GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S Richard Trotman produced another player-of-the-match display to help England thump Wales by five wickets and reach the semi-finals of the Over 50s World Cup in South Africa.
The Twyford House all-rounder claimed 3-38 from nine overs of medium pace to help peg Wales back to 161-8 from their 45 overs.
And the 51-year-old – also player of the match with a century against the UAE last week – then opened and followed up with his side’s highest score of 41 off 38 (five fours and a six) as England cruised to victory with almost ten overs to spare.
This result meant England finished top of Pool B, with a record of five wins from six outings, and now prepare for a semi-final on Friday against the USA who took second place in Pool A on run rate.
The other semi-final on Sunday will be between New Zealand and hosts South Africa.
Trotman said: “It’s been a fantastic day, I’m absolutely delighted at the way everything went.“The plan was for me to only bowl a couple of overs, but the ball came out pretty well and I ended up sending down nine on the bounce.“It was great to then go on the attack and help put us on the front foot.”
Richard’s two player of the match awards
Attention now turns to the USA who won four of their six group matches and edged through ahead of Zimbabwe on a superior net run rate.
Trotman added: “We know they’re a decent side as they won the Caribbean Cup before Christmas with a very spin-orientated attack which bowled tight to good fields.“Our management set a target for us to reach the semi-finals, and now we’re there we will be doing everything we can to go further.”
For live coverage of Friday’s semi-final, use this link: