“I’ve always wanted to do it”: Lategan loving life at the top
A week on from his first appearance opening the batting in red ball cricket for Worcestershire, it is safe to say Dan Lategan is fulfilling a long-standing aspiration.
“It is good fun. I really like to do it. I’ve always wanted to be an opener because I think it’s a good challenge, obviously I like the hard new ball, but it was a tough one up-front last week.”
Having featured in the final three Rothesay County Championship fixtures in the middle order for the Pears last September, Lategan’s promotion to the top of the batting card coincided with two superb visits to the middle in the 2026 opener against Derbyshire, last week.
A composed and patient first innings display saw Lategan get within touching distance of a maiden first-class century, only to be denied in the cruellest of circumstances as he was run out just 11 runs short of the milestone.
An assured 49 in the second innings saw the left-hander set his side on their way to an impressive fightback in the match. Not content with just playing his part, the desire to improve and lead his team radiates from the teenager.
“Facing Mo Abass, who is a very, very experienced bowler was quite a challenge, but I would say it was good fun because it’s a good challenge.
“Probably for a red ball opener, I play a lot more than other openers would. So, it’s about trying to rein that in and just try and get in before I start stepping through the gears. I have had to work on it a little bit, things like getting in and leaving the ball a bit better.
“Of course, it was very disappointing to not get that first 100, but for me it was more disappointing in the fact that I was not there for the team, especially in the second innings.
“I would like to have stayed there for longer and not have to get the lower order involved, but ultimately, I am happy with how the game ended up.”