Blast Preview: Vikings v Bears

Captain Will Rhodes says the Bears will launch their Vitality Blast campaign at Yorkshire Vikings tomorrow fired by a "great feeling" in the dressing room after their excellent start to the season.

The Bears face the Vikings at Headingley tomorrow (6.30pm), then Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Friday as attention switches to the white ball.

It is a tough opening for Rhodes's team, but they will go in full of confidence after a strong start to the red-ball season, winning four games and most recently demolishing Derbyshire in two and a half days at Derby.

Very different disciplines are demanded by the shorter game, but Rhodes is adamant that the buzz from winning matches always transcends the formats.

"We will 100 per cent take momentum from our form in the championship into the T20," he said. "It doesn't matter what the format, whether it's red or white ball, when you are winning games of cricket, it is always going to build momentum for you.

"We have won four championship games and that's a hard thing to do and you don't do it unless a lot of players chip in. Whether big or small, every contribution matters.

"Everyone is playing their part and we'll be looking for more of that in the T20. Yorks and Notts on their own patches is a tough start but if we can get a win or two from those games it will set us up nicely. They are good sides, but every side we play will be. These days, the way teams play in T20, every team has their potential match-winners and is dangerous."

The Bears have added to their list of match-winners with the signing of West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite, one of the most destructive batters in the world. Brathwaite will make his debut tomorrow while, Danny Briggs makes his T20 bow for the Bears, having bowled beautifully in the championship this season for 20 wickets at 22.15 apiece.

Their skills and experience form a huge addition to the squad, believes Rhodes.

"Last year we showed a little bit of naivety in the T20," he said. "Looking back, we really should have qualified from the position we were in the second week of the tournament.

"But the guys will have learned from that, and to have added Carlos and Briggsy to the squad gives us that extra experience and knowhow. We are looking to play some good cricket, have some fun, give the fans some great entertainment and push hard for a place in the quarter-finals."

Squad

Will Rhodes (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Ethan Brookes, Michael Burgess, Sam Hain, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Adam Hose, Jake Lintott, Craig Miles, Dan Mousley, Ed Pollock

How to follow

Warwickshire Members and supporters will be able to follow all the action via the Match Centre on edgbaston.com and through the Edgbaston app (available for free on iOS and Android).