WHAT WAS MEDIOCRE ABOUT THAT?
Thrills & spills as T20 Blast gets off to a flyer
TOM KOHLER-CADMORE made the headlines for his outrageous century on the first night of the 2016 T20 Blast but that was nowhere near the best news of the 21year-old’s week.
That special honour was reserved for his best friend and housemate Tom Fell, who got the all-clear from cancer.
Fell was the leading run-scorer for Worcestershire in 2015 but underwent surgery in October last year after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
A subsequent CT scan in March detected a small area of cancer in his lymph nodes and Fell was put through three bouts of chemotherapy before finally getting the all-clear last week.
Kohler-Cadmore – who smashed 127 off 54 balls in the Rapids win over Durham last Friday – shaved his head and raised almost £5,000 in support of his friend and is over the moon at the news.
“Tom getting the all-clear was the best news of the week, me getting a century topped it off nicely,” he said.
“But getting runs, winning games or whatever does not matter compared to something like that.
“He has been fantastic, he has never let his treatment get to him, he is always laughing and joking and it has been a real inspiration to everyone.We are all absolutely delighted for him.
“The way he has taken it all in his stride has been unbelievable.
“I have no doubt now that he will back in the first team before long and certainly for the four-day games he is going to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.”
Kohler-Cadmore’s magnificent knock broke the Worcestershire T20 record held by club legend Graeme Hick.
The former Wisden Schools cricketer of the year is in fine form – he also averages more than 50 in the County Championship – and with the Birmingham Bears up next at Edgbaston tonight, he is hoping his side can kick on in the fiercely contested West Midlands derby
“It was just one of those days against Durham,” he added.“T20 cricket is like that, it was just my day this time but I am glad I managed to deliver and make my first really big score in the format.
“Too many times I had been making 30s and getting out so I am pleased about that.
“I am playing to my strengths and backing myself to find the gaps and clear the fielders rather than trying to be too clever and it paid off.
“As a team we have got great hitting – everyone can clear the ropes which is what you want and our bowlers all know their strengths – this team is getting better and better all the time.
“And after making the quarters for three of the last four [years] we all believe we are ready to go beyond that this time and challenge for silverware at Finals Day.”
The Bears will look to build on last week’s win at Nottinghamshire. Opener Sam Hain scored 92 not out, a contrast to his woeful form in the Championship. The home side must however do without Chris Woakes after his England call.
Elsewhere in the North Group, Lancashire Lightning will look to translate red-ball form to the shorter version of the game when they welcome Durham Jets.
But they will need to watch out for Mark Stoneman, who recorded half-centuries in both Blast meetings with the Lightning in 2015.
Northamptonshire will want to continue their fine record against Derbyshire – the Steelbacks have won the last five meetings.
But to do that they will need to stop Hamish Rutherford whose highest T20 score for the Falcons of 71 not out saw off Lancashire last week.
And finally county champions Yorkshire will look to end their recent T20 struggles when they welcome a Leicestershire Foxes side who they have only lost to once in their last six meetings in the format.