Jake Libby is looking forward to captaining Worcestershire Rapids in an official capacity for the first time in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and believes they are capable of more white ball success this summer.
Libby skippered the side last summer following Brett D’Oliveira’s late call-up for The Hundred along with several other key players.
He is now the officially appointed captain of the 50 over side who will launch their group programme against Durham at the Seat Unique Riverside tomorrow.
Only Adam Hose (Northern Superchargers) and Josh Tongue and Mitchell Stanley (Manchester Originals) will be absent this year to The Hundred.
The Rapids have already made major strides forward in their white ball cricket in the Vitality Blast and produced some excellent performances in reaching the last eight.
They will also be strengthened by the inclusion on loan for the One Day Cup of Rob Jones whose has signed a three-year deal until the end of the 2026 season after agreeing to leave Lancashire.
Libby said: “Great for Dolly getting picked up for the Hundred last summer but also a great experience for me at the same time, getting a bit of captaincy.
“We were left just a little bit down to the bare bones with a few injuries and call-ups but I learnt a hell of a lot as a captain.
“Hopefully we can learn from last season to really push on with this year’s competition.
“It is a really exciting month. I think it is almost a separate season, a tournament within a season,
“That’s how we are going to see it, are going to enjoy, we’ve got a really good chance. We are playing some really good cricket as a group.”
Libby added: “Will the T20 performances give us confidence? Absolutely, getting to a quarter-final, and the guys playing really well throughout that competition.
“We’ve just got to take that momentum and really build on that in the 50 over tournament.”
Libby has become a key figure at New Road and a highly respected senior player in the dressing room.
He said: “Does being a leader come natural to you? I’m not sure it comes natural, but I like to see myself in the Worcestershire dressing room now as a leader.
“Even before captaincy, I felt like that a little bit and I’ve become more of a senior player.
“I always like to perform on the pitch and let my performances do the talking and, around that, I’d like to think I’m well respected in the changing room and approachable.
“I have a lot of good conversations with lads one on one and hopefully it’s all set up for a good month.”
“We’ve got some exciting players around and it will be great to have Brett back as well. We missed him last year.”
