Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes praised the way Tom Fell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore led the Worcestershire fightback against Glamorgan after the sadness of Damian D'Oliveira's death and he said: "They played like old timers."
Fell scored a career best 133 and Kohler-Cadmore a Championship best 60 not out as Worcestershire recovered from 39-3 to reach 266-5.
It was an emotional day with Rhodes calling the players together on the outfield before the start of the LV = County Championship Division Two encounter to break the news of D'Oliveira passing away.
Players and officials from both sides held a minutes silence before the startof play and wore black armbands as a mark of respect for D'Oliveira.
Rhodes said: "There are a lot of fond memories of Damian and when we found out, it was very tough and the respect for the minute's silence was very tough as well.
"We also knew that Damian's wishes would have been for us to have a really good day and I don't excuse any of the early shots because it was difficult for people out there in light of what happened.
"But the two young lads out there, the way they fought back, was fantastic. Tom Fell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are products of an Academy system Damian had a massive involvement with. It was testament to the massive work he has done.
"For the two young Academy lads to have such a wonderful stand and get us out of trouble, has put us in quite a strong position."
Rhodes admitted it was difficult to put aside the emotion felt by D'Oliveira's passing away in the early hours after a long battle against cancer.
He said: "I've never had an emotion like that and I've been involved in the game for a hell of a long time.
"I've never had those emotions before the start of a game so no matter how hard myself and Daryl Mitchell were talking to the lads about getting the right focus, and that it was what Damian would have wanted, it was still very difficult for the lads to do.
"But testament to their character and qualities, they really pulled through again. It looked tricky at 30-3, and the way the lads have dug in and played, to be honest, was like old timers.
"They've been solid in the way they played and got us out of a difficult hole and played as if they have got many years under their belt."
Rhodes admits the batting line-up is in a good place after recent performances including Fell who had scored his maiden Championship 100 against Leicestershire two weeks ago.
He said: "It's fair comment to say the first 100 means a monkey is off his back but the reality is that he is in good nick and seeing it well.
"An interesting statistic about our top six in this game is Mitch got 100 in the last game, Oliver got 292 not out in his last Seconds game, Fell got 100 in his last game, Moeen got 100 in the Test, Kervezee got in the 100 last game and Kohler-Cadmore got 100 for the second team last week.
"They are in a good place and that's why I spoke to the lads about trying to make the most of it when you are in good nick."
