Cricket
Royals lose final warm up game

Buy photos »

WORCESTERSHIRE slipped to a 48 run defeat in their final warm up game against Gloucestershire at New Road despite an impressive century stand between Daryl Mitchell and James Cameron.

Chasing 275 for victory in 40 overs the Royals left themselves with a mountain to climb after being reduced to 27-3 until Mitchell and Cameron came together to give Worcestershire hope with their stubborn fourth wicket partnership.

But once the pair were dismissed the hosts collapsed to 229 all out in the final over of the game.

Having been put into bat Gloucestershire recovered from the early loss off captain Alex Gidman (6) with Will Gidman and Chris Dent sharing a century stand as the pair took full advantage of the short boundary on the Cathedral side of the ground.

Gidman was eventually caught by James Cameron off Shaaiq Choudhry for 67 off 88 balls and when Jack Taylor edged behind to Ben Scott off Jack Shantry for 20 the visitors were 169-3 in the 31st over.

After a short rain break Gloucestershire stepped on the gas and despite losing Dent for 93 off 83 balls Ian Cockbain (48no) and Ed Young (31no) continued the momentum and the visitors ended on 277-4 off their 40 overs.

Harrison was the pick of the County’s bowlers, with 2-42 off his 8 overs, with Choudhry (1-38) and Shantry (1-66) the other bowlers to take a wicket.

Worcestershire's reply began badly as they lost Matt Pardoe (6), Vikram Solanki (19) and Neil Pinner (0) inside the first 5 overs to leave them on 27-3. Mitchell and Cameron steadied the ship although boundaries were in short supply.

Despite putting on nearly 150 for the fourth wicket the visitors eventually dismissed both Cameron (74) and Mitchell (74) to reduce the Royals to 202-5 off 34 overs.

David Payne (4-50) then took three of the last five wickets to fall as Worcestershire collapsed to 229 all out in the 40th over.

Regional sport »