Worcestershire completed a tense five-wicket victory over Gloucestershire on the final day of their County Championship Division Two fixture at New Road, Worcester, on June 22, 2026. Fateh Singh’s maiden first-class five-wicket haul set the platform for the win, though Worcestershire’s chase of 87 proved far from straightforward.
The result lifted Worcestershire above Lancashire in the Division Two standings, earning them 20 points from the match compared to Gloucestershire’s three.
Singh Dismantles Gloucestershire’s Second Innings
Gloucestershire resumed day four on 59 for 1, with Cameron Bancroft and Tommy Boorman at the crease. Singh struck early, trapping Boorman lbw with a delivery that straightened and kept low. In his next over, he removed Miles Hammond for a duck via a controversial caught-and-bowled dismissal — one that left Hammond visibly frustrated as he walked off.
Hammond’s departure triggered a middle-order collapse. Singh and Matthew Waite operated in tandem to pick apart the Gloucestershire batting. Waite pinned James Bracey lbw before removing the stubborn Bancroft, who had made 56 off 145 balls, caught at square leg attempting to work an inswinger to the off side.
Singh claimed a fourth before lunch, clean bowling an injured Jack Taylor with a delivery that pitched on middle and clipped the top of off stump. Kristian Clarke became his fourth victim when he popped a leading edge back to the bowler.
Graeme van Buuren and Daaryoush Ahmed steadied things briefly after lunch, adding 50 for the eighth wicket. Waite broke that stand by sending van Buuren’s off stump cartwheeling. Ahmed edged to Ethan Brookes at first slip to hand Singh his fifth wicket. Beyers Swanepoel then dismissed Will Williams with the new ball to end Gloucestershire’s innings at 185. Singh finished with 5 for 74, and Waite with 3 for 14.
Van Buuren Makes Worcestershire’s Chase Uncomfortable
Worcestershire needed just 87 to win, but van Buuren made sure it was anything but routine. He struck immediately, removing Daniel Lategan in the opening over of the chase for a duck.
Swanepoel was promoted to number three and scored a brisk 35 off 38 balls to put Worcestershire in control. Van Buuren, however, kept finding ways through. He dismissed Jake Libby and then had Swanepoel caught at short leg by Boorman to reduce the hosts to 52 for 3.
Adam Hose fell for two, caught by Bancroft — who took five catches in the match — off Clarke’s bowling. Captain Brett D’Oliveira nicked behind to depart for six, leaving Worcestershire at 70 for 5, still 17 runs short.
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Brookes and Roderick Guide Worcestershire Over the Line
With the pressure mounting, Ethan Brookes and wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick held firm. Roderick, unbeaten on 24 off 54 balls, provided the calm the innings needed. Brookes struck the winning runs to see Worcestershire home in 25.1 overs.
The win capped a match in which Swanepoel had taken 5 for 65 in Gloucestershire’s first innings of 289, and Worcestershire had posted 388 in response — built around contributions from Brookes (66), Waite (63), Hose (52), and D’Oliveira (52).
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