Preview: Durham v Bears, Vitality Blast (2023)

It's a pivotal week in the Vitality Blast for the top of the table Bears, as Mark Robinson's side prepare for three testing fixtures in just four days.

matc

2023-06-19T14:55:00.000Z

It's a pivotal week in the Vitality Blast for the top-of-the-table Bears, as Mark Robinson's side prepare for three testing fixtures in just four days.

Departing for Durham on Monday morning ahead of Tuesday's clash, the squad will then journey south to play Yorkshire Vikings on Thursday at Clean Slate Headingley, before hosting local rivals Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston on Friday.

Arranged amid two red ball fixtures - Warwickshire face Essex in the LV= Insurance County Championship on Sunday - there is little let up in a decisive week.

With six points on the line, there's an opportunity to not only take control of the North Group but guarantee that all-important home quarter-final.

"We’re not quite sure how many wins we need to secure a home quarter-final, but we’ll just look to do the same things and keep our momentum up," said stand-in captain Alex Davies. "It’s a tough schedule this week and the lads are looking after themselves by managing their training time and recovery.

"Everyone tends to beat each other in the North Group and we’re looking alright at the moment, but it’s a big four days in front of us. Hopefully, we’ll have secured something by the end of the week with only two games after that."

Bears will prepare to face seventh-placed Durham with Chris Woakes back in the fold. The all-rounder has been released from the England cam and will bolster Robinson's attacking options during these trio of fixtures.

Sam Hain and Craig Miles, who both missed the win at New Road, have been ruled out with hamstring injuries.

"We’re loving it that he’s not here as he’s super annoying," joked Davies. It’s gutting for him because he was playing so well and became Mr Reliable for us.

"It does however create opportunities for others to step up and Chris Benjamin played a mature innings against Worcester before Mousley and Bethell finished it off. When you can call on an 19-year-old who gets 32 off 13 that's pretty special.

"We’ve had quite a varied team all year. We made three changes in the last game so that shows what a squad we’ve got - especially as people are fitting in seamlessly."

Squad

Alex Davies (C)Hassan AliEd BarnardChris BenjaminJacob BethellDanny BriggsEthan BrookesHenry BrookesJake LintottDan MousleyGlenn MaxwellWill RhodesChris WoakesRob Yates

How to follow

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