Lategan ton inspires Rapids to dominant warm-up victory

Worcestershire Rapids wrapped up their preparations for the Metro Bank One Day Cup in style, claiming a convincing 146-run victory over Herefordshire on Tuesday.

The star of the show was Dan Lategan, who smashed a brilliant 148 runs, leading his team to a formidable total of 390.

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Batting first on a sumptuous day at Eastnor Cricket Club, Lategan and his opening partner Isaac Mohammed made their way to the middle looking to set the tone against Minor County opponents Herefordshire.

The teenage duo set a rapid pace, scoring nearly 10 runs an over before Mohammed fell LBW for just eight runs in the fourth over.

But Lategan showed no signs of slowing, partnering with Kashif Ali to reach 100 runs in the 15th over, with Lategan bringing up his 50 shortly after.

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However, Kashif was taken by surprise when he was bowled for 37 having previously been untroubled.

Keen to pick up where he left off in List A cricket from last summer, competition Captain Jake Libby came to the crease and continued the assault.

Libby, who had an impressive average of 59.87 in the tournament last year, settled back into rhythm against a fatiguing Herefordshire attack who battled valiantly in the sun.

Together, Lategan and Libby made 161 runs for the third wicket.

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Lategan reached his century at better than a run-a-ball, hitting boundaries with ease, while Libby also reached his 50. But Libby fell just short of a century, caught for 81 runs off 68 balls. Lategan's remarkable innings came to an end when he misjudged an inventive reverse sweep, bowled by Ben Chapman-Lilley.

With the score at 287-4, new pair Henry Cullen and Rehaan Edavalath kept the momentum going. Edavalath added a quickfire 17 whilst Cullen played a typically eye-catching hand from number five, blitzing 52 from just 27 balls with eight boundaries.

Ben Allison also added a late burst of 35 runs, helping Worcestershire finish their innings at a daunting 390-7.

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In response, Herefordshire struggled from the start. Ben Allison struck early, taking the first wicket with a catch at slip. Harry Darley followed up by dismissing Chapman-Lilley without scoring, leaving Herefordshire reeling at 46-4.

Despite a brief resistance from their middle order, including a fighting 50 from skipper Powell, the pressure from Worcestershire’s bowlers proved too much. George O’Connor and Darley each took two wickets, while Dan Lategan even chipped in with a wicket of his own.

In the end, Herefordshire was bowled out for 244, handing Worcestershire a comfortable 146-run victory.

With this win, the Rapids head into their Metro Bank One Day Cup opener against Derbyshire Falcons on Friday brimming with confidence.

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