Match Details vs Warwickshire
Rothesay County Championship Round Seven: Worcestershire v Warwickshire
Venue: Visit Worcestershire New Road
Date: Friday 23rd May – Monday 26th May
Scheduled hours of play: 11am – 6:30pm
Worcestershire welcome rivals Warwickshire to Visit Worcestershire New Road on Friday looking to continue their climb up the Rothesay County Championship table.
With spirits high after wrapping up their first win of the season in emphatic style last week, the Pears are looking to continue their momentum and secure more crucial points as they return to action in front of an eager home crowd.
Last Time Out
Matthew Waite’s career best figures propelled Worcestershire to a rampant three-day victory over Essex in the Rothesay County Championship.
After compiling a daunting 358 in the first innings, the hosts tightened their grip on the match as they bowled their opponents out for 157 midway through day two.
The home side rallied to 134 all out at Visit Worcestershire New Road, with Ethan Brookes’ valuable 38, the standout knock, setting the visitors 336 to win the game.
The visitors were blown away as figures of 6-19 from Waite, did the bulk of the damage as the away side fell away to a 225-run defeat.
Worcestershire’s crucial victory keeps them in touch of the sides around them as the scrap in the bottom-half of Division One continues.
Inside The Camp
Brookes admits “real desire” to get one over on former employers
All-rounder Ethan Brookes confessed there is a little bit extra riding on this week’s Rothesay County Championship fixture, when his Worcestershire side look to continue their winning form when as host his former-club, Warwickshire.
Buoyed by last week’s 225-run win over Essex, Brookes is itching to get back to action at Visit Worcestershire New Road, confirming he is looking forward to re-igniting some old flames.
“You know what, I am really looking forward to it. Obviously, growing up with everyone means I know them all well, but there’s a real desire in me that I want to turn them over again!
“We were close last year, obviously, that was a draw in the end, but it’ll be good. It’ll be a properly good feeling if we can beat the bears.
At first glance, many would be mistaken for thinking it is all doom and gloom amongst the Pears’ squad, as they sit at the wrong end of the County Championship First Division after six-matches.
However, the injection of positivity into the Worcestershire camp over the last week has been palpable, with the three-day win over Essex providing the squad with some much-needed momentum, as well as crucial points in their push to climb the table.
Brookes, explained that the side’s focus of breaking the game down and doing the basics well, for longer periods, made the difference in changing their fortunes.
“Batting in partnerships, that’s what we were always working as a group to get our first batting points of the season. Firstly, it just shows how hard we worked on quite a tricky wicket.
“Like you said, little partnerships all the way down, 40/50, whatever they are, to stop cluster of wickets and really keep the scoreboard moving. That was the main focus of ours this game,
“We have taken great confidence from the game. Obviously, a lot of individual performances helped us win, obviously Waitey, with his contributions and then I think the bowlers were outstanding.
“The lads are buzzing – and rightly so.”
Having batted patiently for his 38 during the Worcestershire second innings and displayed fluid rhythm with the ball on his way to picking up match figures of 9-3-20-3, Brookes has been starting to display signs of his return to top form.
Add to this, his jaw-dropping reflex catch at third slip to remove the influential Dean Elgar during the first innings, the youngster would be forgiven for enjoying his recent performance.
The 23-year-old however, won’t settle for less and is adamant his best is yet to come.
“I’m not doing as well as you might think! I keep getting starts, and I am contributing, but I’m not getting the runs I want to.
“I’d like to do a little bit better. I’ve started it started the season quite well, but hopefully I can kick on and get a few more runs, sure.
“A big focus of ours has just been enjoyment. If you enjoy your cricket and play with a smile on your face, then obviously you know a result is not going to be far away.
“We’ve played some good cricket and in the last few games, but we’ve been close and haven’t, haven’t managed to really grab key moments in the game to put us in a good position to win.
The Visitors
Current league position: 3rd
Previous result: Lost to Hampshire by 89 runs
One to watch: Ed Barnard
Warwickshire travel to Visit Worcestershire New Road in a different vein of form, sitting third in the table after a strong start to the campaign, but will be keen to get back on track having lost their previous fixture against Hampshire.
The Edgbaston-based outfit hit the ground running at the start of the 2025 season, going unbeaten in their first six-matches.
With a formidable batting line-up, including County circuit veterans such as Rob Yates and Alex Davies, Warwickshire further bolstered their stocks when New Zealand Test Captain Tom Latham joined the club at the start of the Summer.
All-rounder Ed Barnard is this week’s one-to-watch, as he, like Brookes, looks to inspire his team to victory against his former employers.
After plying his trade at Visit Worcestershire New Road for seven years, Barnard made the journey North in 2022.
He has continued to grow his pedigree on the county circuit this campaign, taking 17 wickets at an average of 29, whilst scoring 557 runs with a top score of 177* against Surrey.
With storylines aplenty, and vital points up available for two teams at either end of the table, Friday’s fixture is set-up to be a classic.
Squad Vs Warwickshire
