RAPIDS pace ace Pat Brown goes into Finals Day this weekend as the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Vitality Blast – but he admitted his stunning success in white-ball cricket has been a surprise.
The 20-year-old tops the wicket-taking charts with 27 scalps in 14 group stage matches at an average of 14 as Worcestershire sealed their first appearance in T20 cricket’s showpiece event on Saturday at Edgbaston.
Brown has also impressed in the Royal London One Day Cup, and was given the responsibilty to bowl the last over in the June semi-final against Kent, only for the Spitfires to edge a one-wicket victory.
“It’s not something I expected. To be this far into the competition and still be up there in the wicket-taking list is a nice feeling and a nice surprise as well,” he said.
“I try and keep myself grounded and remind myself in T20 cricket you are never too far away from your four overs going for 45 or something.
“The Kent game was one to forget in terms of tehe result but I do really feel I learned a lot and that game was really good for my development and helped me learn about my game and myself.”
Brown admitted excitement was building in the squad for Saturday’s semi-final with Lancashire Lightning and the propect of bowling to big-hitting England star Jos Buttler.
“It’s a weird, people talk about it being just another game but it’s not. You have to embrace it is a semi-final and as long as it doesn’t drag your performance down its a good thing,” he said.
“Jos is obviously a great player, brilliant at what he does but equally it can all change with one ball. What’s the worst that happen? A world class player whacks you for 20 in the over.”
Brown admitted his rapid rise has been unexpected and said he sometimes takes a step back to take in his efforts in a campaign which has seen the Rapids establish themselves as one of the toughest teams to beat in white-ball cricket.
His efforts have attracted the attention of Sky pundits who analysed his slower ball in great detail in the victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge but the young pace ace revealed the scrunity didn’t worry him.
“I’d be lying to say I didn’t think about it but in a weird way it helps a bit because I know the batsmen sees my variations as well and I can play about with it and bowl him something different,” he said.