Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the Vitality Blast...
Fixture: Birmingham Bears v Worcestershire Rapids
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Date: Friday, July 16, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What’s the lowdown?
When these two sides met at New Road in the previous round, it was the Rapids who emerged victorious, sealing a convincing 49-run victory thanks to some explosive batting from Brett D'Oliveira (45) and Ben Cox (43), and figures of 4 for 24 for New Zealander, Ish Sodhi.
Worcestershire are third in the North Group with 14 points after winning six, tying one and losing four of their 11 completed matches. Birmingham sit three points behind them in sixth position, with a record of five wins, six defeats and one no result. However, the Bears are only one point behind Lancashire Lightning, who currently occupy the final qualification spot.
Who’s in form?
As mentioned, Sodhi was on song for Worcestershire in their last white-ball outing, collecting three wickets in the 16th over to reduce the Bears to 111 for 9. The Kiwi now has 11 wickets in 39 overs for the Rapids and an economy of 8.02. Charlie Morris and Ben Dwarshuis are the only bowlers with more wickets for Worcestershire, with 17 and 14, respectively.
Brett D'Oliveira is the form batsman, with a team-leading 337 runs, including three half-centuries, at a strike rate of 131.64. Only Riki Wessels (132.15) and Ben Cox (137.22) are scoring faster than D'Oliveria among the Worcestershire batters to have played more than five innings in 2021.
For Birmingham, skipper Will Rhodes took career-best T20 figures of 4 for 24 at New Road, taking him to 10 wickets for the season. Jake Lintott has also impressed in recent weeks, with eight wickets in his past five T20 outings.
With the bat, Sam Hain is Birmingham's leading run-scorer, with 308 runs at a strike rate of 137.5 and three half-centuries to his name. The battle between himself and D'Oliveira for top run-scorer in the match should prove exciting. Meanwhile, Ed Pollock scored 53 runs from 35 balls in the reverse fixture, taking him to 241 for the season.
What’s the team news?
Carlos Brathwaite and Danny Briggs are back after for Birmingham Bears. West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers is available to make his debut after a Covid-related absence.
Birmingham Bears squad: Will Rhodes, Carlos Brathwaite, Danny Briggs, Michael Burgess, Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Matt Lamb, Jake Lintott, Kyle Mayers, Craig Miles, Ed Pollock, Ryan Sidebottom, Rob Yates
Pat Brown is back in the Worcestershire squad after injury.
Worcestershire Rapids squad: Jack Haynes, Brett D’Oliveira, Jake Libby, Ben Cox, Ross Whiteley, Ed Barnard, Ben Dwarshuis, Daryl Mitchell, Ish Sodhi, Dillon Pennington, Charlie Morris, Adam Finch, Joe Leach, Tom Fell, Pat Brown
Last five T20 results (most recent first)
Birmingham Bears: LLWLL
Worcestershire Rapids: WWLWW
Head-to-head T20 record
Total matches: 32
Birmingham Bears wins: 17
Worcestershire Rapids wins: 15
Tied: 0
Abandoned: 5
No result: 0
Latest Worcestershire Rapids news
What’s the weather forecast?
A hot and sunny evening is on the cards for this fixture, with temperatures hovering around the low to mid twenties. You can follow the live forecast for Edgbaston from the Met Office: Click here
Going to the game?
Tickets
Click here for the Edgbaston box office.
Travel
Address: Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Rd, Birmingham, B5 7QU
Parking: There will be no parking available to purchase in advance or on the day for this fixture.
Parking will be available on-site for annual car park pass holders only. A small number of disabled parking spaces will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Public car parking may also be available on a pay and display basis in Cannon Hill Park and/or the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Centre. These car parks are not operated by Edgbaston.
By bus: There are regular local buses to the ground from southwest Birmingham and the city centre. National Express buses 45 and 47 have services between the city centre and Pershore Road which is a two-minute walk to the ground.
More information on local buses can be found by clicking here.
By train: Birmingham New Street Station is the main rail hub for the city with connections from all over the country.
How do I follow the match?
Birmingham will offer live coverage of the match via their website: 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.
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?
Worcestershire to complete the double.
FRIDAY'S OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS
North Group
Leicestershire Foxes v Notts Outlaws
South Group
Hampshire Hawks v Essex Eagles
Hampshire Hawks v Sussex Sharks
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