Worcestershire Rapids Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes says Joe Clarke has reaped the benefits of working on his power game after successfully moving to the top of the order in NatWest T20 Blast cricket.
Clarke previously struggled when batting at number three in the short format of the game.
But he has been a revelation going in first this summer after replacing the departed Tom Kohler-Cadmore in that role.
Clarke had already hit two powerful half centuries against Yorkshire Vikings and Notts Outlaws before smashing 124 not out off just 53 balls against Durham Jets on Sunday.
It was an awesome display of not only striking but also clever deflections by the 21-year-old.
He will be looking to continue in the same vein in this evening’s T20 Blast derby with Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston (7pm) and tomorrow’s home encounter with Durham Jets (2.30pm).
Rhodes said: “When did I think Joe had the potential to fill the gap at the top of the order? He struggled a little bit when he was in the powerplay batting at three. But he has definitely got the power game as you can see.
“But he has also got the deflection game. He can ramp and reverse ramp fast bowlers.
“He just needed a little bit of a nudge really in the sense of a bit of backing, a bit of confidence to go out there and hit the ball and use his deflections that he has got.
“We just set about executing some plans in practice, working hard at them and it has paid off for him.
“He has got a bit of everything.That’s why when he gets on wickets like that one against Durham and is confident, he is a very dangerous player.”
