SUSSEX head coach Paul Farbrace described Worcestershire's Azhar Ali as a "world class player in all conditions" after the former Pakistan international batsman's brilliant century in last week's County Championship draw. 

Azhar displayed all his class and experience in a six-hour stint at the crease, an innings that guided Worcestershire to a draw with Sussex.

And afterward, former England assistant coach Farbrace explained that certain members of his squad approached Azhar for some tips.

"Azhar is an outstanding player, and he showed on Sunday he is a world-class player in all conditions," he said.

"As much as I would have liked to have seen the back of him earlier, it was a pleasure to watch him bat again. He is a fantastic man and a great advert for the game, the patience with the way he played and lined the ball up.

"He was the difference probably between us trying to sneak a victory and the game finishing as a draw, which both sides are going to learn from.

"One or two of our batters were picking his brains at the end of the game about how he plays, how he prepares. This is what county cricket needs. It needs the best players playing county cricket and, if we are going to protect county cricket and make it the game we all want it to be, we need the best players playing, and Azhar is a great example of someone.

"He just plays the game in the right way, and you can’t help but admire such a fantastic player.

"Azhar is someone you want in your dressing room, and Worcestershire have chosen wisely there because it is not just your performances as a player. It is also your personality and what you bring to the team as well."

Worcestershire have now won one, lost one and drawn two of their opening four matches of the 2023 LV=Insurance County Championship campaign.

They make the trip to Cardiff this weekend, where they will face Glamorgan at the Sophia Gardens.