Stand-out Wheeldon earned first-team chance (From Worcester News)

Stand-out Wheeldon earned first-team chance

8:30am Monday 28th September 2009 in

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DAVE Wheeldon was the stand-out performer for Worcestershire’s second XI this term.

The youngster hit nearly 1,000 runs in 19 innings for Damian D’Oliveira’s side and he was rewarded with a place in the first-team by the end of the campaign.

In the Second XI Championship, he struck 493 runs at 44.82, while in friendly matches he hit 483 at 69 and in the Second XI Trophy he was averaging 69.25.

Matt Pardoe also performed well in the championship with his 756 runs providing an average of 46.75.

Imran Arif claimed the most wickets in the championship with his 32 costing 22.78, a stark contrast to his figures with the first XI where each of his 17 victims cost more than 55 apiece.

Jack Shantry, who has signed a two-year deal with the County, picked up 18 second-team wickets at just over 18 each. The released Mehraj Ahmed only claimed five second-team wickets and they came at a massive 53.4.

The New Road second XI have hardly set the world alight this term but, given the weaknesses with the first-team, it has been no surprise that several of them have been given their opportunity on a bigger stage.

With more youngsters making their way in the first-class arena, D’Oliveira is set to have an even younger side to work with next term.