Rhodes happy with display

Worcestershire director cricket Steve Rhodes insisted his side had backed up their NatWest Pro40 Division One status by beating Glamorgan the promotion-relegation battle at the SWALEC Stadium.

After winning the toss the Royals made 186 for six and then bowled out Glamorgan for just 83 in record fashion with 16.1 overs remaining.

“We didn’t deserve to be playing off to go down and there were some crucial incidents that meant we were put in a position that we had to win at Glamorgan, which is all credit to the lads that we did it,” said Rhodes, whose side had only managed to win two of their six completed matches in Division One.

“To come and win here at a Cardiff is a big ask, but winning the toss was crucial because 25 to 30 per cent of the end result was on the toss.

“People might think we were struggling when we were batting but we realised we had to set up a score on the pitch. We didn’t want to be bowled out for 120.

“You only had to look at the wicket before the game to know it was poor, and on a difficult wicket I thought Moeen Ali (50 from 50 balls) played well. To play with the freedom he did showed the class he has.”

Moeen Ali impressed his coach with 50 on a difficult wicket © Getty Images

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Glamorgan cricket manager Matthew Maynard was disappointed by the result but pledged his side would improve next year, not least because he revealed the county were attempting to sign South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs.

“We were pretty pleased at half-time considering we had thought a par score was 180 on that pitch,” said Maynard.

“We came off quite confident but our top order got blown away. It’s something we will have to address ahead of next season. When you are two for three it’s always difficult to come back from that.

“It’s so disappointing because the boys have worked so hard to get this far in the competition and to fall flat like we did. It’s disappointing that our biggest crowd of the season haven’t seen us at our best.

“There will be changes for next season. We have to have cricketers who have two or three of the cricket disciplines. Unfortunately today that was highlighted and ultimately it cost us.

“The senior players are responsible at the top of the order but unfortunately we haven’t once got off to a good start in the competition this year. More often that not the middle-order has had to rescue us, but not today.

“We will strengthen the squad in the winter and we are currently in talks with Herschelle Gibbs for next season.

Glamorgan captain David Hemp added: “We have played some good cricket in this competition, especially at home, but unfortunately this was the day we were out-done.

“We were happy halfway through at chasing 187, but you need a platform to build on. And when your first three batsmen go for ducks you are really up against it.”