worcestershire rapids will step up preparations for sunday’s home royal london one-day cup semi-final with several first teamers playing in either or both of the second eleven t20 matches versus durham at New Road tomorrow (monday).
the squad have been recharging their batteries after clinching topping the north group for the second year running via thursday’s win over warwickshire at edgbaston.
but many of them will be back in action against durham.
head coach kevin sharp confirmed: “we’re going to use monday’s t20 matches to give most of the lads a game.
“we will use it as an opportunity to prepare for next sunday.
“it is a shorter form of the game so they will get the chance to bat, bowl and field with a bit more intensity than you can create in practice.”
sharp is aware of the need to combine sufficient practice with giving members of the squad some time off after a demanding recent one-day cup programme.
he said: “it’s been quite a trawl. the games have come thick and fast and there is travelling in between.
“it is demanding for us all, more so probably mentally for the coaches, but for the lads mentally and physically they are long days and they take a lot of energy.
“that’s why it is really important to give the time off as well and make sure they do recharge.”
former warwickshire bowler mitchell spencer is part of the side for the second of the t20s.
—
monday
game 1 (11.30am)
fell
rhodes
westbury
d’oliveira
cox
dell
barnard
imtiaz (safwaan)
twohig
morris
brown
—
game 2 (3pm)
clarke
fell
westbury
mitchell
rhodes
gibson
imtiaz
twohig
pennington
spencer
brown
