Steve Rhodes confirmed Gareth Andrew could make his bowling comeback for the Worcestershire Second Eleven next week – with a view to making himself available as an all-rounder for Friday's home NatWest T20 Blast clash with Nottinghamshire Outlaws.
Andrew had his first bowl at New Road on Friday since suffering a back injury after picking up 20 wickets in the opening four LV = County Championship matches of the campaign when taking the new ball.
The 30-year-old played purely as a batsman in the T20 Blast win over Durham, making a crucial 20 off 12 balls, and has adopted the same role when captaining the Second Eleven in two matches against Glamorgan at Kidderminster.
Director Of Cricket Rhodes admitted he was nearly tempted to play Andrew as a batsman in last night's win over Birmingham Bears but insists he will have a role to play at some stage of the T20 Blast programme.
Rhodes said: "Gareth had his first bowl on Friday. We sort of picked the side going into the Bears game because that side won up at Derbyshire and has been successful.
"We wanted to play Brett D'Oliveira and Pepsi (Tom Kohler-Cadmore) and all the others but yesterday morning I woke up wanting to play Gareth as a batter mainly because his form against Warwickshire in 20 over cricket is very good.
"I know they fear him and I thought possibly the stage was right but, when we looked long and hard at the side, we couldn't get him in which is testament to the other lads who've played so well.
"He will definitely play his part at some stage and it could be towards the end of this Twenty20 campaign because he is a very good Twenty20 player.
"But he is back to bowling starting yesterday and we are still hoping he will be bowling in a match, potentially the second team next week, and then make himself available for the Friday game (against Nottinghamshire) as an all-rounder."
The Seconds begin a four-day friendly against Warwickshire at Barnt Green on Tuesday.
