Worcs ring the changes for derby clash

By Paul Bolton

Worcestershire have responded to last week’s heavy defeat by Sussex by dropping Richard Jones, Jack Shantry and James Cameron and calling up four prospective debutants for their LV= County Championship local derby against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Seamers Chris Russell and Nick Harrison, batsman Joe Leach and leg-spinner Brett D’Oliveira have been rewarded for consistent performances in the second team this season by being named in the squad.

D’Oliveira has been a regular in Worcestershire’s one day squad this season and Leach and Russell played in the non-first-class tour match against South Africa at New Road last month. Harrison, who made his first team debut in last season’s Clydesdale Bank 40, made his first-class bow against Oxford MCCU in The Parks in April.

“Joe Leach got a century in the second team a couple of weeks ago, Chris bowled well against South Africa and Nick has been bowling well in the second team,” said Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

“They’ve got their chance because they have performed well in the seconds but it’s also a bit of a kick up the backsides for some of those who have been in the first team.”

Worcestershire are still missing batsman Alexei Kervezee because of a broken finger but the Dutch international has started netting again and is likely to test the injury by playing in the Birmingham & District Premier League on Saturday.



Date: 08/08/2012 11:23:31 by Paul Bolton
In: Worcestershire | Today |