Birmingham Bears will strive to open a new chapter of one of the biggest rivalries in Vitality Blast cricket when they host Worcestershire Rapids in the big derby on Friday 10 July.
The Bears v Rapids T20 clash at Edgbaston has long been a landmark in the cricket calendar.
The rivals have fought out many a titanic tussle with margins of victory in the Edgbaston showdown down the years including one run and one wicket. It is a fixture which always delivers, played amid a boisterous, big-match atmosphere that always delivers.
On July 10, the Bears will be looking to wrestle the initiative back from their neighbours after the Rapids have taken the upper hand on their recent visits to the Second City.
Since the first Edgbaston T20 tussle between the sides in 2004, fortunes have gone in remarkable cycles with the Rapids winning the first four, then the Bears taking six of the next seven before the Rapids hit back again and they have won the last four.
In the last two – former Bear and England star Moeen Ali has come back to haunt his old club, his two match-winnings innings in the games bringing him the little matter of 200 runs from 102 balls with 19 fours and 13 sixes!
The first of those knocks was a dazzling century – and this year the Bears’ batters will each be bursting to become the first Bear to score a T20 ton against their fiercest rivals. Six Bears – Ian Bell, Varun Chopra, Will Porterfeld, Heath Streak, Jonathan Trott and Jim Troughton – have passed 50 but none, so far have made it to three-figures. The best: 75 by Chopra and Trott.
Or will it be the bowlers that shine on July 10? Neil Carter’s five for 19 and Keith Barker’s four for 19 are the best figures by a Bears against the Rapids in T20 at Edgbaston so far, while impressive three-fors have been recorded by Rikki Clarke, Recordo Gordon, Stef Piolet, Josh Poysden, Ian Salisbury, Heath Streak, and Chris Woakes.
Who will write their names into Bears history on July 10, 2020?
It’s the most popular game of the summer, and to manage demand supporters will be able to pick the seat they want for this fixture with reserved seating in place. Dynamic pricing will also be available, with tickets available from as little as just £10.
Supporters can get first access to tickets for Bears v Rapids during our Priority Window, which runs from Monday 24 February, by registering online at birminghambears.com/priority.
Tickets for all seven home Vitality Blast games in 2020 will go on general sale from 10am on Monday 2 March online at edgbaston.com, by calling 0121 369 1994 or in-person at Edgbaston Stadium.
