Ben Cox has revealed his pride at being appointed Worcestershire Rapids Vitality Blast captain whenever Moeen Ali is unavailable.
The Worcestershire wicket-keeper batsman will take charge for the first time this season against Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge this evening.
It starts four games in six days for Cox and the Rapids, who have picked up six points from their opening five matches.
Cox said: “Being made captain for the times Mo is not available is a proud day for the family and me. As Worcestershire supporters, it makes it even sweeter for my parents.
“I captained one Championship game before against Leicestershire a couple of years ago, and I loved it.
“I’m just taking over from Mo. It’s very much the same message. There is going to be nothing different, just a different leader on the fielder, I guess.
“The template will be the same model that Mo has set out and built.
“Whether you are the captain or not, the wicket-keeper is always helping you out with angles and what their gut feeling is about the wicket and who should go next.”
Leading the side amongst the hurly-burly of Vitality Blast cricket will provide a different challenge to a four-day Championship match.
Cox said: “It’s going to be hectic, that’s for sure, and especially being 40 yards away from the bowler with his plans.
“You have to be very clear with what we are going to do with our fields and the plans for batters.
“The bowlers have been top drawer. Jonny Bairstow had a decent day out last week, but that was just extreme hitting, power-hitting that I haven’t seen before in my career. That’s how good it was.
“He didn’t mis-hit one ball but, apart from that one day where he got the better of us, our bowlers have been top drawer.”
The Rapids are handily placed to challenge a top-four spot with that Yorkshire setback, their only defeat in the opening five matches.
Cox said: “We’ve had an excellent start to the campaign, and we need to kick on now.
“We didn’t want a wash-out the other evening (against Northamptonshire). It scuppered the momentum a little, and, especially when you lose, you want to get back on the horse straight away.
“It’s a pretty intense schedule over the next six days, but hopefully, we can pick up some points at Notts and get back on that momentum wave and travel up to Yorkshire in good spirits.”
