Herefordshire's Development Team Cruise to a 4 wicket Win Over Local Rivals

1 Jun 2023   |   By Richard Cox

Worcestershire 219-9 (50 overs) - M Lamb 88, I Mahmood 3-37

Herefordshire 220-6 (44 overs) - A Hinkley 44, H Sockett 40 and I Mahmood 49*

Herefordshire won by 4 wickets.

Herefordshire's Under 21 team now known as the Development XI under ECB Competition guidelines cruised to a 4-wicket victory at Brockhampton CC against local rivals Worcestershire CCC thanks to a fine all round performance by Imaad Mahmood who took 3-37 with the ball and then backed it up with a swashbuckling 49* to see Herefordshire to victory as part of the County's Development match play programme.

Batting first Worcestershire struggled to get consistent partnerships together with only Matt Lamb (Shifnal CC) getting to grips with the accurate Herefordshire bowling. Lamb was dismissed in the 34th over for a finely struck 88 including nine 4s and 3 6s. Taking wickets at regular intervals was the key to the Herefordshire team stemming the flow of runs as Worcestershire hit the halfway stage with a working total of 219. Mahmood's off spin was key to keeping the total to within Herefordshire's reach.

In reply, Herefordshire's Hinkley (44) and Sockett (40) put on 60 for the first wicket to lay a solid base and only a wobble in the mid innings that saw Herefordshire slump to 117-4 did the victory look in any way in jeopardy. However, Imaad Mahmood strode to the wicket having made his debut for the senior team the previous day and proceeded to strike 5 fours and 2 sixes in just 40 balls to see the home county over the finishing line in fine style.

The Development XI have 5 more fixtures to play over the season - scorecard here