Moeen Ali says Worcestershire Rapids are aiming to become the first side to win back to back T20 titles in this country as they gear up for Friday’s Vitality Blast quarter-final with Sussex Sharks at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove.
The Rapids reached finals day for the first time last September and went onto lift the trophy after defeating the Sharks in the final.
It sparked emotional scenes from the Rapids players, staff and supporters after two match-winning knocks from Ben Cox against Lancashire Lightning and the Sharks helped them over the finishing line.
Now the Rapids are striving to achieve what no county has managed since the competition was launched in 2003 in retaining the Blast.
Moeen said: “We experienced finals day for the first time last year and had an amazing day, with obviously winning it, but the whole atmosphere and the way the day is run is fantastic.
“Credit to the organisers and it is an amazing event. It is exactly that – an event.
“Everyone wants is to go back and play finals day and experience that again because it was amazing and great for the club.
“But the one thing this group of players want to do is be the first team to win it back to back because no-one has done that.
“That’s our aim this year.”
As regards Friday’s meeting with the Sharks, a repeat of the 2018 final, Moeen said: “They are still a very good side and at home they are very formidable – but we are also a very good side.
“I know we’ve had a couple of losses recently but it doesn’t take anything away from the fact we are the champions and we’ve got a title to defend.”
