worcestershire are planning to play more second eleven cricket at New Road next summer – to help players prepare for when they step up to first team level.
the seconds were in action at their headquarters on only two occasions last summer – a 50 over trophy match against warwickshire in may and a t20 double header versus northamptonshire in june.
ceo matt rawnsley confirmed the county are looking at upping the number of days of second eleven cricket at New Road in 2019 although the schedule has still to be finalised.
he is concious of young players having the opportunity to become acclimatised and having experience of playing at New Road before they make the step up to the senior side on the same ground.
but matt rawnsley also stressed that worcestershire will also continue to play matches at venues around the county and last summer kidderminster, barnt green and rgs worcester featured predominantly as part of the second eleven schedule.
he said: “we had two days of second team cricket scheduled at New Road for 2018 and we are looking to increase that in 2019.
“we are working on the schedule now.
“it is very possible as things stand that someone could make your first team debut at New Road after never having played there.
“that is obviously the wrong thing and not what we should be doing to prepare our lads to play at New Road.
“equally, there is a balance between playing more second team cricket here but we also have a role to get the county playing around the county on out grounds.
“we want to cast the net really wide on that as well. grounds such as kidderminster, barnt green and rgs worcester do a fantastic job for us already.”
