Worcestershire Rapids | T20 Match Preview | 11/07/2024

The start of a hectic run-in begins on Thursday, as Leicestershire head to Worcestershire in the first of three games in four days.

Alfonso Thomas’ Foxes will be determined to bounce back from a final over defeat to Derbyshire Falcons on Saturday, needing a win to put themselves back into the qualification spaces.

Worcestershire also tasted defeat last time out, losing to Lancashire by two wickets “ leaving the Rapids rooted to the foot of the North Group.

FAMOUS FIXTURE:

The joint-second best figures in T20 cricket for Leicestershire have both come against Worcestershire. One of those returns, Naveen’s 5/11, arose in a convincing win at New Road in 2022.

It was a quite spectacular performance from the Afghanistan international, who set the ball rolling with the crucial wicket of Brett D’Oliveira “ after the Rapids were 29/0 inside three overs.

Defending 162, Naveen picked up four more poles without conceding a boundary, bowling 13 dot balls in his allocation to guide the Foxes to a 26-run victory.

DECISIVE DUEL:

Tom Scriven’s return is a timely one for Leicestershire. The all-rounder has become an essential part of the Foxes lineup in all three formats in recent seasons, especially after returning 62 wickets in 2023.

He averages 20.4 with the ball in T20 cricket, posing a threat in all three phases of the innings. His ability to take pace off will be crucial to an attack blessed with pace.

Former Fox Tom Taylor presents a similar threat with the ball. He has 60 career wickets at 25.46, and like Scriven bowls in all phases of the innings.

SQUAD:

Captain Peter Handscomb and all-rounder Rehan Ahmed both return to the 14-strong squad. Scott Currie has also recovered from the niggle which kept him out of last weekend’s matches.

Leicestershire Foxes: Ahmed, Budinger, Cox+, Currie, Goldsworthy, Handscomb*, Hull, Kimber, Mike, Neesham, Patel, Scriven, Swindells, Wood.