Monday, June 15th, 2015

Shantry Reaches Milestone But County Go Under After Second Innings Collapse

Shantry Reaches Milestone But County Go Under After Second Innings Collapse

Worcestershire paceman Jack Shantry claimed the 200th first class wicket of his career and completed a five wicket haul before a second innings collapse led to Warwickshire winning the LV = County Championship clash at New Road inside two days.

The left armer reached the milestone during the afternoon session when he trapped Rikki Clarke lbw.

Shantry also dismissed century-maker Ian Bell and Jeetan Patel and he bowled an 11 over spell either side of the second new ball which produced figures of 11-1-33-3.

He finished with figures of 27-1-92-5 in his first Championship five wicket haul since his promotion-clinching performance against Surrey at New Road last September.

Joe Leach was the other main wicket-taker with an analysis 27.5-5-80-4 to take his Championship tally to 31 – just two short of his 2014 tally. 

Warwickshire were eventually bowled out for 340 in 91.5 overs in reply to Worcestershire's 243 on the opening day.

But then Worcestershire were bowled out for 80 in 32.5 overs and went down by an innings and 17 runs.

A combination of some good pace bowling from Chris Wright, Keith Barker and Boyd Rankin and some undistinguished shots contributed to the outcome.

Now Worcestershire will look back to bounce back against Middlesex at Uxbridge starting on Sunday after this week's back to back NatWest T20 Blast clashes with Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford and Derbyshire Falcons at New Road.

Shantry opened the bowling this morning from the Diglis End and a steer to the third man boundary by Ian Bell brought up his half century off 71 balls with seven boundaries.

But in the same over Shantry broke through when Tim Ambrose (31) pushed forward and was well caught behind by keeper Ben Cox standing up.

Warwickshire were then 106-5 in the 31st over with Bell and Ambrose having added 71 in 15 overs.

Shantry caused problems and Bell and new batsman Rikki Clarke were both rapped on the gloves.

Leach shared the attack at the Diglis End and Bell on 58 edged just short of Alex Gidman at first slip.

Clarke on nine survived a difficult chance to Cox – again standing up – off Shantry with the total 124-5.

Clarke cover drove Shantry for three boundaries and the 50 stand with Bell came up in 17 overs.

The all-rounder gave a second sharp chance on 29 to Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell at second slip away to his left off Charlie Morris who replaced Leach.

Spin was used at both ends by Mitchell with Saeed Ajmal – in his first red ball game for 10 months – and Moeen Ali in tandem for a spell.

Bell cover drove Ajmal for a boundary as the 200 came up in the 58th over.

Clarke went to his 50 off 74 balls with 11 boundaries and the 100 partnership with Bell was completed in 28 overs.

Bell received generous applause when he clipped Ajmal through mid wicket for three to complete the 50th first class hundred of his career from 181 balls with 10 fours.

But after lunch Shantry struck a triple blow for the home side. Bell (111) pushing forward was adjudged lbw after a stand of 135 in 38 overs with Clarke.

Clarke (67) fell in the same manner as Shantry reached the 200 wicket milestone.

Then Jeetan Patel (17) tried to hit Shantry over the top but Ajmal running back from mid on safely pouched the catch at 296-8.

Charlie Morris replaced Shantry and Chris Wright (16) became the fifth lbw victim of the innings.

Keith Barker went to an aggressive 50 out of 340-9 before Leach wrapped up the innings as Boyd Rankin (13) was adjudged lbw.

Worcestershire began their second innings after tea and skipper Daryl Mitchell (nought) was caught by Ian Bell at third slip off Wright.

Two balls later Richard Oliver (two) cut at Wright and fell to a fine catch by Laurie Evans in the gulley.

Moeen Ali pulled a delivery from Wright for six over mid wicket but was then bowled by Keith Barker for seven.

Tom Fell looked in good touch, cover-driving Barker for four and repeating the shot at Boyd Rankin's expense.

He was eventually bowled by Rankin for 23 and then Gidman (eight) departed in the same manner to a ball that kept low.

Joe Clarke battled away for 13 before he edged Barker to Bell at third slip and Leach was bowled by Patel for two at 66-7.

Shantry (0) was the victim of a good catch by Wright running 30 yards to his right from deep mid-off from a Barker delivery.

Cox (14) was adjudged lbw to Rankin and the innings ended when Morris was caught at mid off by Barker off Patel.