callum ferguson will skipper worcestershire rapids in tomorrow evening’s vitality blast encounter against yorkshire vikings at the emerald headingley stadium after brett d’oliveira was ruled out through injury.
the australian batsman will take charge after first team coach alex gidman confirmed d’oliveira had suffered a small fracture to his thumb during yesterday evening’s blast encounter versus derbyshire falcons at New Road.
the setback occurred in leg spinner d’oliveira’s third over after fielding off his own bowling to derbyshire batsman leus du plooy.
ferguson has previously skippered the rapids in last summer’s royal london one-day cup semi-final against kent at New Road.
alex gidman said: “dolly unfortunately is injured, a small fracture of his thumb, and will be out for a little while.
“it’s a real shame for him. he has been leading the team well and has contributed well.”
george rhodes, who is playing in the seconds current championship match with nottinghamshire at notts sports club, has been recalled to the rapids squad to face the vikings.
he joins the 10 other players who faced the falcons plus tom fell and charlie morris.
the rapids are currently lying second in the north group with seven points from five games.
gidman said: “it is important if you can to get off to a good start in this competition and three wins and one wash-out (seven points) is a good start.
“we’ve played some really good teams already and at the beginning of the competition everyone is firing and desperate to do well.
“it’s the toughest time if that makes sense to win in one way. we’ve got another tough game on friday away to yorkshire who are very good on their own patch.
“it was really important to get a couple of wins under our belt, particularly at home where we enjoy playing.
“they are generally good wickets at headingley and our batsmen play really well on good wickets but they’ve got a very strong batting line-up and bowling outfit as well.
“they are a very good team so we will have to be at our best as usual. this competition is tough, is tight. there are some really good teams out there so you’ve generally got to be at your best, or very close to it, to beat opposition.”
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worcestershire rapids (from):
guptill
wessels
ferguson ©
parnell
whiteley
cox (w)
barnard
mitchell
pennington
brown
fell
morris
rhodes
