Murali Vijay continues his dream run in County stint for Essex

India right-handed batsman Murali Vijay had a horror run in India’s erstwhile five-match Test series against England. He couldn’t get going in the first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham and then managed to bag a pair at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground where he fell prey to James Anderson on both instances. Subsequently, he was dropped from the eleven for the third Test at Trent Bridge.

To add to his agony, the 34-year-old was sidelined from the squad for the final two Tests at The Ageas Bowl and Kennington Oval respectively. 18-year-old teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw was roped in place of the Tamil Nadu-born batsman. However, the seasoned campaigner didn’t give up the ghost and struck a deal with Essex in the ongoing English County Championship.

Vijay weaves his magic against Worcestershire

He marked his debut in English county with a half-century against Nottinghamshire and followed it up with a masterful century in the second innings, which helped Essex chase down 282 runs. He has carried over his impressive form in the second match against Worcestershire as well. Vijay looked at his fluent best in his knock of 85 runs from 107 deliveries with the help of 14 fours and a six.

Previously, he accomplished his half-century in 78 deliveries. Left-hander Nick Browne was dismissed early by Wayne Parnell after which Vijay and Tom Westley cobbled together a stand of 129 runs from 209 balls. Vijay was eventually dismissed by right-arm fast bowler Joshua Tongue. Earlier in the day, Worcestershire huffed and puffed, and eventually crumbled for a paltry 94 runs in 25.3 overs.

Speedster Jamie Porter wrecked havoc in their batting lineup with incredible figures of 10-1-41-7. Samuel Cook and Simon Harmer finished with a wicket each. From Worcestershire’s perspective, middle-order batsman Joe Clarke top-scored for them with 28 runs from 56 deliveries. Apart from him, only three other batsmen got into double figures.

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