Worcestershire Head Coach Kevin Sharp says Tom Fell will be given the opportunity to establish himself in the opener’s role in the Specsavers County Championship.
Fell filled the slot in first class cricket for the first time against Yorkshire at Scarborough and made an accomplished 45 during a century stand with fellow opener Daryl Mitchell.
The 24-year-old will be given another chance at senior level when Worcestershire take on Lancashire at Southport in their next Championship match from tomorrow (Wednesday).
Sharp said: “Tom has traditionally batted at number three and sometimes you can be in for the second ball of a game.
“At the moment that number two slot was the slot that we wanted filling.
“I had conversations with Tom and he opened the batting for the previous two weeks in the Second Eleven with a view to preparing for that – should he be selected.
“He got used to it over two weeks, there was a plan behind it, and so therefore he was given the opportunity to do so (at Scarborough) and he looked very good at the crease I have to say.
“The opening partnership with Daryl (Mitchell) and Tom (Fell) was a fantastic start. Tom unfortunately didn’t go onto make a big score (45) but played really well.
“Tom has played some nice innings this summer without probably going onto make the big score which he really wants to do.
“There will be an opportunity now for him to establish himself and do that.
“Is he going to have a run in the opening role? He will be there against Lancashire. Nothing is going to change.
“We want to give him that opportunity so he will be there on Wednesday.”
*Brett D’Oliveira returns to skipper the side in place of Moeen Ali who is on fourth Test duty against India at the Ageas Bowl.
Spinner Ben Twohig included in the squad on the ground where he picked up 6-73 in a Second Eleven Championship match three years ago.
Paceman George Scrimshaw is included in the 13 strong party after recovering from a rib injury and he will spend the four days being put through his paces by Head Bowling Coach Alan Richardson.
Worcestershire (from):
Mitchell
Fell
Clarke
Milton
D’Oliveira (c)
Cox (w)
Whiteley
Barnard
Parnell
Tongue
Pennington
Twohig
Scrimshaw
