FATEH Singh reflected on “one of those days” after a career-best bowling performance in List A cricket set his Worcestershire Rapids side up for an opening day Metro Bank One Day Cup victory over Derbyshire Falcons.
Thrown the ball when the visitors were well set at 85-1, Singh triggered a seismic collapse that saw the Falcons skittled for just 138.
Recording exceptional figures of 6-32, Singh ripped through Derbyshire’s batting card, inflicting a demise of 8-28 that saw the reigning champions capitalise at every opportunity.
Singh was glad he played his part in a winning cause and set his team off to a winning start to their title defence.
Singh said: “I think it’s one of those days where it just went my way, picking up the wickets especially.
“And it was really nice.
“Felt nice out of the hand, which seemed and it’s even better to just take the wickets as well.”
Aptly supported by seamer and List A debutant Beyers Swanepoel (3-15), Singh and Worcestershire looked to have the job wrapped up at the halfway stage, but a far from straightforward run-chase followed.
Dan Lategan set the side off to an ideal start with a punchy 29, but the loss of regular wickets threatened to make life hard for the home side.
Gareth Roderick stood firm and batted his way through from number three to finish 39*, with a late Swanepoel salvo of 18* from 13 balls helping the Rapids to a three-wicket win.
Up and running in the tournament for 2026, the Rapids now turn their attentions to the imminent arrival of the Hampshire Hawks to New Road on Sunday.
With the tournament schedule keeping the squad busy over the coming weeks, Singh says the fast-paced nature of the competition will play in Worcestershire’s favour.
He said: “The game’s come thick and fast.
“I think we’ve got 8 games in about 19 days, so it’s really quick.
“It definitely ebbs and flows and the main benefit we saw last year that if something didn’t go our way, we’ve got 2 days to then turn it around.
“I think that’s a good thing.
“There’s not a lot of time to be down about a loss or anything like that, it’s just onto the next game.”