In a new series for this year's Vitality Blast, an expert eye will provide a deep dive into each of The Blaze and Notts Outlaws' Trent Bridge opponents.

Continuing into the second Trent Bridge double-header of 2025, a detailed look at Worcestershire Rapids is provided by radio and live-stream commentator, and host of the 'On A Pear' podcast, Jim Dale.

Secure your seats to Saturday’s double-header on 7 June here...

How do you rate the Rapids’ start to the 2025 Vitality Blast?

“Despite the small sample size, I have been pleased with the start to this year’s Blast.

“A narrow loss at Lancashire - a ground we have a notoriously bad record at - followed by an outstanding all-round team performance against Yorkshire back at HQ means there’s plenty of positives.

“The Rapids are a competitive side in white ball cricket. What is most satisfying about the opening fixtures this year is that we seem to have an identity and a game plan.

“When we’ve been good in this competition, we have had a clear strategy in place. A team better than the sum of its parts.

“There’s a long way to go, but a thumping win against a dangerous Yorkshire side that beat us twice in the Blast last year is a good yardstick to measure this team against. It’s been a promising first week."

Who are the key players that fans should be aware of?

“The success of the Worcestershire season will be, in large part, determined by how well the fab four go with the bat.

“Brett D’Oliveira, Kashif Ali, Adam Hose and Ethan Brookes will have to do a lot of heavy lifting if we are to threaten the big scoring teams.

“For context, Worcestershire have only cleared 200 on six occasions since they last won the Blast 2018. That’s one of the lowest returns of any team in the that time frame.

“The good news is that they have all shown their class early this campaign. Kashif has shown clean six hitting, while Brookes has been inventive and energetic. D’Oliveira got a career-best score against Yorkshire last Sunday, and Hose passed fifty.

“The welcome return of allrounder Matthew Waite will add big hitting to the lower middle order, while with the ball, the Rapids have invested in two overseas quicks in New Zealander Jacob Duffy and Aussie Ben Dwarshuis.

“Worcestershire’s bowling unit has been mainly very good, regardless of how well the team have done as a whole in recent years, but there's been a need to improve the death bowling.

“We have recruited well in that department. In Duffy, we have the number 1 ranked IT20 bowler in the world, and Dwarshuis has clearly developed his game since his first stint at New Road four years ago."

Who are the young up-and-comers worth keeping an eye on?

“There are a handful of talented youngsters on the books, like pace bowler Jack Home and former Outlaws spinner Fateh Singh. Fatz has already been in the wickets this season, going at a miserly economy rate, too.

“But without doubt, the standout young player is all-rounder Ethan Brookes. Brilliant anywhere in the field. A maestro with the bat. A skilful operator with the ball.

“He’s the archetypal modern cricketer. His main strength is his 360-degree stroke making… and he’s confident to show it from ball one.

“Brookes is a superb sweeper of a ball… and can reserve, switch hit and scoop at will. The former Warwickshire man can play ‘proper’ cricket shots too.

“He’s fast becoming a vital safety valve with the ball as well. A right arm medium-pacer, he will vary his length and his speed with an array of cutters, cross seamers and knuckle balls.

“Brookes is consistent, frugal and chips in with wickets. His first two T20 games this year twice saw a return of 1-26 from four overs. By his own admission, there is a more than a hint of ‘Ravi Bopara’ to his game.

“If he manages to have anything near the storied career of the former England international, then he will have certainly made good on his apparent talent and potential.”

Based on what you’ve seen so far, what do you think should be the target for the Rapids in 2025?

“I think that we are likely to see the South Group dominate Finals Day again this year, so a quarter-final feels like the ceiling for this Rapids side, but that is definitely what the target should be - to reach the knockout stage.

“We don’t have the same firepower we had when reaching Finals Day in back-to-back years just over five years ago, but we are hard to beat.

“We stay in games. We fight hard. We field well. We have a squad full of talented, but often overlooked or unfancied cricketers. But as I said, we’re competitive in white ball cricket.

“It makes early season targets and predictions pretty easy for us Rapids fans. We're usually somewhere near, so let's aim for that quarter final spot. 

“Get in the last eight - then anything can happen!”