Another thrilling Vitality T20 Blast group stage campaign saw the Rapids narrowly miss out on qualification for the knockout stages of the competition, but not without some unforgettable moments along the way!
With Blast off for this season fast approaching, we are looking back at the former tournament champions’ most magic moments from the 2025 edition of the Vitality T20 Blast.
1. Brookes goes Ballistic against Notts
Facing an uphill battle in order to harbour any chances of qualifying for the quarter-final stages of the competition, the Rapids knew only a win would do in their final group game against Notts Outlaws.
In arguably the greatest individual performance of the season, Worcestershire star Ethan Brookes showed his priceless, match-winning capabilities by guiding his side to a memorable 45-run victory.
Coming to the middle at number five with his side 125-3, Brookes launched an almighty assault on the Outlaws bowling attack, blasting 57 from just 20 deliveries at a staggering strike-rate of 285.
Dealing in boundaries, Brookes found the fence 10 times in his cameo at the crease, as he powered his side to a formidable total of 206-7 at the halfway stage.
Not satisfied with his day’s work, Ethan then produced a clinic with the ball, returning figures of 3-30 from his four-over spell before taking a catch whilst in the field, capping off one of the greatest recent individual performances at New Road.
2. Home and Hosed at Trent Bridge
In a very similar vein to the previous moment of Blast magic, our second entry comes courtesy of another individual performance that steered the side to a stunning victory at Trent Bridge.
After a disastrous start saw the Rapids fall to 1-2 in just the second over of the contest, it was vice-captain Adam Hose who strode to the middle, unaware he was about to produce one of the most destructive performances of his career.
In the middle for 19 overs, Hose began in composed fashion to help his side build a platform and avert the early peril that looked ominous, before shifting through the gears at a devastating tempo, finishing on 95 and agonisingly short of a well-deserved century.
The Rapids went on to finish 206-5, with Hose needing just 51 balls to get to his final tally, hitting seven-fours and six-sixes during that time.
Under such pressure at the start of his innings, it is widely regarded as one of the standout displays of the season as he helped his side to secure a vital 25-run victory.
3. Baker-Smith Steals the Show on Debut
It was another promising year for the Rapids Women, who continued their progress as a fully-fledged Tier 2 side, with young star Caitlin Baker-Smith’s dazzling debut sure to live long in the memory.
At just 15-years-old, the seamer was handed her Blast debut at New Road in a crucial group game against Leicestershire Foxes, with what followed somewhat reminiscent of a fairytale.
The young starlet recorded exceptional figures of 3-7 from her four-over spell, including taking a wicket with her first ball in Rapids colours, as she blew away the Foxes batters in a spellbinding display.
Helping her side cruise to a comfortable victory in the end, Baker-Smith showed why there are so many reasons for Rapids fans to get excited heading into 2026 and beyond.
4. Kash – Bang – Wallop at Northants
Another solo batting masterclass makes it into the top five Blast moments of 2025, where we are taking a trip to Northamptonshire to relive Kashif Ali’s brutal knock that helped his side to a successful run-chase of 156.
At the crease in the third over of the contest, Kash wielded his batting-axe on the Steelbacks bowlers, showing no mercy in his high-octane stay at the crease where he scored 88 from just 46-balls.
In a third-wicket partnership of 127 with Gareth Roderick, Kash slashed 13 boundaries to propel his side out of trouble and towards the winning target of 153.
Despite eventually being caught out 12-short of a well deserved hundred, the day belonged to the Worcestershire batter who was later named player of the match.
5. Ethan’s Worldie at Lancs
A second entry on the list for the all-rounder, who showed his true attributes as someone who contributes to every facet of the game with his incredible display of skill at Old Trafford in the opening group game against Lancashire Lightning.
Agile, fast and athletic, Ethan exemplified his quality whilst riding the boundary where he stunned everyone with a mesmerising diving catch deep on the legside fence.
Showing exceptional dexterity to throw the ball back into the field of play and re-gather with a full-length dive, his wicket helped turn the course of the Lightning innings.
One of his thirty-three catches across all three formats this season, this one has to be classed as the pick of the bunch.
