Blast Preview: Bears v Steelbacks (2021)

"We have got to win our last game and win it well - that's all we can do," - that is captain Will Rhodes' assessment of the Bears crucial final Vitality Blast group match at home to Northamptonshire Steelbacks tomorrow.

The Bears' kept alive their hopes of qualification for the quarter-finals last night with a pulsating victory over Worcestershire Rapids inside a buoyant Edgbaston.

Another big atmosphere is assured tomorrow when the Bears face another must-win match. They need to beat the Steelbacks and also hope that one of Lancashire Lightning (at home to Yorkshire Phoenix this evening) or Worcestershire Rapids (away to Leicestershire Foxes tomorrow evening) slip up.

Rhodes's side will go into the match with confidence boosted by a bullish victory over arch-rivals Rapids at Edgbaston - a result which owed much to powerhouse performances from Sam Hain and Carlos Brathwaite in a scintillating century stand.

Warwickshire begin Championship defence at home

"It was a brilliant innings from Hainy," said Rhodes. "He is arguably the best white-ball player in the country at the minute and we are very lucky to have him. That innings was typical of him at his best. In so many of those situations, when the game is on the line, he just drags it back so skilfully.

"It was a great effort from Carlos too. To come back into the side and light up Edgbaston with his batting was just a stunning spectacle and then he bowled beautifully as well. We brought him in to win us games of cricket ad he certainly did that tonight and he has given us a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

"Now we have got to win our last game and win it well - that's all we can do. There is no reason why we can't, having just put in a really strong performance against the Rapids.

"We know how Northants play and we have already beaten them in the tournament this year so hopefully we can do the same again. We all remember what happened in the corresponding game last year so that is another good motivation for us tomorrow.

"A few pieces have got to fall into places for us to qualify but we will just think about what we have to do and give absolutely everything we've got for the Bears."

The Bears have named an unchanged squad. Chris Woakes, who was hoped would be available, has a knee injury so has been withdrawn as a precaution.

The Bears and Steelbacks have faced each other more than any other side in the Blast over the years and fought out some fantastic tussles along the way as the series scores suggests. They have met 36 times, with the Bears winning 18 and the Steelbacks 17 with one game tied.

Squad

Will Rhodes (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Danny Briggs, Michael Burgess (WK), Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Matt Lamb, Jake Lintott, Kyle Mayers, Craig Miles, Ed Pollock, Ryan Sidebottom, Rob Yates.

How to follow

Tickets for the fixture have sold out.

Bears Members and supporters can also follow the Club from home via the Match Centre on edgbaston.com and through the Edgbaston app (available for free on iOS and Android).