If ever a match epitomised the never say die spirit of Worcestershire paceman Jack Shantry, it was the promotion clinching win over Surrey five months ago at New Road.
Shantry has gone into county folklore for his century and 10 wicket match haul which rescued a lost looking cause.
Here Shantry, currently playing for Greenvale Kangaroos in Australia, gives his thoughts on where he may have picked up those traits and other topics in part two of a Question and Answer Session with the Worcestershire CCC website.
Question: Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said you are a character who never gives up, is never beaten. Has that been in-bred in you from an early age. Was that because of healthy competition with your brother Adam and because your father played first class cricket as well?
Answer: "I think that's right. I have a strong competitive spirit that I can't find the off button for, but that's true of most sportsmen.
"My brother and I never really had competition when we played cricket growing up because he was five years older than me.
"But I would play with him and Dad for hours and I'd always have a ball in my hand."
Question: Steve Rhodes has confirmed he hopes to re-sign Saeed Ajmal after he passed his ICC test on his remodelled action. How much of a boost for life in Division One would it be to have Saeed back?
Answer: "It would be massive for us. We were by no means a one-man team last season, but his wickets were very important to us, especially on the kinds of wickets we have at Worcester.
"He is incredibly well respected and for my money the best bowler in the world."
Question: As someone who took 56 wickets, did it use to annoy you when people called Worcestershire 'a one man team' in Saeed?
Answer: "Not really, because the people who called us that weren't very knowledgable. I'd much rather be respected by 10 people who know what they are talking about than a thousand who haven't got a clue.
"Social media makes it easier for people to get their opinions out there, but it's important not to take all those opinions to heart. That is even more true if you make it to international level."
Question: Worcestershireare are going back to Abu Dhabi next month. Did the 2014 pre-season out there help to get you in a rhythm for last season, with the warm weather cricket.
Answer: "It was a great trip, for a number of reasons. Playing tough cricket in tough conditions, all being together as a squad, building a good spirit.
"I'm looking forward to meeting up with the lads there. It's a nice treat for the lads after seeing a lot of the gym and indoor school over the winter."
Question: Do you anticipate having to bowl even more overs in Division One because presumably batting line-ups will be even stronger?
Answer: "Yes, that's certainly possible. But I also have confidence that our bowling line-up will be another year older and wiser.
"Along with hopefully Saeed – and Gareth Andrew returning to full fitness – there's no reason we can't have another good year with the ball."
