The crossover from July to August proved a busy time of exploration, with a couple of visits to the cricket neatly bookending my outing to Chester and Rhyl. The cricket destination was New Road Worcester, where I joined Stephen, Nick and Ken in witnessing Warwickshire secure their first County Championship victory of the season...
The game began on Friday 31st July, and our intrepid group met at Wolverhampton before changing onto the Worcester train at Smethwick Galton Bridge. We arrived in plenty of time, only to encounter a queue outside the turnstiles - Stephen informs me that such instances are most rare indeed, although it was quite encouraging to see lots of other spectators. We didn't miss much, and soon settled in to watch Warwickshire's first innings.
With Ian Bell on England duty, Neil Carter was in the team and opening the batting, although he didn't last long. Neither Westwood nor Troughton hung around either, but Tony Frost did at least play some eyecatching strokes in his entertaining 37 as he finally rediscovered some form. Jonathon Trott once again delivered with a 67, although the situation was still quite precarious when he was out. At this point, Ambrose and Clarke built a century stand and we were all feeling fairly confident come tea. Unfortunately, a final session collapse saw Warwickshire all out for 309, a score that looked satisfactory on a pitch that offered something for the bowlers. Worcestershire had just started their reply when the rain set in, and were 2 for no wicket at the close. Not a bad day's action all told, made all the more enjoyable by the relaxed setting and some fine weather. A mint choc chip ice cream and a pint in the Cricketers pub also contributed to a most enjoyable experience.
Saturday's play was washed out, making me very glad I was in Wales and not in Worcester. We returned to the action on Sunday morning (not much of a queue this time), hoping the Warwickshire bowlers could make some inroads into a Worcestershire batting line up that was having a tough season. What transpired exceeded even our most hopeful expectations, as a procession of wickets fell in the morning session - Woakes and Carter at their devastating best to reduce the home side to a scarcely believable 88 for 8, Stephen was literally stunned speechless.
The demolition job was completed after lunch, Davies only just seeing Worcs beyond the 100. They made a better fist of the follow-on as Solanki and Moore crafted a fine partnership, only for another collapse to put Warwickshire well within sight of victory. Moeen and Kervezee somehow managed to survive until 6pm, when we reluctantly left the ground as our train would soon be due. Once again the weather had been excellent and the setting delightful, with the Ladies Pavillion at New Road serving a scrumptious afternoon tea, the home-made caramel slice was divine and cracking value for money to boot. Warwickshire duly completed victory on the Monday morning to take a big step towards survival in the top division of the Championship, and I'm already looking forward to the rematch at Edgbaston...
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