Worcestershire Rapids secure place in the One Day Cup final
The Rapids blew Somerset away in yesterday's semi-final at New Road by 131 runs at Worcestershire New Road
Worcestershire Rapids have secured a place in this year's cricket One Day Cup final.
The Rapids blew Somerset away in yesterday's semi-final at New Road by 131 runs at Worcestershire New Road - which means they will face Hampshire in next month's final at Trent Bridge.
The teenage sensation Dan Lategan played a pivotal role in the game, with his extraordinary run of form scoring a scintillating 78 runs, booking the home side into a first List A final since 2004.
He said: “That was amazing. I couldn’t be happier.
“We thought at halfway we had a good enough total if we bowled well. It was a bit tough early on with a bit of movement like we know there always is at New Road but we started off really well.
“I tried my best and then, with a few wickets falling, tried to keep my head and take less risks. I was disappointed to get out but then the guys down the order got us up to a good score.
“We would have liked closer to 300 but we were very confident and I think that showed in the powerplay when we came out with lots of energy. It was an amazing spell just before the rain came when we kept taking wickets.
“Somerset bat deep so after every wicket we said we know there is more talent coming in so let’s keep our energy and keep taking wickets.
The match report
The home side’s total of 275-9 was underpinned by Dan Lategan’s superb 78.
There were also commendable cameos from Brett D’Oliveira (45) and Henry Cullen (32).
A brief rain delay only paused the proceedings - and the inevitable - for so long, with Ethan Brookes taking the three wickets needed for victory, as Worcestershire secured a 131-run win and booked a place in a first List A final since 2004.
The club say: "The buzz of semi-final cricket was palpable around Visit Worcestershire New Road on Sunday morning, as Worcestershire welcomed Somerset, with the hosts vying for a place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final next month."
It was in the 42nd over when the score of 200 came up.
Henry Cullen and Matthew Waite looked to launch a late counter-attack, with Cullen adding valuable late impetus with his creative cameo of 32 and Waite adding some lusty late blows, say the club's match report - digging themselves out of a mid innings blip to amass their final score of 275 for 9.