Match Details VS Glamorgan
Vitality Blast T20 Central Group: Worcestershire Rapids v Glamorgan
Venue: New Road, Worcestershire
Date: Friday 5th June
Scheduled start time: 5:30pm
Match preview sponsored by MSN Pharmacy Group.
Worcestershire Rapids return to Vitality Blast T20 action on Friday night, looking to kick on from last week’s memorable derby day victory, playing host to Glamorgan in a mid-table clash that will see the sides square off at New Road for the first time in six years.
Winning two of their opening three matches, Alan Richardson’s side are hoping to show more of their clinical edge that put Warwickshire Bears to the sword as the charge for the knockouts.
The Latest
Three games into the group and the Rapids sit fourth in the Central and West group table, with two wins sandwiching a forgettable outing against Northants Steelbacks a in round two.
A composed top-order effort saw the hosts home last time out, with all of the top five making scores over 20, as Kashif Ali showed signs of his best form with an impressive cameo at number three.
Brett D’Oliveira showed a cutting edge in his eye-catching knock that set the tone for his side, a role that the skipper will be looking to fulfil once again when Glamorgan land on Friday evening.
The returns of spin twins Sikandar Raza and Usama Mir have proved pivotal in the early season fortunes of the Rapids, with the duo combining to great effect across the middle overs, with Mir collecting five wickets so far in this year’s Blast.
Inside The Camp
Raza revels in “trusting” relationship with D’Oliveira as Blast campaign ramps up
All-rounder Sikandar Raza praised his side’s resilience after bouncing back from defeat in round two, to race to victory over Warwickshire Bears last Friday, setting the Rapids up nicely for this Friday’s important T20 Central and West Group clash with Glamorgan.
In what will be a landmark meeting between teams from opposite banks of the River Severn, New Road will host the first competitive T20 match between Worcestershire and Glamorgan since 2020.
The home side could not have wished for better preparation heading into the fourth round of Vitality Blast T20 group matches, dispatching of their closest rivals with relative ease last week in front of a sell-out crowd.
Raza says the reaction after a heavy defeat to Northants in the game prior was just what was required.
“The beauty of that game was that we won a derby game, but also did it in front of a packed crowd.
“It is always nice to give our faithful fans something to cheer about. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that against Northants, but to come back in the manner we did was certainly very pleasing.
“It has been a good start on the whole. It is always tough when lads go from playing four-day cricket to having a three-day turnaround into the Blast, but I always say if you are going to have a bad game, have it earlier in the comp rather than later on.
“Hopefully, we have the bad game out of our system, and we just keep getting better and better.”
The Zimbabwean all-rounder has been prominent for the Rapids throughout the competition, chipping in with the bat and forming a reliable middle-over partnership with fellow spinner Usama Mir.
Despite not yet taking a wicket in the competition, Raza has been going at an economy rate of just over seven, in what have been some efficient spells for his team, often thrown the ball by skipper Brett D’Oliveira in times of need.
It is that trusting relationship with the Worcestershire Captain that has helped the team make a positive start to the tournament, something Raza hopes will continue as the group stage goes on.
“A lot of the focus is put on your wickets, and how many you are picking up, but actually, for me, I ask myself, if I didn’t take wickets, did I contribute with the ball anyway? Did I control the game? Did I make life easier for my teammates and my bowling partner? Working in partnerships is so key.
“I am happy with my economy rates, and as long as we are winning games, that is really all that matters to me because I can contribute in a number of ways.
“Dolly made it clear that he is going to use me and my tactics, my understanding and knowledge of the game, which was obviously very nice of the Captain to say.
“Brett and I assess the wicket before a game, we share notes, and I like to do my thorough analysis on each and every batter, what they do, where they are strong, so we speak about that a lot.
“At the end of the day, both of us are working towards the same goal, which is to help us win the game.”
The Opposition
Captain: Kiran Carlson
Last season: 5th
Titles: None
One to watch: Kiran Carlson
The Welsh outfit have made finals day twice since the competition’s inception back in 2003, but have never got their hands on the coveted Blast trophy, a job that has been made all the more difficult by the absence of Asa Tribe and Mason Crane who are away with England Lions.
Colin Ingram has returned to the Club as an overseas, alongside Jimmy Neesham, who’s signature was secured by the Welsh outfit only last week after losing the services of Afghanistani seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi to an international call-up.
A stunning century from skipper Carlson last week against Somerset saw his side cruise to a seven wicket victory, with the opener lashing 109 from just 45 balls in a majestic individual performance.
After bouncing back from narrow losses in the first two rounds against Northants and Gloucestershire, the side coached by Richard Dawson will be hoping to pick up where they left off last week and continue their climb up the table.
Squad vs Glamorgan
