Worcestershire newcomer, Adam Hose, struck his maiden half-century in the Big Bash League for Adelaide Strikers in their home encounter with Melbourne Stars.
Hose reached his fifty off 37 balls with a two straight down the ground off New Zealand bowler, Trent Boult, as his side chased a 187 target.
He remained unbeaten on 56 from 41 deliveries in an example of the type of hitting Rapids fans can look forward to during 2023.
But Hose’s side fell just short of their target, going down by eight runs as they closed on 178-5.
The Stars totalled 186-7 in their 20 overs after electing to bat with Marcus Stoinis (74) and former Worcestershire batter Joe Clarke (42) the main contributors.
In front of a 40,000 crowd, Hose came to the middle at 49-2 in the sixth over and put on 74 for the third wicket with Henry Hunt (49).
Hose showed his liking for ex-Worcestershire loanee Luke Wood, a member of the Rapids 2018 Vitality Blast winning side, striking him for 4-4-6 in the space of four deliveries in the 14th over.
Twenty-six runs came off the two power surge overs – the 13th and 14th – to put the Strikers back in contention.
Hose, on 46, survived a review for lbw against Liam Hatcher after attempting a scoop shot before completing his half-century, but his superb effort proved to be in vain.
Hose has scored 98 runs in the previous five BBL knocks, including 40 in the win over Sydney Sixers.
Worcestershire Rapids 2023 Vitality Blast signing, Michael Bracewell, picked up some major top-order scalps when on Test duty for New Zealand against Pakistan in Karachi.
The all-rounder showed his ability with the ball in both innings in the drawn first game of the series.
Bracewell dismissed opener Iman-ul-Haq and number three Shan Masood, a prolific scorer in county cricket for Derbyshire last summer, in the first innings.
He followed that up by accounting for the other opener in, Adadullah Shafique, and the number four batter, Nauman Ali, in Pakistan’s second innings.
Bracewell had the highly respectable figures of 24-6-72-2, and 25-5-82-2 as Pakistan (438 and 311-8 declared) shared the spoils with the Black Caps (612-9 declared and 61-1).
New Road pace bowler Pat Brown is in action in the Nepal T20 League, and his side, Lumbini All Stars, have a 100 per cent record after the opening five group games.
Brown has made two appearances, returning 3-0-21-1 against Far West United and claiming the first wicket as they were dismissed for 85.
He then had figures of 4-0-46-1 in another triumph against Biratnagar Super Kings.
