Alan Richardson says Worcestershire opener Jake Libby “continues to evolve as a cricketer” as he aims to continue his fine start to the season against Somerset in the Vitality County Championship match at Kidderminster.
Libby has continued where he left off last summer with a century, two fifties in his five innings so far this summer.
The reaction of opposition players when they claim his scalp is an indication of how much they value Libby’s wicket.
Richardson said: “Jake just continues to evolve as a cricketer. I watch him and how he goes about his stuff, and he knows his game really well now.
“He knows where his scoring shots are, he knows how to defend the stumps really well, and he does that consistently for us.
“It feels at the moment he is always giving himself a chance to score some runs which is what we ask of all the batters and what they are always searching for.”
All-rounder Matthew Waite will also be looking to build on his first fifty of the season against Durham after being involved in a century partnership with Nathan Smith.
Richardson said: “He has also played really well in the first innings at Edgbaston when we were put under a little bit of pressure and he produced a counter-attacking innings.
“We know what he can do. He is a really useful player for us in all facets.
“Any batter wants to spend time at the crease and, for Matthew to spend a couple of hours there, and play as well as he has done, is always good going forward
