Worker guides New Zealand

1 August 2008 | By Paul Marshall

George Worker struck a fluent 96 at New Road

George Worker’s industrious 96 proved the lynchpin for New Zealand Under-19s as they reached 323 for seven against England on day one of the second Test at New Road.

Worker’s 134-ball innings comprised 14 boundaries and the left-hander combined successfully with captain Kane Williamson (75) to register a 111-run partnership for the third wicket before Warwickshire seamer Ian Saxelby removed the pair.

The exit of Worker, who departed with the score reading 200 for two, signalled a flurry of wickets as England displayed the type of form that brought them victory in the opening Test at Taunton.

Fraser Colson was run out without troubling the scorers and Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson then ripped through the visiting middle order with the wickets of Craig Cachopa (12), Doug Bracewell (12) and Harry Boam (26).

It left New Zealand shaking on 276 for seven, and the Kiwi youngsters were indebted to Greg Morgan’s resolute 47 from 115 balls to see them past the 300 mark without any further losses before the close despite probing spells from both Saxelby (2-91) and left-arm spinner Dawson (4-70).