Check out all the Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for the Men’s Vitality Blast 2026 Central & West Group Matches – Worcestershire Rapids vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Birmingham Bears vs Somerset – to be played on 24th May.
Points Table
Worcestershire Rapids vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks
To be played on 24th May, 2026 at New Road, Worcester.
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, 24th May 2026.
Venue: New Road, Worcester.
Start Time: 1:30 PM GMT | 7:00 PM IST | 2:30 PM Local.
Current Form:
Worcestershire Rapids:
Worcestershire got their Vitality Blast campaign off to the perfect start after defeating Leicestershire by 18 runs in their opening fixture. Their batting unit looked aggressive throughout the innings, while the bowlers managed to hold their nerve during the chase to secure an impressive win.
The Rapids will once again rely heavily on the experience of Sikandar Raza, Brett D’Oliveira and Gareth Roderick, while Isaac Mohammed provides further firepower in the batting department. Their bowling attack also looks balanced with Adam Finch, Tom Taylor and Usama Mir expected to play important roles through the middle and death overs.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks:
The Steelbacks continued their strong start to the competition with a thrilling three-run win over Glamorgan in their opening encounter. Northamptonshire once again showed their fighting qualities with both bat and ball, continuing the excellent momentum they carried into the new season.
Chris Lynn, David Willey and Justin Broad remain key figures in the batting unit, while George Scrimshaw and Ben Sanderson continue to lead one of the most dangerous pace attacks in the competition. Their ability to strike regularly in all phases makes them a difficult side to chase against.
Batting Stats T20
Players to Watch: (Stats from The 2025 Blast)
Worcestershire Rapids:
Sikandar Raza made an immediate impact in Worcestershire colours in the opening game, scoring a quickfire 25 off just 15 balls. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives the Rapids tremendous balance and experience in pressure situations.
Isaac Mohammed has shown excellent intent with the bat, having scored 154 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 154.0 in 2025. The youngster scored a vital 42 in their opening game this year, and continues to establish himself as an exciting top-order option for Worcestershire.
Adam Finch impressed with the ball despite limited opportunities, taking eight wickets in seven innings at an economy rate of 8.72 in 2025. He picked up 2 wickets in the Rapids’ win over the foxes and is a crucial partnership breaker.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks:
George Scrimshaw continues to be one of the premier wicket-taking bowlers in the competition, having picked up 26 wickets in sixteen innings at an average of 20.3 while striking once every 12.5 balls in 2025. He displayed what he’s capable of, in the first game against Glamorgan, picking up 3 essential wickets.
Calvin Harrison enjoyed a fine all-round campaign in 2025, contributing 84 runs at a strike rate of 143 while also picking up 12 wickets with the ball. He backed his skills up in the first game with 20 runs and 2 wickets.
Justin Broad enjoyed a productive campaign with the bat in 2025, scoring 317 runs in twelve innings at an average of 28.8 while striking at 146.1. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining attacking intent makes him a vital player, with his 38 (25) in the first game being proof of it.
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):
It has been a tough time for the Rapids when they go up against the Steelbacks, who have managed four wins in their last five games, but the Rapids did win the most recent outing between these sides.
Venue Stats – New Road, Worcester (2023-2026):
Average 1st Innings Score:
2023 – 174.75
2024 – 166.42
2025 – 177.71
Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:
Wickets Percentage based on Innings:
Wickets Per Innings:
Wickets per Phase:
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.96 wickets
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 2.43 wickets
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.15 wickets
New Road in Worcester has been a relatively batter friendly venue, with the average first innings score over the last three years having been above 165 in each of the seasons. It is better to chase here, with 61% of the games held here won by sides bowling first.
The conditions here have been more suitable to the quicks, who average nearly 24 runs per dismissal while striking once every 16.6 balls. The spinners average 32.46 and have needed seven more balls per dismissal.
Wicket Takers T20
Squads:
Worcestershire Rapids:
Brett D’Oliveira ©, Gareth Roderick (WK), Jake Libby, Adam Hose, Henry Cullen, Rob Jones, Isaac Mohammed, Ben Allison, Harry Darley, Adam Finch, Fateh Singh, Matthew Waite, Usama Mir, Kashif Ali, Ethan Brookes, Rehan Edavalath, Ben Gibbon, Daniel Lategan, Tom Taylor, Beyers Swanepoel and Sikandar Raza.
Northamptonshire Steelbacks:
David Willey ©, Ricardo Vasconcelos (WK), Lewis McManus (WK), George Bartlett, Justin Broad, Arush Buchake, Liam Guthrie, Calvin Harrison, Rob Keogh, Louis Kimber, Dom Leech, Tiaan Louw, Chris Lynn, Gus Miller, Luke Proctor, Nirvan Ramesh, James Sales, Ben Sanderson, George Scrimshaw, Aadi Sharma, Stuart van der Merwe, Raphael Weatherall and Saif Zaib.
