Solanki inspires stroll to Viktory

May 6 2008

VIKRAM Solanki hit an unbeaten half-century as Worcestershire marked Simon Jones' return from injury by beating his former county Glamorgan by seven wickets in a rain-reduced Friends Provident Trophy match at New Road.

Skipper Solanki made 88 not out, containing five sixes and two fours, to enable his side to move off the foot of the South/West Division table with their first win of the season.

Jones, making his home debut after being sidelined since the opening day of the campaign with a neck problem, took one for 43 to play his part in restricting his old employers to 185 for four.

It was a tally Worcestershire safely eclipsed with nine balls to spare thanks largely to Solanki and Ben Smith, who put on 90 in 13 overs for the third wicket.

The Royals experienced an early scare when Solanki and Steve Davies launched their victory chase.

Davies had only made his way to five when he survived an easy chance to Jason Gillespie at third man off David Harrison.

The Australian's lapse, however, did not prove expensive thanks to Harrison who struck shortly afterwards to have Davies caught at midwicket by Ben Wright for 11.

After Moeen Ali drove to Wright at cover point off Alex Wharf for four, Worcester responded with Solanki reaching his half-century off 53 balls with two sixes and a four.