Bob Willis Trophy: Libby and D'Oliveira tons boost Worcestershire against Glamorgan

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Opener Jake Libby steadied Worcestershire after Michael Hogan had made early inroads for GlamorganImage source, PA Media
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Opener Jake Libby steadied Worcestershire after Michael Hogan had made early inroads for Glamorgan

Bob Willis Trophy, Blackfinch New Road (day one):

Worcestershire 309-3 (91 overs): Libby 142*, D'Oliveira 123*; Hogan 3-43

Glamorgan: Yet to bat

Worcestershire 3 pts, Glamorgan 1 pt

Centuries from Jake Libby and Brett D'Oliveira put Worcestershire firmly on top as they finished day one on an impressive 309-3 against Glamorgan.

Libby's home debut saw the former Nottinghamshire batsman at the wicket all day in an assured performance.

D'Oliveira, slightly the more aggressive, kept up his fine record against Glamorgan after a double ton and a hundred in recent meetings.

Glamorgan's Michael Hogan claimed three wickets in the first session.

But Glamorgan were unable to back up the early effort from their evergreen seamer who moved to 599 first-class wickets, with slip chances being spilled off the edges of Libby on 43 and D'Oliveira on 67.

Libby was just two runs short of his career-best going into day two, while the fourth-wicket stand of 239 was a record for the fourth wicket for Worcestershire against a Glamorgan side labouring fruitlessly in the scorching sun.

Worcestershire batsman Jake Libby told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"It's emotional because I've had a tough couple of years, so on a personal note it's great to get the hundred and for the team it's been a fantastic day. Great to bat with Brett and a special moment for both of us.

"I was a bit disappointed at Bristol (scoring 77) not to go on to get the hundred, but today was a good pitch to bat on and I cashed in.

"We were three down for 70 and a bit on the back foot, but to bat the whole day with 'Dolly' was fantastic. He's batted really well and we've moved at a good rate.

"It felt like we'd been practising for ages (pre-season), it's great to be back playing some cricket and a lot of people have done well to get us on the park."

Glamorgan assistant coach David Harrison told BBC Sport Wales:

"We stuck to it on a different style of pitch to the one we had at Taunton. The boys bowled well through the day but we had them three down and then missed a chance to make it 70-odd for four. Fair play to Libby and D'Oliveira, they batted really well but I can't fault the boys' efforts on a good wicket.

"It was a fantastic effort from Michael Hogan, he's been a high-class bowler since he's joined Glamorgan and has led the attack brilliantly for the last seven or eight years. Hopefully he'll come back in the morning and get his 600th first-class wicket,

"It's a little bit different with the restriction to 120 overs. Hopefully we can get a couple of wickets early and stop the run rate, then it's a good wicket for us to bat on."

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