Worcestershire Rapids will celebrate 60 years of One-Day Cup action this summer with a new captain and an appetising group of home fixtures for members and supporters to enjoy.
It was in 1963 that Worcestershire contested the first-ever final – then known as the Gillette Cup – against Sussex at Lord’s.
The two teams will meet again this year in the competition in one of four attractive-looking fixtures to be staged at New Road.
Sussex will be the visitors on August 20, but before that, the Rapids will be at home to Glamorgan (August 4) and local rivals Gloucestershire (August 10) and Warwickshire (August 13).
It is four appetising matches, and advance adult tickets cost just £10 per game, while juniors can attend for just £1.
Jake Libby is the new official Rapids captain for the 50-over tournament, although he is no newcomer to leading the side in this format.
The prolific opener was captain for seven games in the 2022 One Day Cup after Brett D’Oliveira was selected for The Hundred following the opening match versus Kent.
Libby has also led Worcestershire in three County Championship matches at New Road against Essex (2021) and Derbyshire (2022 and 2023).
He said: “I really enjoyed leading the side in the One Day Cup last summer, and this year will be an excellent opportunity for me to keep learning and adding to my captaincy experience.
“We lost a few players late on to The Hundred and had a few injuries, but it was a great challenge, and it will be a privilege and something I’m excited about to be captain on an official basis for the eight group games and more if we progress.
“Although I’ve captained through my Uni years and then quite a bit for Nottinghamshire Seconds, you can only benefit from doing as much as possible at first-team level.
“it’s always nice to face teams we haven’t played in this format for a while, and to have two derbies against Gloucestershire and Warwickshire will add some spice for players and supporters.
“Although in recent years, the competition has provided opportunities for some of the younger players, like Henry Cullen last summer and Josh Baker the year before, it is like every competition we enter something we want to do well in.”
