WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids will be looking to continue their winning run in the Natwest T20 Blast as they face a double header this weekend.
Daryl Mitchell’s men travel to Grace Road this evening (Friday, 5.30pm) to play Leicestershire Foxes before taking on Durham Jets at New Road tomorrow (Saturday, 2.30pm).
The Rapids bounced back from losing the opening two T20 Blast games away to Durham and Lancashire Lightning with impressive wins over Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge and then at home to holders Northamptonshire Steelbacks last Friday.
But Worcestershire will have to make do without the services of Moeen Ali who was called up to the England Test squad on Thursday. However, Gareth Andrew is back but is likely to play just as a batsman.
It is a busy schedule with the county then starting a LV = County Championship top of the table clash with Hampshire at New Road on Sunday (11am) but Mitchell said he was relishing the challenges ahead.
“We had a tough start with losing the first two T20 games but we’ve bounced back really well in winning the next two,” he said.
“It’s all about being on course for where we want to be, finishing in that top four, so it’s really important games this weekend.
“I thought we were outstanding throughout at Trent Bridge, in all facets of the game, and we showed good character against Northants.
“Obviously they got off to a great start, and we probably didn’t bowl quite as well as we would have liked upfront, but it is difficult bowling at Willey and Levi with the form they are in.
“But we dragged it back exceptionally well in those middle and end overs and showed good character.
“The batting of Rich (Richard Oliver) and Mo (Moeen Ali) in the powerplay, with 60-70 runs, meant it was pretty much game over.”
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said they would go into the games full of confidence despite being without Ali.
“Leicestershire in the past have had some really good Twenty20 teams and they are not a side to be taken for granted – and that’s something we can’t do,” he said.
“We enjoyed those last two victories in the T20 but again it’s about making the most of a good start with the ball and the bat and really capitalising.
“I was very pleased the last game against Northants. We seem to have a bit of a T20 hoodoo over them who are a top T20 side. But we’ve got to start again and do well.”
Worcestershire Rapids squad to face Leicestershire and Durham:
Mitchell, Oliver, Kohler-Cadmore, Munro, Kervezee, Whiteley, Cox, D’Oliveira, Shantry, Ajmal, Russell, Andrew, Leach & Morris.
