Worcestershire Rapids and Birmingham Bears will be contesting additional silverware in tomorrow's televised NatWest T20 Blast clash at Edgbaston as they strive to win the inaugural Norman Gifford Trophy.
Formerly captain of both Warwickshire CCC and Worcestershire CCC, spin bowler Norman Gifford MBE enjoyed an incredible 29-year First Class career where he took 2,068 wickets, and won 15 Test matches and two ODI caps for England.
The trophy has been named in his honour following a social media campaign amongst supporters of both teams. It will be awarded to the winners of Friday night’s West Midlands Derby at Edgbaston and subsequently contested at each NatWest T20 Blast meeting between the Bears and Rapids.
Daryl Mitchell, Captain of Worcestershire Rapids:
“With the resurgence of Worcestershire in T20 cricket, having a really strong side and reaching three quarter-finals in the last four years, it feels like the rivalry has become a lot more intense.
"It is a quite a friendly rivalry, with a lot of banter, but for everyone who works for the club or is a supporter, it is always the fixture we look out for and it is deserving of a trophy.
“Norman is one of the few players to play for both sides and his record speaks for itself – probably a player who would thrive in T20 given what a fantastic player he was.”
The Norman Gifford Trophy is the former Mackeson Trophy for which Warwickshire and Worcestershire competed annually in List A matches in the 1960s. It will be presented to the winning captain at the close of play by Bears’ fan Paul Monk from Streetly, who suggested the new name.
Tickets are still available for the return leg of the derby match vs Birmingham Bears on Friday 15th July priced at £19 for Adults and £5 for Juniors. Alternatively you could book our Watershed Package for only £40, price includes drink on arrival, hot meal and a private seating area. To purchase tickets click here
