PROMISING Pears opener Ollie Westbury believes he has reaped the benefits of winter work on his white ball game after two recent impressive one-day hundreds.
The England Under-19 opener, who recently signed a new contract at New Road, has always been renowned for his willingness to occupy the crease for lengthy periods of time.
But Westbury has now shown his capabilities in the shorter 50-over format with 143 against Derbyshire and 100 versus MCC Young Cricketers as the Seconds narrowly missed out on a spot in the Trophy semi-finals.
The 19-year-old, who scored another century for the Seconds in last week’s three-day game versus Gloucestershire, praised the work during the close season with director of cricket Steve Rhodes and batting coach Kevin Sharp.
“I’ve done a lot of work on execution against spinners, really trying to find the gaps, working on different shots and introducing shots that before I wouldn’t have played, hitting the ball straight down the ground and all that kind of stuff,” he said.
“I’ve really worked to get into a position where I can actually score white ball runs and thankfully it has gone well in that white ball stuff.
“Last year I couldn’t see myself where I am now in terms of white ball, but thankfully it feels like it is getting much better.”
Westbury had struggled for form in the three and four-day games until his recent ton at Cheltenham College.
“That will come. I am confident of that. There are just a few little technical things I am working on at the minute,” he said.
“As soon as I sort those out, I will be fine again.
“I’ve looked at it, analysed what I feel I am doing wrong, and I’m looking to put that right as soon as possible.”
Dudley-born Westbury, who scored 196 against Sri Lanka on his England Under-19s Test debut last summer, was delighted to sign a new contract at New Road.
“The club is going in the right direction and you can see that with the performances and the results we are getting,” he said.
“It is a very good place for a young player to be, a very good dressing room as well.
“We’ve played an extra year now, you’ve got the experience under your belt, and you learn from the mistakes we would have made last year.
“I certainly feel as if we have come out the other side of that year a lot better for it, a lot wiser.”