Monday, September 19th, 2016

Rhodes Wants Winning Finale But Says Worcs Can Take Nothing For Granted

Rhodes Wants Winning Finale But Says Worcs Can Take Nothing For Granted

Steve Rhodes is targeting a winning finale to the 2016 campaign but says Worcestershire can take nothing for granted in the home Specsavers County Championship match with Derbyshire beginning tomorrow.

Worcestershire still have an outside chance of claiming runners-up spot in Division Two while Derbyshire are occupying ninth position.

But the Peakites had the better of the drawn game at the 3aaa County Ground and defeated Worcestershire in the Royal London One-Day Cup at New Road.

Director Of Cricket Rhodes said: "We are playing for pride and to finish as high as we can in the Championship.

"There is still so much to play for and this is a county match where we need to try and finish with a win.

"We did it last year against Middlesex and it is a wonderful way to end the season.

"We want to back up the really exciting win at Hove last week and it would be great to beat Derby.

"But we musn't take Derby for granted. They have been a problem side to us this year and we have struggled to get the better of them. They can be a dangerous team.

"The Championship match up there, we had to really fight for the draw. They put us to the sword there but it was testament to some of the fighting qualities we showed and we managed to avoid defeat and had a battle-hardened draw.

"They've got some good players and Wayne Madsen is a terrific batter, an experienced player, difficult to stop him scoring runs.

"We know what to expect. It's the end of the season and we've done research into a lot of their stuff. We need to concentrate on our game and if we get our game right we will be alright

"We musn't take them for granted. We must respect that and fight hard in the game to get a winning position and then ram it home."

Rhodes has kept with the 11 players on duty against Sussex plus all-rounder Alex Hepburn.

West Indies paceman Miguel Cummins will make his home debut after taking 12 wickets at Hove.

Worcestershire (from):

Mitchell

D'Oliveira

Fell

Clarke

Rhodes

Kohler-Cadmore

Cox

Leach

Barnard

Cummins

Morris

Hepburn

Greg Cork is in contention to make his first-class debut for Derbyshire at New Road.

The 20-year old paceman, who claimed eight wickets in the Second XI’s Friendlty versus Leicestershire last week, has been included in John Sadler’s 12-man squad.

Tom Wood, who made his first-class debut against Leicestershire at The 3aaa County Ground last week, retains his position in the squad, while batsman Neil Broom is unavailable due to the birth of his third child. 

Derbyshire from:

Billy Godleman

Ben Slater

Alex Hughes

Wayne Madsen

Tom Wood

Harvey Hosein

Greg Cork

Tom Milnes

Rob Hemmings

Tony Palladino

Will Davis

Ben Cotton