Worcestershire Rapids Match Preview - 18/7/21

The Running Foxes head into their final 2021 Vitality Blast fixture of the campaign under the roaring sunshine at the Uptonsteel County Ground, as they look to bring their campaign to a close in a positive manner.

County will be looking for their second of two back-to-back victories “ after beating Notts Outlaws by two wickets on Friday, July 16 “ and bring their Blast competition to a close.

Worcestershire Rapids on the other hand, are looking to confirm themselves a quarter final spot in securing a top four place in the North Group.

Watch the Running Foxes Live Through Our Online Streaming Service

Every ball of the Leicestershire Foxes’ home 2021 Vitality Blast campaign will be available to watch via our live streaming service, free of charge.

This season, the Club has worked tirelessly to enhance its live streaming service for all Running Foxes Members and fans that want to tune in and follow Leicestershire throughout the 2021 season.

This year’s live streaming service will include up to six cameras, BBC commentary, graphic overlays and will be available to watch on PC, mobile, tablet, games consoles and TVs via the Club’s social media channels.

Last Time We Met

The two teams met on Sunday, June 27 at New Road, Worcester, with our hosts recording a seven-wicket victory.

In a disappointing batting effort, the Running Foxes mustered 156-7 from their 20 overs with Lewis Hill’s 59 from 33 balls the obvious highlight - our number six came in at 47-4 and produced a superb innings to haul us up to a below par total, but one we had a chance of defending. Louis Kimber (23, 17b) also hit several sixes late on to help us post that score.

In response, our hopes of defending our 156 were dashed by the opening duo for Worcestershire, Riki Wessels (46, 34b) and Brett D’Oliveira (69, 53b). We took a few late wickets but having put on an unbeaten century opening partnership by that stage, the match was largely a foregone conclusion. Callum Parkinson (1-20 from four overs) and Naveen-ul-Haq (1-28 from four overs) impressed for the Running Foxes with the ball.

This final match of the Vitality Blast season represents an excellent chance for us to get revenge on Worcestershire and show them our true qualities with both bat and ball.

Head to Head

Naveen-ul-Haq v Ben Dwarshuis

With 3-33 from his four overs against Notts Outlaws, Naveen stretched his lead at the top of the wicket-taking charts in this year’s Vitality Blast to six wickets. The Afghanistan international, who has been superb for the Running Foxes in his debut season as an overseas player, is now on 24 wickets from 13 matches, showing why he was recruited to bolster our pace bowling stocks. There are five bowlers in the next group of players on 18 wickets, including two from the North Group in Jake Ball and Carlos Brathwaite.

Opposing overseas pace bowler Ben Dwarshuis has had a solid season for the Rapids, taking 15 wickets at a cost of 25.33 and economy 8.63. While he marginally edges Naveen’s economy of 8.73, Naveen’s average (17.70) and balls per wicket figures (12.16 compared to 17.60 for Dwarshuis) gives the Afghanistan man the edge in this key battle.

Left-armer Dwarshuis (2-23 from four overs) caused the Running Foxes batters problems in the previous clash this season so we will need to play him much better in order to succeed in this evening's match - whoever edges this clash between the two overseas pacers will be critical to their team’s chances of success.

Leicestershire Foxes Squad

Head Coach Paul Nixon has named the same 13-man squad for the visit of Worcestershire Rapids, as the Running Foxes look to end their Vitality Blast campaign on a high.

Leicestershire Foxes from 13: Colin Ackermann (C), Ed Barnes, Gavin Griffiths, Lewis Hill, Josh Inglis (wk), Louis Kimber, Arron Lilley, Ben Mike, Naveen, Rishi Patel, Callum Parkinson, Scott Steel, Harry Swindells (wk)

Match Sponsor

Thanks to MEC for sponsoring the 2021 Vitality Blast fixture against Worcestershire Rapids.