Vice-captain Joe Leach says there is room for improvement from Worcestershire Rapids when they take on local rivals Birmingham Bears in tonight's NatWest T20 derby at Edgbaston (7pm start).
Leach was amongst the many admirers of Tom Kohler-Cadmore's superb 127 in last Friday's win over Durham Jets at New Road – the highest score by a Worcestershire player in T20 cricket.
But the all-rounder, who returned his competition best figures of 5-33 against the Jets, says there were certain areas on the evening where the Rapids were not at their very best.
Leach said: "Pepsi's (Kohler-Cadmore's) knock was unbelievable, out of this world. If there is a better knock in the T20 Blast this season, then they are going to have to go some because that is the best innings I've ever seen in this format.
"The lads played around him really well. Rosco (Whiteley) played nicely, Brett's (D'Oliveira) innings was invaluable and got us from 200 up to 220 which kind of put us out of sight really. That was a really important knock.
"To be honest, I didn't think we were at our best in the field or with the ball but we got the job done and, when it mattered, we held our catches and did the right things.
"Pretty good performances but definitely areas to improve. I think we would say that as a side.
"We have certainly fielded better in the past and will do in the competition at different points. We were a bit sloppy at times.
"I think it was a tough pitch to bowl on obviously if you look at the two scores but we didn't execute our plans quite as we would have liked."
Leach was delighted with his five wicket haul but is aware of the ups and downs of T20 cricket.
He said: "It was a really nice first game of the season and hopefully it is something to build on but T20 is a weird game. Sometimes you can not bowl that well. I actually thought I bowled pretty well.
"But sometimes you can bowl not that well and get a few wickets and other times you can execute your plas and concede an inside edge for four and you look at the scoreboard and are going at 10 an over."
Leach says Worcestershire's current performances mean they can go to Edgbaston full of confidence.
He said: "Ever since I've been in the side, I don't think we've won one against them in all cricket.
"We've looked like beating them at times and they've found a way to beat us.
"If ever there is a time to go there and turn them over, it is with this side playing the way we are at the moment."
