Match Details VS Lancashire
Rothesay County Championship Division Two: Lancashire v Worcestershire
Venue: Trafalgar Square, Southport
Date: Friday 15th May
Scheduled start time: 11am
Match preview sponsored by MSN Pharmacy Group.
Worcestershire are looking to bounce back to winning ways this weekend, as a Pears outfit currently sat mid-table in Division Two of the Rothesay County Championship travel to face Lancashire, searching for a reaction having been overturned two weeks in succession.
Alan Richardson has been plagued by injury and unavailability at the start of 2026, but with two key faces returning to fitness, Worcestershire fans will be hoping that Southport is the venue where their side can claim a third victory of the red ball summer.
The Latest
As reported, off-spinner George Drissell has joined up with the side on a one-match loan to provide cover for Fateh Singh, with the Pears’ frontline spinner unavailable having sustained an injury during the 2nd XI’s win earlier in the week.
Ethan Brookes is another man currently on the treatment table, with the 24-year-old on the sidelines nursing a shoulder injury that keeps him out of the trip to Southport this weekend.
Jack Home will this week feature for the 2nd XI in the lead-up to the Vitality Blast T20 campaign.
Ben Allison and Ben Gibbon are both continuing their return to full match readiness, but whilst the seam duo undergo their respective rehabilitation process, Harry Darley looks set to be handed the reins for Alan Richardson’s side this weekend.
In some positive news for supporters of the Pears, both Beyers Swanepoel and Adam Finch are fit enough to be named in the matchday squad in a timely boost for the travellers.
Inside The Camp
Worcestershire Captain Brett D’Oliveira says his side is eager to get back on track this weekend after a turbulent third day against Durham saw his Pears outfit taste defeat for the second time in as many weeks.
A positive start to 2026 saw the Pears go unbeaten in their first three matches of the Division Two season, before a bump in the road culminated in a hurried third-day defeat to Ben Stokes’ Durham on Sunday.
Having ascertained a lead in the match, the home side looked well set to take the game into a competitive position at the halfway stage, but a disappointing second innings with the bat allowed the visitors to strengthen their grip on proceedings at New Road.
Keen to acknowledge where his side went wrong, D’Oliveira says the batters amongst the group are out to make a positive statement this weekend.
“The frustrating thing from inside the dressing room is that we were right in the contest against Durham for the majority of the match.
“We fought really hard to keep ourselves in the match, and a couple of bits of brilliance helped us stay in it, but the game can change so quickly if you don’t quite apply yourself and stay in the moment.
“Against the best sides, you will get punished.
“As a batting group, we had a look this week, and we know that wasn’t an honest reflection of where we have been and what we can do. The most important thing for us is not to let that bog us down or cloud our thinking ahead of Friday.
“We have had a lot of really positive periods with the bat this season, so we won’t let last week define us.”
With injuries and unavailability making squad selection a headache for Alan Richardson, the Head Coach could have done without losing his first-choice spinner earlier this week.
Forced into the loan market for the second time this summer, Worcestershire have recruited the services of Durham bowler George Drissell for this week’s fixture at Southport.
With confirmation that all-rounder Ethan Brookes is also set to miss out in the round six clash with an ongoing shoulder issue, more changes are afoot for Alan Richardson.
For the Pears’ skipper, the opportunity for the squad to show its depth and take its opportunities is an exciting one.
“Obviously, there are a couple of changes to contend with, but that is part of the game when you get into the thick of the season.
“We have a squad capable of rotating and changing as and when it is required, and I know all the boys are more than ready to go when called upon.
“The competition for places is always there; it is a chance for the lads who do get their opportunity to grab it with both hands.
“We value being resilient as a group, so we are keen to get back to it this week and enjoy the opportunity to face a strong Lancashire side.”
The Opposition
Captain: Sir James Anderson
Table position: 4th
One to watch: Sir James Anderson
Having started 2026 as hot favourites for promotion from Division Two, the Red Rose find themselves with a mixed record five games into the campaign, but still firmly in the early season hunt amongst a congested top-half of the table.
A six-wicket defeat at the hands of Middlesex last time out stunted the side’s progress, although new signing Chris Green did make his first appearance of the season having re-joined the County only a few weeks ago.
All eyes will be on the former England great with 1,170 first-class wickets to his name, with the Lancashire linchpin enjoying a stellar start to 2026.
The 43-year-old has claimed an astonishing 27 wickets at 16.41 so far this summer, getting through more than 150 overs in the opening five rounds and showing no signs of slowing as Worcestershire make their way to Southport all too aware of the threat possessed by the seam bowler arguably in some of his finest form.
Squad vs Lancashire
