worcestershire rapids are definitely through to the quarter-finals of the 2018 vitality blast.
the rapids – the current leaders of the north group – are guaranteed at least a top four spot after last night’s win over derbyshire falcons at New Road.
birmingham bears are the only side outside of the current top four who can still draw level on points with the rapids if they win their final three games and the rapids lose their last three.
but they have to play third placed lancashire lightning twice and one side or the other – or both – will drop points in those two games which means the rapids cannot be dislodged from the top four.
it is a splendid effort by the players and coaching staff in ensuring the rapids will go through to the last eight with three games to spare.
head coach kevin sharp said: “the lads deserve a lot of credit for what they have achieved so far and there is a lot of belief in the group about what they are capable of.
“i also want to highlight the part played by alan richardson (head bowling coach) and alex gidman (second eleven coach-batting coach) in working closely with the squad in white ball cricket.
“but the work is not completed yet. the lads want to secure a home quarter-final and they want to get through to finals day.
“everyone at the club is aware the county haven’t managed that so far and it is a goal for everyone.
“we also want to maintain the momentum and winning run we are on at the moment and face another challenge against leicestershire foxes this evening.”
current north group table
leading positions
rapids played 11, won 8, lost 2, tied 0, no result 1, points 17, run rate 0.837
jets 11, 8, 3, 0, 0, 16, 0.912
lightning 11, 6, 4, 0, 1, 13, 0.665
vikings 11, 6, 5, 0, 0, 12, 0.127
bears 11, 5, 5, 1, 0, 11, 0.041
—
remaining fixtures for current leading teams
tonight
lightning v bears
foxes v rapids
steelbacks v jets
outlaws v vikings
—
sunday
jets v lightning
rapids v outlaws
—
wednesday
bears v lightning
—
thursday
steelbacks v vikings
—
friday
jets v falcons
bears v rapids
vikings v outlaws
