Ross Whiteley returns to the scene of one of his most destructive NatWest T20 Blast innings tomorrow (Sunday) when Worcestershire Rapids take on Yorkshire Vikings at Headingley.
And Rapids Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes is unsurprised that the left hander's six hitting strike rate per match in the short format of the game has put him into the top 10 in the history of T20 cricket.
It was two years ago that Whiteley smashed 91 off 35 balls against the Tykes under lights in an astonishing innings containing 11 sixes.
That televised knock helped to earn the former Derbyshire player an England Lions call-up that winter and he has continued to blaze away for the Rapids in the T20 Blast ever since.
Rhodes said: "I love watching Ross hit a ball and we have worked so hard over the last few years. I can't believe how many balls I've thrown him to hit over my head! "His six hitting is great to watch and he is such a clean striker.
"It is no surprise to see him in that T20 list and it is testament to what he can do with a cricket ball and he can hit it as far as anybody."
Rhodes was impressed by Whiteley's contributions for Derbyshire against the Rapids and was delighted to sign him three years ago.
He said: "Although they were cameos against us, 20s, 30s, the odd 40, he could really hit a long ball.
"On his day, he was very difficult to bowl at. Why wouldn't you rather have him in your side rather than play against him?"
Rhodes is hoping the Rapids will produce their 'A' game when they take on the Vikings as they seek their first win in this year's competition.
The Rapids have launched the competition with a quartet of home matches but are now on the road for the next week with trips to Notts Outlaws and Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Wednesday and Thursday to follow the clash with the Tykes.
Rhodes has named the squad of players initially selected for Friday's wash-out against Lancashire Lightning minus Alex Hepburn.
He said: "We move forward to Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon and we always enjoy playing at Headingly so let's hope we can have a really good game up there.
"We are just going to be hoping we can get our 'A' game at Headingley, really be positive in the manner in which we play our cricket and come away with the points. That's all we are after."
Rapids (from):
Mitchell
Clarke
D'Oliveira
Cox
Santner
Whiteley
Leach
Hastings
Barnard
Rhodes
Shantry
Brown
