Sunday, September 4th, 2016

Pears And Bears Legends Roll Back The Years For Skipper’s Benefit Game

Pears And Bears Legends Roll Back The Years For Skipper’s Benefit Game

Former Worcestershire and Warwickshire players rolled back the years when turning out in aid of Daryl Mitchell's benefit year in a 30 over game at New Road today.

Pears Legends did battle with Bears Legends and evoked memories of past successful eras for both counties.

For the record the Bears Legends won by nine wickets but plenty of players from both sides showed their skills while current Worcestershire Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes tried his hand at umpiring.

Worcestershire wicket-keeper Ben Cox also found he had a new rival behind the stumps – his father Tim!

Tim had won an auction to play in the game and kept wicket for the first 10 overs of the Bears innings.

Pears Legends chose to bat and totalled 166-6 in their 20 overs.

Former skipper Vikram Solanki top-scored with 66 off 67 balls with four sixes and six fours and put on 73 in 10 overs with another ex captain in Ben Smith (20) for the third wicket.

There were also useful contributions from Martin Weston, David Banks and Gavin Haynes whose two sons, Josh and Jack, are part of the current Academy intake at New Road.

Former Warwickshire and Worcestershire paceman Alan Richardson returned 2-25 from six overs and there was one wicket apiece for Dougie Brown, Ashley Giles, Ant Botha and Neil Smith.

When Bears Legends replied, memories of the trophy laced era of the 1980s and 1990s were evoked when Phil Newport took the new ball.

Current assistant coach-bowling coach Matt Mason also bowled four tidy overs for just 14 runs.

But Wasim Khan (69 not out) and Anurag Singh (retired 55 not out) – another player to represent both counties – saw the Bears to victory in an opening stand of 102.

Khan struck two sixes and 11 fours in his 69 ball knock and Singh one six and nine fours from 35 balls.

Roger Sillence claimed the one wicket for the Pears Legends in dismissing Dominic Ostler as the Bears reached their target in 22.1 overs via a six off the one delivery bowled from Mitchell.

The Worcestershire skipper said: "I'm sure a lot of memories were brought back for people, including myself.

"I used to watch some of these players when I was growing up watching at New Road.

"Thank you to everyone who took part in the day and everyone who turned up to watch."

PEARS LEGENDS

Moore c Pollock b Richardson 6

M. Weston b Giles 15

Solanki st Frost b Botha 66

Smith st Frost b Smith 20

Banks b Richardson 20

Haynes c Botha b Brown 21

Catterall not out 3

Scott not out 5

Extras 10

Total (for 6 wickets) 166 in 30 overs

BOWLING

Richardson 6-0-25-2

Brown 6-1-29-1

Giles 6-0-26-1

Botha 6-0-39-1

Smith 4-0-24-1

Khan 2-0-20-0

BEARS LEGENDS

Khan not out 69

Singh retired not out 55

Ostler b Sillence 23

Giles not out 7

Extras 17

Total (for 1 wicket) 171 in 22.1 overs

FOW: 156

BOWLING

Newport 4-0-38-0

Mason 4-1-14-0

Andrew 4-0-31-0

Cessford 5-0-35-0

Rawnsley 3-0-28-0

Sillence 2-0-15-1

Mitchell 0.1-0-6-0