Azhar Ali is set to return to the Worcestershire side for the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Sussex at Hove beginning tomorrow (Monday).
The Pakistan star has been unavailable for the last three Championship matches, two while on duty for his country and last week’s draw with Glamorgan when not quite 100 per cent fit after suffering a hamstring injury during the Royal London Cup.
But he is part of a 12 strong squad as Worcestershire look to continue the impressive form shown in the drawn rain-hit game with Glamorgan at Cardiff.
The squad consists of the 11 players who featured at Sophia Gardens minus Taylor Cornall, who will play for the Seconds, plus Azhar Ali and fit again pace bowler, Josh Tongue.
Head Coach, Alex Gidman, said: “Azhar has had such a positive impact on the group all year. He missed a couple of games when playing for Pakistan and missed last week with just a minor setback but we are very hopeful and confident he will be available for Monday.
“As a batting unit, we have batted admirably without, but obviously he is a class player and good to have him back.”
Worcestershire were denied the chance to push for victory against Glamorgan after enforcing the follow on because of the weather.
Gidman said: “We played some outstanding cricket for 90 per cent of the game at Cardiff and really pleased with the red ball cricket we have played all year.
“We have been competitive and skilful, and performed really well for huge chunks of the Championship cricket throughout the summer.
“Looking forward to trying to replicate the performance of last week, and to try and go a step further and force a win.”
Tongue made his comeback from a shoulder problem in two games in the Royal London Cup and also impressed in a recent Second Eleven Championship match against Gloucestershire at Rockhampton.
Gareth Roderick will be looking to continue the form which brought him a superb career best 172 not out against Glamorgan.
Gidman said: “Since he came back into the team four or five games ago, Gareth has played some really important innings.
“One at Durham to help us get past the follow on comes to mind as does another in the win over Middlesex.
“Getting Gareth back to where he needs to be has been great to watch and he has contributed quite significantly in the last few weeks of first class cricket.”
WORCESTERSHIRE (FROM):
JAKE LIBBY
ED POLLOCK
AZHAR ALI
JACK HAYNES
GARETH RODERICK
ED BARNARD
BRETT D’OLIVEIRA ©
BEN COX (w)
JOE LEACH
DILLON PENNINGTON
BEN GIBBON
JOSH TONGUE
