Worcestershire Seconds will be looking to repeat their encouraging form in the Second Eleven Championship when they launch their ECB T20 group campaign tomorrow (Monday) against Somerset at Taunton Vale (1pm).
Coach Kadeer Ali has been pleased with the performances in contrasting circumstances during the opening three SEC games against Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and Glamorgan, plus a three-day match with Leeds-Bradford UCCE
Now they face a hectic period in the T20 competition with 10 group games during the next two and a half weeks, including Tuesday’s match with Glamorgan at New Road (11.30am).
He said: “It has been outstanding the way things have gone so far, and the lads have been confronted with different situations.
“Against Leeds-Bradford, we had to chase a big score in two sessions and did it. Against Northants, we had to try and bowl them out and defend a score and almost did it with the game going to the last ball.
“Against Glamorgan, we’ve had to save the game, which we did very well, so we’ve had three different experiences, which is a great experience for the lads.
“We now switch to the T20, and the good thing is a lot of the lads have been playing white-ball cricket in the leagues, so hopefully, they will be ready to go for the T20 stuff.”
Jacques Banton has recovered from the illness which forced him to miss the game at Newport.
James Rudge, a seamer who plays for Halesowen and Herefordshire, is included as a triallist.
Worcestershire Pathway Player Jack Warner, another seamer, has also been named in the side. He plays league cricket for Barnt Green.
WORCESTERSHIRE SECONDS
Gareth Roderick *+
Tom Fell
Oli Cox
Kashif Ali
Jacques Banton
Taylor Cornall
Henry Cullen
Roshan Balaji
Josh Dickenson
James Rudge
Jack Warner
WORCESTERSHIRE ECB T20 GROUP FIXTURES
MAY
16 Somerset – Taunton Vale
17 Glamorgan – New Road
19 Warwickshire – Barnt Green
20 Glamorgan – Sudbrook
24 Somerset – New Road
30 Warwickshire – Portland Road
31 Gloucestershire – Cheltenham College
JUNE
2 Northamptonshire – Northampton
