Friday, March 20th, 2015

Andrew: “brilliant” Competition For All-Rounder Spots At New Road

Andrew: “brilliant” Competition  For All-Rounder Spots At New Road

Gareth Andrew believes the competition for the all-rounder slots at New Road and "trying to perform to your maximum week in and week out" in the battle for places can only be beneficial to the county.

Andrew and the other Worcestershire players have been back training at the county's headquarters this week after returning from the 10-day pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi.

The fit again 31-year-old, plus Joe Leach, Ross Whiteley and Ed Barnard are all potential contenders for the all-rounder slots for the 2015 campaign.

Andrew said: "Leachy did a great job last year. We had 50 odd wickets between us and it's great to have that competition.

"Joe deserves huge credit for what he did last year. He slotted straight in and had a fantastic season.

"With Ed, a batter who bowls as well, we've got a lot of bases covered and we've got Ross. He is an explosive batter but is also a left arm seamer.

"If he is going to keep on improving his bowling, then we've got four of us all who could play in the same team.

"Probably not all of us – but at least two or three of us could play in the same team.

"That competition is brilliant. If you are trying to perform to your maximum week in and week out to keep your place, it is only good."

Worcestershire will launch their warm-up programme of matches in this country against Gloucestershire at New Road with a 50 over clash on March 25 and a two-day encounter at the same venue on March 26 and 27.