Tom Wood returns from injury and has been named in a 14-man squad to face Worcestershire Rapids in the NatWest T20 Blast at New Road on Wednesday 19 July; 5.30pm start.
Wood has been brought into the squad after impressing for the Second XI on Monday on his return from injury, where he hit 60 and 29 against a strong Notts Outlaws side in two Twenty20 fixtures.
The squad contains plenty of spin options with Hamidullah Qadri, Imran Tahir, Matt Critchley and Wayne Madsen all included. Tahir is currently the Club’s joint leading wicket-taker with six wickets at an average of 13 and economy of 6.75.
Hardus Viljoen also has six wickets to his name at an average of 14 and economy of 7.25. He will be the main strike option with New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry.
Gary Wilson’s side will be looking to bounce back from Sunday afternoon’s five wicket defeat to Lancashire, the county’s first loss of the competition this summer.
The match will be live on Sky Sports Cricket channel from 5pm on Wednesday.
1. Billy Godleman
10. Luis Reece
23. Tom Wood
77. Wayne Madsen
18. Alex Hughes
9. Gary Wilson
Callum Brodrick
11. Daryn Smit
20. Matt Critchley
21. Matt Henry
7. Hardus Viljoen
36. Ben Cotton
75. Hamidullah Qadri
99. Imran Tahir
Worcestershire Rapids are yet to win a NatWest T20 Blast game losing their first two games. Last time out they were beaten by table toppers Leicestershire.
Joe Leach will lead his side into the game looking for there first win of the competition. Main bowling threats come from overseas blast signing Mitchell Santner who took 2-30 last time out.
Wicketkeeper batsman Ben Cox the main dangerman with the bat as he has 51 and 43. Worcestershire are without Moeen Ali as he continues international duties with England in the current Test against South Africa.
Rapids Squad: Mitchell, Clarke, D’Oliveira, Cox, Leach, Santner, Whiteley, Hastings, Barnard, Rhodes, Shantry, Brown, Hepburn.
Last time out Derbyshire missed out on a third successive win as Lancashire Lightning claimed a five-wicket win at Emirates Old Trafford.
Gary Wilson’s men started the competition with back-to-back wins in their first two games with victories away at Northants Steelbacks and then over Yorkshire Vikings in front of a sold-out Queen’s Park.
Captain Wilson hopes his side can learn from the defeat and get back on track versus Worcestershire at New Road.
Wilson said: “Hopefully the guys with less experience can learn quickly and us older heads can come to the park and clean up. With Twenty20 cricket you get into a bit of a rhythm and if you’re playing well it’s easier to just keep going and you have seen the way that Madsen has been going, he’s been brilliant.
He added: “If we can get a win over Worcestershire and put on the pressure we will be sitting with three wins and a loss and things moving forward would be set up nicely.”
NatWest T20 Blast is back this July and August. Save £4 by purchasing your matchday tickets in advance. While further discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Buy online today to secure your place and save.
[twentyticket]
