Thursday, May 26th, 2022

MUNRO LOOKING FORWARD TO REUNION AND HELPING RAPIDS TO MORE BLAST GLORY

Colin Munro is looking forward to being reunited with some former teammates when he launches his third spell with Worcestershire Rapids and wants to help the club achieve more success in the Vitality Blast.

The New Zealand star last played for the Rapids in July 2015 in a four-wicket win over Derbyshire at Derby.

Included in that side were Brett D’Oliveira, Ben Cox and Ed Barnard, and Munro has been impressed with how the trio has progressed as he prepares for tomorrow’s Vitality Blast encounter with Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.

He said: “I can’t wait to get started, and I’ve got some good memories of my time at Worcestershire a few years ago now.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the likes of Brett D’Oliveira, Ben Cox and Ed Barnard again. 

“They’ve all matured a lot as cricketers since those days as youngsters, and I’ve watched how they’ve progressed from afar.

“It’s great for Brett to be Club Captain now, for Ben to lead the T20 side when Mo (Moeen Ali) is unavailable, and Ed to become such a key all-rounder.”

Munro, who flew into England on Thursday, was the second-highest scorer for Perth Scorchers when they won the 2021-2022 Big Bash with 390 runs at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 127.45.

Now he is looking to aid the Rapids in their quest for more glory in the Blast.

He said: “The club has had a lot of success in the Blast in the years after I left, and I hope to help them enjoy some more of the same.

“It was frustrating to miss the opening game while the visa was sorted, but all being well, I’m looking forward to Trent Bridge.”

Jack Haynes, who hit a fine 61 against Yorkshire Vikings on Wednesday evening, believes the Rapids are not far away from firing on all our cylinders.

He said: “Yorkshire are a really strong side, and for 80% of that game, we were fantastic. I don’t think we are far away from our best cricket.

“Hopefully, we can show that against Notts Outlaws on Friday.”

The Rapids will welcome on loan all-rounder Matthew Waite into their squad for the next three Blast matches after he could not play against his parent club Yorkshire.

Waite made an instant impression at New Road, with career-best first class figures of 4-35 in the second innings of the LV=Insurance County Championship win over Leicestershire.

Munro and Waite are added to the 13 strong squad who were selected to face the Vikings.

WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS (from):

Ed Pollock
Brett D’Oliveira
Colin Munro
Jack Haynes
Jake Libby
Ben Cox (c and w)
Ed Barnard
Gareth Roderick
Josh Baker
Dillon Pennington
Charlie Morris
Pat Brown
Matthew Waite
Adam Finch
Taylor Cornall