Worcestershire batsman Tom Fell admitted it was pleasing to finally convert several promising starts into a major score after achieving a career best 143 against Middlesex in the LV = County Championship clash at Uxbridge.
Fell chalked up a century in the opening game of the season against Yorkshire but since then his highest score was 78 against Durham – until today.
He surpassed his previous best score of 133 against Glamorgan at New Road last summer and in total batted for 311 minutes and struck 22 fours and a six in his 228 ball knock.
Fell told BBC Hereford-Worcester's Dave Bradley: “I’ve felt like I’ve had quite a few starts this season, a few 20s, 30s and 40s so it was nice to actually go on and get a big one today.
“Actually, I had a chat with Steve Rhodes (Worcestershire Director of Cricket) before this game and we were trying to think back to that innings against Yorkshire.
"I tried to think back to my plans and what I was doing then and possibly the way I was thinking changed a little bit the last few games.
"It was basically going back to the basics and trying to keep it as simple as possible."
Fell admitted: "This was one of the tougher hundreds I’ve scored. They came pretty hard at me with a lot of short stuff.
"It ranks up there with one of the better ones in the circumstances and how tough they came."
Fell praised the unbeaten 41 from Jack Shantry which helped to secure a fourth batting point.
He said: "It was a classic Jack Shantry cameo. He is very useful down the order and has got a first class hundred.
"jack is more than capable with the bat and they were useful runs in the end for us."
Fell believes Worcestershire are well placed going into the final day with Middlesex 64 ahead and already three second innings wickets down.
He said: "It would have been good if we could have got one or two more wickets tonight but we are happy with three down and we are in a pretty solid position at the moment.
"There is a hint of turn, the pitch is wearing so there is a little bit of up and down movement as well which is handy for us.
"Hopefully if it does start turning, Saeed and Moeen will come into the game for us. We are not going to look too far ahead. We will keep it simple and hopefully wickets will come."
