Mousley: I’ll be a fan as much as a player on Quarter Final night

Mousley: England nod extra special alongside pal and teammate Bethell

The Birmingham boy – rated the Vitality Blast’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) this season – was a regular at Edgbaston growing up and recalls being bitten by the Blast bug.

As a player he’s looked on in envy as rival sides have made up the final four at his home ground in recent years.

But he reckons with a raucous backing of Bears fans, this is the year his Club can get back to Blast Finals day for the first time since 2017.

“The Blast means a hell of a lot to me,” said Mousley. “I’m a local boy, from Birmingham, and I’ve been to watch the Bears loads of times at Edgbaston.

“My Old Man comes to every game as well but he likes it a bit quieter so will go to a different stand!

“Nights are the best for me at Edgbaston so it’s great our Quarter Final against Gloucestershire is set for a Friday night (6 Sept, 7pm). With the backing of a loud home support, I believe this is our year.”

Mousley: I’ll be a fan as much as a player on Quarter Final night

Mousley – who hit 375 runs (ave 34.09) and claimed 13 wickets in the North Group – was following the Bears Blast win of 2014 as a 13-year-old on holiday in America.

“You look back at Finals Day, the emotion and the passion, and you want some of that for yourself,” he added. “You want to be part of it both as a player and a fan.

“Hopefully this will be our year. We’re high on confidence. That’s what we’re all striving for in the dressing room, and the one thing I really want to do in my career.

“Our Quarter Final won’t be easy though. Gloucestershire are coming into it strong having won their last two games so we’ll have to be at our best.

“I’ll be looking out for my mates in the Hollies on Quarter Final night but hopefully it’ll be hard to pick them out because the place will be packed. Their support is massive and hopefully they can create a great atmosphere to get us over the line.”