Bears have held the Vitality Blast bragging rights over neighbours Worcestershire in recent years at Edgbaston, following four successive wins since 2020.
And they will be looking to make it five consecutive Derby Day victories on home soil when the two local rivals lock horns again on Friday 12 July, 6.30pm start.
Packed Edgbaston crowds have been treated to plenty of spectacular big hitting, record-breaking run scoring, and off-field fun in those last four encounters.
In each of the last two years the Bears have racked up 228 runs following some standout performances. Dan Mousley and Sam Hain have starred with the bat – both averaging 48 – while Adam Hose, now a Pear, smashed 110 in just 53 balls in 2022.
Bears have won 10 of the last 15 T20 matches against Worcestershire at Edgbaston.
It’s always the most sought-after T20 ticket in the Bears calendar and fans can now register to get priority access to tickets at the best prices from 10am on Tuesday 6 February.
Almost 17,000 tickets were sold last year, so don’t wait long to secure your seat.
Here’s a look back at those last four Bears wins…
18 September 2020 – Bears won by 16 runs
Warwickshire won by 16 runs thanks to a Man of the Match performance from Sam Hain who smashed 61 from just 33 balls.
His fifth wicket stand of 80 with Dan Mousley (40) – the then 19-year-old in his debut season with the Bears – proved the difference as they posted a target of 179/6.
Rob Yates got the Bears off to a flyer hitting 37 in 20 balls (five 4s and two 6s) while a certain Ed Barnard, who captained the visitors, took two wickets (2-20) including that of Adam Hose. Three seasons later, the two would swap clubs.
Kiwi Pear Hamish Rutherford made a fruitful start for the visitors as he set about the target in destructive style. He struck five big sixes (45 off 23 balls) before being caught off the bowling of Jake Lintott.
Henry Brookes (2-24) picked up the other key wicket of Brett D’Oliveira who’d threatened to single-handedly overhaul the Bears total but they fell short on 163/8.
16 July 2021 – Bears won by 17 runs
For the second successive season Sam Hain put on a Derby Day Man of the Match performance as his unbeaten 83 proved pivotal in the Bears 17-run victory.
Bears had been in trouble on 63 for five before Hain partnered with West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite for an unbeaten, match-winning sixth wicket stand of 109.
Brathwaite struck 52 in 38 balls as he and Hain blasted 15 boundaries between them.
The Bears kept a lid on the Pears reply as English T20’s all-time leading wicket taker Danny Briggs – 254 wickets and counting – took two for just 18 runs in four overs, with Craig Miles chipping in with 2-27.
24 June 2022 – Bears won by 144 runs
Bears crunched a mammoth 228/8 total as they recorded a 144-run win over arch-rivals Worcestershire in what was their biggest ever win in the Vitality Blast.
Adam Hose was the hero as he swatted an unbeaten 110 from just 53 balls, including 13 fours and four 6’s, as he became the first Bear to register two Blast centuries.
His 91-run partnership with Dan Mousley (53, 34 balls) rescued Carlos Brathwaite’s side after both Sam Hain and Alex Davies fell inside the first three deliveries of the innings.
Roared on by a vociferous 17,000-strong crowd, the Bears bowling attack made light work of the Pears reply.
Only New Zealand international Colin Munro (34) topped 20 for the visitors as Danny Briggs further enhanced his T20 figures by taking 4-25.
23 June 2023 – Bears won by 53 runs
Dan Mousley had a night to remember as he hit a quick-fire 50 and then claimed a four-fer as the Bears recorded another statement win against the Pears.
For the second summer in succession the Bears amassed 228 runs – this time for the loss of just four wickets – as Mousley (51, 25 balls), Rob Yates (59, 39 balls) and Aussie Glen Maxwell (44, 20 balls) turned on the style.
Captain Alex Davies and Yates put on 80 for the first wicket and, despite missing top scorer Sam Hain through injury, the Bears charged to an imposing total.
Worcestershire started strongly – Kiwi Mitchell Santner scoring 56 – and at 124/3 after 12 overs did threaten an unlikely comeback.
But Mousley – who took two wickets in two balls – and Hassan Ali (2-22) put paid to any Pears revival.
England and Warwickshire star Chris Woakes also chipped in with a wicket as the visitors were held to 175/9.
Don’t miss Derby Day this July. Fans can now register to get priority access to tickets at the best prices from 10am on Tuesday 6 February. Beat the queue and get first choice of some of the best seats.
Tickets for all other T20 games in 2024 will go on sale to priority groups from 10am on Tuesday 13 February, while tickets for Vitality Blast Off are on sale now at Super Early Bird prices at tickets.edgbaston.com.
Four Teams. Two Matches. Blast Off is back!
Vitality Blast Off is back and the Bears will launch their home T20 campaign with a huge men’s double-header featuring two big Midlands rivalry games.
Taking place on Saturday 1 June, Derbyshire Falcons host Leicestershire Foxes (2.30pm) before the Bears take on Notts Outlaws (6.30pm). Buy tickets in advance and save.
