Blast Preview: Rapids v Bears

West Indian all-rounder Kyle Mayers will relish the pressure of a derby debut when the Bears face Worcestershire Rapids in a crucial Blast fixture at New Road on Friday night (5.30pm).

Windies international Mayers has been recruited to reinforce a Bears squad ravaged by international calls, injuries and Covid, with the latter ruling out Mayers’ countryman Carlos Brathwaite again tomorrow.

Brathwaite will be back for the last two group matches next weekend. In the meantime, 28-year-old Mayers, whose last competitive cricket was a Test match against South Africa in the Caribbean in June,  is mustard keen to help fire the Bears to victory tomorrow to boost their bid for qualification.

“The coaches have told me all about the rivalry with the Rapids and what a big game it is for the fans and the players, so I am really looking forward to that challenge,” he said. “Any pressure situation is good because it is always a great feeling to help get your team across the line.

“Pressure is nothing new to me. You just have to absorb it and play as good as cricket as possible. I am really looking forward to the game. It will be a great experience for me and I haven’t played cricket in front of fans for a while so that will be really good.”

Kyle Mayers

A left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, Mayers brings to the Bears experience from playing for the West indies in all formats. His Test career started in sensational style last February when he scored a stunning unbeaten 210 (310 balls, 20 fours, seven sixes) as West Indies chased down 395 to beat Bangladesh by three wickets at Chattogram.

He would love to make a similar impact on his Bears debut tomorrow.

“I am really excited to be here,” he said. “Any opportunity to play cricket in England is a good one. I was here as a reserve last time West Indies came to play in England and really enjoyed my time in the country. I always wanted to come back and really see what living in England is all about.

“It has been great so far and I really appreciate this opportunity with the Bears. I had a good net with the batting coach and the bowling coach the first day I arrived before the rain came! The last game I played was in a Test series so it was good to knock off some dust and I just can’t wait for the games to arrive.

“Any chance I get to be involved, whether it is with the ball or the bat, I will be looking to take it. I want to make this most of this opportunity.”

Squad

Will Rhodes (c), Jacob Bethell, Ethan Brookes, Michael Burgess (wk), Sam Hain, Adam Hose, Matt Lamb, Jake Lintott, Kyle Mayers, Craig Miles, Ed Pollock, Ryan Sidebottom, Rob Yates.

How to follow

Warwickshire Members and supporters will be able to follow all the action via the Match Centre on edgbaston.com and through the Edgbaston app (available for free on iOS and Android).

Supporters can also keep up to date with the scores and in-play clips through the Match Centre on edgbaston.com

Bears Blast Best: Worcestershire Rapids

The Bears go head-to-head with West Midlands rivals Worcestershire Rapids on Friday night in a bid to retain the Norman Gifford Trophy.

Brian Halford looks at the best performances from the Bears against our nearest rivals, dating back to the start of the T20 Cup in 2003.

Best Innings – 89

Nick Knight (Worcester, 2003)

On June 18, 2003, the Bears and the Rapids met for the first time in T20. The historic day was graced by an innings which remains, nearly 20 years later, the best by a Bear against their old rivals in the format.

Nick Knight, one of the best ODI batsmen in the world, showed immediately that he could switch to the shortest format and play with just as much skill and effectiveness. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, he faced the first ball in a T20 derby at New Road, from Matt Mason, and went on to underpin the innings with a glorious 89 from 58 balls with nine fours and three sixes.

The elegant left-hander was closing in on a century with three overs to spare when he fell, stumped off Gareth Batty, but had done more than enough to set up a win for his team.

The Bears made 175 (no one else reached 20) then restricted the Rapids to 155 for five thanks to a brilliant spell from Neil Carter (4-0-19-3), supported by wickets too for Waqar Younis, Neil Smith and Ian Bell.

Best Bowling – 5/19

Neil Carter (Edgbaston, 2005)

July 1, 2005, delivered one of the great T20 tussles between the Bears and the Rapids.

The visitors won by one run inside a packed Edgbaston. It was a magnificent match which left the stadium buzzing after Heath Streak had very nearly managed to hit 20 from the last three balls (with a no ball thrown in!) to steal victory for the Bears.

And earlier in the evening, ‘Carts’ had produced bowling figures which remain the Bears’ best in the Blast…against the Rapids or anyone else.

After the Rapids chose to bat, Streak quickly took out danger man Graeme Hick, caught by wicketkeeper Stuart Eustace. Several Rapids batters made starts but progressed little further…and then Carter got among the middle order.

With fast, accurate swing bowling, the left-armer took down Stephen Peters and David Leatherdale just as they were starting to threaten. The Rapids needed some late impetus, but were denied it as Carter dismissed David Pipe, Daryl Mitchell and Nadeem Malik to finish with figures of 3.5-0-19-5.

Carter’s superb work sent the Rapids all out for 141, a target to which he then gave the Bears a lively launch with 17 from six balls. An truly amazing match then unfolded as the Bears lurched to 81 for nine before Streak (59 from 32 balls) and Jimmy Anyon (eight not out from 14) added 59 before Streak was run out off the last ball going for a second run that would have won the game.

Quite a game and Carts’ record still stands!