Brookes Battles Former Team to Keep Worcestershire Afloat in County Championship Derby

Brookes Battles Former Team to Keep Worcestershire Afloat in County Championship Derby

Ethan Brookes produced a defiant unbeaten 80 against his former club to keep Worcestershire competitive on a challenging opening day of their County Championship Division One clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

After captain Brett D’Oliveira opted to bat first in tricky, overcast conditions, Worcestershire closed the day on 262 for 8, with Brookes standing firm after a middle-order stumble left his side struggling at 175 for 5.

Facing a disciplined Warwickshire bowling attack, led by former Worcestershire allrounder Ed Barnard and Ethan Bamber (both claiming 2 for 47), Brookes showed grit and control, batting for over two hours to keep his side in the contest.

D’Oliveira contributed a hard-earned 57 from 148 balls on the ground where he made his first-class debut 13 years ago, reaching his 24th career half-century. His dismissal, edging Beau Webster to keeper Kai Smith, ended a dogged resistance that had helped stabilize the innings after a shaky start.

Worcestershire openers Gareth Roderick and Jake Libby managed just 32 for the first wicket before both were caught behind by Smith, undone by well-directed outswingers from Barnard and Bamber respectively. Kashif Ali followed soon after, falling lbw to Barnard for 11, having shown early promise with two crisp boundaries.

Adam Hose, fresh from a swashbuckling 266 against Hampshire three weeks ago, adopted a more cautious approach in a 59-run partnership with D’Oliveira. But his innings ended on 33 in unfortunate fashion, run out by a direct hit from Barnard after a mix-up.

After D’Oliveira's dismissal, Tom Taylor was trapped in front by Taz Ali, while debutant Bertie Foreman, recently loaned from Sussex and fresh from a nine-wicket haul for their second XI, edged Hannon-Dalby to second slip after a brief stay.

Ben Allison provided some resistance with 20 in a 46-run stand with Brookes before he was removed by the new ball, nicking Bamber to slip.

With the light fading late in the day, Brookes remained composed and unbeaten on 80 from 128 deliveries, holding Worcestershire’s hopes of pushing past 300 on day two. The allrounder will eye his second first-class century if the tail can offer him enough support.

As the match progresses, attention may turn to Foreman’s left-arm spin, with the pitch expected to offer more turn later in the game.

Score at stumps, Day 1: Worcestershire 262 for 8 (Brookes 80*, D’Oliveira 57) vs Warwickshire.

You May Interested

> Khaleel Ahmed Ends Essex Stint Early Due to Personal Reasons
> Jamie Overton Returns as England Weigh Fresh Options for The Oval Test
> Kaushal Silva Appointed Head Coach of Hong Kong Men’s Cricket Team Ahead of Asia Cup
> Gill, Washington, Jadeja Hundreds Orchestrate India’s Great Escape at Old Trafford
> Issy Wong Shines with Bat and Ball as Birmingham Bears Storm into Women’s T20 Blast Final
> Washington and Jadeja's Gritty Fifties Help India Edge Ahead of England
> Gill’s Gritty Hundred in Vain as England Eye Series Win
> Green, Maxwell Shine as Australia Edge West Indies in Thriller to Clinch Fourth Straight Win
> Conrad Confident Despite Final Defeat: “We’ve Got the Makings of a Great Side”
> Asia Cup 2025 to Begin in UAE on September 9; India vs Pakistan Clash Set for September 14
Indian Premier League 2025 | League
🕹️ 74 Matches 👥 12 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Pakistan Super League, 2025 | League
🕹️ 34 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Tri-Nation Series in UAE, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 5 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Womens World Cup Qualifier, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 15 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 19 Apr, 2025 - 19 Apr, 2025
England A Women tour of Australia, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 0 Teams 📅 26 Mar, 2025 - 15 Apr, 2025
Kolkata National Cricket Club, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
County Championship Division One, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 35 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Afghanistan U19 tour of Nepal, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 3 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
KCC T20 Challengers B League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 14 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Vincy Premier League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 30 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 21 Apr, 2025 - 21 Apr, 2025
Melbourne T10 League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 22 Matches 👥 7 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Quadrangular T20I Series in Hong Kong, China, 2025 | International
🕹️ 8 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 13 Apr, 2025 - 13 Apr, 2025
Uganda Women tour of Namibia, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Major League Cricket 2025 | League
🕹️ 4 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 14 Jul, 2025 - 14 Jul, 2025
ECS Italy, Bologna, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 29 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 18 Apr, 2025 - 18 Apr, 2025