Worcestershire Rapids reigned supreme in the Vitality Blast in 2018 to win the competition for the first time in their history. The Rapids had failed to reach Finals Day in the previous 15 Blast seasons before securing the ultimate triumph in the 20-over tournament. The following year, Worcestershire came close to becoming the first side to win back-to-back titles, but were beaten by Essex Eagles in a contest that came down to the final ball. The Rapids have not sniffed Finals Day since, suffering three-straight eliminations in the group stage. But there are offers available to back them to return and win the competition in 2023 for the first time in five years, although it will be an uphill challenge given the quality of the teams competing and the talent drain the Rapids have experienced in recent seasons.
Decline
Worcestershire have experienced an exodus of key players who were crucial in securing their first Vitality Blast title. Jack Clarke was a superstar at the top of the order for the Rapids in 2018, but he secured a move to Nottinghamshire Outlaws where he has continued to excel in the shortest form of the game. Riki Wessels was an extremely useful player for the club towards the latter stages of his career at the first-class level, but he was released at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Daryl Mitchell also retired, robbing the Rapids of their leader on the field, a productive batsman and bowler. Ed Barnard is another talented player who has fallen through the grasp of the county, leaving for Warwickshire at the end of the 2022 season. Although the Rapids have not seen a lot of Moeen Ali in recent years due to his England duties, he was still a core part of the teams that reached Finals Day, playing in both matches. Ali has opted to leave the club for Warwickshire too, robbing the Rapids of their T20 skipper.
It’s easy to see why Worcestershire have not been able to compete at the top end of the Blast for the last three years. Few teams could cope with such an extensive talent drain. The Rapids have been losing one key player per season out of the core, while their T20 overseas players have not been able to hit the ground running at New Road to offset those departures.
Improving Talent
Worcestershire do have a strong production line of talent available. Jack Haynes is one of the best up and coming batsmen in the county game. And although the 22-year-old has not found his range in the Blast yet, he certainly has a lot of potential for a breakthrough season in 2023.
On his day, Ed Pollock is one of the most devastating openers in the shortest form of the game. The Rapids have not seen the best of Pollock yet, but the left-hander can certainly explode into life out of nowhere to give his team brisk starts at the top of the order.
Whereas Barnard and Ali moved to Warwickshire, Adam Hose has come in the opposite direction. Hose has proven ability with the bat, earning a contract to play in The Hundred due to his exploits, along with other T20 tournaments around the world. Hose has the experience and the striking power to become a huge asset for the Rapids in the middle order.
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There are good options with the ball, notably home-grown bowlers Josh Tongue and Pat Brown, who have both been on the England radar. Tongue has battled back from a back injury that stymied his career and could be one to watch in the 2023 campaign. Brown can also re-establish his reputation in the shortest form of the game with a good season.
Losing Ali is a huge blow, not only for his batting and leadership, but also his bowling. The Rapids have New Zealand duo Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell signed on for the 2023 season to offer spin in the middle overs, and their experience will be crucial.
Worcestershire could be a sleeper team to watch in the Blast, if their new talent can come together to find the right blend on the pitch.
