Match Details VS Derbyshire Falcons
Metro Bank One Day Cup: Derbyshire Falcons v Worcestershire Rapids
Venue: Repton School Ground, Repton
Date: Friday 15th August
Scheduled start time: 11am
After a near perfect start to their 2025 Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign, Worcestershire travel to Repton to face Derbyshire Falcons on Friday looking to maintain their unbeaten start.
Having faced the Falcons during the group stage of the Vitality T20 Blast and coming out on top, the Rapids are searching for a white ball double over their counterparts.
Last Time Out
Ben Allison’s career best figures of 6-35 helped Worcestershire secure a comfortable five-wicket win over Hampshire in Group A of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Allison bowled with pace and control from the outset, as regular wickets stunted Hampshire’s progress, with Nick Gubbins’ half-century the highlight in Hampshire’s total of 196 all-out.
In reply, a composed 52 from Brett D’Oliveira and thirties from Kashif Ali and Jake Libby put the hosts in control of their chase as Hampshire’s bowlers struggled.
A quick fire cameo from Ethan Brookes saw the hosts ease their way to a convincing five-wicket win and continue their unbeaten start to the Group stage.
Inside The Camp
Brett D’Oliveira is enjoying life in the Metro Bank One Day Cup so far this season, and on the back of his half-century in a dominant win over Hampshire, the opener is keen to kick on.
After scores of 20 and 31 in the opening two matches, the opener showed his class as he eased his way to an 83-ball-52 whilst he anchored his side’s chase of 196, that was eventually completed with five-wickets in tact.
Having played across all-formats for Worcestershire so far this year, the red-ball captain is looking to extend his positive form throughout the One Day Cup, with Derbyshire up next.
“I had a bit of a quiet start in those opening two games, but I actually felt that a score was around the corner and I was in good touch before Hampshire.
“Probably a combination of good batting conditions, nice overheads and me just finding a rhythm nice and early all helped things come together and I kicked on from a good start.
“When you are in control of a chase like that one from the outset, you don’t have to worry too much about what’s going on around you, it is more just about staying in your own headspace and playing what’s in front of you.
“We’ve built great momentum as a squad in the last three games. There’s real belief and hunger in the group at the minute and it’s more down to a lot more than just individuals, it is a collective.”
A third away game in four matches sees the Rapids make the trip to Repton School, one of the most iconic out grounds in the country, to face the Falcons on Friday.
With batters Isaac Mohammed, Jake Libby, Kashif Ali and Ethan Brookes all having registered at least one score of fifty or above in the group stage so far, confidence amongst the batting unit is sky high.
Ben Allison returned career best figures last time out against Hampshire, as the bowlers showed their own impressive form, restricting their opponents to a score of under 200.
D’Oliveira says that the opposition won’t change the team’s mindset heading into the game, with the signs of consistency welcomed by the group after an up and down season to date.
“Derbyshire will bring their own threats, but we’re heading into the game in good form.
The goal is simple—carry on playing our positive cricket, back each other up, and aim to make it four games unbeaten.
“Consistency is key in any competition, as we learned in the Blast, so you can’t afford off-days, we will keep things simple and stick to what has worked for us so far.”
The Opposition
Last result: Bt Notts Outlaws by 127 runs
Table position: 5th
One to watch: Martin Andersson
Although Wayne Madsen, Aneurin Donald and Pat Brown are playing in The Hundred, Derbyshire could go deep into the competition if players like Chappell and Australian opener Caleb Jewell fire.
The Falcons were expected to be a contender in the Vitality Blast but after a disappointing tournament, they now have another opportunity to show they are a better one-day side than those results suggest.
On their day, they have the players to mount a strong challenge and the disappointment in the T20 format could be a motivating factor over the next few weeks.
Andersson has played some significant innings in the Rothesay County Championship since he made the switch from Middlesex and with Madsen and Donald missing, this is a chance for him to play a leading role with the bat in the white-ball game.
An outstanding fielder, his seam bowling will provide skipper Guest with another option.
Squad vs Derbyshire Falcons
