da jogodeouro： Ben Scott hundred hauls Worcestershire out of trouble as Simon Kerrigan takes four wickets at Old Trafford
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2012
ScorecardSteven Croft’s all-round ability has won him a place in England’s provisional 30-man squad for the World T20•Getty Images
Under normal circumstances when a player like Ben Scott emerges from adesperate time with the bat to score a determined century and helpWorcestershire reach a competitive total, it would take a seriousperformance to eclipse him. It perhaps summed up his misfortune thisseason that at Old Trafford he encountered a Lancastrian who enjoyed aday of his dreams.For any cricketer to be called into an England squad for the firsttime is a memorable day, in Steven Croft’s case he is one of 30selected in the provisional squad for the World Twenty20 tournament tobe held in Sri Lanka in September. If that was not enough of acelebration, he marked it by claiming three wickets with hisoccasional off-spin, took two catches and contributed to a crucial runout.Even if he does not make the final 15 for the trip to Sri Lanka, whichis due to be announced next month, it was some day for Croft, who onlytook up off-spin seriously at the suggestion of VVS Laxman afterbowling to him in the nets two years.”It’s one of the biggest honours I’ve achieved to be named in an England squad,” said Croft. “I’ve notbeen in one before or with the Lions, so it’s nice to be involved. Itwas difficult to keep it to myself and not tell the lads but they werevery happy for me when it was announced.”I don’t usually get a bowl but it was a good day to get threewickets, a couple of catches and a run out – the ball seemed to followme today and hopefully it continues with the bat and I can score someruns in the match to top it off. You’ve just got to try and make themost of it when those days come along.”Called on to bowl his off-spin shortly before lunch withWorcestershire on 54 for one after winning the toss in cloudyconditions, he claimed a crucial lbw against Australian opener PhilHughes in the over before the interval and followed up with wickets inhis first two overs of the next session to remove Moeen Ali and VikramSolanki.By the time his England call-up had been officially announced in theafternoon session, he had also claimed two catches in successive ballsfrom Simon Kerrigan, Lancashire’s left-arm spinner, at leg slip thatleft Worcestershire reeling on 93 for six, although Scott nervouslydefended the hat-trick ball.During the next 41 overs Scott teamed up with Matthew Pardoe to forgea crucial 127-run seventh wicket stand, taking advantage of improvingconditions as the sun burst through at Old Trafford. Neither playercame into the match with any sort of form, Pardoe having scored only128 runs in eight innings and while Scott has struggled to only 45runs in his previous 11 championship innings.Those struggles clearly had done little to damage either players’confidence with neither player giving a chance during the next 41overs until Scott called for a quick single after Croft made a divingstop at backward point, only for the Blackpool-born batsman to recoverquickly and return the ball to the non-striker’s end before Pardoecould make his ground.Pardoe’s 55 was crucial to Worcestershire’s recovery but Scott whenfurther and scored 106, his first century since moving from Middlesexduring the close season after a successful loan spell at New Road lastsummer. He was the last man out, giving Kerrigan his fourth wicket bydriving to mid-on, but he had at least kept his side in the contest.”I thought he batted really well,” said Croft. “We’ve played Worcesterin the past when they’ve just collapsed but he came in at a hard timewhen the pitch was spinning but he stuck it out and played very wellin the end.”