Dan Lategan scored a magnificent 144 as Worcestershire completed an eight-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in their Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at Cheltenham.
Set 279 to win early in the afternoon, Lategan reeled off a maiden first-class century from 132 deliveries in bullish fashion, showing all of his talent in an opening stand worth 244 with fellow centurion Jake Libby that drove the Pears into the ascendancy.
In control of the chase throughout, by the time Lategan was eventually out having slammed 17 fours and five sixes, the Pears were within touching distance of a memorable victory.
Libby produced a classy 107* of his own in the final embers of the day as a thrilling victory was sealed with 4.5 overs remaining in the match, seeing Worcestershire stay in the hunt for promotion in a tightly packed Division Two table.
Gloucestershire made a strong start to the day, with James Bracey and Ollie Price moving their team’s lead towards 200. However, Worcestershire quickly turned the match around by taking three wickets for just 18 runs in a decisive half-hour spell.
Ben Allison bowled Price, sending the ball into the batter’s leg stump. Matthew Waite then dismissed Tommy Boorman, who was caught at first slip by Allison. Beyers Swanepoel removed Daz Ahmed soon afterwards, leaving Gloucestershire’s lead at 193.
Bracey continued to a determined century and eventually made 127 before Swanepoel dismissed him. Gloucestershire then declared their innings at 395 for seven, ending their batting turn early and giving Worcestershire 60 overs to chase 279.
The visitors made an explosive start. Lategan was dropped at short leg from the first ball, but he made Gloucestershire pay for the missed chance. The teenage opener raced to 50 from 48 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, while Jake Libby supported him with a controlled approach.
The pair reached 100 together in the 20th over and were 110 without loss at tea. Lategan continued attacking the spin of Sai Kishore, while Libby worked the ball into gaps in the field.
Lategan reached his maiden first-class century from 132 balls, pulling the ball through midwicket. He went on to hit 17 fours and five sixes, while the opening partnership passed 200 and eventually reached 244.
He was finally caught in the deep for 144 while attempting another big shot, but Worcestershire needed only a few more runs. Libby completed a composed century of his own, finishing unbeaten on 107 from 161 balls.
Swanepoel was promoted to number three and struck 22 from 16 balls before being caught and bowled with four runs still needed. Adam Hose then hit the winning runs through cover, sealing victory with 29 balls — or 4.5 overs — remaining.
Worcestershire's next match is at New Road on Thursday, when Lancashire visit.
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