Leatherdale keeps cool.

A superb spell of bowling from David Leatherdale gave Worcestershire a 3 run Duckworth Lewis victory in a heavily rain-ruined match.

After being put in in a match that was initially scheduled for 23 overs, but ended up being over 18, Vikram Solanki and Anurag Singh started well, Solanki smashing 5 fours in his 15-ball 20, and Singh crafting 25 from 33 balls.

Aussie Michael Kasprowicz was in inspired form though, picking up 3 wickets in very short order, as Graeme Hick and new South African call-up Andrew Hall both fell for second ball ducks to clatter to 40-3 from 36-0.

Captain Ben Smith steadied the ship with a brutal unbeaten 43 with 3 big sixes, and with a 6-ball cameo of 13 from Gareth Batty, the Pears reached 117-5 from their 18 overs.

With mid-innings interuptions, Duckworth Lewis upped the target to 126, but big-hitting skipper Robert Croft fell second ball, and the second Australian import managed just 10.

Veteran Matthew Maynard and Michael Powell steadied the innings, and after 10 overs, just after Maynard's dismissal, the score was in the 70's and the required run rate was climbing.

The conditions were far from perfect though, and David Leatherdale was introduced with great results, as he conceded just 15 from his 3 overs including 6 off the final one when 10 were needed, Glamorgan finishing 5 runs better off than Worcestershire, but 3 runs behind them.

The only sour note was an injury to Adrian Dale, who top-edged a short ball into his eye and had to retire hurt.

WORCESTERSHIRE 117-5 (Smith 43*, Singh 25, Kasprowicz 3-23)
GLAMORGAN 122-7 (Powell 33, Maynard 32, Leatherdale 2-15, Mason 2-29)

Posted by Marc