Jack Shantry dodges fruit while talking to ecb.co.uk
By Callum Dent
Jack Shantry believes Worcestershire’s team spirit will be key to their chances of staying in LV= County Championship Division One next season.
The 26-year-old played an integral part in Worcestershire’s elevation to the top flight, taking match figures of 10-131 and hitting 101 from number nine during the dramatic 27-run triumph over Surrey.
Dining at cricket’s top table can be a daunting prospect for some teams, just ask Northamptonshire this term, but Shantry believes the togetherness of Worcestershire will help them succeed.
While dodging fruit thrown at him from his team-mates on the balcony, Shantry told ecb.co.uk:“It’s absolutely fantastic. A completely topsy-turvy match. It did not go how we planned it to but the result is all that matters and we have got the win.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that we are in Division One next year and we are all really happy about it.
“We are all really good friends on and off the pitch and that stands us in good stead. All the boys are absolutely fantastic.
“This will stand us in good stead when we go into Division One next year.”
Could not be happier. What a result. #COYPpic.twitter.com/lBLgO7GElI
— Jack Shantry (@JackShantry) September 12, 2014
Worcestershire showed they could cope under the type of pressure they are likely to encounter next season at New Road this week.
The hosts, who won the toss, recovered from 133 for six to post 270 but conceded a first-innings deficit of 134 when Surrey made 406.
However, Shantry - fresh from taking 6-87 - helped Worcestershire set Surrey a victory target of 217 on the final day by hitting 18 fours and two sixes in a stunning 89-ball assault.
He then triggered a dramatic collapse that saw Surrey fold from 131 for two to 189 all out with four wickets as Worcestershire secured their place in Division One.
Shantry added: “I’m pinching myself. It couldn’t have gone any better.
“I am delighted for the team and how well we bowled and batted. We were under a lot of pressure. In the first innings we had the worse of the conditions and we struggled our way to a score, which was a little bit under par.
“But we managed to get a total and battled and showed our fighting qualities. We did really well. I am so proud of all the lads.”