Worcestershire Head Coach Alan Richardson is expecting a tight and exciting finale in the battle to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast.
The Rapids are one of five team separated by just two points at the top of the North Group table and have a game in hand on three of the other four sides.
They are now gearing up for three games in the space of four days against Lancashire Lightning (Tuesday) and Notts Outlaws (Thursday) at New Road and then the return with Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston on Friday.
The Rapids returned to the winning trail with Sunday’s convincing six wicket success over Leicestershire Foxes at the Uptonsteel County Ground.
Richardson said: “It was nice to get the result on Sunday but, as long as the performances keep coming, that will give us a chance.
“It will be another different test on Tuesday and the boys will be up for that. It is a big stretch of games for us.
“If we put some performances together, hopefully the results will follow.
“It does seem that everyone has the ability to beat each other, and it will make it really tight going into those last four or five games.”
Richardson is delighted to be able call again on the services of pace bowler Josh Tongue who has been released from duty with England for the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
He said: “It’s brilliant. He had a smile on his face all day on Sunday at Leicester. The boys also have that because he is someone who bowls very quickly!
“It is fantastic to see him back. He was out on the field for an over on the Saturday in England colours in a Test match and he has been beaming about and talking about that.
“Josh is obviously a huge asset for us with the ball and it is great to have him around.”
The Rapids have announced a 13 strong squad to face the Lightning, the 11 in action against the Foxes plus Matthew Waite and Jake Libby.
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Worcestershire Rapids Squad
Brett D’Oliveira ©
Jack Haynes
Mitchell Santner
Adam Hose
Kashif Ali
Ben Cox (w)
Ed Pollock
Usama Mir
Dillon Pennington
Pat Brown
Josh Tongue
Matthew Waite
Jake Libby
