Match Details VS Warwickshire Bears
Vitality Blast T20 Central Group: Worcestershire Rapids v Warwickshire Bears
Venue: New Road
Date: Friday 29th May
Scheduled start time: 5:30pm
Match preview sponsored by MSN Pharmacy Group.
The biggest date in the Worcestershire calendar has landed. Derby day is upon us and the Bears are in town!
After a blip at home to Northants last time out, the Rapids are desperate to bounce back in style on the biggest stage of them all, as the hottest ticket in town sees two old foes face off against one another in a salivating Friday night Vitality T20 Blast blockbuster.
Playing for the coveted Norman Gifford trophy, both sides will have an added incentive to claim the ownership rights this time around, as it will be the first time the two teams have met since Norman’s passing over the winter.
The Latest
Five days on from a first defeat of the Vitality Blast T20 season, Brett D’Oliveira will be hoping to inspire his side back to winning ways against an out of sorts Bears outfit, who are yet to taste victory in their opening two group matches.
For the Rapids, Adam Finch and Matthew Waite led the way with the ball in hand, taking three wickets apiece against the Steelbacks, whilst spin played a key role through the middle overs courtesy of Sikandar Raza’s economic spell.
Isaac Mohammed will be hoping to return to something reminiscent of his form on the opening night of the campaign against Leicestershire, where the teenager took centre stage in an opening assault of 42 from 26 balls as he looks to show his old employers what they could have had.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Pears v Bears derby if the eyes weren’t on former Warwickshire players Adam Hose and Ethan Brookes, who’s impacts for the Rapids will go a long way in determining the outcome of Friday’s fixture.
Inside The Camp
Isaac ready to seize the moment against old enemy
It only feels like yesterday that Isaac Mohammed was being touted as one of the brightest young players on the Warwickshire books, but nearly a year on from a mid-summer move to Worcestershire, the teenage prodigy knows he is just 24 hours away from striding out to open the batting as a key figure in a Rapids side looking to do something they haven’t done for two years.
Last beating the Bears in 2024’s edition of the Vitality T20 Blast, a sell-out crowd will pack out New Road on Friday, expecting fireworks from Isaac and co.
After rocketing his name into the spotlight across 2025, Isaac has shown signs of his match-winning capabilities in the early stages of this summer.
One win and one loss leave the Rapids mid-table after two matches, but it was the opening night victory away at Leicestershire Foxes where Isaac cut loose.
Still very much learning on the job, the awe-inspiring 18-year-old says his game is continuing to develop with each game.
“The wicket was pretty good, there was a fast outfield, the weather was good, so all those things kind of came together.
“I just kind of kicked off from the start and things fell my way, which helped, but it was different this Sunday (against Northants), where I didn’t feel like I started at my best and failed to kick on.
“I need to learn a little bit that if I don’t start my best, I can take my time a little bit more and carry on from there.
“When you are practicing 50-over cricket and red ball cricket, it means you don’t go after everything, and that has helped me for sure.”
There have been plenty of starts for one of the hottest prospects in the white-ball game, but a big score has eluded the relative of former Worcestershire and England legend Moeen Ali.
A call-up to the England U19 squad for the ICC World Cup in January looked to be his next step on a thrilling journey, but injury just before the start of the tournament meant the left-hander was unable to fulfil his dream.
Now set to face off against some of the best there is in Chris Woakes and Olly Hannon-Dalby, in a game broadcast live on Sky, the stakes are as high as they have been for Isaac.
In a typically nonchalant fashion, however, the teenager cannot wait to throw himself into the cauldron on Friday night.
“It is an amazing feeling, for me, going up against my old team, it would be great to put in a good performance.
“But ultimately it is just another game and a chance for us to try and get back to winning ways.
“You look at their team, and with that many big games, it does add a little bit of pressure, but I want to take that chance.
“It is so exciting. All the Blast games give that bit of excitement, and this one is on Sky, so it helps a little bit to add to it.
“It is a really big occasion, and I want to get my name out there in the big moment.”
The Opposition
Captain: Ed Barnard
Last season: Quarter-finals
Titles: One (2014)
One to watch: Usman Tariq
It has been a shaky start for the one time winners of the Blast, who are yet to notch a win in this year’s revamped format, despite possessing a side packed full of top-quality stars.
Chris Woakes and Olly Hannon-Dalby have failed to hit their straps as of yet, whilst a batting line-up that includes last season’s top-run scorer Alex Davies (464) will be looking to turn it on at New Road on Friday.
Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq is the big addition to a bowling attack which has lost its spin spearhead of recent years, Danny Briggs. Beau Webster’s all-round excellence and big-match temperament will be a big asset.
Tariq’s unique action makes him a frontline threat, but it is fellow spinner Taz Ali who leads the way with wickets taken so far in the competition with four scalps to his name.
Squad vs Warwickshire Bears
