For all that Yorkshire have not had a good started to the limited overs season, Worcestershire could potentially find themselves on the receiving end of a determined and talented side.
This season, the hosts of this clash have lost their first three T20 matches whilst the visitors have played four and won three – one of which was against Yorkshire, at home.
Worcestershire have nailed their limited-overs game and know what needs to be done, how and when. Yorkshire on the other hand do, all too often, leave something to be desired.
Yorkshireman and wicket-keeper whilst Jonny Bairstow spends time in the England camp, Andrew Hodd had a chat with the Yorkshire website and told them they’re looking forward to the start of the RLODC:
“We had a little bit more success in one-day cricket last year.
“We got to the semi-finals and I think this competition mirrors our strengths a bit more from the Championship than Twenty20 does.”
Worcestershire’s skilful line-up are likely to put on quite a show tomorrow as they aim to continue their good form in limited-overs and put the bed last year’s RLODC performance. Yorkshire have also won this particular clash four times on the bounce so Worcestershire will want to put a stop to that run as well.
Assistant coach Matt Mason told the Worcestershire CCC website that the team are taking some positives into the match:
“Will the T20 win over Yorkshire win count for anything? We will have a bit of an advantage going into that game on recent form.”
But there are of course some lessons to be learnt from their recent clash with Derbyshire:
“We need to move on quickly from the Derbyshire game. This group of lads is pretty good at doing that.
“They will be disappointed but by the time they come around for the Headingley contest, they will be up for it. They are a good young side.”
Key men
If anyone can cast their mind back to the 49 from 32 with three fours and three sixes which Liam Plunkett struck for Yorkshire when they faced the Essex Eagles in their quarter final clash last year, they will see why he will feature in tomorrow’s game. His propensity to strike the ball as well as take wickets at crucial moments has cemented his position in the Yorkshire Vikings attack.
New Zealand seam bowler Matt Henry returns to the side following a rest from their first match of the RLODC against Derbyshire and will likely play a key role in this particular game. His fast seam bowling probes the best of batsmen and whilst Worcestershire have spoken about they want to manage his workload, he will feature in key matches such as this one.
Team news
The international contingent continue to be away with the England side in preparation for the Third Test against Sri Lanka later this week, otherwise the squad is unchanged from last week’s T20 fixtures.
Yorkshire Vikings squad: Alex Lees (C), Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Karl Carver, Ben Coad, Andrew Hodd (Wicketkeeper), Jack Leaning, Adam Lyth, Steve Patterson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Will Rhodes, David Willey.
Worcestershire have added overseas signing Matt Henry along with Alex Hepburn and second XI captain George Rhodes to their side while Chris Russell comes out of the squad.
Worcestershire Rapids squad: Daryl Mitchell (C), Ed Barnard, Joe Clarke, Ben Cox, Brett D’Oliveira, Matt Henry, Alex Hepburn, Alexei Kervezee, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joe Leach, George Rhodes, Jack Shantry, Ross Whiteley
Form (last season):
Yorkshire Vikings: WLNRWL
Worcestershire Rapids: LLLWL
Weather and conditions: It could be a true mix of Yorkshire weather for this match as temperatures could be sitting 24 degrees when the match begins but around 17:00 everyone could be running for shelter. The clouds are predicted to burst dramatically but briefly so there could be a break in play towards the end of the first innings. It’s been dry for a few days up in Yorkshire so conditions could be favourable for bowling – especially if the temperatures are up and the clouds are covering.
Date: Tuesday 7th June 2016
Time: 14:00
Ground: Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds
Umpires: Tim Robinson, Martin Saggers, Michael Gough
Odds (SkyBet): Yorkshire Vikings 8/13, Worcestershire Rapids 5/4
