T20 Blast Essentials: Worcestershire v Nottinghamshire

Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the opening round of the Vitality Blast...

What’s the lowdown? 

A blockbuster clash between Moeen Ali and Alex Hales beckons as title-holders Nottinghamshire visit New Road.

Three of the last four T20 Blast competitions have been won by either the Outlaws or the Rapids and you have to go as far back as 2015 to find a Finals Day where neither side featured.

Having had the better of Nottinghamshire in the 2019 semi-final, Worcestershire went on to have a torrid time of things in last year’s Blast, finishing sixth in the Central Group and failing to make Finals Day for the first time in three years. The availability of Ali, who sparkled for Chennai in the IPL, is a major fillip for the Rapids: not only is he one of T20’s leading allrounders but a canny leader to boot. New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and Australian left-armer and BBL winner Ben Dwarshuis bring franchise experience to back up Pat Brown with the ball - though he will miss the first few rounds with a back problem - while a top-order of Jake Libby, Riki Wessels and Ali will provide contrasting challenges for the Outlaws’ attack.

Speaking of top-orders, in Hales, Joe Clarke and Ben Duckett, Notts boast one of the most fearsome batting groups on the circuit and much will depend upon how the Rapids can limit the damage they mete out in the powerplay. Serial T20 winner Dan Christian and Outlaws captain will miss out, however, after his call-up for Australia duty. And although their bowling stocks may be shorn of the injured Jake Ball, the crafty medium-pace of Steven Mullaney and spin of Samit Patel and Matt Carter give Nottinghamshire plenty of options to call upon.

Who’s in form?

Before the cancellation of the 2021 IPL, Ali had hit 206 runs, striking at 157.25, and was going at less than seven runs-per-over with the ball. The skipper’s unavailability for the Rapids last term was a serious blow, but in his stead Libby stepped up with the bat hitting 318 runs at a strike rate of 137.06. With the ball Alex Gidman’s charges struggled, none more so than Brown who had a torrid time of it going at an economy of 10.85, though allrounder Ed Barnard performed creditably and was his side’s leading wicket-taker with 10.

With the bat Duckett and Clarke led the way in 2020’s Blast for the Outlaws, both scoring in excess of 300 runs, with the latter’s 371 coming at a strike rate of 175. Meanwhile no bowler took more than Ball’s 19 Blast wickets last season.

What’s the team news? 

Moeen Ali returns for his first senior appearance for Worcestershire Rapids since the 2019 Vitality Blast Finals day and will captain the side against Notts Outlaws. Overseas duo Ben Dwarshuis (Australia) and Ish Sodhi (New Zealand) are also named in the 14-man squad.

Squad: Riki Wessels, Brett D'Oliveira, Moeen Ali, Jake Libby, Ross Whiteley, Ben Cox, Ed Barnard, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Tongue, Dillon Pennington, Charlie Morris, Ish Sodhi, Tom Fell, Daryl Mitchell

Notts are without talisman Dan Christian following the 38 year old's selection for Australia's preliminary white-ball squad. Harry Gurney and Imad Wasim are also no longer Outlaws while Steven Mullaney will captain the side in Christian's absence. Dane Paterson and recent signing Calvin Harrison could make their debuts after being included in Notts' 14-man squad.

Squad: Jake Ball, Sol Budinger, Matt Carter, Joe Clarke, Ben Duckett, Luke Fletcher, Alex Hales, Calvin Harrison, Lyndon James, Tom Moores, Steven Mullaney, Dane Paterson, Samit Patel, Peter Trego

Who said what?

Worcestershire head coach, Alex Gidman, commented on Ali's returning, stating: "Mo is a world-class player, and he would benefit any team when he is around. He loves playing for Worcestershire and he strengthens us as a group."

Addressing Worcestershire's white-ball chances, he continued: "It’s a great competition. Everyone enjoys playing in it, and everyone enjoys watching it. It will be nice to have a whole competition, unlike last year, and get cracking again.

"We are looking forward to it; I know our group of players is very talented, and I’m sure they are chomping at the bit to perform individually and as a collective."

Despite losing several key names ahead of their title defence, Notts head coach, Peter Moores, is confident heading in to the 2021 tournament.

"There are multiple trophy winners in this side, which is exciting. They are used to winning and being successful," he said. "We have some young players who have a lot of T20 experience, but we also possess senior statesmen. It’s a great blend and a talented group who are hungry for more accolades.

"We will miss people like Dan Christian, who have been a hugely instrumental part of our T20 campaigns, but it will create an opportunity for others to enter the fray.

"Whoever comes into the team will have a lot of experience around them, senior heads who can help them settle down and play their best cricket."

Head-to-head T20 record  

Total matches: 15

Worcestershire wins: 6

Nottinghamshire wins: 9

Tied: 0

Abandoned: 4

What’s the weather forecast? 

It’s set to be a hot yet cloudy evening for this day-night clash with temperatures hovering around 21 degrees celcius. With cloud cover throughout expect it to be rather muggy for this fixture.

Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Worcester: Click here

Going to the game 

Tickets

No tickets are on public sale for this fixture, with the club conducting a ballot of members.

Travel

Address: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4QQ

By car 

From the north: From the M5 junction 7 follow the cricket stumps on the roadsigns to the ground.

From the south: From M5 junction 7 follow the cricket stumps on the road signs to the ground.

From the east: From the A422, Alcester, continue on this road to the roundabout junction with the A4440 (Swinesherd Way), take second exit at roundabout on to A44, continue to follow the A44 and it will lead you to New Road, the ground will be on your left.

From the west: From the A44, Evesham, stay on the A44 (east) and it will lead you to New Road, the ground will be on your left.

By bus

Once you are in Worcester city centre’s bus station that is beneath the Crown Gate Shopping Centre, walk out of the station, turn left, continue to walk straight ahead to a pedestrian crossing, walk across this and another pedestrian crossing, continue across the bridge over the Severn River and you will arrive at the ground on your left.

By train

Worcester Foregate Street is the closest train station to the ground and is approximately half a mile from the ground. To get to the ground from Foregate Street station turn left out of the main entrance, head towards the cross where you turn right onto Broad Street. Continue straight, across two pedestrian crossings to get to the other side of New Road, walk over the bridge and you will shortly arrive at the ground on your left.

How do I follow the match 

Worcestershire will offer live coverage of the match via their YouTube channel: Click here.

All T20 Blast matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here. The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.

Sky Sports will show this game live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404 on Sky).

Radio: All Vitality Blast fixtures will be available on BBC Local Radio stations with extensive coverage also on 5 Live Sports Extra.

Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and updates from every Vitality Blast match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.

Prediction?

For all of Worcestershire’s T20 pedigree they have of late struggled on their home patch, winning just two games at New Road over the last two seasons. The Outlaws are a fierce T20 unit and have more than enough to edge this one. Away win.