PEARS’ director of cricket Steve Rhodes has reflected on an ‘up and down’ season for his side and defended the quality of cricket in Division Two of the County Championship.
Worcestershire finished third in the final table following a nine-wicket win over Derbyshire to bring the curtain down on a mixed campaign for the New Road outfit.
The visitors had reached 255-5 – a lead of 40 – and seemed set to earn a share of the spoils after a century from Wayne Madsen and solid contributions from Harvey Hosein (59) and Tom Milnes (36).
But skipper Daryl Mitchell started a collapse of five wickets in 7.1 overs as Derbyshire were bowled out for 266 before Worcestershire secured victory.
“It’s fair to say we have had some high points with great victories and some low points where we’ve been smashed but that’s probably testament to where we are as a side at the moment,” said Rhodes, as he reflected on the campaign.
“We are desperately trying to be more consistent and once we do, and I’m convinced we will, then we’ll start playing in a manner which will go towards winning trophies and that’s the aim for our dressing room.
“That’s the reason I am here doing it because I was very lucky to play in a side winning trophies and during that period we were one of the top two or three in the country.
“There were some fantastic occasions and days and I desperately want Worcestershire to be playing and challenging for those type of trophies year in and year out.”
Rhodes said he felt elevation to the top tier of the County Championship would have always been difficult in a campaign where just one promotion place was on offer.
“When we started the campaign we probably knew there were five or six decent sides and with only one team going up it was always going to be difficult to get promoted but I think the right result is Essex going up as they’ve finally played to their potential,” he added.
“When we voted to make it eight and ten I was against it personally and they used the excuse coaches and players needed more time to prepare.
“I think you look at our 2017 season and its two games less but it’s just as busy.
“I think if you are in Division Two you are the poor relations which is a bit sad because this year it’s been really tough cricket where you have had to work really hard for the points.”