Match Details VS Derbyshire Falcons
Vitality T20 Blast North Group: Derbyshire Falcons v Worcestershire Rapids
Venue: The Central Co-op County Ground, Derbyshire
Date: Thursday 10th July
Scheduled start time: 7pm
Worcestershire head North on Thursday night for another pivotal group stage clash, as the Rapids quest for a quarter-final spot continues.
Meeting the Falcons for the first time this season, there is plenty on the line for the visitors, who will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in this year’s tournament.
Last Time Out
A sparkling 88 from Kashif Ali led Worcestershire’s charge to a vital six-wicket win over Northants Steelbacks, as the Rapids kept their T20 Blast qualification hopes alive.
Reducing the Steelbacks to 53-4, as the seam bowlers started in efficient fashion, with Adam Finch and Tom Taylor impressing as Northants could only muster 153-9 in their 20 overs.
After finding themselves 3-2 in reply, a magnificent 46-ball-88 from Kashif Ali led the repost for the visitors, as his stand of 127 with Gareth Roderick for the third-wicket put the away side in control.
Easing to a six-wicket win with three-overs remaining, the Rapids’ outside chance of qualifying for the quarter-final stages are still alive with four games still to play.
Inside The Camp
It has been a meteoric rise in recent weeks for teenage-sensation Isaac Mohammed, who, after a mid-season move from rivals Warwickshire, has made himself a regular in the Rapids T20 side whilst also being capped by England at U19 level.
The highly-recommended prospect arrived at Visit Worcestershire New Road in early June and has made an instant impact, being thrown into the deep end after captain Brett D’Oliveira sustained an injury early on in the Blast campaign.
Showing glimpses of his quality along the way, with some blistering starts and top-quality ball striking, the 17-year-old says he is loving every minute of his time as a Rapid.
“It has been pretty full on, but I just try and take it in my stride and not let it effect me too much.
“I have learnt so much so quickly but I don’t think there is many better places to learn than right at the top level, being in around professional players and seeing how they do things has been good for me I think.
“Batting with people like Dolly, Kash, Hosey – was a bit surreal at times to start, but I am very grateful for the opportunity and I want to score runs for the team.
“Staying focussed each time I practice, have a net or am out in the middle – those are the really key times where I want to make it count.”
As recently as last week, Isaac made the next step in his career as he represented England U19’s in the first three matches of their five-match ODI series against India U19, only missing the final two games due to his involvement in the Vitality T20 Blast.
With a high score of 32, coming from just 15 balls in the Blast earlier this season, Isaac has shown in patches why there is so much talk about his future in the game.
His fearless nature and raw talent were personified quite perfectly the Rapid’s away game against the Bears, where the youngster strode to the middle with an unwavering confidence that raised multiple eyebrows inside the ground that day.
Despite making such a quick impression, Isaac says he is only focussed on the next game for the Rapids and contributing to his side’s push for the last-eight.
“There has been a couple of starts, but I am yet to properly kick-on and make that big score of note at the top, but I know if I keep playing my way, it’ll come.
“We just need to keep sticking to our plans and hopefully they pay off, we can’t look too far ahead I don’t think, otherwise you loose focus on what is right in front of you.
“For me, I want to back my instinct and that is by playing with aggression and trusting my natural game, a bit like Kash does in one way.
“I will keep enjoying it whatever happens, but of course I want us to beat Derbyshire tomorrow night.”
The Opposition
Last result: Derbyshire Falcons bt Yorkshire by seven-wickets
Table position: Ninth
One to watch: Aneurin Donald
In another tough year for the Falcons, they have struggled to keep pace with the big hitters of the North group, drifting away from the chasing pack as they find themselves at the bottom of the table.
Recent fortunes have provided plenty of reasons to be cheerful however, with their seven-wicket win over Yorkshire highlighting the potential that lies within the squad.
2021 still marks the Falcons best ever finish in the competition, as they made it to the semi-final stages, but have failed to repeat such success in recent times.
Two former Rapids now call Derbyshire home, in Ross Whiteley and Pat Brown, but after his explosive 85 from 30 balls in their previous fixture, there is no doubting Aneurin Donald is the man to keep your eyes on this Thursday evening.
Striking a record-equalling 13-ball-50, Donald operated with a strike-rate touching 300 during his innings, as he broke the back of a 200-plus run chase for his side.
The Rapids bowling force will have to be on red-alert and search for early breakthroughs to ensure there is no repeat of his power-hitting exhibition from last time out.
Squad vs Derbyshire Falcons
