Worcestershire Assistant Coach, Richard Jones, says it is vital to have “a really strong link’ between the first class counties and the National Counties.
The annual NCCA Showcase Games will take place on Sunday with Worcestershire facing Wales at Sudbrook CC in the 50 over contest.
It follows on from them facing Herefordshire at Eastnor in 2022 and then Shropshire at Shrewsbury 12 months ago.
The game also serves as an opportunity as a warm-up fixture for the Metro Bank One Day Cup which gets underway next week.
Players will be able to get in some invaluable practice before facing Middlesex at Visit Worcestershire New Road on Wednesday, July 24.
Jones knows the relationship is vital as it allows youngsters with first class counties to play National Counties cricket and gain invaluable experience.
Already this season, Worcestershire wicket-keeper batter Henry Cullen has benefitted by scoring a century for Herefordshire.
It is a particularly crucial at this stage of the season given that Worcestershire have no more Seconds cricket until August 26.
He said: “It a is really important link. First and foremost it is an opportunity for the National Counties to put out a strong side and to put in some good performances.
“Players will probably feel they are in the shop window a little bit but also that link between the National Counties and first class counties, I personally think it is hugely important.
“For situations during the month of August, when there is limited second team cricket, with the Hundred on, each club’s connection and relationship with local national counties is really crucial.
“It means young players can get exposed to three day cricket and play a good standard of cricket when there is not much else on.
“We’ve had close links with Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire so we value those relationships very highly and now looking forward to a new challenge with Wales.
“It is really important because we need our best young players to be playing as often as they can and it is challenging this time of the year.”
Jones, who will help oversee the preparations with Head Coach Alan Richardson, added: “It is also good practice before the One Day Cup.
“After the T20, it is our first opportunity to switch formats to that longer format.
“All forms of cricket are difficult but 50 over cricket, although it is a shortened format, is high intensity.
“You have to make sure you are on the best part of your game for three and a half hours per innings and is really challenging.
“It is important for us to experience that on Sunday against Wales leading into the competition. We are looking forward to the game on Sunday.”