Match Prediction – Worcestershire v Northamptonshire
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the toss? — Worcestershire Rapids
Who will win the match? — Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Isaac Mohammed (Worcestershire Rapids), Chris Lynn (Northamptonshire Steelbacks)
Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Tom Taylor (Worcestershire Rapids), George Scrimshaw (Northamptonshire Steelbacks)
Most Sixes — Sikandar Raza (Worcestershire Rapids), Chris Lynn (Northamptonshire Steelbacks)
Player of the Match — George Scrimshaw (Northamptonshire Steelbacks)
Team Scores Batting First — Worcestershire Rapids 170+, Northamptonshire Steelbacks 175+
Warwickshire Bears vs Somerset
To be played on 24th May, 2026 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Match Details:
Date: Sunday, 24th May 2026.
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Start Time: 2:30 PM GMT | 8:00 PM IST | 3:30 PM Local.
Current Form:
Warwickshire Bears:
A poor start to their season, the Warwickshire Bears will want to quickly put behind their opening game from this season, where their batting was caught off-guard.
Vaansh Jani and Rob Yates were the only players to get into the double digits with the bat, but their bowling was impressive, with Tazeem Chaudhry and Usman Tariq spinning a web.
Somerset:
It was a fantastic start for Somerset once more as the defending champions looked to keep going and defend their title, they beat Hampshire by a convincing margin to get their season under-way.
Will Smeed and James Rew combined as a young duo to lead the way for Somerset with the bat in hand, while their bowling saw the experience of Daniel Sams, Jake Ball and Craig Overton blow away opposition.
Players to Watch:
Warwickshire Bears:
Usman Tariq – on debut in the Vitality Blast, Usman Tariq made an immediate impact, picking up two vital wickets in his three overs, while remaining economical, going at 5.66 runs per over.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby – in just his fifth game of T20 cricket this decade, Hannon-Dalby made sure his skills with the red ball translated to T20s, as he picked up 2/12 with the new ball in two overs.
Tazeem Chaudhry Ali – the leg-spinner impressed with his control over his variations and accuracy, having tore through the Gloucestershire middle-order on his way to figures of 4/25 in four overs.
Somerset:
Craig Overton – he was responsible for ripping through the Hampshire top-order, having dismissed Albert, Vince and Prest, ending with figures of 3/27 in four overs.
Will Smeed – after a tough season last year, Will Smeed will be looking to make amends and he has already started well, scoring a 59 off just 29 balls in his first game of the season.
Daniel Sams – the Australian has started this season well, impressive with his changes in pace, ensuring the batters did not get him away at the death, with Sams taking 2/28 off four overs.
Most 6’s T20
Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):
It has been a difficult match-up for the Warwickshire Bears, who have last won a game against Somerset almost six years ago, and the current form of the Somerset bowlers gives them the edge.
Venue Stats – Edgbaston, Birmingham (2023-2026):
Average 1st Innings Score:
2023 – 167.7
2024 – 151.6
2025 – 172.3
Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:
Wickets Percentage based on Innings:
Wickets Per Innings:
Wickets per Phase:
Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.85 wickets
Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 3.20 wickets
Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.08 wickets
The previous season was the most batter friendly season at the Edgbaston Ground, with the average first innings score there having risen up to 172.3. The teams that get to bat second have a minor advantage at this venue.
The conditions on offer here have been more helpful for the fast bowlers, who average 22.14 runs per dismissal while striking once every 15.2, the spinners average 23.73 and have needed two more balls per dismissal.
Squads:
Warwickshire Bears:
Ed Barnard ©, Kai Smith (WK), Alex Davies (WK), Theo Wylie, Hamza Shaikh, Rob Yates, Jacob Bethell, Michael Booth, Beau Webster, Zen Malik, Dan Mousley, Chris Woakes, Jordan Thompson, Ethan Bamber, Keith Barker, Richard Gleeson, Nathan Gilchrist, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Usman Tariq and Che Simmons.
Somerset:
Lewis Gregory ©, Tom Banton (WK), James Rew (WK), Thomas Rew (WK), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (WK), Will Smeed, Josh Shaw, Riley Meredith, Jack Leach, Tom Lammonby, Craig Overton, Lewis Goldsworthy, Migael Pretorius, Alfie Ogborne, Daniel Sams and Jordan Hermann.
Match Prediction – Warwickshire Bears v Somerset
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the toss? — Somerset
Who will win the match? — Somerset
Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Sam Hain (Warwickshire Bears), James Rew (Somerset)
Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Usman Tariq (Warwickshire Bears), Daniel Sams (Somerset)
Most Sixes — Alex Davies (Warwickshire Bears), James Rew (Somerset)
Player of the Match — James Rew (Somerset)
Team Scores Batting First — Warwickshire Bears 160+, Somerset 180+
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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.
Also, the predictions and picks are formulated from the stats and information sourced and compiled from AI and Stats experts – Always remember, when the fun stops… STOP
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