Worcestershire fall to defeat in record time

Gloucestershire made an impressive start in their bid to reach a fourth successive Benson & Hedges Cup final as they destroyed a woeful Worcestershire side by six wickets in just over three hours at New Road yesterday.

The home side were dismissed for 70 thanks largely to the Gloucestershire new-ball attack of Ian Harvey (4 for 21) and Jonathan Lewis (4 for 41).

The Worcestershire total was their lowest score in limited-overs cricket, beating the 81 they reached against Leicestershire on the same ground in 1983.

Kabir Ali, with 27, at least ensured that Worcestershire went past the lowest-ever Benson & Hedges total of 50 by Hampshire against Yorkshire at Headingley in 1991 with a flurry of boundaries.

Gloucestershire sped along at a run rate of above four an over in response and reached their target in the 19th over for the earliest finish in Benson & Hedges Cup history.