SKIPPER Daryl Mitchell’s century proved decisive as Worcestershire claimed a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh ‘A’ with 15 balls to spare.
The New Road captain’s 102-ball ton cancelled out a similar effort by the tourists’ Anamul Haque (110), while contributions from debutant Tom Kohler-Cadmore (47) and Alexei Kervezee (45) ensured the home side surpassed their target of 274-8.
Malvern College youngster Kohler-Cadmore, who was this summer handed a three-year contract with Worcestershire, batted like a senior player, taking charge as he joined Mitchell in putting on an opening partnership of 97.
After the 18-year-old was bowled by Elias Sunny three short of a half-century, Kervezee then showed few signs of the struggles for form that have dogged his season.
Frustratingly, he then gave his wicket away by flicking a Sohag Gazi delivery straight to Mominul Haque at mid-wicket.
Kervezee and Mitchell put on 92 for the second wicket and the captain went on to reach three figures, but he too was furious with himself after being caught off a loose cut to point.
New signing Ross Whiteley was run out for seven, but Tom Fell (42 not out) and Joe Leach (21no) saw the hosts home.
Earlier, Shamsur Rahman joined Anamul Haque for an opening stand of 77 in 15 overs, before the County spinners put the brakes on the Bangladesh innings.
Rahman (22) was caught at cover by Brett D’Oliveira off a delivery from Shaaiq Choudhry that just held up in the pitch.
Anamul Haque progressed to his half-century shortly afterwards off just 49 balls, but Choudhry struck again to remove Jahurul Islam (9) when the ball surprised him and looped through to Mitchell at slip.
In Whiteley’s first over, Anamul Haque received a let-off when he flicked a leg-stump full-toss to Kervezee, who ran in from the mid-wicket boundary but shelled a straightforward chance with the batsman on 70.
The hard-hitting 20-year-old right-hander made the most of his reprieve and went on to an impressive century, before becoming Choudhry’s third victim.
Mominul Haque followed his namesake past 50 and then launched Mitchell for a big six into the Ladies’ Pavilion, but the skipper had his revenge when the batsman chased a wide one and snicked through to keeper Ben Cox.
Cox also accounted for Ziaur Rahman with a simple catch after the batsman top-edged a Charlie Morris short ball, while Marshall Ayub was also a victim for the keeper, caught slashing carelessly at a Graeme Cessford delivery.
The clatter of wickets continued as Bangladesh looked to hit out in pursuit of a big target, with Morris bowling Gazi for a duck and Joe Leach dismissing Robiul Islam for two.
Naseem Islam remained unbeaten on a quick-fire 47 as the visitors posted a competitive 274-8 from their 50 overs.
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