Moeen Ali will return to captain Worcestershire Rapids in this evening’s Vitality Blast derby with Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston (7.05pm start).
The England all-rounder has been unavailable for the last three Blast games because of international commitments against the Netherland in a three-game ODI Series.
But he is back to face his former county as the Rapids try to maintain their grip on the Norman Gifford Trophy.
The Rapids triumphed by 15 runs when the two sides met at New Road three weeks ago.
Rapids keeper-batter Gareth Roderick said: “You always get up for those games, and there is going to be a big crowd, and we beat them at our place.
“We’ve got three games left in the Blast, and there are things like gaining momentum building into next year, building into the 50 over competition and the County Championship.
“There are still things to fight for, things to work on, and hopefully, we can put in a performance for the fans.
“It is always good to have local derbys, and the players certainly can feel the atmosphere when you are on the field.
“Hoping for a big atmosphere tonight, and hopefully, the boys can turn it around and do the double over them.
“In T20, if you get on a roll in a positive light, it’s great, and you can string loads of wins together.
“But vice-versa, to try and wrestle back the momentum in the competition is really tough.”
Ed Pollock is set to face his former county in a competitive match at Edgbaston for the first time since moving to Worcestershire for the 2022 season.
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MOEEN BACK TO LEAD RAPIDS IN VITALITY BLAST DERBY AT EDGBASTON
Ed Pollock
Brett D’Oliveira
Moeen Ali *
Colin Munro
Jake Libby
Ed Barnard
Kashif Ali
Gareth Roderick +
Josh Baker
Dwayne Bravo
Mitchell Stanley
Pat Brown
Taylor Cornall
Charlie Morris
Adam Finch
