WORCESTERSHIRE has always had a strong connection with Yorkshire. How grateful will Worcestershire be for the grit traditionally associated with that part of the world and demonstrated in ample quantities by Steve Rhodes and David Leatherdale on Thursday against Nottinghamshire?

That legendary grit hasn't done Yorkshire themselves much good this year - their Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy triumph had a distinctly Australian flavour about it.

But Bumpy and Lugsy rescued a losing situation to keep hopes alive.

What a time for Steve Rhodes to come back from injury and score the 12th century of his career.

Alec Stewart has got a central contract next year and a testimonial to go with it.

Bumpy will be in a pretty strong position to negotiate something similar after this performance to cap an outstanding season, and he can still give Alec a couple of years.

Whatever happens to Bumpy he won't be standing up to Stuart Lampitt next year.

Maybe it was the fact that a wicketkeeper could now stand up to him which persuaded Jed to call it a day!

But he has done a great job this season in the one-day matches.

He has that enduring quality which age cannot knock out of you but which just stops you from producing it on a day in day out basis.

If he were starting now and the Academy were looking for genuine all-rounders then he would be on the short list.

His rhythm gave him deceptive pace, his wrist the control to swing and seam the ball both ways.

As a batter he was at his best against the pace and spin which dominates Test cricket. Perhaps he was one who the grind of county cricket made reliable where an Academy preparation could have made him exceptional.

As he departs, the team which Tom Moody is building still lacks that all-rounder to deepen the bowling and shorten the tail.

Gareth Batty for all his success with the ball has had a difficult year with the bat.

Kabir Ali could step forward or maybe the overseas allocation will be used to fill this particular gap.

Of the more established players, Matt Rawnsley and Paul Pollard have also gone.

The squad has been pruned, but no doubt Tom will be looking to repeat his successful acquisitions of last winter, both overseas and domestic.

His side stand on the brink of first division cricket. Whether they achieve it or not could well depend upon how much longer his senior and Yorkshire contingent can prolong their remarkable efforts.

The team's success next year could well depend on what new talent Tom can introduce.