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Jack Shantry helps Worcestershire to promotion against Surrey Jack Shantry helps Worcestershire to promotion against Surrey
(about 1 hour later)
This is a match that will go down in the annals of Worcestershire cricket, indeed those of the county championship itself, as one of the greatest turnarounds. Jack Shantry’s match – for that is surely how it will come to be known – ensured that Worcestershire regained their place in the first division for next season, and did so totally against the odds.This is a match that will go down in the annals of Worcestershire cricket, indeed those of the county championship itself, as one of the greatest turnarounds. Jack Shantry’s match – for that is surely how it will come to be known – ensured that Worcestershire regained their place in the first division for next season, and did so totally against the odds.
Shortly after lunch on the first day, the Worcestershire innings had been in tatters at 133 for six. But deep into the afternoon on the final day, when almost five hours of unstinting diligence from the Surrey opener Zafar Ansari was ended by a run-out, Worcestershire had won a game, by 27 runs, that had been all but lost more than once during the interim. The celebrations will be hard and justified, their final match against Essex, for which the necessary computations were being worked out in resigned fashion until after lunch, rendered irrelevant as far as they are concerned.Shortly after lunch on the first day, the Worcestershire innings had been in tatters at 133 for six. But deep into the afternoon on the final day, when almost five hours of unstinting diligence from the Surrey opener Zafar Ansari was ended by a run-out, Worcestershire had won a game, by 27 runs, that had been all but lost more than once during the interim. The celebrations will be hard and justified, their final match against Essex, for which the necessary computations were being worked out in resigned fashion until after lunch, rendered irrelevant as far as they are concerned.
It is a fine achievement for a homely, genuine county club of unparalleled panorama, enthusiastic support and lemon sponge cake. Only the 63 wickets taken early in the campaign by Saeed Ajmal serve to temper things and it leaves Worcestershire now with a dilemma for next season. Ajmal has been suspended from bowling in international cricket pending his appeal against the findings of the testing procedures instigated after his action was reported by the umpires earlier in the year. These say that his action does not conform within the set parameters – 15 degrees of flex– at any time and indeed are double that. Ajmal insists this is down to a childhood accident.It is a fine achievement for a homely, genuine county club of unparalleled panorama, enthusiastic support and lemon sponge cake. Only the 63 wickets taken early in the campaign by Saeed Ajmal serve to temper things and it leaves Worcestershire now with a dilemma for next season. Ajmal has been suspended from bowling in international cricket pending his appeal against the findings of the testing procedures instigated after his action was reported by the umpires earlier in the year. These say that his action does not conform within the set parameters – 15 degrees of flex– at any time and indeed are double that. Ajmal insists this is down to a childhood accident.
Worcestershire’s problem is twofold. Firstly, is Ajmal suspended from all cricket or is it just international cricket? Worcestershire’s problem is twofold. Firstly, is Ajmal suspended from all cricket or is it just international cricket? Secondly, if not, how would England and Wales Cricket Board respond were Worcestershire still to play him were he banned from international cricket? Indeed how would that stand up ethically?
Secondly, if not, how would ECB respond were Worcestershire still to play him were he banned from international cricket. Indeed how would that stand up ethically. This is for the future though, for even the final day had its twists. After the remarkable events of the third day, Worcestershire had started the final day with at least hope of creating an upset and halting a run of losses that had seen the previous two matches conceded.
This is for the future though, for even the final day had its twists. After the remarkable events of the third day, Worcestershire had started the final day with at least hopes of creating an upset and halting a run of losses that had seen the previous two matches conceded.
Surrey had lost a wicket overnight, as Worcestershire came at them strongly on the adrenaline of the turn the match had taken. Such things can often settle down overnight though. The morning was cloudy with a light haze, something that can often gladden the hearts of the seamers, and the pitch, as it had on the first three days might be expected to give them something on the first hour.Surrey had lost a wicket overnight, as Worcestershire came at them strongly on the adrenaline of the turn the match had taken. Such things can often settle down overnight though. The morning was cloudy with a light haze, something that can often gladden the hearts of the seamers, and the pitch, as it had on the first three days might be expected to give them something on the first hour.
Survive this, however, and Surrey would feel confident of knocking off the further 187 runs they needed. By lunch, they had reduced the target to 95 for the single loss of Vikram Solanki, a former New Road stalwart on his first visit back, for 58. But Ansari was well entrenched now: Surrey looked set. Survive this, however, and Surrey would feel confident of knocking off the further 187 runs they needed. By lunch, they had reduced the target to 95 for the single loss of Vikram Solanki, a former New Road stalwart on his first visit back, for 58. But Ansari was entrenched now: Surrey looked set.
Instead, Steve Davies, past his 1000 runs for the season, and Gary Wilson went to Shantry in successive overs immediately after the interval with Jason Roy, Aneesh Kapil and Gareth Batty then going quickly to Moeen Ali during an excellent spell of offspin. Instead, Steve Davies, past his 1000 runs for the season, and Gary Wilson went to Shantry in successive overs immediately after the interval with Jason Roy, Aneesh Kapil and Gareth Batty then going quickly to Moeen Ali during an excellent spell of off-spin.
From 131 for two and dominance, Surrey found themselves 164 for seven in the space of little more than 11 overs and up against it. Ansari battled away, and finished with 64 but the tail had little answer to Shantry who added two further wickets before the run-out coup de grâce.From 131 for two and dominance, Surrey found themselves 164 for seven in the space of little more than 11 overs and up against it. Ansari battled away, and finished with 64 but the tail had little answer to Shantry who added two further wickets before the run-out coup de grâce.
Thus Shantry finished a memorable match in which, batting at nine, he scored 21 in the first innings and, at a time when his side, effectively, were 34 for seven in the second, an unbeaten 101 that with Joe Leach and Mitchell McClenaghan gave them a chance.Thus Shantry finished a memorable match in which, batting at nine, he scored 21 in the first innings and, at a time when his side, effectively, were 34 for seven in the second, an unbeaten 101 that with Joe Leach and Mitchell McClenaghan gave them a chance.
With the ball this most deceptive of operators, with a bit of swing and a modicum of cut, took six for 87 in the first innings, but more pertinently five for 36 at a time when Surrey had already built a three figure first innings lead with six wickets in hand, and now four for 44 in the second, including four for 22. What a match. Perhaps they will name the tea room after him.With the ball this most deceptive of operators, with a bit of swing and a modicum of cut, took six for 87 in the first innings, but more pertinently five for 36 at a time when Surrey had already built a three figure first innings lead with six wickets in hand, and now four for 44 in the second, including four for 22. What a match. Perhaps they will name the tea room after him.