Alan Richardson says the Worcestershire Rapids players will be up for the challenge of facing Vitality Blast North Group leaders Birmingham bears in front of a packed house at Edgbaston on Friday evening.
The Rapids will be looking to regain the Norman Gifford Trophy after losing the first meeting of the 2024 campaign with the Bears at Visit Worcestershire New Road last month.
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Head Coach Richardson says it will be “a real good opportunity to just remind them (Birmingham) who we are and what we are about.”
He said: “I know the lads will be looking forward to it. You know derby day, whether it be at Edgbaston or New Road, has a really good atmosphere, a special atmosphere.
“We know it means a lot to the members and with every game it is an opportunity to do something special.
“It’s an opportunity for the boys to put in a match winning performance for the team.
“It’s an opportunity for the team to work really hard to get a result. It will be no different when they go to Edgbaston on Friday.”
The Blast derby traditionally attracts one of, if not, the biggest domestic crowd of each season at New Road and Edgbaston.
Richardson said: “It will be a good experience for the younger lads, indeed for any of the players.
“We don’t always play in front of big crowds so whoever the players are, they don’t have many opportunities to do that unless you are a regular international player.
“It is a great opportunity for those boys. I’ve no doubt they will all be looking forward to it.”
Richardson added: “Birmingham have obviously played some really good T20 cricket in the last couple of years and have topped the group stage for the last couple of years.
“It looks the way things are going as though they are going to be very close to doing that again.
“It will be a real good opportunity to just remind them who we are and what we are about.”
Play is scheduled to get underway in the derby at 6.30pm.
Worcestershire Rapids
2 Jake Libby
3 Josh Cobb
6 Matthew Waite
7 Ed Pollock
9 Gareth Roderick (w)
12 Tom Taylor
13 Henry Cullen
14 Olly Cox
15 Brett D’Oliveira (c)
20 Nathan Smith
27 Kashif Ali
41 Harry Darley
54 Adam Hose
77 Ethan Brookes
86 Hayden Walsh
88 Rob Jones
