First century a dream come true for Will

WILL Rhodes admits his maiden first-class century came in the “perfect situation”.

With Warwickshire needing 180 to beat Northamptonshire in their fourth Specsavers County Championship fixture at Edgbaston on Sunday, early wickets fell around the Yorkshireman, leaving the Bears on 99 for four.

But the pressure didn’t affect the opener as he dug in and got his side over the line with an exemplary knock that came off 165 balls and included 13 fours and one six.

“It’s what you dream about as a young kid,” said the 23-year-old. “I thought I’d get it at Yorkshire in the four years I was there, but that didn’t come around.

“You’re always looking to just get over the line and to win the game. For me as an opening batter, to lose Dom (Sibley), Belly (Ian Bell) and Trotty (Jonathan Trott) quite early, you just want to be there at the end.

“Thankfully, it was me and Lamby (Matt Lamb), but it’ll be someone else in the next game. It’s the perfect situation.”

Rhodes’ modesty is even more warming considering the conditions.

The Bears’ first-innings score of 265 was the highest in the match and the pitch was staying low and deteriorating.

It was a test that suited someone with that experience.

“I’ve grown up in Hull on a couple of pitches like this so I’m kind of used to it,” said Rhodes, whose previous first-class best was 95.

“I prefer those sort of pitches to flat ones. It’s a monkey off my back and I can go ahead to the next game with a lot of confidence.”

That sort of form will give Jim Troughton’s men plenty of confidence.

“It’s almost the dream start really, especially with a day washed out against Sussex on a placid pitch where we’re always going to get a draw there,” Rhodes concluded.

“So to win our next three games against two good teams is a great effort.”

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