Kadeer Ali says competition for places and the determination of players to seize the opportunity when given a chance is creating a “nice headache” for the Worcestershire coaches as they prepare for Sunday’s Metro Bank One Day Cup derby with Warwickshire at New Road.
The Rapids made five changes for the home One Day Cup encounter with Gloucestershire and produced another excellent all-round display to clinch a third win in four games in the 50-over tournament.
Gareth Roderick grabbed his chance after missing the first three games through illness after replacing the injured Brett D’Oliveira and hit a List A best 137.
TICKETS FOR THIS FIXTURE HAVE SOLD OUT
Newcomer Logan van Beek also picked up four wickets and smashed 41 not out from 19 balls.
Assistant Head Coach Kadeer said: “A lot of players are itching to play, and there is a bit of competition for places.
“We have got a few (injury) niggles here and there at the moment, but it is giving people an opportunity to play and Rodders (Gareth Roderick) showed that.
“Having missed out initially with a virus, he has come back in now and shown how good a player he is, and that’s exactly what we want.
“We want guys to come in and put their hand up and perform and put pressure on guys who are missing out, so it gives us a nice headache, and it’s a great place to be.
“Whoever is coming in at the moment is putting their hand up.”
The Rapids have won 11 and tied one of their 18 matches in white ball cricket this summer across the Vitality Blast and One-Day Cup in a massive step forward from last summer.
Kadeer said: “What is the difference in white ball cricket? I think the lads are playing with confidence and from a coaching point of view, we are giving them that freedom to go out and put pressure on the opposition.
“The guys are looking to be positive, put the bad ball away, run hard, and it seems to be paying off.
“We know we’ve got players who can perform, and giving them the freedom to go out there and play with intent, that is how the white ball game is going.”
Kadeer is relishing the fixture against Warwickshire, who are also in good form and have won their opening three One Day Cup games.
He said: “The Warwickshire games are really special, and we will hopefully have another good crowd on Sunday and it’s been great to have such big attendances for the first two home matches.
“They’ve started off well in the competition as well, and they are a really good side, and we always have good games against them. Really looking forward to it.”
The Rapids have named a 15-strong squad which includes Azhar Ali, who missed the Gloucestershire game with an injury niggle.
Joe Leach and Dillon Pennington are also in contention to return after being rested against Gloucestershire.
WORCESTERSHIRE RAPIDS
Jake Libby *
Azhar Ali
Rob Jones
Kashif Ali
Gareth Roderick
Ed Pollock
Ben Cox +
Matthew Waite
Logan van Beek
Joe Leach
Josh Baker
Pat Brown
Dillon Pennington
Ben Gibbon
Harry Darley
