Derbyshire Falcons travel to Worcester to face the Rapids in the NatWest T20 Blast on Friday 1 July, and have been boosted by the return of Wes Durston after five weeks out with injury.
The all-rounder has not featured for the Falcons since the fixture versus Northants Steelbacks at the back end of May, with Alex Hughes filling in as skipper in his absence. In the two fixtures Durston has played this term, he hit a total of 77 runs off just 39 balls.
The 13-man squad also sees a return to first-team action for Tom Milnes, who has also had a spell on the sidelines through injury. Both Durston and Milnes play in the Second XI Trophy match versus Notts at Worksop on Thursday ahead of the fixture against the Rapids.
The Falcons will travel to Worcestershire with confidence, having defeated their hosts in the Royal London One-Day Cup in early June, thanks to a superb century from Hamish Rutherford, and contributions from Wayne Madsen and Neil Broom.
Durston said: “We look forward to the game on Friday night. It is always a tough place to go but we’ve got confidence that we’ve beaten them there this year in the 50-over competition.
“On a personal note, the last five weeks has been very hard. It’s very frustrating to have had to deal with a side-strain at this time – it couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. I have watched all the games that have been played in that time and I can’t wait to get back out on the field.”
Click HERE to watch full interview with Durston.
The match at Worcester will be played under the banner of #YELL4FELL to help fight the battle against cancer after Rapids batsman Tom Fell underwent successful surgery for testicular cancer.
Supporters attending the fixture are encouraged to wear yellow to show their support for the cause and help turn New Road yellow.
72. Hamish Rutherford
3. Wes Durston
22. Chesney Hughes
4. Neil Broom
77. Wayne Madsen
10. Scott Elstone
5. Jimmy Neesham
18. Alex Hughes
57. Shiv Thakor
20. Matt Critchley
23. Tom Poynton
8. Tom Milnes
7. Andy Carter
The introduction of South Africa seamer Kyle Abbott is sure to provide a boost to a Worcestershire Rapids side who have suffered successive defeats in their last two NatWest T20 Blast fixtures.
The Rapids do, however, sit third in the North Group after enjoying a particularly strong start to the Twenty20 season with Tom Kohler-Cadmore striking a stunning 127 off 54 balls in their opening win over Durham Jets in May.
Worcestershire Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes is looking for a positive response after their recent drubbing against Lancashire Lightning when the Rapids were bowled out for only 53 – their lowest ever T20 total.
He said: “It was a one-off, it was a bad day at the office and we will be doing our utmost to bounce back.
“We’ve got two big games (against Durham Jets and Derbyshire Falcons) and we will be pushing for better performances.”
Worcestershire squad: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Daryl Mitchell, Joe Clarke, Alexei Kervezee, Brett D’Oliveira, Ross Whiteley, Ben Cox, Joe Leach, Ed Barnard, Matt Henry, Kyle Abbott, Jack Shantry
Click HERE to keep up-to-date with the game via our new Matchday LIVE page, sponsored by Showcase Cinemas de Lux.
You can also follow live updates on Twitter (@DerbyshireCCC) by using the #WORvDER hashtag, plus updates will be available on Facebook throughout the match.
Supporters can also listen to live ball-by-ball commentary with BBC Radio Derby online HERE.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their NatWest T20 Blast matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
Northants Steelbacks – Sun 3 July – BUY
Yorkshire Vikings – Sun 10 July – BUY
Lancashire Lightning – Wed 13 July – BUY
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 22 July – BUY
