Cox delighted at taking captain's armband for opening game - The Worcester Observer

Cox delighted at taking captain's armband for opening game

Worcester Editorial 21st Apr, 2019   0

PEARS keeper Ben Cox has spoken of his pride at being made Worcestershire’s official red ball vice-captain and being able to lead the side in their opening Specsavers County Championship match of the season.

The wicket-keeper batsman skippered the team to an innings victory against Leicestershire while club captain Joe Leach continued the final stages of his rehabilitation from a back injury.

And the talented Cox celebrated his new role in style with his fourth first class hundred of his career from 133 deliveries with one six and 13 fours.

His fine innings followed on from the three figure scores by Daryl Mitchell (114) and debutant Hamish Rutherford (123) on the opening day.




It was the first time three Worcestershire players had scored centuries in the same innings since Vikram Solanki (232), Stephen Moore (143) and Phil Jaques (124) achieved the feat during a total of 701-6 declared versus Surrey in 2007 in New Road.

Speaking about his new role as vice-captain in four-day cricket, Cox said: ““It is something I’m extremely excited about. My family are extremely proud. My dad (Tim) has been supporting and watching Worcestershire for many years.


“I’m not going to come in and change the system or anything like that. I won’t be a big talker. I will just try and act and lead in the best way possible.”

“It won’t be too much different in terms of four-day cricket. Obviously it is a slower paced game than T20 and the white ball for Brett (D’Oliveira – new white ball vice-captain),” he added.

Cox declared with Worcestershire on 553-6 before four wickets for Josh Tongue saw the hosts bowled out for 302 and asked to bat again, 251 runs behind the Pears first innings total.

Leicestershire resumed the final day at 132-4 in their second innings and were bowled out for 233 with Charlie Morris returning the excellent career best figures of 7-45.

It was the third five wicket haul of his career, surpassing his 5-54 at Derby in 2014 and 5-71 versus Somerset at New Road in 2015.

The previous Worcestershire player to take seven wickets in an innings was West Indies paceman Miguel Cummins with his 7-84 against Sussex at Hove in 2016.

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