Home sweet home for century-scoring Fell

CRICKET

HILLINGDON-BORN Tom Fell returned to the borough of his birth to record a career best 143 as Worcestershire were unable to force a win over Middlesex at Uxbridge.

The 21-year-old was born at Hillingdon hospital and moved away from the area at the age of two, eventually going to Oakham School and Oxford University before dropping out to focus on his cricket career with Worcestershire.

And Fell, who had been described by England’s Moeen Ali as the best batsman with the county, hit 22 fours and a six in his 228-ball knock as his county posted 385, but a placid pitch at Gatting Way enabled the home side to easily escape with a draw.

He said: “It ranks up there with one of the better ones, given the circumstances and how tough it was.

“My dad and my brother popped down and my mum and my step-dad were down as well, but I don’t think they made it.

“I think they were quite proud. My mum has been at work so she had to miss it.

“It’s nice to come back to my roots and do it here as a local boy; although I didn’t live here too long.”

Fell has enjoyed working with England batsman Ali and Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal, believing they have helped improve his game, while he watches other batsmen for other tips, such as Middlesex’s James Franklin, who scored a century and an unbeaten 90.

He added: “Moeen has been a massive influence on me. I started my career with him and have seen him go on.

“It’s inspirational for me to see him going on and succeeding at Test cricket.

“Saeed has helped with my education against spin bowling. Facing someone of that quality is going to make other bowlers seem easier.”