Match Details VS Leicestershire Foxes Women
Vitality Blast T20 Women’s League 2: Leicestershire Foxes Women v Worcestershire Women’s Rapids
Venue: Uptonsteel Grace Road, Leicester
Date: Friday 22nd May
Scheduled start time: 2:30pm
Match preview sponsored by MSN Pharmacy Group.
Worcestershire Women’s Rapids kickstart their Vitality Blast T20 campaign as part of a blockbuster double-header this Friday, returning to the venue where they have some fond recent memories.
After a group stage exit last summer, a revamped Rapids side will be searching for a winning formula that can take them deep into the competition and showcase their skills on the biggest stage of them all.
The Latest
Ed Wilson’s side are gearing up for their first taste of Vitality Blast T20 action having edged past the Foxes in thrilling fashion last weekend, during the second round of the T20 County Cup, winning via an unprecedented bowl off.
Clare Boycott continues as skipper for the second year running, but the experienced Rapid will be looking to all areas of her squad to sustain the charge deep into the tournament.
The onus will undoubtedly be on international star Sanya Khurana, who has been enjoying a fine early season run of form in her new colours, whilst fellow senior figures Jess Beach and Gwen Davies will be sharpening their tools with the ball and bat respectively.
An exciting crop of emerging stars will be at the forefront once again, with last year’s Young Player of the Year Caitlin Baker-Smith in line to play another key role for the Rapids.
Inside The Camp
Boycott “up for the challenge” as Rapids look to make their mark in the Blast
The excitement continues to build amongst Worcestershire Women’s Rapids this week, with skipper Clare Boycott keen for her side to put their renewed approach into practice.
After the disappointment of 2025, when the Rapids finished in the bottom half of the Women’s League Two North group, Boycott and her squad spent precious time over the winter redefining their short-format approach.
Despite having already played two County Cup T20 fixtures this summer, making their way through to the third round of the knockout tournament in the process, Friday’s clash against the Foxes will be the first time the Rapids have appeared in Blast action this season.
Echoing the words of Head Coach Ed Wilson earlier in the week, Boycott says the squad is dialed in on becoming more aggressive and confident with the bat in hand.
“I’m excited for a change in format. T20 Cricket is always an exciting time; you never know what to expect, and the match can ebb and flow quite quickly.
“We’re up for the challenge after what was a tough year in the competition last season.
“Our ambitions for this year’s blast are to be more consistent and back ourselves more with the bat.
“We’ve spoken in the winter about being fearless and striking at a quicker rate so we hope to put that into practice in the Blast, starting with a bang on Friday night.”
It will be a third clash of the season for Worcestershire against Leicestershire, with the most recent meeting between the sides ending in chaotic circumstances, as the second round T20 County Cup fixture was decided via a bowl-off.
Coming out on top in the dramatic shootout on Sunday meant the Rapids remained unbeaten against Friday’s opponents so far in 2026, but improvements will have to be made if Worcestershire are to make it three wins from three against the Foxes on Friday.
Boycott says the Rapids will not take anything for granted in Friday’s opener, despite having met their opposition twice already this year, and that the batters within the squad are keen to make their mark after struggling to get going in last year’s competition.
“Another game against Leicestershire means we should be well prepared, having played them already in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and the T20 County cup (hopefully not another bowl off as the nerves can’t cope with that again!), but we’re ready to take the Foxes on again.
“Hopefully, we can showcase our talent more on Friday after a frustrating batting innings on Sunday in the County Cup.
“A couple of the girls have that potential to get us going, Sanya, of course, and Bryony, who has spent time with England 19s and is a naturally quick scorer.
“Caitlin, of course, had a great start last year in the Blast, and her batting has really improved over winter, so she’ll be a key player this year.
“But the whole group is excited for the Blast, we want to make our mark this year, and starting at Leicestershire in the right way on Friday would be fantastic.”
The Opposition
Leicestershire Foxes Women:
It has been a season of mixed fortunes for the Women’s Foxes, who have experienced a similar start to the year as Friday’s opponents.
The Foxes will be out for revenge, having been in pole position to win the County Cup clash against Worcestershire last Sunday, before the dramatic bowl off saw the hosts suffer their first T20 loss of the campaign.
Emma Thatcher has shown her class so far this summer, and Ed Wilson will be all to aware of her threat, having been on the receiving end of a deadly four over spell where she took 3-10 at Uptonsteel Grace Road last weekend.
Ellen Watson is another key figure for the Foxes and a linchpin in the middle order who is enjoying a fruitful season in limited overs cricket, averaging 61 in List A cricket with a top score of 60, but will be keen to transfer her skills into the Vitality Blast T20 competition.
Squad vs Leicestershire Foxes
