WORCESTERSHIRE have been promoted back to English cricket’s top flight for a record seventh time.
The Pears picked up the second bonus point needed to secure promotion back to Division One of the LV= County Championship when they passed 300 against Yorkshire this morning (Wednesday).
Skipper Brett D’Oliveira fell for a marvellous 103 just one run shy of the target, having earlier shared a 155 run stand with Kashif Ali (93) as the pair took the Pears from 67-4.
Alan Richardson’s side will return to Division One for the first time since 2018 when they were relegated for the sixth time in 14 years.
The elevation caps a hugely successful season for the Pears which has seen the club reach the quarter finals of both the Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup.
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‘Little’ Worcestershire’s triumph against the odds.
CONGRATULATIONS to Alan Richardson, Brett D’Oliveira and all the playing and coaching staff for a fantastic promotion back to Division One.
In a county game in which some want to see the end of ‘little’ counties like Worcestershire, despite the club’s rich history and picturesque home, it’s refreshing to know the Pears will again be at English cricket’s top table.
Under Richardson, the club has been competitive in both red and white-ball cricket all season long -proving despite the nay-sayers there is potential at New Road.
The departures of Ben Cox, Pat Brown, Dillon Pennington, Josh Tongue et al were a blow but for a cricketer who wants to develop his game and achieve success, New Road is an ideal platform.
Don’t believe me? Ask Jake Libby whose 1,000 runs were one of the building blocks of this promotion push, along with a terrific effort from the bowlers.
The squad will need strengthening further and some smart overseas signings will be needed to avoid another yo-yo relegation, but that’s for later.
Because for today, to quote that dressing room victory song, those Worcester boys are happy!
Come on You Pears!
Rob George