Worcestershire win first tour game

Worcestershire CCC has won its first match on Thursday during the pre-season tour to Northern Transvaal in South Africa. Playing against a Limpopo Province Invitation XI in Polokwane, Ben Smith won the toss and elected to bat on good batting track in fine weather.

The County scored 323 for 6 in 45 overs. Anurag Singh scored an unbeaten hundred before retiring and was backed up by Hick with 77, Peters with 46, Solanki with 29 and Smith with 24. In reply the Provincial XI were dismissed for 145 in 37 overs. Chris Liptrot took 4/33 off 9 overs with Matt Mason taking 2/33 and Kadeer Ali 2/30.

The previous day the squad took part in a coaching session for 70 local children as part of their schedule. The entire tour is being hosted by the Limpopo Youth Cricket Association based in Polokwane (Pietersberg). The next game is on Saturday.

Mark Harrity will join the squad this morning and Nantie Hayward will meet up with his new County teammates on Saturday morning.