Worcestershire Women’s Rapids will look to return to winning ways in the Metro Bank One Day Cup when they visit Northants Steelbacks on Thursday.
After returning empty handed from the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup fixture at The County Ground last week, the side will be hoping to turn things around in the longer format.
Currently, the Rapids sit 4th in the table, after winning two of their first three league games, but Head Coach, Ed Wilson, is aware of the challenge that faces his squad.
“I do expect another tough game, they all are in tier 2. Last time against Northants, we started poorly and weren’t able to control the game. So starting strong is going to be important.
“Northants are a good side and have some key players, but we are more focussed on the things we can do well and how we can impact the game.
Wilson, has had to manage some enforced changes to his squad ahead of tomorrow’s fixture, with some key names missing out.
The Head Coach however, is welcoming the opportunity for those new faces to express themselves and regain the Rapids’ momentum in the competition.
“Tomorrow we have four of our regular players unavailable through personal commitments and not being able to get time off work etc, so it gives us an opportunity to play some of the girls in the squad who haven’t played yet.
“It’s a good chance for them to show what they can do.
“Im looking forward to seeing how we go as we have had players on the edge of the squad keen for games and now they have an opportunity to perform.
After winning their opening two fixtures, the Rapids stumbled to defeat against Sussex last time out, but a win would leave them in a healthy position in the table before attentions turn to the Vitality Blast.
Worcestershire will be bolstered by the addition of new-signing Hannah Hardwick, who has joined the club on a season long-loan across all formats.
Wilson is keen to see how the returning bowler fairs on her first appearance of the season, having signed on for her second stint at the club earlier this week.
“We are happy to welcome back Hannah. She is a professional cricketer at Warwickshire, but is a Worcestershire girl and is on loan to us for the rest of the season.
“I don’t think we can take too much from the defeat last week as it was a different format and there are so many changes to our team.”
Play is set to commence at 10:30am, with Worcestershire hoping to return to winning ways and rediscover the spark that set their season off in such encouraging fashion.
Squad VS Northamptonshire Steelbacks
