DIRECTOR of Cricket Steve Rhodes remains hopeful Colin Munro will play in the Rapids’ Natwest T20 Blast matches this week despite the all-rounder’s call-up by New Zealand.
The Rapids visit Lancashire tomorrow (Thursday) and host Derbyshire Falcons on Friday but may have to do without Munro.
Left-hander Munro has been drafted in for the remaining games of the best of five series against England as a replacement for injured all-rounder Corey Anderson.
The tourists are due to play at Trent Bridge today (Wednesday) and the Emirates ICG in Durham on Saturday after taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
However, Rhodes hopes New Zealand Cricket will release Munro if he is not required for either game.
“Colin has been called up as cover. We will wait and see what is happening,” he said.
“New Zealand Cricket said if he is not required, then they will look into releasing him to play for us so we will just have to wait and see.
“He is a contracted player to New Zealand and they take preference quite rightly.
“New Zealand have got their next game on Wednesday at Trent Bridge. If he is not playing in that, I would imagine they would release him to play on Thursday but that’s just my guess.
“If he might be involved on Saturday up at Durham, it might be a case of they say he can play on Friday night as well for us but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Rapids will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after an embarrassing innings and 17-run defeat to rivals
Warwickshire in the LV= County Championship on Monday.
After conceding a first innings lead of 97, Worcestershire were shot out for just 80 in their second innings, consigning them to a defeat inside two days.
A disappointed Rhodes and the players remained in the dressing room after the game for a meeting.
“Sometimes a bit of soul searching and cleansing of your soul to each other is a good thing. It was a chance for people to air their views and thoughts,” he added