[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Early memories of Worcester very unpleasant they werte as well, a Gillette Cup semi final in the mid 60's they bowled us out for 60 and won by 9 wickets, seem to remember Flavell and Coldwell did the damge. Always had time for the Pears, one of the smaller counties who until more recent times always seem to be successful, these days probably not good enough for the top division but probably too good for the second.
They gave the English game Basil D'Olivera for which they should be thanked for, his grandson carries on the family tradition by being a Pears player.

10th July 1963 that semi-final would have been; six wickets for Jack Flavell, two apiece for Jim Standen and Bob Carter. Unfortunately Worcs went on to lose the final.

A slight connection on the D'Oliveira front in that it was the Central Lancashire League where Basil played until the Pears spotted him and gave him his county cap. Astonishing to reflect that he was thirty-six at that point in time (having lied about his age), thirty-eight when he made his England debut, played Test cricket until he was forty-four and county cricket until he was fifty-two. Our current Dolly hasn't quite hit form yet this season, but if he takes a leaf out of his granddad's book he'll have plenty of time ahead to get it right!

I think the Pears have always excelled as underdogs (the late Eighties aside when we had a very strong side with Dilley, Hick, Botham and Damian D'Oliveira), and are trying to keep to that tradition by developing talent local youngsters. Of course, the problem of never quite being good enough for Division One cricket means that the likes of Joe Clarke will sooner or later be itching to get to that next level and impress the England selectors.

We've made a stellar start to the season but are surely due to come a cropper. If it has to happen this week then better tomorrow than against the Bears on Friday. Hopefully be a good game either way.