Essex Dominate Worcestershire with Pepper’s Maiden First-Class Ton
In a commanding display at Chelmsford, Essex secured a handy first-innings lead over Worcestershire in their Vitality County Championship clash. Wicketkeeper-batsman Michael Pepper, who has been in impressive form this season, led the charge with a magnificent unbeaten century, his maiden first-class ton.
Worcestershire had set a competitive 266 in their first innings, thanks to solid contributions from Daryl Mitchell (68) and Ben Cox (62*). However, Essex captain Tom Westley laid the foundation for the home side’s reply, scoring a fluent 68 off 126 deliveries.
The turning point came when Pepper joined forces with Shane Snater at 227/7. The duo put on a crucial 136-run partnership, with Pepper playing a remarkable innings of 112* off just 125 balls. His innings included several authoritative shots, including a delightful reverse-sweep over the slip cordon. Snater also chipped in with a valuable 53, as Essex overhauled Worcestershire’s total and extended their lead to 138 runs.
“Pepper’s masterclass ultimately proved too much for the visiting side to handle, as Essex gained the upper hand in the contest.”
Worcestershire’s bowlers toiled hard, with Amar Virdi (3/126) and Ethan Brookes (3 wickets) leading the charge. However, Pepper’s masterclass ultimately proved too much for the visiting side to handle, as Essex gained the upper hand in the contest.
The 100-ball cricket schedule is heating up, and this match between Essex and Worcestershire is a testament to the high-quality cricket on display across the county circuit. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to more thrilling 100-ball cricket live action in the coming weeks.
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