Preview: Rapids v Bears, Vitality Blast

Preview: Vikings vs Bears, Vitality Blast

Bears head to local rivals Worcestershire Rapids in scintillating form following a 90-run win over Northants Steelbacks – and know a win will see them top the Vitality Blast North Group.

briggford

2024-06-21T08:26:04.000Z

Bears head to local rivals Worcestershire Rapids in scintillating form following a 90-run win over Northants Steelbacks – and know a win will see them top the Vitality Blast North Group.

Jacob Bethell stole the show by smashing the fastest half century ever by a Bear in the Blast – 56 from just 16 balls – which included four sixes in the final over.

Bears powered past 200 for the first time this season and First Team Coach Mark Robinson hopes Bethell and the rest of his side take that form into the derby.

“We’re seeing a player coming of age,” said Robinson of the 20-year-old. “We’ve a special talent on our hands who’s looking increasingly at home in the team.

“You have to be patient with young players. We know he strikes the ball well, he looked great range hitting in the days leading up to the Northants game, and he’s put that into practice in a match situation which is where it really matters.

“The side as a whole is growing, getting better, and it was helpful to have a low maintenance, stress-free win against Northants knowing we had another game less than 24 hours later.

“Glees (Richard Gleeson) came off so we’ll have to see how he is, that was the only down point of the night.

“We won’t get too far ahead of ourselves, though, we’re just a team that’s working really hard and being as honest and consistent as we can.

“It’ll be a packed New Road, lots of Bears fans will make the short journey, and it’ll have an edge to it as derby games always do. We’re the ‘bigger’ side so they will want to bring us down.

“There’s a deep-rooted rivalry between the sides but a lot of closeness as well with players who’ve played for both clubs and connections in backroom staff.

“It’ll be a special occasion and hopefully we can keep this run going and come out on top.”

Worcestershire Rapids have struggled so far this season with just two wins from seven and come into the game on the back of four straight defeats, the latest an 11-run loss at home to the Steelbacks.

Ethan Brookes, who moved from Edgbaston to New Road at the end of last season, has settled well in the host’s T20 side and top scored last time out with 42.

Another ex-Bear Adam Hose is also likely to line-up against his old club: he’s played in Rapids’ last two Blast games (0 and 43) having missed the previous two.

Hassan Ali is nursing an elbow injury and misses the trip to New Road otherwise it’s the same squad that faced the Steelbacks.

Squad

Alex Davies (C & WK)Ed BarnardChris BenjaminJacob BethellMichael BoothDanny BriggsMichael BurgessGeorge GartonRichard GleesonSam HainJake LintottCraig MilesDan MousleyTheo WylieRob Yates

Head-to-Head

This will be the 39th meeting in this competition with the Bears having won 20 and Worcester 15. Bears have had the bragging rights in recent seasons having won four of the last five.

How to follow

Members and supporters can follow the match live in our Match Centre at edgbaston.com, which will include a free to watch Live Stream and a live text commentary. You can also see a ball-by-ball feed and watch highlights of all the action.

Supporters can get involved by sending their match day comments and thoughts on Twitter via @WarwickshireCCC and we’ll publish the best ones on our live text commentary in the Match Centre.

Supporters can also watch the Live Stream and get instant push notifications of all wickets, innings and match results via the Edgbaston app, which is free to download on iOS and Android.

Match updates will also be available across the Club’s social media accounts, simply search for @WarwickshireCCC.