Match Details VS Glamorgan
Metro Bank One Day Cup: Worcestershire Rapids v Glamorgan
Venue: Visit Worcestershire New Road
Date: Friday 22nd August
Scheduled start time: 11am
Worcestershire Rapids continue their push for a Metro Bank One Day Cup quarter-final place on Friday, as Glamorgan travel to Visit Worcestershire New Road in a crucial Group A clash.
With three games to go until the knock-out places are confirmed, the Rapids are in search of a fourth win in the competition to push their claims for a much sought after extension to their 50-over season.
Last Time Out
Worcestershire’s unbeaten run in Group A of the Metro Bank One Day Cup was ended on Sunday as Gloucestershire inflicted a six-wicket defeat on the Rapids were made to pay for an under par batting display.
For the first time this campaign, no Worcestershire batter was able to kick-on to a score of note, as Kashif Ali top-scored with 36 in a scorecard that saw plenty of starts but no significant partnerships as the Rapids were restricted to 237-8.
In reply, the hosts were unable to penetrate the Gloucestershire batting line-up on a frequent basis, as three batters passed fifty in a frustrating afternoon for the hosts as the home side were resigned to a disappointing six-wicket defeat.
Still in good shape for knockout qualification, the Rapids can enjoy a short break before they begin preparations for Friday’s important home clash with Glamorgan.
Inside The Camp
Young gun Isaac Mohammed emphasised the importance of one of the Rapids’ batters making a big score in Friday’s clash with Glamorgan, as Worcestershire look to put their blip against Gloucestershire behind them
Going down by six wickets against the current group leaders slimmed the Rapids chances of finishing top of the table and going straight into the semi-final stage of the competition, but hopes of a home quarter-final are still very much within reach for a Worcestershire side who have only lost once in their opening five matches.
A contributor to the success at the start of the List A campaign this season, Isaac top scored with a blistering 63 away at Essex earlier in the group stage, while in every other game batters have gone big and oozed confidence in what has been an eye catching tournament for the batters to date.
Isaac, says his side have addressed the anomaly against Gloucestershire and are clear on the plans as they tackle basement side Glamorgan on Friday.
“We just didn’t have one of the boys go on to get a big score, which I felt let us down. It was a bit tricky with the new ball. and obviously it was doing quite a bit up top.
“Myself and Dolly struggled a bit, but then felt it was quite good from Henners and Waitey at the back end to try get us up to a good score.
“In the dressing room, we talk a lot about partnerships and just having that one pair going through and getting a big score to help the team pop a good total, so that’s the main thing.
“So moving on to the next game, we’re just thinking about getting one big score and then just building partnerships around that.”
Having joined the club in a sensational mid-season move from rivals Warwickshire, the much talked about teenager has shown glimpses of just why he is so highly regarded amongst the cricketing public.
The 17-year-old was thrust in to open the batting during the Vitality T20 Blast, continuing his role at the top of the order in the 50-over format, with his eye for positive shots and raw talent on show for all to see.
Under the spotlight from the word go, England U19 representative could have felt the burden of , but thus far, Isaac has repaid the faith shown in him by CEO Ashley Giles and Head Coach Alan Richardson, in emphatic style.
The biggest reason behind his successful transition so far – the dressing room that has welcomed him into Visit Worcestershire New Road.
“I’m loving it. I just feel the lads have introduced me so well into the group, and I just fitted it in straight away.
“I haven’t fought hard to to communicate with the boys and just learnt how the boys play, it’s quite a different environment in the way the boys are.
“I feel like we’re a lot closer and tight together around cricket and not around cricket, so that’s helped me a lot getting into the fixtures.
“For me, personally, I like playing positive cricket and at the end of the day, it’s not always going to come off. So for me, it’s just about trusting my processes and knowing one game will come off and hopefully it will contribute to a matching performance.
“Yeah, the boys are legends. They’re great to chat with and great to be around.I’ve just loved everybody at the club.”
The Opposition
Last result: Lost to Essex by 190 runs
Table position: 9th
One to watch: Billy Root
As defending champions, the Metro Bank One-Day Cup has replicated a homecoming for Glamorgan, reaping their most success in recent years, winning in 2021 also.
David Harrison is leading the team (Richard Dawson away with Welsh Fire) after he was interim head coach and assistant for their previous two successes and if they can replicate that with the step up from younger squad members, could fight their way to a mid-table finish.
Billy Root, in a crucial stage in his career, could have a more senior, important role to play.
The 32-year-old in his final year contracted at Glamorgan has spent most of the season in the 2ndXI, often captaining, however came into his own with 296 runs in this tournament in 2024.
With Mason Crane and Ben Kellaway selected in The Hundred, Root could be turned to with ball in hand also.
Squad vs Glamorgan
