Worcestershire turned their attention to the Vitality Blast and were able to get in valuable match practice ahead of this summer’s competition in two Second Eleven T20 matches against Northamptonshire at Kidderminster.
It was a dress rehearsal for the Rapids opening Blast fixture against the Steelbacks at the County Ground, Northampton on Wednesday evening.
Pakistan leg spinner Usama Mir made his first appearance for Worcestershire in Game Two after being signed as Mitchell Santner’s replacement for the opening three matches of the Blast.
Northamptonshire were put into bat in Game One and scored 232-3, with Chris Lynn top-scoring with 93 off 52 balls.
Adam Finch, Ben Gibbon and Kashif Ali each picked up one wicket for Worcestershire.
Worcestershire replied with 194-8 with Kashif, batting at number three, striking 38 off just 19 deliveries.
Taylor Cornall dominated the rest of the innings in making 89 from 50 balls with four sixes and eight fours.
He came in at 48-3 and was eighth out at 184 in the final over.
In Game Two, Worcestershire were put into bat, and Ben Cox opening the innings and struck 41 off 26 balls with three sixes and four fours.
Adam Hose, the third-highest scorer in last summer’s Blast, also showed his power in making 36 off 19 balls with one six and five other boundaries as Worcestershire were dismissed for 130 in 16.1 overs.
Northamptonshire replied with 132-2 from 9.5 overs, Emilio Gay hitting 61 from 29 balls.
Mitchell Stanley and Matthew Waite were the two wicket-takers, and Usama Mir bowled 2.5 overs for 24 runs.
*The Seconds will also be in T20 action on Wednesday and Thursday at Barnt Green.
They will take on local rivals Warwickshire on Wednesday (11.30am) and entertain Somerset on the Thursday (11am).
