Preview: Bears v Durham, Vitality Blast (2023)

The Bears can equal their best ever T20 group finish with victory over Durham tomorrow – and their hopes have been boosted by the return of Sam Hain and a debut for West Indies pacer Dominic Drakes.

briggford

2023-07-01T14:55:20.000Z

Bears can equal their best ever T20 group finish with victory over Durham – and their hopes have been boosted by the return of Sam Hain and a debut for West Indies pacer Dominic Drakes.

Last night’s dramatic win at Trent Bridge – with the Bears recovering from 7/4 to chase down the Outlaws’ 168 total – was a sixth straight Vitality Blast success and their tenth in the competition.

The Bears’ best ever North Group display came in 2010 when they won 11 of 16 matches to top the table before bowing at in the Quarter Final against Hampshire.

Sam Hain has recovered from his hamstring strain and Drakes – son of former Warwickshire player Vasbert Drakes, a former colleague of First Team Coach Mark Robinson – also features in a 14-man squad.

Robinson said he wants his players to maintain their stunning Blast momentum and to put on a Sunday best show for the Edgbaston fans, and reflected on last’s night’s incredible comeback win.

“You don’t win many matches from that position,” he said. “I don’t think I've been involved in any game where you’ve lost four wickets in the first over of the match. Davo (Al Davies) was very unlucky with his decision, then there was a brilliant catch, and two great balls.

“But we never stopped scoring and then belief creeps back in. Beth continued the momentum with Yatesy, who was outstanding, and the next minute you become favourites. But Jake (Lintott), Hassan and Henry stood up to get us over the line.

“It was an outstanding win; we showed lots of character as a squad.

Robinson spoke highly of new Blast recruit Drakes – who is available tomorrow, plus the Quarter Final and Finals day – and said the Durham game also gives Sam Hain a chance to ease back into the side.

He added: “I played with Dominic’s dad, Vasbert Drakes, at Sussex and he’s also an ex-Warwickshire player, so it’s a lovely connection to the Club and for me.

“Dominic comes in to replace Hassan, who had a send-off to remember with us last night.

“It would have been the fairytale for Hass to get us over the line himself at the end but he bowled a brilliant last over when we got a team hattrick and he got two wickets.

“We’re going to miss him as he’s shown great skills bowling and batting at the death, but he’s got his cap not just for his performances but the way he’s carried himself around the Club, with the squad and in the community.”