Several Warwickshire Bears players prepared for their clash with Worcestershire Rapids in the Vitality Blast on Friday 26 June by turning out in a five-wicket win for the Second XI against Northamptonshire at Edgbaston Community Sports Ground.
Chris Woakes, Usman Tariq, Richard Gleeson and Olly Hannon-Dalby were all in action ahead of the local derby later this week, with Tariq the pick of the bowlers after Northants had won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Tariq picked up three for 21 from four overs and Theo Wylie two for 32, while Hannon-Dalby and Taz Ali took a wicket apiece as Northants made 171 for seven from their 20 overs.
Kai Smith got the Bears reply off to a fine start, striking 39 off 18 balls, while putting on 56 for the first wicket with Arjun Nahal (18), before Smith was removed at the end of the fifth over.
Hamza Shaikh, coming in at three, then hit six fours and five sixes to take the game away from Northants in the middle overs, before he was eventually dismissed for 64 off 29 balls. Wylie added a quick-fire 20 off ten balls at the end of the innings as the Bears reached their target five down and with three overs remaining.
The Second XI close the gap to Northants at the top of the Central Group T20 table, and are now two points off top spot with a game in hand.