Match Details VS Gloucestershire
Vitality Blast T20 Central and West Group: Worcestershire Rapids v Gloucestershire
Venue: New Road, Worcestershire
Date: Friday 1oth July
Scheduled start time: 5:30pm
Match preview sponsored by MSN Pharmacy Group.
The race for quarter-final qualification continues to heat up with another thrilling Vitality T20 Blast match on Friday evening, as the Rapids entertain Gloucestershire.
In a mouthwatering tie that sees second play third in the group, a win for Worcestershire would all but seal a spot in the last eight of the competition.
The Latest
Alan Richardson has had his squad depth tested throughout the 2026 Vitality T20 Blast, and has been forced into at least one change on Friday night with skipper Adam Hose ruled out through injury.
Beyers Swanepoel helped himself to three wickets last time out against Glamorgan on his T20 debut for the Rapids, and will be eager to make his white-ball bow at New Road against Gloucestershire tomorrow.
Elsewhere, Dan Lategan showed superb professionalism to take three excellent and important catches when called upon as a sub fielder last weekend, continuing his push for selection in the final XI.
Matthew Waite, who temporarily left the field on Sunday, has been declared full fit to play in a major boost for the Rapids.
Inside The Camp
Waite full of “excitement” ahead of crunch clash with Gloucestershire
Worcestershire’s in-form all-rounder Matthew Waite is embracing the challenge presented by Friday’s pivotal Vitality T20 Blast group game against rivals Gloucestershire, with both teams racing for knockout qualification.
Just two games remain for the Rapids, but tomorrow evening’s date with the Bristol-based outfit is the most important to date in the sprint finish for knockout cricket.
Three wins in a row and just one loss at home in the entirety of the tournament to date bodes well for Worcestershire, but the hosts have not had it easy over the past few weeks, with injury and unavailability disrupting the side frequently.
Unfazed, Alan Richardson’s side have stuck to their task with superb discipline, racking up wins over Glamorgan, Kent and Somerset in the last two weeks.
Waite expressed his anticipation for Friday’s clash and explained that the group are aware of the permutations at their respective tables.
“I think excitement is the main thing.
“Obviously, the group is very exciting. I think there are quite a lot of teams in the mix.
“It feels like our group is really tough and competitive, but the mood upstairs is just excited.
“We’ve got two massive games in three days, so let’s see what we can do.
“There’s been a lot of chat around the group about how it’s looking, and obviously Somerset, they’ve done really well recently and come back into it.”
“So yeah, I think all the lads are aware of what’s going on. But then it’s just focusing on tomorrow first and trying to get that job done.
With Adam Hose and Ethan Brookes unavailable through injury, and overseas star Sikandar Raza back with his national side, the onus will fall on Waite with both bat and ball in a more pronounced role once again.
Enjoying a stellar tournament to date, Waite has featured at both ends of the innings with the ball, taking 13 wickets in the Blast at an average of 20.6.
Although a regular in the side, the feeling of playing at a packed-out New Road is yet to wear off for the 30-year-old, with the Rapids star urging fans to sell out the ground for one more time in the competition.
“To be honest, I felt like I’ve not played that much T20 cricket for Worcestershire. It has been a bit here and there, but this year it seems like I’ve had a really clear role and just tried to embrace it as much as I can, really.
“I think bowling at the end has helped a little bit, just burgling a couple of wickets at the end! So hopefully the same again tomorrow.
“When you come down the stairs and you see the D’Oliveira stand full and everywhere else, it’s just a good atmosphere and it makes a game more enjoyable when you’re playing.
“It’s a Friday night, the sun’s out. It’s effectively a T20 knockout game, so come on down!”
The Opposition
Captain: Jack Taylor
Table position: 2nd
Last result: Lost to Warwickshire Bears by 30 runs
One to watch: Dawid Malan
The 2024 champions have bounced back well from an underwhelming campaign last year and are firmly in the race for knockout cricket this time around.
A 30-run defeat to the Bears last weekend threatened to halt their progress, but an impressive tournament to date sees them one place ahead of the Rapids in second, only by net run-rate.
One major boost to Friday’s visitors has been the arrival and instant impact of former England powerhouse Dawid Malan.
Averaging a staggering 74.5, the top-order talisman has scored 149 runs in his three innings so far in the Blast, with a top-score of 91* against table toppers Northants Steelbacks serving Worcestershire plenty of warning as to his capabilities.
Squad vs Gloucestershire
