Norwell Makes History With Bat At Cheltenham
23 July 2014
Liam Norwell (right) carved his name into Gloucestershire history on an otherwise disappointing third day of the LV=County Championship match with Worcestershire at the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Festival.
While the team slipped to an eight-wicket defeat, the 22-year-old seam bowler hit 78, the highest score ever by a Gloucestershire number 11, and shared a stand of 137 with Craig Miles, a county record for the last wicket.
Miles also hit a career-best score, making 62 not out. The pair stayed together for 33.1 overs and ensured Worcestershire would have to bat for a second time to clinch their win.
Norwell faced 112 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six, while Miles cracked 10 fours in his 108-ball innings. They are pictured leaving the field to a standing ovation and applause from all the Worcestershire fielders.
The visitors were left needing just 51 for victory and got there in less than eight overs for the loss of openers Daryl Mitchell and Richard Oliver. They took 23 points to Gloucestershire's three.
But the home dressing room and the Festival crowd were given a tremendous lift by the exploits of Miles and Norwell, who was still wide-eyed with delight after the game, particularly when told of the records he had broken.
Liam told this website:: "When I went out to join Craig our first aim was to make Worcestershire fight as hard as possible for the win. Then as things progressed we became determined to make them bat again.
"Craig kept me going. I played some rash shots at times, but he has a great head on his shoulders for a lad who has just turned 20 and is a good enough batsmen to go in at seven or eight as his career progresses.
"One or two balls looped over fielders. Mitchell McClenaghan is a very aggressive bowler, who didn't seem to like me very much, and he got me up for a battle.
"He bowled a few short ones at me and then a full one, which I gave the kitchen sink. Fortunately I hit it for four and I won't repeat what he said. I just walked towards Craig before I said something stupid back!
"It was all good banter and the Worcestershire lads were great, both out in the middle and at the end when they congratulated us on our partnership."
Gloucestershire's list of highest scorers in each batting position includes W,G.Grace and Walter Hammond. Now the number 11 slot is filled by Liam Norwell, whose previous best first class score was 26.
"It's not bad company to be in," smiled Liam. "It's not a list I could ever have imagined myself being on.
"Our dressing room was really buzzing at tea, even though we were losing the game, and I'm just delighted Craig and I were able to produce that feeling."
The previous highest score by a Gloucestershire number 11 in a first class match was 62 by Jon Lewis, coincidentally also against Worcestershire at Cheltenham in 1999.
You have to go back to 1923 for the previous best last-wicket stand for the county. It was 131 between W.A. Gouldsworthy and J.G.Bessant against Somerset at Bristol.
For full details of day three against Worcestershire click on Cricket and then Match Reports.
