WORCESTERSHIRE batsman Tom Fell has expressed his delight at turning out for Pears Seconds and hopes to make further appearances after undergoing a third bout of chemotherapy.
Fell was able to participate in the first two days of the three-day friendly game against Sussex Seconds at Kidderminster.
He felt in good form in scoring 41 on Monday and then took a full part in fielding on the second day.
Fell, Worcestershire’s leading run-scorer in the County Championship last summer, eventually wants to challenge to play first-team cricket again if all goes to plan with his treatment for cancer in the lymph nodes.
“It was good apart from being freezing cold! It was great to be playing again; nice to be back,” he said.
“I felt in pretty good nick. I had a bit of a bat the week before in a training game at New Road and blew a few cobwebs off then.
“I felt in good form. It was a pretty good wicket and I was a bit disappointed not to make more than 41.”
Fell admitted he had targeted the game and had tailored his training as a test.
“I got through that fine and there was no reason why I couldn’t play in this game,” he said. “I could only play the two days, which was always the plan, but with a it being a friendly and you can play 12 players, I didn’t think it would be a problem and it wasn’t.”
“It has definitely given me a bit of a lift being able to play again and it’s just a bit of a bonus really.
“Going into the start of the treatment, I didn’t have a clue how I would feel and how much I would be able to do and I hadn’t really planned anything,” he added.
The brave batsman hopes to play club cricket for Birmingham League Premier side Wolverhampton next weekend and be full time with Worcestershire from later this month.
“I think there is a second team T20 game on that Monday and hopefully I’ll play in that and go from there,” he said.
“Eventually I’ve got to try and work my way back into contention for the first team although I’m taking things one step at a time.
“I’ll have to get some runs. I don’t think they’ll shove me straight in. Hopefully the batters are doing well enough to give them a headache with selection.”