Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, head-to-head record, weather forecast, prediction, and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the County Championship...
Fixture: Worcestershire v Nottinghamshire
Venue: New Road, Worcester
Dates: Thursday, April 22, 2021 - Sunday, April 25, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Two sides without a win between them meet at New Road. Worcestershire were more than competitive against Essex, as Jake Libby and Ed Barnard cashed in amid batter-friendly conditions.
However, they didn't have things all their own way against Derbyshire and were forced into a fourth day rearguard, led by the determined Ben Cox, to preserve their unbeaten start.
Nottinghamshire frustrated Durham in the opening round, keeping out a primed attack including Chris Rushworth, Brydon Carse and Ben Raine to secure a stalemate. Ben Slater and Lyndon James proved pivotal.
Even with Stuart Broad in their ranks, Notts were overcome by Warwickshire at Trent Bridge. Tim Bresnan inspired a day four chase and a three-wicket win for the visitors, leading Peter Moores' side bottom of the group.
Who's in form?
With 186 runs and eight wickets, there is little doubt that Ed Barnard has been Worcestershire's outstanding performer of the campaign. That run includes his maiden first-class century in his 97th game.
Dane Paterson has now fully joined up with Notts as an overseas player for the new campaign and kicked off his spell with six wickets against Warwickshire. Watching how he goes, particularly in tandem with Broad as part of an international-level attack, will be fascinating.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Worcestershire: DDLDW
Nottinghamshire: LDDDD
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 131
Worcestershire wins: 36
Nottinghamshire wins: 46
Draws: 48
Ties: 1
Abandoned: 2
What's the team news?
Worcestershire: No changes to the Worcestershire squad which drew away at Derby, with Gareth Roderick and Antiguan quick Alzarri Joseph set for home debuts.
Worcestershire squad: Joe Leach (c), Daryl Mitchell, Jake Libby, Tom Fell, Gareth Roderick, Brett D'Oliveira, Riki Wessels, Ben Cox, Ed Barnard, Alzarri Joseph, Dilon Pennington, Charlie Morris
Nottinghamshire: The visitors are still without Brett Hutton and Jake Ball, who remain sidelined due to side and back injuries. Seamers Tom Barber and Joey Evison come in for Stuart Broad and off-spinner Matthew Carter makes his first squad of the season.
Nottinghamshire squad: Steven Mullaney, Tom Barber, Matthew Carter, Zak Chappell, Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett, Joey Evison, Luke Fletcher, Haseeb Hameed, Lyndon James, Tom Moores, Dane Paterson, Liam Patterson-White, Ben Slater
Latest Worcestershire news: Click here
Latest Nottinghamshire news: Click here
Who's said what?
Alex Gidman has been impressed with his side's character after two hard-won draws on the road and won't be underestimating Notts despite their rocky start to the season.
"Notts have had a tough run, but they’ve got some outstanding players in their team, plenty of international players, so it’s going to be a challenging game. We know that. But having had two really good results away from home and fought hard, I’m sure the lads are really looking forward to it."
Opening batter Haseeb Hameed, who registered his first half-century of the season against Warwickshire, reckons that the fact that Championship games are coming thick and fast will Notts move on from their painful second-round defeat.
"Because of the nature of the season and how quickly games come, I think you have to find a way to move on. But we can take positives from being in a strong position going into the last day.
"We gained confidence from that, and hopefully we can brush up on a couple of areas this week as well. Worcestershire are a strong side, it’s another challenge, and the lads are looking forward to it. Hopefully this time we can get the right result."
What's the weather forecast?
Days two and three are set to be hot with temperatures reaching 17 degrees before more overcast conditions draw in on the fourth day. Day one could see overnight temperatures of minus one degrees celsius, so early-morning frost is not out of the question.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Worcester: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Worcestershire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: This match is to be played behind closed doors owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Travel: Not applicable owing to Covid-19 restrictions.
Prediction?
Although the absence of Broad will be keenly felt, a side of Notts' quality has to start coming good at some point, surely? As creditable as Worcester's start with the bat has been, they have struggled to take wickets. It seems a ripe fixture for Notts exciting top order to fire. Away win.
OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
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