wayne parnell says achieving team success rather than personal glory is what drives him on after he played a massive role in worcestershire rapids two wicket win over derbyshire falcons at New Road.
parnell scored 81 not out after being promoted to number four and steered the rapids over the finishing line after a cluster of wickets had fallen.
the all-rounder admitted it crossed his mind that reaching his maiden t20 century was a possibility at one juncture of his innings particularly with the shortish cathedral side boundary to target.
but in typical unselfish fashion parnell opted instead to focus on making sure of sealing the victory that lifted the rapids to within one point of north group leaders lancashire.
it was a similar scenario when parnell was on 99 not out after opening in a t20 ram slam challenge match in south africa four years ago.
the easy option would have been to take a comfortable single and reach three figures.
but instead, with his side cape cobras involved in a tense run chase, parnell attempted to try for the big hit needed in the penultimate over and was caught at backward point.
he said: “is it an ambition to get a t20 hundred? i don’t really play for personal stats. it’s all about winning games for me.
“in that game (for the cape cobras) i could easily have knocked a single to get a hundred but i was trying to win it and managed to get out.
“against derbyshire was the same, about trying to see the team home.
“i was thinking at one stage that if i kicked on and targeted the short side boundary, i could get close to a hundred.
“but it was about reeling in your ego and trying to be smart.
“it was just about staying there to the end. if i had got out, it would have been a bit disappointing. to see it through was very pleasing.
“it is really special to contribute to victories for this club and that is something i try and do every single game.
“wednesday happened to be my night and i was so pleased to get the two points for the team.
“chasing that total (156-4) was all about getting together one decent partnership or getting someone to bat through and i managed to do that.
“i think a couple of cameos from ross whiteley and ben cox were crucial as well.”
*brett d’oliveira is seeing a hand specialist in leeds today to determine the extent of his thumb fracture suffered when fielding off his own bowling against the falcons.
