"We are a very good young side. It is always nice to get a run out and I think there might have been a bit of hesitation on his behalf."

Kervezee says the 'no fear' attitude of the Rapids is paying dividends.

He said: "There is a lot of confidence in the team with everyone but that's what happens when you are winning games.

"It is a young side, playing with no fear. Pepsi (Tom Kohler-Cadmore) mentioned that at the start of the game, the way we approach our T20 cricket with a no fear mentality, and this is the result of it."