PARTNERSHIPS at the top and bottom of the order were crucial in helping Worcestershire win their County Championship game at Leicestershire according to head coach Alan Richardson. 

In a game where 40 wickets fell in just over two days and no side scored over 200 runs in an innings, Richardson actually pointed to the batting of his side as playing a large role in the victory. 

"It was a game that moved forward quickly but I thought we stuck to our task really well on a wicket that probably favored the bowlers if you look at the scores," added Richardson.

"I thought with the bat we were very good and, considering the conditions, were able to get two good scores.

"The boys should take great heart from that and, as a bowling unit, we stuck together very well and the intensity in the field was really high.

"In terms of a performance, it gave us that chance to get a win which thankfully we got.

"I think the batting won the game in terms of being the difference. We talked about it in the first innings, the partnership at the top and at the bottom of the order.

"Gareth (Roderick) and Jake (Libby) put on 48 for the first wicket and Dillon (Pennington) and Adam (Finch) put on 33 for the last wicket, pretty much half of our runs in the first innings.

"With Jake’s contribution in the second innings, it was pretty impressive for anyone to get fifty so for him to have that impact on the game was fantastic and, again, Dillon and Josh (Tongue) added a vital 20 odd at the end."

Tongue was brought back into the side following his release from the England Ashes squad and came back with a bang with a five-for, including the final three wickets on the final day.

"Josh has shown he can get good batters out but is also pretty uncomfortable for guys down the bottom of the order and he showed that today," added Richardson

"It was nice for him to him back but as a bowling unit we did well throughout.

"Adam Finch’s impact on day one with bat and ball was crucial and it is not easy if you know you are only going to play one day.

"But he took it in his stride brilliantly well, showed some amazing character and real good skills."