Worcs lose on New Road return
Darren Maddy's early fifty put Warwickshire on their way to an 83-run win © Getty Images
Worcestershire’s first match at New Road since last June, a one-day friendly against rivals Warwickshire, ended in an 83-run defeat as new Bears coach Ashley Giles enjoyed a winning start to his tenure on Tuesday.
After last summer’s severe flooding it was no surprise when early morning rain delayed the start of play by an hour and reduced the game to 40 overs per side.
Invited to bat first, Warwickshire posted a commanding 245 for three thanks to fifties from captain Darren Maddy, Ian Westwood and Jonathan Trott.
Worcestershire never recovered from a dreadful start to their reply as Lee Daggett reduced the hosts to 12 for three. Gareth Batty and new signing Simon Jones offered late resistance but Warwickshire enjoyed a comfortable victory.
Bears’ openers Neil Carter and Maddy (51) put on 50 for the first wicket as England paceman Jones bowled for his new club for the first time from a gentle run-up.
Off-spinner Batty removed both openers to leave the visitors 108 for two but Westwood raced to his fifty with some lusty blows to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Unbeaten pair Trott (51) and Jim Troughton (31) then smashed 45 from the last seven overs to post a challenging total.
Daggett removed the trio of Steve Davies, Vikram Solanki and Ben Smith to leave Worcestershire reeling and the hosts stumbled to 65 for seven with Moeen Ali and Graeme Hick falling after making starts.
Michael Yardy struck 62 to guide Sussex home at Hove
Batty (59 not out) and Jones added 50 down the order but Daggett returned to make Jones his fourth victim as the Royals closed well short of their target.
Elsewhere, Michael Yardy guided Sussex to a last-ball three-wicket win over Glamorgan as the LV County Champions followed up Monday’s victory in the second of their back-to-back one-day friendlies at Hove.
Yardy, who made 62 from 63 balls, helped the LV County Champions knock off 15 in the final over to chase down the visitors total of 182 in a match also reduced to 40 overs by the weather.
Glamorgan’s decision to bat first backfired as Kenya seamer Ragheb Aga took 4-30 in 5.4 overs while new signing Jamie Dalrymple (49) top scored for the Welsh county.
David Harrison claimed two early wickets to reduce Sussex to three for two but Yardy anchored the innings before accelerating with four boundaries in the closing overs.
The first day of Kent’s three-day friendly against Nottinghamshire at Canterbury, due to begin on Wednesday, has been washed out.
The arrangements for Worcestershire’s pre-season match against Leicestershire have changed.
Leicestershire will now travel to New Road on Thursday while Worcestershire play Grace Road on Friday.
Play will begin at 11am on both days and the home team will bat throughout in LV County Championship format using white clothing and a red ball.
Admission to New Road on Thursday is free and the Members Pavilion will be open all day for refreshments for all spectators.
