Wednesday, April 18th, 2018

Malik Hits Century And Career Best For Flourishing Seconds At Taunton Vale

Malik Hits Century And Career Best For Flourishing Seconds At Taunton Vale

Zen Malik hit an unbeaten century – and his career best score for Worcestershire Seconds – on the opening day of the three-day friendly with Somerset Seconds at Taunton Vale.

Malik, who celebrated his 20th birthday earlier this month, struck one six and 20 fours in his 121 not out from 215 deliveries.

It was his second ton for the Seconds and surpassed his 112 against Warwickshire at Barnt Green two years ago in another friendly encounter.

Opener and skipper Ollie Westbury also impressed in making 85 as Worcestershire totalled 294-5 declared from 92 overs.

Then spinner Ben Twohig dismissed Tim Rouse (22) with the final day of the day as Somerset closed on 31-1.

Worcestershire and new Seconds coach Alex Gidman were delighted to taste some cricket after the wash-out of the two-day game with the Academy and the one-dayer with Shropshire.

Opener Adam Wiffen (22) was run out and Josh Dell (0) and Ross Whiteley (7) were bowled by Peter Trego and Ben Green respectively.

But Westbury and Malik joined forces at 61-3 and added 107 for the fourth wicket in 36 overs.

Westbury hit 10 boundaries in his 161 ball knock before he was dismissed – caught at deep backward point.

Malik continued to flourish and received good support from Twohig in a stand of 50 and Zain ul Hassan in an unbroken partnership of 76 before the declaration.

Somerset were left with 10 overs batting and looked to have reached the close unscathed until Twohig struck with Whiteley holding onto the chance at first slip.

WORCESTERSHIRE SECONDS – FIRST INNINGS

Westbury c Trenouth b Sale 85

Wiffen run out (Banton) 22

Dell b Trego 0

Whiteley b Green 7

Malik not out 121

Twohig c Trego b Rouse 16

Ul-Hassan not out 20

Extras 23

Total (for 5 wickets declared) 294 in 92 overs

FOW: 31, 44, 61, 168, 218

BOWLING

Van Meekeren 16-3-62-0

J. Overton 6-0-25-0

Sale 10-1-34-1

Trego 13-4-33-1

Green 12-3-38-1

Waller 5-0-14-0

Gilchrist 8-1-28-0

Rouse 17-4-39-1

Bartlett 5-0-13-0

SOMERSET SECONDS – FIRST INNINGS

Rouse c Whiteley b Twohig 22

Green not out 5

Bartlett not out 0

Extras 4

Total (for 1 wicket) 31 in 10 overs

FOW: 31

BOWLING

Morris 5-2-8-0

Pennington 2-0-12-0

Morris 2-1-4-0

Twohig 1-0-3-1