Sunday, April 16, 2000

GRAEME Hick and Paul Pollard backed up an impressive bowling display by Kabir Ali to fire Worcestershire to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Glamorgan in the Benson and Hedges Cup tie at New Road.

Rookie paceman Ali collected the Gold Award for his 4-29 before Hick and Pollard both hit undefeated half-centuries in an unbeaten stand worth 124.

For the County it was a perfect start to their season which was delayed by a day because their opening match at Northampton on Saturday was rained off.

Yesterday 20 barrow loads of ice had to be removed from the covers before play was able to start on time when Glamorgan, after being put in, were dismissed for 147 in 46.4 overs.

After Reuben Spiring went for 10, Pollard and Hick hit the County to victory with 20.2 overs to spare.

Afterwards Pollard, who last year had an injury plagued season, said: "It was an important toss to win and for us to put them in early and put some pressure on.

"It didn't get any easier as the afternoon wore on. I thought there were wicket-taking balls in the wicket so you have got to make hay without slogging and try to take it to them. They bowled well and had a bit of luck but Hicky showed how good he is at the end.

"Last year I didn't do myself justice because of injuries and I've just got to try and make up for it this year and get two seasons runs in one."

Pollard cracked six fours off 101 balls while Hick ended the contest in hard-hitting fashion by smashing 18 off the last four deliveries bowled by paceman Alex Wharf. It left him with two sixes and six fours to his credit off 58 balls.

Earlier, Glamorgan had been made to graft for their runs and were finally dismissed for 147 in 46.4 overs.

Nineteen-year-old Ali caused them most problems with an impressive display.

He began by removing Matthew Elliott in his opening over and quickly followed up by oust Robert Croft thanks to a splendid diving slip catch by Hick.

Ali completed his well earned haul by ripping out Glamorgan's last two wickets -- Wharf and Steve Watkin -- in successive balls.

He became the first New Road player to get the Gold Award on his Benson debut since Glenn Turner.