Worcestershire complete their warm-up match programme for the 2023 season with a three-day doubleheader against Warwickshire taking place at Edgbaston and Portland Road from Monday (March 27) to Wednesday.
Head Coach Alan Richardson is hoping the squads will be able to get in some valuable practice after the games versus Gloucestershire and Oxford UCCE were cancelled and the two-day match against Northamptonshire was affected by the weather.
Club Captain, Brett D’Oliveira, will lead the side on the main ground at Edgbaston, with Jake Libby skippering the Portland Road team.
New signings Adam Hose and Matthew Waite will play at Portland Road, and Richardson said the “mix and match” make-up of the two sides is to give everyone the best opportunity to spend some time in the middle with the bat or to get overs into their legs.
He said: “I spoke to Mark Robinson (Warwickshire Head Coach), and we are trying to split it so we can get an even amount of time batting and bowling.
“Tomorrow (Monday) will be split overs because Tuesday’s forecast isn’t great, and then we will see where that takes us.
“But if we come away with having three hours in the field and three hours with the bat at both venues tomorrow, then we will be really happy.”
Richardson was pleased with some of the performances with bat and ball from the limited play possible at Northampton.
He said: “It is that first hit in a match, that first bowl in a match, and you will have some ups and downs amongst it all, which is totally expected.
“Whilst everyone wants to perform well, because they want that confidence, for me, it is more about time on feet and getting used to that match tempo.
“I thought Joe (Leach) and Josh (Tongue) bowled really well, and there were some good knocks and time at the crease for some of the guys on the first day.
“Really important we get as much out of these pre-season games as we possibly can, and we want the lads to spend some time on feet and to get used to putting in some valuable contributions.”
Richardson added: “Cameron Jones, Reeve Evitts and Ben Parker will come in and be around both sides throughout, and hopefully get a bit of a bowl and get some time on their feet as well.
