One of the most heartening sights for Worcestershire players, staff and supporters this summer has been to see Tom Fell back playing cricket after his double fight against cancer.
Now the County squad and coaches are to recognise the battle of Fell – and first team scorer Dawn Pugh – against the disease tomorrow (Friday) evening during the NatWest T20 Blast match between the Rapids and Derbyshire Falcons.
The match will be played under the banner of #YELL4FELL and Cricket Versus Cancer.
The Rapids players will be wearing a special one-off yellow kit with black bottoms – and yellow coloured T-shirts to mark the occasion will be available for supporters to buy.
All proceeds will be split between various cancer charities.
Fell has returned to playing Second Eleven cricket and was named in the first team squad for last week's Specsavers County Championship clash with Derbyshire although he did not make the final eleven.
Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Both Dawn and Tom are really important parts of our dressing room and to celebrate where they are at, and what they've gone through, and to bring awareness to the problems with cancer, this is the players gesture to the county and cricket.
"It is something we are all aware of and need to be aware of and something we need to beat.
"To see Tom back playing cricket is a lovely thing because as a 22-year-old diagnosed with cancer, it is a terrible thing.
"It is a terrible thing for anyone of any age but for a young professional sportsman to get it, and then try and fight his way through with some ups and downs, and come out the other side, it is just a magnificent situation to be in.
"He is well loved person at the club and his mates are of a similar age, have grown up together, and they can't wait for him to get back into the first team and scoring runs for Worcestershire again."
Bowling coach-assistant coach Matt Mason said: "I think it will be an awesome day for the club and I hope it is really well supported. It is something the players came up with.
"Obviously the news of what happened to Tom and Dawn as well hit the team really hard.
"We've gone through this before with Damian (D'Oliveira) as well so these lads have had some tough times in recent years when it comes to this whole cancer thing.
"They were really keen to do something and I hope it is really well supported. It should be a great day and I think it will be a real picture to see that ground bathed in yellow.
"Hopefully we will raise some money for a really good cause and give Felly and Dawn a much needed boost as well."
