Friday, June 26th, 2015

Keeper Ben Is Confident About Make-Up Of Rapids Side In T20 Blast

Keeper Ben Is Confident About Make-Up Of Rapids Side In T20 Blast

Ben Cox says North Group leaders Worcestershire Rapids have "every base covered" with the make-up of their side for the NatWest T20 Blast this season.

Five wins from their last six games – including a trio of away successes against Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Durham Jets and Lancashire Lightning, have lifted the Rapids to the top of the table.

They are in pole position at the half-way stage of their group programme ahead of tonight's return clash with the Steelbacks at New Road (5.30pm start).

Cox said: "This year, as opposed to last year, everyone has won two or three games which makes it a tight group.

"Hopefully people will see us as a good side and a threatening side because we've got one hell of a T20 line-up.

"We've got a bit of everything. If you look at T20 now it's about covering bases and we've got every base covered.

"Particularly with the power of Ross (Whiteley) and Dolly (Brett D'Oliveira) coming back into the side, you've got finishers there.

"Up top Mitch (Daryl Mitchell) tries to bat through and then we've got Moeen (Ali) when he is available, a world class player, Saeed Ajmal as well.

"You just look through our side and there is no rest for the opposition. Everyone has got their own areas to take the opposition down and their own plans and their own strengths."

The Rapids under-lined their credentials last week with a first ever T20 win over Lancashire at Old Trafford with Cox hitting the penultimate ball for six to settle the outcome.

Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: "They are a big club (Lancashire) aren't they, they've got pots of dough and it's sometimes difficult for us to challenge but I quite like our T20 side.

"I was having a long chat with Saeed Ajmal the other night about it and we've got quite a few bases covered.

"I think we could sneak along the rails and hopefully surprise quite a few teams."